Profile banner
Profile picture

Ralf W

@raflw.bsky.social

Do people miss that catchy little phrase: “What Would Jesus Do?” I can see why it’s fallen out of favor – because of what the answers would be in these times. Peripatetic pessimist-optimist. Hanger on at Balloon Juice, also too. MSP / CO / WI

created October 7, 2023

2,367 followers 697 following 9,050 posts

view profile on Bluesky

Posts

Profile picture Micah (@rincewind.run) reposted

the thing about Zohran is he is really fucking good at politics and everyone on the Dem side behaving like he’s a liability has lost their minds I don’t care how you define It, he has It

2/9/2025, 1:13:11 AM | 5314 720 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Or, maybe, "radical transparency" is just a run of the mill lie by someone who has no connection to truth?

2/9/2025, 2:05:26 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

The Black History Matters mural was removed from a Florida street. Two pastors resisted - by kneeling! - and got arrested. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYO9...

Rev. Benedict Atherton-Zeman, in a purple clerical shirt with goldenrod stole (which says Side With Love and has heart logos), in a still from his interview inside the sanctuary of his UU congregation in St. Pete. Both clergy praying on the mural site The colorful, illustrated street mural that has now been erased for being
1/9/2025, 6:23:19 PM | 5 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg.bsky.social) reposted

It's crazy that we've spent more time this year talking about the *former* president's health than the current one's, given the numerous warning signs and unanswered questions that are accumulating.

1/9/2025, 4:57:45 PM | 354 87 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

I recommend dropping Marcella off in Algiers for a lovely vacation.

1/9/2025, 3:41:13 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

I'm just inferring from the behavior exhibited. "If it quacks like a duck..."

1/9/2025, 3:32:13 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

What's really going on? They hated Biden, and they love Trump. I mean, that's a very easy conclusion to draw!

1/9/2025, 3:29:23 PM | 13 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Micah (@rincewind.run) reposted

the judge is now basically checking every couple of hours to make sure her directions are being followed to the letter because she is dealing with lying liars who lie astounding how much credibility the government has burned with the courts

1/9/2025, 1:06:45 AM | 1688 371 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Today's TAX policies -- thanks to Republicans -- I think you mean.

1/9/2025, 2:26:53 AM | 1 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Can we get a ruling from the Biden-obsessed press: If his thumbs work but he can't get out of a golf cart, is he "healthy" or "in serious decline"?

1/9/2025, 2:21:18 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Trump treats our armed services like crap. So many examples from his first term. How that didn't hurt him more is infuriating.

1/9/2025, 2:02:53 AM | 6 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Labour keeps lurching right with about the shit results one would expect.

1/9/2025, 1:13:44 AM | 7 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

My typical break is about 12 mins, so it's gotta be a (non Tesla) supercharger type rig.

1/9/2025, 1:08:40 AM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

On a good run, I can get 500 miles in my 4cyl Outback. That's my desired electric range. Or, I'd really like a PHEV that does more than 25 miles pure-electric. Not stunning range, but more than a few errands. 40? Like that, and a combined range over 450.

1/9/2025, 1:07:05 AM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

"It's a noodle, Chris. It just grows out of the ground like asparagus."

image
1/9/2025, 1:00:35 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Journalists used to be interested in digging past the press release. Is DJT's health up to a lengthy international journey?

1/9/2025, 12:50:41 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

The second daily train between St. Paul and Chicago has been a solid success. People like trains! We should have more.

1/9/2025, 12:40:16 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Scott Walker killing the high(er) speed train btwn MSP and Chicago was such a shit move. But even that plan I think skipped Madison, which was ridiculous.

1/9/2025, 12:39:04 AM | 7 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Punish the Villains (@internethippo.bsky.social) reposted

Trump's contribution to our politics was exposing that conservatives don't care about any of the principles they've said are sacrosanct for 100 years, and all they wanted was to be openly evil instead of circuitously evil. The Democrats who win will be the ones who understand this and act like it

31/8/2025, 4:36:36 PM | 4084 858 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture The Girl of Lemongrab (@mc-hesher.bsky.social) reposted

"The Republican Party wants to pull YOUR teenage daughter's pants down in the middle of gym class if they think she's too good at lacrosse, this is vile and depraved and only the start of their intrusive government overreach" should be the party line and I don't think it's a heavy lift

31/8/2025, 10:22:17 PM | 1536 554 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Or just turn the other cheek on these terrible people

Bart Simpson dropping shorts to moon someone
31/8/2025, 11:13:53 PM | 1 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

That was the Chevy Volt way. No one else has followed suit?

31/8/2025, 8:55:52 PM | 16 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Waffling in "Woe is us!" when leaders ARE DOING THE WORK is pathetic. Look around you. Way more than Gov. Pritzker are rising to the challenges. You should try it yourself, rather than couch-bitching that everything is ruined.

31/8/2025, 6:41:41 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

OK, call your state's Secretary of State. *They* are the people ho have the plans. I have full confidence in Steve Simon. I have friends who've worked for decades in election integrity in MN and *they* have confidence in Simon. And Simon and other Dem S.O.S.s meet regularly to game out & plan.

31/8/2025, 6:40:16 PM | 5 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

True. And yet the judge must do this, it is still the absolute right path even as lawlwessness is Trump's central brand.

31/8/2025, 6:36:39 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

And I'm posting this as a marker for later, when Kristi Noem lies about the "danger" in Minneapolis. We have challenges. Every city (and town!) has them. But we have beauty and peace and neighborliness, too ❣️

31/8/2025, 6:30:01 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

Sunday morning UU church service in Minneapolis. Once per summer we take ourselves to the Lake Harriet Bandshell (other area congregations take summer Sundays as well). Gorgeous weather! Lovely community (even in the aftermath of tragedy).

Lake Harriet Bandshell on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Gorgeous clear skies, breezes pushing sailboats around in the background, people gathered to sing together, hear stories of care, compassion and love in a city that did just suffer a terrible mass shooting. But our city is largely safe, people are kind and gentle with each other, and we can make it thru.
31/8/2025, 6:28:58 PM | 7 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social) reposted

The plan is completely illegal; it’s openly in violation of black letter law. Nevertheless, the Trump admin is trying to claim that the budget bill effectively amended the law; even though it was a budget bill, and cannot by definition amend the law.

31/8/2025, 2:30:26 PM | 776 236 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

He wants a 'peace deal' so Alfred Nobel can rise from the grave and say, with tears in his eyes, "Sir! You have brought miraculous peace! Peace in our time! You get every Prize!"

31/8/2025, 1:49:40 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

In the real world, the farm economy is getting spanked. Hard.

31/8/2025, 1:44:53 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Apparently it's also conservative to refuse to shop at Sainsbury?

31/8/2025, 1:40:35 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Have all the Sainsburys been blockaded by woke?

image
31/8/2025, 1:32:58 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Oh, the whiny, tragic life of a toff.

31/8/2025, 1:28:24 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Your framing of "a pillar of American greatness" being destroyed is excellent - and tragically very true.

31/8/2025, 12:55:30 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Trump take ACA Makes it UCA - Unaffordable Care Act

31/8/2025, 4:08:07 AM | 8 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

And the fear that 2026 is going to be terrible for Republicans!

31/8/2025, 4:04:08 AM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Election law is largely a state matter. EOs in particular are not legal tools to change anything about state law!!

31/8/2025, 4:03:03 AM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Jon Steinman (@jonsteinman.bsky.social) reposted

The “don’t erase history” people have sent in the police to guard their erasure of history

30/8/2025, 10:36:17 PM | 107 35 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

And while that message from Murkowski is better than nothing, it doesn't get her out of the hot seat.

30/8/2025, 11:21:29 PM | 6 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

If I were in the store, I'd suggest this to him 🫨

image
30/8/2025, 10:27:11 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

And miss this gripping HGTV content? 😲

30/8/2025, 10:18:40 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

"Sen. Ron Johnson: Stock Trading Ban Would Make It 'Unattractive' to Be in Congress" Don't threaten me with a good time, RonJon!

30/8/2025, 10:01:47 PM | 2 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

With respect: An ice cream sandwich is barely, or really not even a sandwich. (An ice cream novelty, completely diff. category despite structural similarity.) So I'm utterly opposed to thinking an cone is in the sandwich zone. note: Sean is fully entitled to his opinion. I just have my own.

30/8/2025, 9:58:07 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

And whatever, it's plainly obviously pretextual that Trump is using an unproved allegation to have "cause" anyway!!

30/8/2025, 9:48:30 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Oh, well that seems different than I remember (but again, I never had a second home loan!)

30/8/2025, 9:47:01 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

plans = loans, except the enshittified spell check is 💩y.

30/8/2025, 9:46:02 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

OK. So it's quite possible Cook (and maybe even Paxton??) didn't do anything wrong.

30/8/2025, 9:45:06 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

interest for taxes. But if the borrowers situation has changed, is the new loan app not accurate? Or is the old loan supposed to be repriced for the new situation? Literally no one would do the latter, would they? (IDK because I never had plans on two houses at once.)

30/8/2025, 9:43:54 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

My question is: Say I take a loan for my residence, and after a few years, decide to "trade up" and buy a new residence, but don't sell the old one. Am I obligated to inform the original lender years down the road "oh, I moved out but I'm keeping it"? I get that you can only deduct one home's mort

30/8/2025, 9:42:21 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

I was thinking about physical supplies of the vax. How the shots get paid for - insurance, self-pay, state funding - I do not know.

30/8/2025, 9:38:34 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Ehhh, grammar. I was trying to say "No, they don't not have cancer". They *aren't* passed by in the doling out of bad luck. No one probably remembers the ancient "Yes, we have no banai" song 🤷🏼.

30/8/2025, 9:35:31 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

These calls from Democrats are a necessary predicate to mass mobilization. The public has to very visibly demand RFK's departure.

30/8/2025, 6:31:50 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

I certainly hope that Pritzker, for example, is planning for Iowans, Missourians, Hoosiers etc who want to head over to Illinois.

30/8/2025, 6:29:14 PM | 4 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Unless the scratch cooking is part of your pleasure, of course! But don't let your level of kitchen skill be a block to community and care for each other!

30/8/2025, 6:26:38 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Yes! And: Throwing a big frozen lasagna in the oven, tearing open a bag salad kit with dressing and all the extras, and then put a frozen apple pie in the oven when the lasagna comes out. Nearly instant dinner party! (Or whatever your favorite foods). The point is friends and tasty sustenance.

30/8/2025, 6:24:31 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

Asking for the millionth time: Where are all the "campus free speech" scolds? Oh, yeah. They're all basically right wing activists parading as 'moderate/centrist' pundits.

30/8/2025, 4:29:16 PM | 8 3 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

And the loser gets scolded by the NYT Editorial Board.

30/8/2025, 4:19:50 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Republican parents don't think a single one of them will have bad luck befall them? WTF.

30/8/2025, 3:53:00 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

And just as important, no Democrats did. So it isn't Steve's generic "Congress" that did this. Just on political party did. Journalists need to say the truth so that citizens know what needs to change!!

30/8/2025, 3:49:20 PM | 33 2 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

It is unconscionable in 2025 to blame "Congress". It is flat out disinformation, because it leaves the reader or listener with a false impression of what needs to be fixed. "The car is broken" is pretty useless if the true information is "the Republicans put no gas in it."

30/8/2025, 3:46:27 PM | 8 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

We should arm ourselves with olive loafs. (loaves?)

Bloom County comic strip from decades ago: Opus is carrying groceries home. A mime harasses him. The mime asks for dollar. Final frame, Opus is in a court room, apparently the defendant
30/8/2025, 3:42:50 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Germ theory? Hah! It's breezes that are fatal.

30/8/2025, 3:39:02 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

It's not just us Americans. Millions of Italians firmly believe that if you fall asleep with a fan or even just a draft blowing on you, you'll catch a cold.

Another is the fear of an open window or a blast of cold air. This is called receiving a “Frescata” or “Colpa d'aria”. Unwelcome cold air can cause colds, stiff necks, stomach aches, muscle aches and so many other maladies. It seems at times when there is no other culprit, they will blame it on, “Una frescata!”
30/8/2025, 3:38:39 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Maybe. More likely that there will be the GOP "Nope, nada, zilch" states and a compact of sane states.

30/8/2025, 3:12:05 PM | 9 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

I think there's a case to be made that the GOP doesn't view disenfranchising disabled people as "collateral damage." RFJ Jr. runs with a crowd that pretty much acts like people deserve to perish if they are not MAHA. Swiping their votes is in line with that.

30/8/2025, 3:10:06 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

on the quality of knowledge of what our elected officials are up to (or not!) is a real problem. Sheesh.

30/8/2025, 2:22:50 PM | 1 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Oh, so it's "young people laziness" that the news industry has consolidated aggressively under a handful of big corp owners (esp in local TV news), even big city papers are shrinking and have axed wide swathes of reporters and editors. Sara is absolutely correct that the impact of lost journalism

30/8/2025, 2:22:08 PM | 3 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

On the bright side, soy bean prices are set to plummet (China ain't buying U.S. crops), so we'll have endless tofu.

30/8/2025, 3:33:21 AM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Soybean farmers in North Dakota are about to get crushed as China, which normally buys abt. 25% of the US crop, has so far ordered NONE of the 2025 production. via agweb.com Lotta MAGA voters in the farm belt. Huh.

“We’ve been set up to ship through the Pacific Northwest to China. Right now, with that market shut down, 120 million bushels have to go somewhere,” explains Randy Martinson, Martinson Ag in Fargo, N.D. Farmers Might Face Storage Crunch With $8 cash soybean bids in the Dakotas and Minnesota, and no bids for fall in a few markets, farmers might need to break the norm and store soybeans.
30/8/2025, 3:29:15 AM | 25 4 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

Lack of export business has widened soybean basis in North Dakota, says Olson, crop economist and marketing specialist w/ North Dakota State Univ. China, which takes 25% of all US soybeans, is facing tariffs as high as 23%. As a result, Beijing has made NO purchases of new crop soybeans. MAGA!

30/8/2025, 3:09:37 AM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Tawni Marshall (@tawnimarshall.bsky.social) reposted reply parent

It just seems so often that existing as a queer person is seen as inherently political, but hating queer people is apolitical.

29/8/2025, 10:57:18 PM | 60 11 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

I said it a year ago, and I'll say it again: Do Republican parents not have kids with cancer? No. No they do not.

30/8/2025, 12:46:01 AM | 2 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Yup. JD's got that insecure vibe all the way to 11.

30/8/2025, 12:36:44 AM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

Sunday morning political talk shows: "Why 2026 looks terrible for Democrats, we asked these three Republicans and Mark Penn."

29/8/2025, 6:57:07 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

No one can. That's exactly how Project 2025 architect Vought wants it. Even if we sweep the mid-terms, god willing, it'll be a shit show thru to 2028.

29/8/2025, 6:48:56 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Almost by definition, elite media are out of touch. They've all abandoned *reporting* in favor of feeling vibes.

29/8/2025, 5:40:44 PM | 11 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Prisonculture (@prisonculture.bsky.social) reposted

You have to organize. I don't know what else to tell people. And organizing is not sexy and it is difficult and it matters that you be persistent. We need long-distance runners right now.

29/8/2025, 3:53:16 PM | 1906 588 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Curious when Cook will update!

Cook Political Report 2026 Senate rankings, currently show Ernst as
29/8/2025, 5:34:23 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

Saying it out loud: She's an *activist judge*, proud of it, and this is how the Courts - lookin' at you, SOCTUS - become illegitimate.

29/8/2025, 5:21:58 PM | 2 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Can you swing by Sen. Bill Cassidy's office? Get him to publicly call for firing RFK Jr would go a long way in all this horrific B.S.

29/8/2025, 5:20:49 PM | 11 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

NGL, Longyearbyen has been on my travel list (along with the Faeroes). Now I have a target date for some year in the future!

Map of the North Atlantic, as well as much of Europe and a bit of Canada. Longyearbyen - the town in Spitsbergen, in the Svalbard Archipelago. Very remote! But yay for PRIDE!
29/8/2025, 5:19:22 PM | 1 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

No one is making you be here, Mark.

29/8/2025, 5:12:39 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Tots n Pears

Joni Ernst recently, on concerns over cuts to health care:
29/8/2025, 5:07:20 PM | 1 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Trump is not popular. His policies are almost all viewed negatively. Voters are busy sending lots of signals that they're restive and not at all satisfied with their last version of lashing out. Republicans beware! Press ... Wake up!

29/8/2025, 4:59:15 PM | 5 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

My dad wasn't a Foxer till he met an (otherwise) very nice lady. Over time, as his dementia progressed, he'd watch Fox and then call me or my brother in a panic. "I need to sell stocks!" "Bad things are coming!" shit like that. Then he'd look forward to Hannity. So freakin' sad.

29/8/2025, 4:46:13 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

Trump & Trumpism are not popular! How many signals do there have to be for the press to wake up & smell the Folgers? Everything is framed as if he's summoning the great powers of the people. Bullshit! We hate what's happening, polls have him deep under water. Experienced R's like Ernst know it.

29/8/2025, 4:41:12 PM | 4 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

So that massive swing of voters in the IA special election this week DID get seen by at least one vulnerable Republican!

29/8/2025, 3:45:19 PM | 25 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Most of these businesses make their money selling things to Americans. If Trump torpedoes the economy, their businesses suffer - or fail. It's all so f'king absurd.

29/8/2025, 3:43:16 PM | 2 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

From a Department of Justice lawyer! Absolute disgrace what Trumpism is doing (or at least attempting) to the law.

29/8/2025, 3:41:27 PM | 0 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Vance's "I'm trained and ready" stuff this week has been 👀.

29/8/2025, 1:52:08 PM | 37 3 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Congress "passing a budget" is a bitter, ridiculous joke. We are careening into Nicolás Maduro territory here with all the crap happening.

29/8/2025, 1:46:21 PM | 18 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

I'm thinking about the wide swath of business leaders who donated their own or their company's money to elect this Republican regime. Do they have a shred of buyer's remorse? Are they doing ANYTHING but hiding under their desks?

29/8/2025, 1:42:42 PM | 23 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Josh Marshall (@joshtpm.bsky.social) reposted

More or less universally a country seeking to limit foreigners studying in that country is a sign of a society, culture, great power in severe decline.

29/8/2025, 1:15:58 PM | 4093 831 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Weak. Mike Johnson is so ridiculous.

29/8/2025, 1:40:53 PM | 8 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Our cities are the economic engines of the nation. Mess w/ that at your peril, Mike Johnson.

29/8/2025, 1:40:19 PM | 32 3 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

This will be a political gift to JB Pritzker. I mean, it's f'ked up. Chicago doesn't want this. Pritzker doesn't want this. But it will make the stakes abundantly clear. Democrats need to make the federal takeover of cities a central theme.

29/8/2025, 1:39:50 PM | 71 6 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Good to know at least President Pritzger can just let JD Vance roam free, unencumbered by protection in about 3.5 years! A brilliant move for a stable democra... Oh.

29/8/2025, 1:36:21 PM | 3 0 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

Do people realize that "conservatives" are wrecking 130 years of this institution? (I know, they're attacking Harvard, much older than our National Forest system!) Hunters? You want to hunt? Does no one MAGA go hiking, canoeing, camping? WTF!

“It’s quite apparent to me that this is a deliberate dismantling of the public land institutions that this country has had for 130 years,” Fitzwilliams said in the Aug. 13 interview. “This is my elevator speech that I give everywhere: I think public lands are one of the great experiments in democracy. Nowhere else in the world does this. We have set aside land in the public trust, owned by everyone, and we’re messing with that.”
29/8/2025, 1:27:58 PM | 6 2 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social)

White River National Forest former supervisor says he retired after having to fire 16 employees After leaving his longtime role at the country’s most visited national forest, Scott Fitzwilliams says he is witnessing a “deliberate dismantling” of public lands.

29/8/2025, 1:22:55 PM | 4 1 | View on Bluesky | view

Profile picture Ralf W (@raflw.bsky.social) reply parent

No, Polis put out a statement months ago praising RFK's vaccine 'choice' position.

29/8/2025, 2:27:54 AM | 7 0 | View on Bluesky | view