@jimacosta.bsky.social Truth…

I know all of us who understand what is happening are experiencing mental health challenges because of that. The only message of comfort I can offer to this community of readers is this: you are correct. What you think is happening is really happening, and is just as concerning as you think it is.

If we’re going to have a South African as president why can’t it be Trevor Noah

Please share: We’ve received word that Elon Musk’s staffers are using space characters to identify information leakers. Before sharing any information, please use a checker to detect and remove these.

Language matters. We must catch the deceptive word choices that the media fails to call out. Presidents do not “appoint” ambassadors. They nominate, and each nominee then undergoes the Senate confirmation process. None of these personnel “appointments” is a done deal yet. Don’t forfeit.

The AI tool for appealing insurance claims seems appropriate since insurance companies use AI to deny your claims. Let the robots fight it out, then speak to someone at your state's insurance oversight department. They're employees who have health insurance, too. projects.propublica.org/claimfile/

Here’s hoping we also have “a military that is unwilling to kill its own citizens”

In a major backtrack, Trump’s transition team has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Justice Department, paving the way for the team to seek FBI background checks on the Trump’s appointees.

Accurate.

Lately that starfish story keeps crossing my mind. The one where someone remarks that tossing stranded starfish back into the sea doesn't make a difference because you can't help them all, to which the kid tosses another and utters the mic drop, "It made a difference to that one." 🧵 1/9

I know some people are afraid to have empathy because they don't know how to close that door once they've opened it. They're afraid of giving more than they can afford or being taken advantage of. But without empathy we can’t address humanity's obscene imbalances. www.esquire.com/news-politic...

And @hcrichardson.bsky.social has me reflecting on power for regular people this morning. Do we want to protect it, as did Lincoln, TR, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, and Biden, or do we give up the people’s power the way Reagan, Bush, Trump, and Musk want? open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...

The safe way to leave Twitter. lifehacker.com/dont-delete-...

Yikes. No surprise. Still, yikes! Online influencers need ‘urgent’ fact-checking training, warns Unesco theguardian.com/media/2024/n... "...two-thirds of content creators fail to check the accuracy of their material, making them and their followers vulnerable to misinformation." #ScienceUpFirst

I’m saying it now with hopes that it sinks in: Donald Trump cannot take any oath of office until he is granted amnesty for breaking the last one he swore. That’s just straight up in the Constitution. 2/3 of each House. That’s the bar.

Looking forward to seeing them here 🦋🏖️🌅

The meme I didn't know I needed

This will always be true.

This must be condemned by everyone.

The Economist ran this story this week. Yes...they are coming for veterans benefits. No one voted to destroy the VA or the benefits that our 15 million living veterans receive. Just 6% of Americans have served and these fuckers are coming for our hard earned benefits.

Genesis 18 did not inspire the Bill of Rights #maklelan2414 youtu.be/2Xgw70tG3Cs

🐛🐜🐞

When we were children, we were taught that no matter how you reached, no matter much wealth and power you accumulated, you were not above the law. We can no longer teach our children that. And that's really fucking tragic.

More Trumpian attacks on our health system.

Republicans in states with extreme abortion bans are now trying to cover up the DEATHS of women that died because of their extreme abortion bans.

Pretty interesting idea - Biden can order background checks into Trump’s outrageous nominees. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...

The real Emily Kimelman would agree: Trust no one until it’s earned. We wait. #booksky

Wait a minute … *she* might turn out to be the hero? Starting to think the writers of Cobra Kai are scripting our government 😂 @meidastouch.bsky.social

Re Pam Bondi and the $25,000 she reportedly solicited from Trump. Even assuming there was no quid pro quo, who takes $$$ sent by a person under investigation or immediately after you close an investigation into that person? What does that say about ethics and judgment?

Why is Trump refusing to obey the law and sign Transition of Power agreements with the White House? There’s a reason, and it isn’t good. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...

Currently: Surviving Autocracy by @mashagessen.bsky.social . Recently finished On Tyranny by @timothysnyder.bsky.social . Next up: Strongmen by @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social . @penamerica.bsky.social #WhatImReading

We’re 59 days out from the inauguration. Which books or podcasts on authoritarianism have you finished? Which experts are you listening to?

Sound up 🔊 youtu.be/Psag-E8Xr1s?...

This is lengthy and perhaps overwhelming. If so, read it in sections over time. @wagingnv.bsky.social is publishing the task lists we’ve been asking for.

For us to be of any use in a Trump world, we have to pay grave attention to our inner states, so we don’t perpetuate the autocrat’s goals of fear, isolation, exhaustion or constant disorientation.

Just in case I forgot to post Daniel Hunter's fantastic guide here. wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-t...

Trump's new AG nominee Pam Bondi, Florida's AG, drew fire over Trump charitable donations from @crew.bsky.social in 2016 www.citizensforethics.org/reports-inve...

Everyone needs to read this. I lack the tech knowledge to form an opinion about whether it’s plausible, but the author, @spoonamore.bsky.social, has extensive expertise and deserves to be heard. I hope this does result in recounts. open.substack.com/pub/spoonamo...

Yes. We need to pace ourselves. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

These are features, not bugs 💅 Men like him need the boundaries of the Matriarchy and a mission in life to mind their own business.

Bolsonaro has just been indicted for his involvement in a conspiracy to kill his successor and overturn his election loss.

Started / Going

Started / Going

🔥 AOC on Nancy Mace

Find your Representative at www.house.gov, call their DC office phone (not local #), and politely tell them you need their No vote on HR 9495. Call when you see this and leave a voicemail if after hours.

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. #Books #BookSky 💙📚 #BookChallenge Day 4

The people who support this would treat cattle more humanely.

Words to live by 🙏🏻✨