A quotation from **Thomas Paine** > Because a body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody, ought not to be trusted by anybody. **Thomas Paine** (1737-1809) American political philosopher and writer _Rights of Man_ (1791) * * * More info about […] [Original post on my-place.social]

Federal Agents Use Tear Gas Again, Disrupt Northwest Side Halloween Parade #chicago #ice #politics https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/25/federal-agents-use-tear-gas-again-this-time-in-northwest-side-confrontations/

"Vought promised to use the shutdown to shutter the bureaucracy. It didn’t go as planned." "The White House advised agencies to go big on downsizing, according to a document obtained by POLITICO. They haven't." #USpol #uspolitics #trumpadministration #governmentshutdown […]

From our home to yours, hoping you have a delightful Saturday on this lovely autumn day. [A photo of our Autumn Glory red maple in its fall colors.] #autumn #maple

How representative of the people's priorities is our Congress? Let's just ask the New York Times, which, in one article, tells all. "Keeping the House Absent, Johnson Marginalizes Congress and Himself" "The speaker’s decision to hold the House in an indefinite hiatus during the shutdown is […]

Trump regime unlawfully privatizing the U.S. military. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/24/politics/anonymous-donor-military-pay-shutdown

A paramilitary force is a military force. What makes it “para” is that it is not the lawfully constituted military of nation. The people carrying out paramilitary operations are soldiers, not lawful ones, but still soldiers following orders and engaging in warfare. That’s ICE and CPB (Customs […]

As you may be able to tell...I've overwhelmingly had it with everything happening in US politics right now. Disgusted is the polite word. Trying to express my thoughts and feelings on this government only makes my vocabulary devolve. This is as much as I can say and remain civil. #USpol […]

In a NY Times newsletter today, Carl Hulse wrote that Congress has allowed Trump to usurp its powers. No kidding. Congress has the power of the purse; Congress had the power to enact tariffs. But our representatives--those we elect to make laws, create a […] [Original post on mstdn.social]

When do we call for a tax holiday? When the government is shutdown and seems unlikely to find a way to represent the people, who wants to keep paying for any of this? No taxation without representation! #USpol #uspolitics #trumpadministration #Congress #governmentshutdown

Governor Pritzker has created a new division: the Illinois Accountability Commission is an important, forward-looking step in the fight against Republican Fascism. https://ilac.illinois.gov/

Imagine having a government so incompetent that it shuts down to the point where a foreingn country steps in to pay your soldiers 🤯 https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/23/germany-secures-wages-of-12000-local-us-army-employees-amid-budget-crisis-in-washington

This is the clearest way to explain it.

When I worked as a consultant in tech, we were often told by department heads in companies or non-profits that updates to products that happened "too often" indicated to staff that the products were "buggy and unreliable". So we went with regular announced scheduled updates. Now here's […]

Nothing to see here, move along… #trump Dismisses Yet Another #inspectorgeneral, Fueling #oversight Alarms With the firing of the #exportimport #Bank’s inspector general, Trump has sidelined around two dozen of the #watchdogs who seek out #fraud & #mismanagement in #federalagencies. #law […]

"Democratic senator protests Trump’s ‘grave threats’ in marathon overnight floor speech" #USpol #uspolitics #senate #jeffmerkley #Trump https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/22/politics/jeff-merkley-senate-floor-speech

The National Trust for Historic Preservation wants destruction of the White House East Wing halted, saying it’s “deeply concerned that the massing and height of the proposed new construction will overwhelm the White House itself.” […] [Original post on journa.host]

"Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory" "New research coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC has found that AI assistants – already a daily […] [Original post on mstdn.social]

#healthinsurance sticker shock begins as #trump & #republicans keep the government #shutdown & refuse to negotiate #healthcare subsidies Many states have shown rising premiums ahead of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act #aca] plans. #congressional Republicans remain unmovable over extending […]

No Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in history has refused to seat a duly elected and certified member because of a shutdown, recess, or fill-in-the-blank. Even during the Civil War, both World Wars, and the COVID-19 pandemic, members were sworn in and seated promptly […]

Says the lunatic who literally just tore down a huge chunk of The White House, which is now off-limits to the public indefinitely. From NYT: "President Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him about $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him, according to […]

Well...in theory: "It was not clear what funding ICE and CBP would use to provide pay to the workers. DHS did not answer a question about where the funding was coming from." Exclusive: ICE, Border Patrol agents to receive pay during government shutdown | Reuters […]

One of the best day-after commentaries I have seen. https://share.inquirer.com/HfJ6zI ‘“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” … Ignored at first, the “No Kings” protest movement is rapidly accelerating toward the then-you-win phase.’

"White House's Chicago 'chaos' video uses footage from other cities" "...an AFP investigation found that the video is littered with outdated footage highlighting drug busts, arrests and deportation raids in other states, including Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Nebraska." #USpol […]

From the Chicago Tribune newspaper's website today (Oct. 18, 2025): https://www.chicagotribune.com/ #USpol #uspolitics #nokings #protest

CNN online quotes the New York police department as follows: “We had more than 100,000 people across all five boroughs peacefully exercising their first amendment rights and the NYPD made zero protest-related arrests,” the department said on X […]

The #NYC contingent of the @mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social joints tens of thousands of their fellow New Yorkers #NoKings demonstration in support the First Amendment - especially freedom of assembly and a #FreePress.

BOSTON… (those are people, not ants) #NoKingsInAmerica 🇺🇸

Scenes from Grant Park in Chicago right now.

Be Loud. Be Heard. But above all be safe and be smart at #nokings rallies today. #politics #chicago

taken at the FDR Memorial in DC, a few days ago. #nokings

🤷🏼

"Some Chicago Businesses Feeling the Impact of Trump’s Immigration Blitz" "More customers and workers are staying home, they say, leading to lower revenue and worries of wider economic repercussions for the city." "Several business owners said the impact was worse than what they experienced […]

It's about time *our representatives* stood up for their Constitutional power of the purse. After all, they *all* take an oath to uphold the Constitution. "Trump’s Unilateral Spending Cuts Complicate Shutdown Deal" "Democrats want guarantees that President Trump will not continue to claw back […]

I feel like the financial journalists should check in on Trump's Chicago tax cheating. www.nytimes.com/2024/05/11/u...

In the Justice Department, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have abandoned all pretense that they are interested in something so old-fashioned as the rule of law. They are directing that individuals against whom the president has a grievance be criminally prosecuted. And […]

This vase was a custom order for a couple’s 9th wedding anniversary. They wanted something they could pass down to future generations and thought a ceramic piece would make a good commemorative heirloom. They mentioned their love for terracotta amaryllis, a […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

"Gov. JB Pritzker joins Democratic governors' health coalition to combat Trump's 'war on science' " "The Governors Public Health Alliance is an effort to protect Democratic states from massive public health changes being enacted by the Trump administration." #USpol #uspolitics #illinois […]

Judge hauling #ice official into court as aggressive tactics continue despite her #courtorder: 'I'm not blind' A week ago, a federal judge forbade agents from using #teargas & other “riot control” weapons without warning in #chicago as they carried out #Trump’s #deportation blitz. #law […]

Judge orders agents in #chicago area to wear body cameras after violent clashes Federal #immigration officers in the Chicago area will be required to wear #bodycameras, a judge ordered Thursday after seeing #teargas & other aggressive steps used against #protesters. #trump #law #constitution […]

Photography can bring a dramatic flair to any living space, capturing the raw beauty of nature and bringing it into one's home. #Buyintoart #homedecor #homedecorating #interiordecor #travel #photography #artprints #artforsale #NatureBeauty #walldecor buff.ly/UsO9bec

Chicago is in Cook County and now courts are safer. "Cook County’s top judge signed an order barring ICE from arresting people at court." "...bars the civil arrest of any “party, witness, or potential witness” while going to court proceedings. It includes arrests inside courthouses and in […]

DoD today confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America. - Pentagon Press Association

Wow. These flu and covid shots, which I could not wait to get since I'm an elder, have nevertheless given me side effects I've never had before. Nothing unexpected or unwarranted. Just much more intense than previously. Slept for 10 hours last night. Might need a nap today. Arm very sore. You […]

"Inside a New Bible-Infused Texas English Curriculum" "This school year, many Texas districts are teaching from an elementary curriculum that features extensive content about the Christian faith, according to a New York Times analysis." #separation_of_church_and_state #Education #publicschools […]

Bystanders have posted videos of arrests that appear unrelated to violations of #immigration #law. Debbie Brockman, an employee of the TV station #WGN was pinned to the ground & arrested by #BorderPatrol agents on Friday while walking to a bus stop. A #CBP official […] [Original post on masto.ai]

#ice Is Cracking Down on #chicago. Chicagoans Are Fighting Back. Residents have begun forming volunteer groups to monitor their neighborhoods for federal #immigration agents. Others honk their horns or blow whistles when they see agents nearby. #trump #law #rendition #statesponsoredabduction […]

When Republicans say, "The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government", what they're actually saying is: - We can't create a budget on our own. We need Democrats' help, which is how the government is supposed to work--through negotiation and compromise. - The Democrats won't do exactly […]

Even though a court ordered ICE not to use chemical or other crowd control weapons in Chicago, apparently they ignored the court. "Federal Agents Deploy Tear Gas In Albany Park As Neighbors Block Immigration Arrest" "It is the latest use of chemical irritants deployed by agents in […]

October baseball so often surprises. Watch this play, if you haven’t seen it already. #baseball #nlcs #dodgers #brewers https://www.mlb.com/brewers/video/quinn-priester-in-play-out-s-to-max-muncy-review