Joseph Hill

teacher ... conductor ... composer

[Tommy Santos @tommysantos14]

When Trump leaves office:

The Department of War will go back to being the Defense Department.

The Trump Kennedy Center will go back to being the Kennedy Center.

The Gulf of America will once again be the Gulf of Mexico.

The unfinished East Wing (it won't be finished by the end of Trump's term) will be rebuilt by the next president, and it will not be a ballroom.

Federal agencies packed with unqualified loyalists will fire those people and rehire the career experts Trump fired.

The Department of Justice will go back to enforcing the law instead of protecting the president.

Scientific agencies like NOAA, the EPA, and the CDC will go back to publishing research without political interference.

The U.S. will re-align with its allies and not with its enemies.

The presidential pardon power will stop being used as a rewards program for loyalists.

Inspectors General will go back to investigating corruption instead of getting fired for it.

The White House press room will go back to having briefings, with real journalists and not podcasters.

U.S. foreign policy will stop revolving around flattering dictators.

And the world will progress as though Donald Trump never existed.

[Andrea Sheridan @AndreaNSheridan]

High demand in Kansas City: Everyone's eyeing spacious homes with outdoor retreats! Market conditions are pushing sellers to rethink value. Want to maximize your sale? Now's the time to act. What's your must-have home feature? Drop a comment! #KansasCityRealEstate

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

Happy birthday to the woman who lights up every room she walks into. I love you, Miche.

[Phil Ehr @PhilEhr]

When I earned my commission in the United States Navy, I swore an oath to defend the Constitution, and I lived that oath for 26 years. I flew reconnaissance missions during the Cold War, supported combat operations in Desert Storm, and advised senior leaders in Washington, London, and NATO on some of the toughest security challenges of our time. My service began rescuing Cubans fleeing Castro’s dictatorship, and it carried me across the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, often into situations where failure meant certain death.

I’ve watched Soviet warships shadow us at sea. I’ve flown long, dangerous missions over unstable regions. I’ve strengthened America’s border security and used declassified space technology to help civilian agencies safeguard our nation and advance our scientific research. I’ve carried out humanitarian missions in Ukraine and seen firsthand the brutality of Putin’s authoritarian war.

So when I see Hegseth and Trump threaten military members of Congress, saying we should be arrested or killed for honoring their oath, I have one thing to say: I’d like to see you try.

We’ve faced adversaries far more dangerous, and far more competent than the two of you combined. Your desperation and ignorance reek of fear - and real soldiers can smell fear a mile away.

Our oath is our compass. Full stop.

[Senator Mark Kelly @SenMarkKelly]

When I was 22 years old, I commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and swore an oath to the Constitution. I upheld that oath through flight school, multiple deployments on the USS Midway, 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, test pilot school, four space shuttle flights at NASA, and every day since I retired – which I did after my wife Gabby was shot in the head while serving her constituents.

In combat, I had a missile blow up next to my jet and flew through anti-aircraft fire to drop bombs on enemy targets. At NASA, I launched on a rocket, commanded the space shuttle, and was part of the recovery mission that brought home the bodies of my astronaut classmates who died on Columbia. I did all of this in service to this country that I love and has given me so much.

Secretary Hegseth’s tweet is the first I heard of this. I also saw the President’s posts saying I should be arrested, hanged, and put to death.

If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution.

[Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @rshereme]

French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann responds to the White House press secretary’s attack after he suggested France should reclaim the Statue of Liberty:

“Dear Americans, since the White House press secretary is attacking me today, I wanted to tell you this:”

1/n

[Headquarters @HQNewsNow]

Harrison Ford: When dozens of former members of the Trump administration are sounding alarms saying ‘For God's sake, don't do this again,’ you have to pay attention. They're telling us something important. I've got one vote, same as anyone else, and I'm going to use it to move forward. I'm going to vote for Kamala Harris

[The Washington Post @washingtonpost]

John Kelly, Donald Trump’s longest-serving White House chief of staff, said in a new interview that his former boss met the definition of a fascist, would govern like a dictator if elected again and did not understand the Constitution or the rule of law. https://t.co/lTXXAWlyd9

[Heath Mayo @HeathMayo]

This dude is a patriot. My goodness.

[Joseph Hill @josephbhill]

This is long, but really good. Please share!

[no context the west wing @LemonLymancom]

Bradley Whitford’s speech. Every. Word.

[Q 🏁 @JackSwagg2k15]

@MarkHamill 😔

[Kamala Harris @KamalaHarris]

I’m Kamala Harris, and I’m running for President of the United States.

[Trygve Olson @trygveolson]

This Autocratic Intention Signaling by Donald Trump is perhaps another excellent opportunity to remind people of the Seven Rules for Dealing with Autocrats and their enablers. I wrote these when working with those worldwide fighting for Democracy in their nations, and they are just as applicable today with what we face in America in the coming months.

Rule #1: Play the Game You Are In, Not the One You Wish or Want to Play - Recognize and adapt to the dynamics. In a zero-sum struggle against illiberal forces, there's no room for romantic win-win approaches. The outcome is binary: either victory for democracy or defeat to autocracy.

Rule #2: Speak Truth to Power Relentlessly - Challenge the illiberal forces' Big Lies by consistently speaking truth to their power base, the people. Persistence is key, as there's always a tipping point where either truth or lies prevail.

Rule #3: Avoid Giving Autocrats Ammunition - Remember, the struggle isn't about policy or ideology but democracy. Be cautious with your words to prevent autocrats from using them to divide you from your allies.

Rule #4: Recognize Authoritarians' Disregard for Truth - Understand that authoritarians operate in a truth-free zone, focusing solely on maintaining or gaining power. They want you to move on with them, don't. Stay vigilant in forcing them to answer for their actions, lies, and distortions.

Rule #5: Employ Zero-Sum Judo - Turn their tactics against them. Use Big Truths, marginalization, dependency, mockery of disinformation, and division to weaken their power structure. Exploit their need for the legitimacy of democracy.

Rule #6: The Stalin Rule - Unite Against Illiberalism - Stand with anyone willing to fight against illiberal structures, regardless of other differences. Shared commitment to democracy and opposition to illiberal politics is the binding force.

Rule #7: Daily Challenge to Power Structures - Every day, seek ways to expose, confront, and destabilize vertical power structures. Be proactive in restoring faith in democracy and facing the fear used by autocrats to keep you in silence.

Final Thought: Believe in the erosion of fear and the rise of faith in democracy of your fellow Americans. This battle is crucial not just for our nation but for the world. It's about preserving the legacy of a Great Experiment and a Shining City on a Hill, not only for ourselves but for the generations of Americans who will follow.

I am an optimist; if you stand up, and I do too, we are the majority and will prevail! We need to hold fast in the faith in one another, which makes democracy work and has carried America in its times of peril past. We will win this battle against the Autocratic Forces because we have no choice.

[Jeff Timmer @jefftimmer]

It happened in Germany because not enough people believed the fascists would actually do the insane shit they said they would do. That’s how it happens. The freaks are never a majority. They’re not a majority in the U.S. but apathy is how they can still win.

[Joseph Hill @josephbhill]

Nominate someone awesome! #kcjazzeducation #musedchat

[Missouri Association for Jazz Education @mo_aje]

Do you know a jazz educator that is truly something special and deserves to be recognized? Submit their information to be the 2023 MOAJE Outstanding Jazz Educator Award. [https://t.co/7OAhaxRVKP](https://t.co/jaNmbTXvxK)

[Joseph Hill @josephbhill]

Great opportunity! #musedchat #kcjazzeducation

[nafme @NAfME]

Nov. 14, 7PM ET: NAfME Council for Jazz Education Town Hall “Building Your Jazz Program at Any Level and Q&A!” with Dr. Roosevelt Griffin, Dr. Lenora Helm Hammonds, and Ms. Bethany Robinson Register: https://t.co/UAKpHP1kBE #musedchat

[Joseph Hill @josephbhill]

@celloitsalive Always great to get students involved in solos and small ensembles at an early age! #orchestrateacher

[Joseph Hill @josephbhill]

Loved hearing all the great high school jazz students at KC Metro Auditions on Saturday! Congrats to Raytown Alto Sax, Joel Martinez for making the band! #kcjazzeducation #highschooljazz #kansascityjazz

[Joseph Hill @josephbhill]

Don’t even know what to say …

[Natasha ❀ @ndelriego]

This thread will be dedicated to the victims of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

As a parent, my heart is broken seeing these faces and their ages.

My condolences to their families during this difficult time 🙏🏻

Xavier Lopez, 10. He was a 4th grader at Robb Elementary.

[Joseph Hill @josephbhill]

I agree 100%

[Clint Smith @ClintSmithIII]

There is no place like New Orleans. Best city in the world and it’s not even close.