Sandy F.

Democracy Americana A newsletter on U.S. politics and history - and the ongoing struggle over how much democracy, and for whom, there should be in America

I re-launched Democracy Americana exactly one month ago, as I started my new life as a full-time writer.
 
Time for a quick rebrand.
 
No worries, nothing else changes. New look, same focus: The ongoing conflict over how much democracy, and for whom, there should be in America.

Thank you for the link.

A pristine area will get trashed for greed.

WTAF? Ghouls...

Beyond North Korea vibes. Wow.

Special Episode: Is Pope Leo Really Dissolving Opus Dei?

Is Pope Leo really dissolving Opus Dei?

@ardenthistorian.bsky.social interviews @garethgore.bsky.social, author of the definitive history of Opus Dei.

spotify.link/naEeYyx4HXb

He’s just flat out admitting that he’s okay with murdering people. If we were participants in the ICC, he and several members of the administration would be charged with crimes against humanity.

The horribly redrawn Congressional map for North Carolina.

Jim Jordan’s gerrymandered Congressional map of the 4th district.

Jim Jordan’s Congressional map bears a striking resemblance to my district’s map, just in reverse - #nc13 #gerrymander #ncpol

*Makes a note to listen later today.*

Shameful: Today, Republican politicians in the NC legislature imposed discriminatory congressional districts that especially hurt Black North Carolinians.

We the people will NOT give up! We'll keep fighting to protect everyone's freedom to vote and to defeat gerrymandering! Join us: ccnc.me/cd1

I think that’s his intention. He wants all of the toys.

As a reminder, just like in TX and Missouri, North Carolina's Trump congressional gerrymander isn't targeting a *Democratic member of Congress* -- it's targeting *the people and communities who live in that district*

Two black poodles are standing in a backyard. The first black poodle, named Dylan, stands waiting for a tennis ball to be thrown to her. Her tongue is hanging out from excitement. Behind her, a black poodle named Ellie is crouched behind her and has her right front foot up in a retrieving dog’s pose. Franklin County, NC.

A black poodle named Ellie is crouched down with her right front foot pointed in a retrieving dog’s pose. Franklin County, NC.

An Eastern Common Bumblebee gathering pollen from frost asters. Franklin County, NC.

#dogsofbluesky #nature #naturephotography Some fun photos from yesterday, featuring Dylan, a pointing Ellie awaiting a tennis ball throw, and a bumblebee gathering pollen from frost asters.

Exactly - such as passing extremely gerrymandered maps to please the current POTUS and ram through this administration’s unpopular policies. They’re a disgrace and more interested in power than serving their constituents. #ncpol #ncga

JFC, that’s disgusting.

“It is racism, it is blatant racism.” #ncpol

Listen to Senator Robinson speak about proposed maps that would completely erode Black voting power in congressional district 1 where Don Davis currently sits. He is only 1 of 3 Black representatives in Congress for NC

Looks delicious!

"Let's call it what it is: a calculated effort to silence communities, which is voter suppression."

North Carolinians at the legislature spoke powerfully against the discriminatory gerrymandering scheme pushed by GOP politicians.

Add your voice! Tell politicians: NO gerrymanders - ccnc.me/cd1

*applauds* The GOP in the #ncga a nothing but corrupt toadies. #ncpol

North Carolina’s leaders are rigging the maps for Trump, not serving the people • NC Newsline COMMENTARY: Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly have made their priorities crystal clear, and the people of this state aren’t one of them.

North Carolina’s leaders are rigging the maps for Trump, not serving the people #ncpol

Virginia Creeper on a pine tree. Franklin County, NC.

A monarch butterfly that unexpectedly landed on frost asters for some pollination. Franklin County, NC.

A slightly closer view of a monarch butterfly on a frost asters taking in some pollen. Behind it, one can see the red leaves of a Virginia Creeper vine going up a pine tree. To the left of the aster, there are sweet gum tree leaves starting to turn reddish and orange colors. Franklin County, NC.

A monarch butterfly taking in some pollen with its wings opened atop a frost asters. Franklin County, NC.

Some pretty things in my backyard - taken this afternoon post lawn mowing. #nature #naturephotography #butterflies #franklincountync

Very few factors have slowed epigenetic (methylation) aging, such as exercise. This study showed that effect for social engagement H/T @brandonluumd.bsky.social
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

As someone who's a #nc13 resident, I've seen Franklin county get redistricted ever since I've moved here. I started in Butterfield's district, got moved to NC01, and now I'm in Knott's district. It's ridiculous what the #ncga is attempting to get away with. We aren't being repped properly. #ncpol

2/2 Ellie and First also participated in separate trial runs. First placed 2nd in his first rally intermediate run & a qualifying run in his 2nd run. Ellie participated in Rally Choice, snagging 2nd & 3rd place respectively. She hasn’t done any trials since the RACH invitational December 2024.

A picture of a female black standard poodle named Ellie and a male black mini poodle named First sitting next to each other on a small stand in front of a fall scene backdrop, a chrysanthemum, and a haystack. They participated in Rally Pairs (a fun match), getting 1st place in their 1st run & 2nd place in their 2nd run. In front are their ribbons for participating in the 2 trials.

A black standard poodle named Ellie sits on a stand after participating in Rally Choice trials, where she earned 2nd and 3rd places in her 2 runs.

1/x Last weekend, Ellie and her buddy First (my sister’s dog) participated in rally. AKC does non-sanctioned rally pairs, where the handler guides 2 dogs on a novice course on-leash. This was literally Mutt & Jeff, as they were the only 2 that weren’t the same height. #dogsofbluesky #photography

There's a list called "Block These Fools."

All you have to do is look at the first post of all of these accounts to see THEY ARE HERE TO TROLL. Don’t take the bait.

bsky.app/profile/did:...

I prefer to look at the follow list too before blocking the main account, too.

Yikes - this isn't good news at all!

The Mystery of the Ancient Roman Gravestone Discovered in a Family's Backyard Has Been Solved The couple hadn't known how the artifact made its way to their property in New Orleans. But after their story went viral, a former owner of the home came forward with new information about the object

Imagine finding an ancient Roman gravestone in your backyard. A couple in New Orleans did recently. www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/t...

Ugh. This farm is so unsafe. OSHA… What’s that?