# Messages of hope in a dark time **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 5, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793 "2026-05-05T00:17:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/1 "2026-05-05T00:17:31Z")
I often avoid P&E because I’m know going to see something depressing. So rather than curse the darkness, I’m going to light a little candle (to coin a phrase). I just came across this quote from author [Rebecca Solnit](https://www.rebeccasolnit.net/), and it was too good not to share here: > **Hope does not mean saying this is not bad, and it does not mean saying that we can defeat it. It just means saying we will keep showing up. That we will not give up… we do not know how it will unfold, and neither do those we oppose.** In other threads in P&E, I’ve tried to urge people who are feeling hopeless or discouraged to take some form of action – attend a rally, join a political group, even just donate some money. Because the authoritarians _want_ you to believe that it is useless to resist. And if you do, they’ve won. Pessimism is self-fulfilling. Solnit encapsulates the opposite view beautifully. Another quote I saw recently: > Don’t do **nothing** just because you can’t do **everything**. I’ll add that fighting back _feels good_, and puts you in touch with others who feel the same, which is itself reassuring. And you won’t have to be ashamed when your grandchildren ask you what you did to stop Trump. So this thread can be your place to share positive news from the world of politics, to share what thoughts and ideas have encouraged you, and to tell us how you have decided to do your part to save the world. As Rick said, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful thread.” Or something like that. [![](https://fourthandsycamore.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/casablanca-rick-and-renault-ending.jpg) ](https://fourthandsycamore.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/casablanca-rick-and-renault-ending.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/2 "2026-05-05T03:54:44Z")
> **Probable threadshit hidden** > > the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, the ammo box. > > [Four boxes of liberty - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_boxes_of_liberty) > > most people dont even bother to vote. the primary in my state is tomorrow, voters turnout will likely be 10%. > > in the midterms in fall, about 40 million people who voted in 2024 won’t show up despite midterm lines usually not being an issue. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/3 "2026-05-05T04:12:08Z")
**Moderating:** @Wesley_Clark, I get the cynicism, but _especially_ as the _first_ reply in a thread that explicitly asks for “positive news from the world of politics” your post is hard to see as anything other than a threadshit. Especially since you have multiple warnings (some very recent) about hijacking threads. I am giving the benefit of the doubt in not issuing a Warning at this time. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/4 "2026-05-05T09:06:03Z")
Well this was certainly good news for Europe: [2026 Hungarian parliamentary election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Hungarian_parliamentary_election) Basically Orban was defeated - and that’s very good for European co-operation. From the Wiki link: In the lead up to the election, analysts described the election as the most important one in the [European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union) in 2026 and a [referendum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendum) on whether Hungary would continue to drift towards authoritarianism and [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia) or change course towards [liberal democracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_democracy) and the EU. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/5 "2026-05-06T05:18:44Z")
My world is currently overcrowded with dark days. I have this quote pinned to my bulletin board. It kinda helps. “The hope that is left, after all your hopes are gone - that is pure hope, rooted in the heart.” Brother David Steindl-Rast ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/6 "2026-05-07T14:13:17Z")
Kyle Rittenhouse was hospitalized after having been bitten by a spider. No word on how the spider is doing. Thoughts and prayers. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/7 "2026-05-07T23:43:20Z")
Trump opinion polling net approval averages have declined by about seven points this year according to the site for this stuff I trust the most, Silver Bulletin. Then I went to RealClearPolitics to find how Trump’s approval average compares to the same point in his first term, using the same methodology. Trump is now 7.5 points below where he was on May 7, 2018. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/8 "2026-05-12T00:20:56Z")
I think we should take solace where we can get it, as here: [Fortune: Trump Mobile quietly rewrote its fine print to say the gold Trump phone may never be made](https://fortune.com/2026/05/11/trump-mobile-gold-trump-phone-deposits-t1-device-fcc/) > [@](#): > > The terms change comes as the $500 phone, dubbed the “T1,” has had its release pushed back several times. The phone was first set to ship to depositors in August 2025. . . . > > The phone, which was originally advertised as being made in America, will now be “designed with American values in mind,” the [website](http://trumpmobile.com/about) states. I love that phrase “designed with American values in mind.” So if ever released, not only will it be manufactured outside the U.S., it also will be, I gather, mostly designed outside the U.S. – but with American values. I’m wonder how those values could be manifested. A discount coupon for an AR-15 with every phone? But don’t worry. The message of hope is that the Trump phone remains vaporware. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/9 "2026-05-15T12:51:10Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IjWobY82HZE/maxresdefault.jpg "Take Back the USA - A Bucky Goldstein Parody") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjWobY82HZE) ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/10 "2026-05-16T22:43:14Z")
It’s a fight. The heroes of Minnesota and Hungary showed the way. Sure some will fold. But some will fight: it’s a matter of character. Those with excess time between Labor Day and Election Day should research volunteer opportunities now. Those with ample funds should donate yesterday. This website -which is not a PAC - lists various swingy jurisdictions to donate to at the state, federal and local level: [https://blue24.org/](https://blue24.org/) It’s run by Charles Gaba who is also the webmaster of [acasignups.net](http://acasignups.net), covering the Affordable Care Act beat. Another hero. Trump’s trendline approval rating is at 36.8%; the floor during Trump I was about 39%. He is an historically unpopular President. Personality cultists will cheer him on regardless of his policies. The stalwart will act accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/11 "2026-05-17T03:53:58Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Well this was certainly good news for Europe: > > [2026 Hungarian parliamentary election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Hungarian_parliamentary_election) > > Basically Orban was defeated - and that’s very good for European co-operation. > > From the Wiki link: > > In the lead up to the election, analysts described the election as the most important one in the [European Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union) in 2026 and a [referendum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendum) on whether Hungary would continue to drift towards authoritarianism and [Russia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia) or change course towards [liberal democracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_democracy) and the EU. To add to this, the new prime minister of Hungary has said that they aren’t going to use public funds to promote CPAC anymore. Also US lawmakers are looking for investigations into this too. So this is a win for the rule of law. > **[Under Orbán, Hungary funded US conservative activities. Rep. Mike Levin urges...](https://www.europeaninterest.eu/under-orban-hungary-funded-us-conservative-activities-rep-mike-levin-urges-investigation/)** > > The recent electoral defeat of Hungary’s authoritarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, carries significant implications on both national and international fronts. Orbán has been accused of utilising government funds for foreign interference in Romania... > In a press conference on 13 April, **Péter Magyar** , the incoming Prime Minister of Hungary, asserted that Orbán’s administration financed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a significant networking event for Republican candidates. > > Magyar indicated that his government will cease this use of public funds and condemned the alleged financial transactions. He emphasised the importance of conducting a thorough investigation into these claims, while noting that although CPAC is welcome in Hungary, its financing will no longer be supported by the government. Reports suggest that part of this funding was directed towards influential figures in Congress and conservative media in the United States. > > “Under U.S. law, that is not just a Hungarian problem,” noted Rep. Mike Levin in a post on X today. > > “Foreign governments are barred from spending money in American elections, and Americans are forbidden from soliciting or accepting it. If these allegations are true, this is a direct attack on the integrity of American democracy,” Levin emphasised. > > “We need a full investigation by Congress, the FEC, and the DOJ. The American people deserve to know exactly what flowed from Orbán’s government into this country’s political ecosystem, who was on the receiving end, and what it bought,” highlighted Levin. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/12 "2026-05-17T04:17:05Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Another quote I saw recently: > > > Don’t do **nothing** just because you can’t do **everything**. Indeed. Especially in the context of climate change, I often point out partial solutions. And sometimes, if you can get enough partial solutions, they might even add up to a full solution. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/13 "2026-05-17T05:01:45Z")
I have this pinned at Bluesky: [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:kem5cevl5sjpizk4s27cbyig/bafkreia4p6wo2tgan4mxqyzm3uvo3x4qbloh2tgjewm2kacdebb6ap452e) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:kem5cevl5sjpizk4s27cbyig/bafkreia4p6wo2tgan4mxqyzm3uvo3x4qbloh2tgjewm2kacdebb6ap452e) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/14 "2026-05-17T05:13:40Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I love that phrase “designed with American values in mind.” So if ever released, not only will it be manufactured outside the U.S., it also will be, I gather, mostly designed outside the U.S. – but with American values. I’m wonder how those values could be manifested. A discount coupon for an AR-15 with every phone? A rich guy fucking a bunch of poor people? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/15 "2026-05-17T05:18:57Z")
Moderating: > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I love that phrase “designed with American values in mind.” So if ever released, not only will it be manufactured outside the U.S., it also will be, I gather, mostly designed outside the U.S. – but with American values. I’m wonder how those values could be manifested. A discount coupon for an AR-15 with every phone? > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > A rich guy fucking a bunch of poor people? Let’s respect the intentions of the OP of this thread and reserve the negativity for the many, many other such cynical and sad threads started about Trump here in P&E and/or the Pit: > [@commasense](#): > > So this thread can be your place to share positive news from the world of politics, to share what thoughts and ideas have encouraged you, and to tell us how you have decided to do your part to save the world. Comments such as the two of you posted are far from in keeping with the spirit of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/16 "2026-05-17T05:21:10Z")
@commasense re the Bucky Goldstein parody video. That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing it! ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/17 "2026-05-18T13:53:51Z")
> **[Xi and Putin Reach Agreement on Joint Ownership of Trump](https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/xi-and-putin-reach-agreement-on-joint)** > > According to sources familiar with the deal, the two leaders struck a timeshare arrangement. > BEIJING ([The Borowitz Report](https://www.borowitzreport.com))—Calling it a landmark deal, on Monday Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia inked an agreement to jointly own Donald J. Trump. > > According to sources familiar with the deal, the two leaders crafted a timeshare arrangement under which each will have the right to use Trump when the other is not. > > Putin and Xi scooped up Trump at a bargain price since they acquired him in distressed or “as is” condition, sources said. > > Both presidents were reportedly offered joint ownership of Eric Trump but passed. (For the humor-impaired, this is satire. I highly recommend The Borowitz Report.) ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/18 "2026-05-21T13:11:20Z")
Commentary from Borowitz, noting Stephen Colbert’s final _Late Show_ tonight. > **[Trump Will Lose His War on Laughter](https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/trump-will-lose-his-war-on-laughter-ad2)** > > It's going about as swimmingly as the one with Iran. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/19 "2026-05-25T17:39:47Z")
With nearly unanimous support in both houses, Hawaii has passed a law that takes away corporations’ power to make political contributions, effectively undercutting the _Citizens United_ decision. Several other states are working on similar laws. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oBGpEcPrbso/maxresdefault.jpg "Hawaii just found a way around Citizens United. Other states are following.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBGpEcPrbso) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793/20 "2026-05-25T17:41:16Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > With nearly unanimous support in both houses, Hawaii has passed a law that takes away corporations’ power to make political contributions, effectively undercutting the _Citizens United_ decision. This is maybe the most hopeful message I’ve seen in a very long time! Thanks so much for sharing it. Oregon better be trying to follow suit! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messages-of-hope-in-a-dark-time/1029793.md?page=2)