Having significant numbers of people being ignorant of and/or apathetic towards politics is a big part of how we got here, so, no.

When our constitution no longer constitutes us, what we stand in need of is reconstitution.

A post from Will Stancill trolling DHS

DHS trying to troll Will Stancill

Grok rebutting DHS, saying Will Stancill is not a threat

A play in three acts

I have been in the habit of putting scare quotes around "AI," but I think I like A"I" better because it emphasizes what isn't real.

"The American founders expected better leaders than Johnson. They thought Congress would check the president. They didn’t think one branch would surrender completely to another."

This is the whole ballgame, folks.

The authoritarianism will continue until coequal branches decide it will not.

Actually one of the most salient quotes I've seen today, and reminding of the fact that there always be good people being very brave.

Paul Simon, born today in 1941.

“It’s a cliché,” he said, “but music really IS the closest we come to a universal language. It crosses borders as effortlessly as a cloud.”

Citrus sage.

Biden was leading the FBI during Trump's first term? But if true!

For those not fluent in Catholic: refusing the Monstrance is not denying prisoners the Eucharist, it is refusing Christ himself, since Christ is present in the Monstrance.

If Portland’s blow up animals are the right language for Portland, this is the right language for Chicago.

Unfortunately, Bannon isn't looking at this from the outside. So what he said should be reviled, then ignored.

Trump take everything.

Should the New York Times be sold to Pennysaver and its editors sent to work in Amazon warehouses? It depends on who you ask.

Biden Spared 37 Killers From Execution. Trump Ordered Up a Lifetime of Torment. Even America’s harshest federal prison, where inmates spend 23 hours a day in solitary confinement, was too good, one official said. “I’ve got no problem with gruel.”

Truly chilling story by @jessbravin.bsky.social. As close to “the cruelty is the point” being literally true as we’ve come so far. (Gift link)

www.wsj.com/us-news/law/...

On this day in 1991 Anita Hill accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. Few believed her claims then, not enough people believed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and too few listened to Kamala Harris in 2024. See a pattern? Believe women, burn the patriarchy.

#BelieveWomen

MAGA Implodes over Kristi Noem’s “Stare Down” with Man in Chicken Suit A good New York Times piece on Portland nevertheless demonstrates how the conventions of objective reporting fail to accurately capture the bad faith driving pro-Trump propaganda.

If two parties insist on “dueling versions” of reality, but one party includes journalists, local cops, local residents, and the other includes plagiarists, propagandists, and Orwellian GOP liars, it’s worth saying there is one reality, and one lurid fantasy. newrepublic.com/article/2016...

This is happening in Chicago. If you’re not familiar with the South Shore neighborhood, it’s about 3 miles from where the Obamas still have a home. They had their wedding reception in the South Shore Cultural Center (my parents too).

Who knew 1940s Germany was only miles away from where we live.

House Press Gallery: During today's pro forma session, the Clerk read a message from the Speaker designating Tuesday, October 14 through Sunday, October 19 as a district work period.

Punchbowl's Briana Reilly: House gaveled in and out of its pro forma just now w/o recognizing Rep Elfreth, who was seeking to UC a mil pay bill from Rep Sykes. Elfreth told reporters after that House Dems stand “ready and willing to take” up standalone legislation to pay troops.

A few minutes ago in the House:

- Speaker Mike Johnson officially cancels votes next week, extending the House recess through a fourth week

- House Republicans block Democrats from passing a bill to pay the troops during the shutdown, ensuring they will miss paychecks next week

Jesus died for your AI.

He didn't have all three arms nailed to the cross for nothing.

Interesting to hear this, because I've considered leaving Bluesky and going (back) to Mastodon.

$20 BILLION.

Remember that we’re being lied to whenever we’re told that we can’t afford something that helps American families.

At least it would be in Virginia, where it more properly belongs.

Democrats should just start insisting that they saw very real videos of people rioting at Mar-a-Lago -- overturning golf carts, setting fire to the brunch buffet, stabbing busboys with carving knives, whatever -- and calling on Trump to send the Illinois National Guard there to restore order.

It really can't be said enough: the goal of the "anti-woke" movement was always to destroy social norms against bigotry. And it worked. And there's a whole lot of purportedly "left" thinkers & commentators who helped it -- indeed, it couldn't have been done without them.

They should feel bad.

Not my original saying, but no one becomes a better person behind the wheel of a car.

Tweet from @TheDemocrats: “Senate Republicans just blocked Democrats’ bill that would have reopened the government and saved health care for millions of Americans. This is the fifth time they’ve done this. Republicans are responsible for this shutdown.” There’s no attached image or video, only text.

Now the White House doesn’t want to give furloughed workers back pay once the government reopens, even though Trump signed the 2019 law requiring it. Disgraceful.

I'm reminded of the parties in the Jewish unitary congregation here in Stockholm (names are my translation): Jewish Gathering, Jewish Diversity, Jewish Unity, Jewish Future. 🤷

I have heard the term in linguistic circles, where it makes sense. I don't think it belongs here -- i.e., I agree with you.

Nice use of Sefaria! ❤️

And I'll say it again: Nixon should have gone to prison, and when he didn't, our current trouble really began.