Andy O'Brien
@aobrien2024.bsky.social
Columnist, cartoon maker & labor propagandist from Maine.
The same “Graham Platner is a misogynist” op-ed by Lily Macone that ran in the Bangor Daily News on Monday is in Press Herald & Kennebec Jornal today. As someone who submits a lot of op-eds, editors don’t let you run them in both rival papers. Guess they're making an exception. 🤔
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The same “Graham Platner is a misogynist” op-ed by Lily Macone that ran in the Bangor Daily News on Monday is in Press Herald & Kennebec Jornal today. As someone who submits a lot of op-eds, editors don’t let you run them in both rival papers. Guess they're making an exception. 🤔
US Senate candidate Graham Platner & Maine gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson have been up in Houlton supporting striking nurses!
November 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
US Senate candidate Graham Platner & Maine gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson have been up in Houlton supporting striking nurses!
Reposted by Andy O'Brien
Nurses with the Maine State Nurses Association/NNU are striking for safe staffing, and improved patient care! Tell hospital CEO Jeff Zewe to stop union busting & bullying nurses! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
November 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Nurses with the Maine State Nurses Association/NNU are striking for safe staffing, and improved patient care! Tell hospital CEO Jeff Zewe to stop union busting & bullying nurses! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Covering Democratic primaries is depressing. Writing about Republican politics is much more fun! I present to you round one: Maine Policy Institute CEO Matt Gagnon versus young MAGA upstart John Salamone! Fight!
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
A Mini MAGA Civil War in Maine?
Recently, a little online fissure has opened up between the nationalist MAGA wing of the Maine Republican Party and the corporate wing of the party.
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Covering Democratic primaries is depressing. Writing about Republican politics is much more fun! I present to you round one: Maine Policy Institute CEO Matt Gagnon versus young MAGA upstart John Salamone! Fight!
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
Gubernatorial candidate Angus King the Third promises us 10% of what we want in this earthshaking op-ed. This must get the crowds stomping their feet & hanging from the rafters at Chamber of Commerce breakfasts.
November 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Gubernatorial candidate Angus King the Third promises us 10% of what we want in this earthshaking op-ed. This must get the crowds stomping their feet & hanging from the rafters at Chamber of Commerce breakfasts.
The latest Maine People’s Resource Center poll has Graham beating Collins by four points & has Mills losing to Collins by four points. The same pollster predicted the exact result of Question 1 this past election. drive.google.com/file/d/1TS65...
MPRC_1025_survey_results.pdf
drive.google.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The latest Maine People’s Resource Center poll has Graham beating Collins by four points & has Mills losing to Collins by four points. The same pollster predicted the exact result of Question 1 this past election. drive.google.com/file/d/1TS65...
Maine Policy Institute CEO Matt Gagnon is getting dragged by right-wingers for his libertarian "open borders" vision, but the real story is how he cynically oversees the most racist, anti-immigrant news outlet since the Maine Klansman in the 1920s. Such a hack.
November 12, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Maine Policy Institute CEO Matt Gagnon is getting dragged by right-wingers for his libertarian "open borders" vision, but the real story is how he cynically oversees the most racist, anti-immigrant news outlet since the Maine Klansman in the 1920s. Such a hack.
I actually think Jared could have been an effective Susan Collins for the Democratic side if he didn't constantly pick fights with his base. Just vote when they need you & don't when they don't. And shut up.
Long story short:
Jared Golden went to DC; succumbed to the siren call of the corporatists; and then found himself staring down the prospect of a humiliating primary loss after having drifted out of touch w/ his constituents.
Sad story overall but this is a victory for accountability. #MEpolitics
Jared Golden went to DC; succumbed to the siren call of the corporatists; and then found himself staring down the prospect of a humiliating primary loss after having drifted out of touch w/ his constituents.
Sad story overall but this is a victory for accountability. #MEpolitics
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, facing a primary challenge from state Auditor Matt Dunlap, says he won't seek reelection in #ME02
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I actually think Jared could have been an effective Susan Collins for the Democratic side if he didn't constantly pick fights with his base. Just vote when they need you & don't when they don't. And shut up.
Gov. Janet Mills opposed the Question 2 gun safety referendum while her opponent Graham Platner supported it. 60% of Maine voters backed it, showing once again Mills' conservatism is out of step with most Mainers. open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
Mills Fails to Defeat Gun Safety Referendum, Communist Defeats Nazi in Bangor & Other Election Night Take Aways
The election day returns were a soothing balm to progressives across Maine and the nation after living through the past eight months of corrupt, fascist rule in Washington.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Gov. Janet Mills opposed the Question 2 gun safety referendum while her opponent Graham Platner supported it. 60% of Maine voters backed it, showing once again Mills' conservatism is out of step with most Mainers. open.substack.com/pub/andyobri...
Thank you for supporting rape survivors.
I’m responding to what YOU RAISED. You changed the subject and have yet to fully explain how your criteria applies more broadly and to Platner specifically.
And, yeah, of course Mills should have funded those backlogged rape kits. Absolutely.
And, yeah, of course Mills should have funded those backlogged rape kits. Absolutely.
https://RAISED.you’ve
November 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Thank you for supporting rape survivors.
"Fuck veterans" — Been hearing this sentiment a lot from centrist Bluesky libs lately.
Y'all hate him because of his Nazi tattoos. That can be forgiven. I hate him because he's a boot licking black rock baby killer. We are not the same. Fuck veterans. ❤️
November 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
"Fuck veterans" — Been hearing this sentiment a lot from centrist Bluesky libs lately.
US Senate Democratic candidate Janet Mills has twice blocked a bill to create a rape kit tracking system and do an inventory of untested kits in Maine. 36 other states have this critical program.
www.wmtw.com/article/gov-...
www.wmtw.com/article/gov-...
Eight Investigates: Gov. Mills rejects rape kit tracking bill, keeping Maine ranking last in the nation
Advocates say a serious public health and safety issue is being ignored
www.wmtw.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
US Senate Democratic candidate Janet Mills has twice blocked a bill to create a rape kit tracking system and do an inventory of untested kits in Maine. 36 other states have this critical program.
www.wmtw.com/article/gov-...
www.wmtw.com/article/gov-...
I feel like if out of state Bluesky liberals could vote in our primary Gov. Janet Mills would be a shoe in for the Democratic Senate nomination, but of course none of these people know what her actual positions are & why she is so unpopular here.
November 3, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I feel like if out of state Bluesky liberals could vote in our primary Gov. Janet Mills would be a shoe in for the Democratic Senate nomination, but of course none of these people know what her actual positions are & why she is so unpopular here.
Reposted by Andy O'Brien
I would love if everyone reposting this story had to take a quiz to see if they can tell the skull and bones in question from a poison label or the Jolly Roger. The hysteria siren is ramping up and I'm so tired of it. There are actual Nazi sympathizers in govt now, can we go after them instead?
November 3, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I would love if everyone reposting this story had to take a quiz to see if they can tell the skull and bones in question from a poison label or the Jolly Roger. The hysteria siren is ramping up and I'm so tired of it. There are actual Nazi sympathizers in govt now, can we go after them instead?
Reposted by Andy O'Brien
Nope, calling bullshit. When someone comes around to the position you've been trying to advocate, you don't say, "Fuck You I shouldn't even have had to teach you."
You say, "Thank You and welcome to the team."
You will never have converts if you disqualify them for past ignorance.
You say, "Thank You and welcome to the team."
You will never have converts if you disqualify them for past ignorance.
November 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Nope, calling bullshit. When someone comes around to the position you've been trying to advocate, you don't say, "Fuck You I shouldn't even have had to teach you."
You say, "Thank You and welcome to the team."
You will never have converts if you disqualify them for past ignorance.
You say, "Thank You and welcome to the team."
You will never have converts if you disqualify them for past ignorance.
Reposted by Andy O'Brien
Right. That's not here though. If you see some other fiercely devoted community & labor organizer progressive with an earnest charisma who can hold an audience and can listen and teach what he's learned and has an analysis of power and class and is a stark anti-fascist vet who can afford to run well
November 3, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Right. That's not here though. If you see some other fiercely devoted community & labor organizer progressive with an earnest charisma who can hold an audience and can listen and teach what he's learned and has an analysis of power and class and is a stark anti-fascist vet who can afford to run well
We're all Nazis according to the Bluesky echo chamber.
What the actual fuck is wrong with Maine? Is lobster meat filled with a chemical that causes symptoms similar to lead poisoning?
November 3, 2025 at 5:33 PM
We're all Nazis according to the Bluesky echo chamber.
I'm very disappointed that you are challenging the expertise of a political SCIENTIST @dirigoblue.bsky.social Do you question medical science too? How dare you disagree with an all-knowing expert on Maine politics. A doctor of poli-sci no less!
My expertise is in American politics, not middle eastern politics. Yours is in architecture.
November 3, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I'm very disappointed that you are challenging the expertise of a political SCIENTIST @dirigoblue.bsky.social Do you question medical science too? How dare you disagree with an all-knowing expert on Maine politics. A doctor of poli-sci no less!
You're not a Mainer.
November 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
You're not a Mainer.
You are such a breath of fresh air after being told by 100s of ppl on this app that Graham is a Nazi & I am a Nazi for supporting him. Do they think these massive crowds - from hs students like my niece to therapists & teachers like my brothers & artists like my Taiwanese wife — are all Nazis?
Yes, he was an ass as a kid. But he saw, and he went back to land. Alot did.
I don't know him, I ain't a constituent.
But I do believe the fact he walked away from it, worked his butt off farming and has the balls to speak truth deserves a second, and third look.
Maine folks are hard to snooker.
I don't know him, I ain't a constituent.
But I do believe the fact he walked away from it, worked his butt off farming and has the balls to speak truth deserves a second, and third look.
Maine folks are hard to snooker.
November 3, 2025 at 1:43 AM
You are such a breath of fresh air after being told by 100s of ppl on this app that Graham is a Nazi & I am a Nazi for supporting him. Do they think these massive crowds - from hs students like my niece to therapists & teachers like my brothers & artists like my Taiwanese wife — are all Nazis?
You people really hate veterans don't you? Living up to every elite liberal stereotype.
He wantes to "have an adventure and kill people".
And his wealthy parents wanted him to go to college.
Instead he was so eager to be a soldier and fight as soon as possible he almost joined the French Foreign Legion.
And his wealthy parents wanted him to go to college.
Instead he was so eager to be a soldier and fight as soon as possible he almost joined the French Foreign Legion.
November 2, 2025 at 7:04 PM
You people really hate veterans don't you? Living up to every elite liberal stereotype.
The national establishment Democratic Party is the main barrier to making change. We can't make any meaningful changes to health care until we get rid of the corporate Dems in power who care more about crushing progressive challengers to business as usual than beating Republicans.
Dude, Platner could do a game changer and shut up about 'the DNC'.
He could just talk non stop about health care and how Republicans are starving kids
He absolutely has to prove he is not another Fetterman and he is currently....not doing that.
He could just talk non stop about health care and how Republicans are starving kids
He absolutely has to prove he is not another Fetterman and he is currently....not doing that.
November 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM
The national establishment Democratic Party is the main barrier to making change. We can't make any meaningful changes to health care until we get rid of the corporate Dems in power who care more about crushing progressive challengers to business as usual than beating Republicans.
Graham is not Fetterman. I know him personally. That is the dumbest, most informed take people are making on this website. You may not like Graham or his politics, but he is not even remotely like that guy.
Ask people in Pennsylvania is they still really like Fetterman. Or ask people in Arizona if they still really liked Sinema at the end of her term.
November 1, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Graham is not Fetterman. I know him personally. That is the dumbest, most informed take people are making on this website. You may not like Graham or his politics, but he is not even remotely like that guy.
Reposted by Andy O'Brien
Fuckin Bluesky man. Like you go anywhere else and people are having reasonable conversations but you come here and literally everyone has decided he's a Nazi. Like alright guys, its OK to not like him, but he's demonstrably not a Nazi and making that the basis of your attacks on him is super dumb.
November 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Fuckin Bluesky man. Like you go anywhere else and people are having reasonable conversations but you come here and literally everyone has decided he's a Nazi. Like alright guys, its OK to not like him, but he's demonstrably not a Nazi and making that the basis of your attacks on him is super dumb.