Keeping Calmala, Carrying Onala

[Tymofiy Mylovanov @Mylovanov]

Some in Washington argue that Ukraine holds no strategic value for the US and should be abandoned - a sentiment I’ve heard directly from certain, not all, voices in the Trump camp. Their point - a Ukraine fall doesn't threaten Ohio

Here are the reasons why they are wrong 1/

[Keeping Calmala, Carrying Onala @playwithdirt]

@loladamwants @RonFilipkowski Not only immigrants, but illegal immigrants, as Elon overstayed his student visa illegally while trying to get funding for his company. Unlike many *legal* H1-B holders, he didn’t follow the rules he is complaining about others not following.

[Rev. Benjamin Cremer @Brcremer]

Notice how it's always "America was founded on Christian principles!" until it comes to welcoming the immigrant, helping the poor, feeding the hungry, bringing healthcare to the sick, forgiving debts, caring for our planet, laying down our swords, or loving our neighbors.

[Keeping Calmala, Carrying Onala @playwithdirt]

@AlecStapp I don’t see where they removed regulations over women making their own healthcare decisions though. Lots of freedom in Idaho to choose one of the few remaining OBGYNs willing to work in this “less” regulated environment 🤨

[Qasim Rashid, Esq. @QasimRashid]

Democrats should condemn Biden pardoning a family member because if he doesn't, he sets terrible precedent that could even see a crazy scenario where Trump pardons a family member of major crimes and then gives him a prestigious role as ambassador to a nuclear armed nation.

[harrison (///) @harrisondubay]

joe biden pardoning his son is something i could imagine giving a shit about in the universe where we didn’t elect a felon rapist

[Keeping Calmala, Carrying Onala @playwithdirt]

@torontocoffee @calebgamman What is funny about shit-stirring posts by AI bots?

[Moshik Temkin @moshik_temkin]

I know our elites want to talk about everything except this, but as a historian it is my duty to tell you that in such conditions you simply cannot keep a democracy alive. It requires ever more propaganda, authoritarianism, and violence. It is is not sustainable. It is dangerous.

[Lindsey Simmons @Lynz_Simmons]

Let me tell you a secret about how you, as one, individual person, can have an impact on your Republican Senator or Representative.

1️⃣ You’re going to call, email and write to that person at their national and district office. You’re going use your own words. No more than one page. Include your name and address (showing you live in their state or district).

2️⃣ You’re going to find the district office nearest to you and visit it in person. You’re going to ask to speak to someone—frankly, it doesn’t matter who. The district workers actually live here, in the community with you. They may send their kid to the same school.

They may shop at the same Wal-Mart or visit the same Christmas Tree farm. You’re going to be polite and civil. Introduce yourself and ask to speak with someone about a concern. If they ask what it is, tell them. If they say there’s no one you can see, ask to talk to them. Get their name.

Most people will look dumbfounded but say yes. Then, before diving in, ask where they are from. Build rapport, find a quick commonality. And then, in just 1-2 sentences explain your feelings on the issue. Then spend 1-2 sentences making the issue local. It doesn’t hurt to fake compliment either.

So for example: “I’m concerned about the tariffs that might happen. Joshua Hawley says he cares about workers. But my uncle works at the plant and he’s not getting the planned bonus this year because they’re preparing for cost increases.”

Then, you wait. Resist the urge to speak again. Wait. Force that person to say something. Look at them kindly. Wait for them to say something. Doesn’t really matter what they say. At the end ask if you can leave your note that explains the problem (the note should mirror what you said). And leave.

3️⃣ About two weeks later, call the local office. Ask to speak with that same person. And politely ask what your Senator or Representative plans to do about the concern you raised.

What’s the impact?

Well, first of all, offices log and record all communications that come in. I worked in an office where we kept track, numerically, of how many concerns came in about which issue. The issues with the most complaints were talked about first in our constituent services meetings.

At the local office, these folks are not career beltway politicos hoping for proximity to power. They are more apt to still see you as a person and not a Democrat. And they will be more likely to vocalize the concern in a human way.

The effect, when many individuals do this work, is a gradual softening on the issue by the staff which reaches their boss. For folks in more purple districts, this can have great effect. In more red districts where the person is of a more old school or traditionalist style it can still help.

Regardless of outcome, it’s still important to do because the offices need to be aware of the very vocal opposition to damaging policies. If we go silent, they will believe there’s widespread support where none exists. We must use our voice and the tools available while we still have them.

😎 P.S. All of this is even more impactful at the state and local level.

[Hank Green @hankgreen]

What an achievement vaccines are. What a monument to our love for each other it is to stare straight into the face of something as horrific and unstoppable as smallpox or measles or polio or cervical cancer and say “You know what, it doesn’t have to be like this.”

HUMANS!

[Fly Sistah 🪷 @Fly_Sistah]

VP Kamala Harris ran on $25,000 for new homeowners, 3 million new homes, $6,000 newborn tax credits, childcare costs at 7% of income, $50,000 new business credits, $35 insulin, $2,000 out of pocket cap for seniors prescriptions, home health care costs covered by Medicare & jobs.

[Michael J. Stern @MichaelJStern1]

The headline should be "Four Star General Replaced by Fox News Host!"

Not "In Bold Move, Trump Picks Unorthodox Staff."

@CNN, you stink.

[Laura Robinson @LauraRbnsn]

So between
1) banning ingredients that expand shelf life
2) halving the number of farm workers
3) tariffs on packaging
I’m starting to think the “I’m voting for cheaper groceries” people might want to start making some phone calls.
This looks like eight dollar eggs to me.

[Keeping Calmala, Carrying Onala @playwithdirt]

Yep

[Isaac Saul @Ike_Saul]

My god, I am actually shocked how many smart people on this website think the Gaetz nomination is some clever ploy to get him out of Congress or set up a second, less extreme nomination.

Are you guys still this thick? Trump picked Gaetz because the first time he was elected his own FBI and DOJ investigated him, and then after he left office Biden's DOJ investigated him, and he wants to stick it
to the "deep state" and get a loyalist inside a department that has "wronged him" for eight years.

This isn't complicated. That's his view. He is throwing the grenade in to see what happens. This is how he governs, for better or worse.

Do I think Gaetz gets through? I have no idea. Probably not. But Trump is DEFINITELY going to try. He is not tee'ing Gaetz up to get thrown out and he's not just going to fold the nomination because freaking Susan Collins feigns upset. I can't believe we are still doing this, genuinely. It would be an incredible coup for him to have someone like Gaetz leading the DOJ. He's going for it.

This isn't a ploy. It's not chess. He's showing you his move and saying "bring it." He's testing the boundaries. They will appoint him if they can. Same with Tulsi and Hegseth.

[Kaitlan Collins @kaitlancollins]

Veteran Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Pete Hegseth saying women shouldn’t serve in combat: “I would ask him, ‘Where do you think I lost my legs? In a bar fight?’ I’m pretty sure I was in combat when that happened.”

[Eric Lisann @EricLisann]

Economists predict that as in other autocracies, autocratic loyalists will replace career civil servants and take over Bureau of Labor Statistics and corrupt the economic and inflation data to favor Trump administration. The same thing will happen with crime statistics.

[Keeping Calmala, Carrying Onala @playwithdirt]

While we’re all talking about Matt Gaetz…

[Matthew D. Taylor @TaylorMatthewD]

Yesterday Trump announced he's nominating Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth's a prominent Fox News personality & veterans advocate, but he also has strong ties to the Christian far right that I've not seen fully exposed yet.

Here's a thread w/ receipts... 1/

[Jo @JoJoFromJerz]

I’d like to extend a special fuck you to all the Republicans currently posting about Veteran’s Day after they put the 5 time draft dodger who mocked McCain, insulted a Gold Star family and called our fallen of war “suckers” and “losers”, back in the office he tried to steal.

[Organizermemes @OrganizerMemes]

I miss brat summer, fascist fall blows

[Bill Kristol @BillKristol]

May I say a word for the Democratic Party for all its faults?

It is the Republican Party that nominated Trump three times, that gave way to Trump, that supports and enables Trump.

The Democratic Party in opposition could have done better. But at least they were in opposition.