The things we now have to explain.

She smiles at the man who shoots her and says she isn't mad at him. Clearly initiates the effort to leave when the aggressive agents arrive. The question now (not that this was in question) isn't who's telling the truth. It's when DHS had this video and knew that what they were saying was a lie.

Jan. 6, 2021: Sherrod leaving for D.C. at 5:09 a.m. No amount of presidential pardons & shameful attempts to rewrite history will change what I remember about the violence on our Capitol that day. For nearly 45 minutes, we could not determine Sherrod’s whereabouts, or whether he was even alive.

Sometimes, I run out of walk before I run out of worry. Still, I’m grateful for the view. What’s on your mind this evening?

Gift link, as I encourage you to read this in its entirety. We have work to do, fellow Americans. We are up to the challenge, if we choose to be. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...

May 2026 surprise you in the kindest ways. On we go, friends and kind strangers.

Merry Christmas. If you are struggling, may the day land gently. open.substack.com/pub/conniesc...

At 4:43 a.m., he decided the only place he could sleep was in my study, so this is where we are. For fourteen years he has followed me everywhere. My turn. Franklin is snoring.

Yet another illustration of how adoration so desperately sought forever eludes the undeserving. You can force people to pretend to love you, but no one is fooled.

Yelling, lying; yelling, lying; yelling, lying. So inspiring.

Stephen King offers a written tribute to Rob Reiner, as only he can. Beautiful, @stephenking.bsky.social. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...

May Ahmed al-Ahmed fully recover from his injuries. In this wave after wave of heartbreaking, terrifying news, his bravery is a beacon of hope. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Anyone who has participated in or attended a naturalization ceremony knows how meaningful and joyous these ceremonies tend to be. The cruelty of this is heartbreaking and enraging.

Breaking news in Ohio: Tim Ryan will not run for governor. Go, Amy, go. @amyactonoh.bsky.social

My, how he fears strong women. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/b...

Happy birthday to this force for good. I love you, Sherrod.

We just voted at our friendly polling place.

Fourteen years ago today we adopted this sweet boy. Every day with you is a gift, dear Franklin. We love you.

Our friend and neighbor—and Ohio’s next governor—got to meet Walter and Franklin today. Proud to stand with you, Amy Acton.

New York Times: “Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado awarded Nobel Peace Prize for “her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela & for her struggle to achieve a just & peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...

Good morning. As the eldest daughter of Janey Schultz, I do hereby declare that the season of Autumn has officially arrived. Adorn yourselves and carry on.

Finally, I have found the words. open.substack.com/pub/conniesc...

Outstanding response from IL Gov. JB Pritzker. “This is not about fighting crime. This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city, in a blue state, to try & intimidate his political rivals.” Full speech at link. www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...

“I will not resign. I will continue to carry out my duties to help the American economy as I have been doing since 2022.” Lisa Cook, in response to Donald Trump. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...

The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention.

Still, briefly.

Ok this is my laugh for the night.

Susana Pacheco says “new contract has already reshaped her day-to-day life. The housekeeper no longer races against the clock to clean an unmanageable number of hotel suites, & is spending more quality time w/her children because of the better pay & guaranteed days off.” apnews.com/article/las-...

Lest anyone had missed the plot line, he is claiming the powers of a full-blown dictator for himself with this www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/u...

To answer the question in the headline: You quote him, period. It is not our job, nor is it appropriate, to protect the reading and listening public from the vulgarity of this president. I’m dismayed that this is even a newsroom debate in 2025. www.poynter.org/commentary/2...

Powerful piece by Tressie McMillan Cottom. “Trump is the Republican Party. That is settled. His violent talk is, then, the official political communication strategy of the ruling party and its followers. And that ruling party is stripping this country for parts.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/22/o...

Apropos of nothing I feel like one of the most important things to help your kids develop is an ability to self-regulate.

Dear single mothers, I remember. Happy Mother’s Day.

I love this for @anntelnaes.bsky.social. www.poynter.org/commentary/2...

Protect and defend editorial cartoonists this World Press Freedom Day

Hi, Mom. open.substack.com/pub/conniesc...

Van Hollen: And it's also important that people understand this case is not just about one man. It's about protecting the constitutional rights of everybody who resides in the United States of America.

Leadership.

Good morning. Let’s carve out those breaks today.

All work has dignity. Americans are working harder than ever, with less to show for it. Sherrod Brown is launching the Dignity of Work Institute to create an economy where work is valued, workers benefit from the wealth they create, and everyone can afford a decent living.

Today Sherrod launches the Dignity of Work Institute. A link to the video: www.dignityofworkinstitute.org www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/u...

That we are at the point where we must say this out loud…

“I’m doing good things,” I tell myself as I delete the military service of a dead woman. “I’m still a good person.”

Spring is here and we rejoice. Looking forward to meeting this year’s residents in the robin condo.

We are rallying for the fight ahead. And so we are moving. open.substack.com/pub/conniesc...

Saturday reading. Thanks for the advance copy of your wonderful book, @mauracasey.bsky.social. I’m falling in love with it all over again. Release date is April 1. Maura’s book can be pre-ordered wherever you buy your books.

Ruth Marcus, unsilenced. www.newyorker.com/news/essay/w...

Dr. Bill Cassidy, you could have stopped this. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/h...

Current view as we Zoom.