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benfranklinskite.bsky.social
@benfranklinskite.bsky.social
2.7K followers 760 following 9.9K posts
Daily microactivism. Radical kindness empowers. Be heard.
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benfranklinskite.bsky.social
benfranklinskite.bsky.social @benfranklinskite.bsky.social · Apr 1
You want your Democratic Senator to do more?

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Right now the clock is ticking: can we save our democracy, federal agencies and rule of law before the damage is irreparable? I'm sure you know that it took Hitler less than 6 months to destroy democracy in Germany? I understand that with a GOP trifecta in the Capitol, your options are limited. Still, I feel the Senate Dems are not meeting the peril of this moment with the urgency required. We are seeing daily assaults on the rule of law, our constitutional rights, our national security, our federal agencies which we funded by Congress, a continual usurpation of the congressional power of appropriations, a stream of language that brings hatred, division and lies, attacks on the courts, law firms, universities, proclamations that normalise racism and even segregation. The economy is plummeting and our alliances are broken. As your constituent, I write to ask, no, demand, you do more. The Senate dems have been bringing Roberts Rules of Order to a knife fight. Please stop acting as if any of this is normal. If the illegal DOGE actions were being done with tanks and paramilitaries and bulldozers, there would be burnt out shells of buildings across DC and the nation. Please: use the tools at your disposal and force your brainwashed GOP colleagues to rejoin reality: Please THANK CORY BOOKER for filibustering and JOIN HIM next time. PLEASE: Consider these actions that Senate Dems and Independents could do that would force your GOP colleagues to work together or down tools: - Withdraw unanimous consent from all Senate business until constitutional rule was restored - make Quorum calls - Refuse to vote for any legislation until constitutional rule is restored - Boycott as a caucus until constitutional rule was restored I also urge you to obtain a copy of Project 2025 and start to be proactive. Game out strategies to oppose the agenda measure by measure. I understand that your role right now probably involves challenges, pressures, and perhaps even threat… Right now the clock is ticking: can we save our democracy, federal agencies and rule of law before the damage is irreparable? I'm sure you know that it took Hitler less than 6 months to destroy democracy in Germany? I understand that with a GOP trifecta in the Capitol, your options are limited. Still, I feel the Senate Dems are not meeting the peril of this moment with the urgency required. We see daily assaults on the rule of law, our constitutional rights, our national security, our federal agencies which we funded by Congress, a continual usurpation of the congressional power of appropriations, a stream of language that brings hatred, division, lies, attacks on the courts, law firms, universities, proclamations that normalise racism & even segregation. The economy is plummeting; our alliances are broken. As your constituent, I write to ask, no, demand, you do more. The Senate dems have been bringing Roberts Rules of Order to a knife fight. Please stop acting as if any of this is normal. If the illegal DOGE actions were being done with tanks, paramilitaries & bulldozers, there would be burnt out shells of buildings across DC & the nation. Please: use the tools at your disposal; force your brainwashed GOP colleagues to rejoin reality: THANK CORY BOOKER for filibustering.JOIN HIM next time. PLEASE: Consider these actions that Senate Dems & Independents could do that would force your GOP colleagues to work together or down tools: - Withdraw unanimous consent from all Senate business until constitutional rule is restored - make Quorum calls - Refuse to vote for legislation until constitutional rule is restored - Boycott until constitutional rule isrestored I also urge you to obtain a copy of Project 2025 and start to be proactive. Game out strategies to oppose the agenda measure by measure. I understand that your role right now probably involves challenges, pressures, and perhaps even threats that are not disclosed publicly. But courage is co…
Reposted
theguardian.com
Excessive restraint in immigration detention centres ‘deeply concerning’, report finds
Excessive restraint in immigration detention centres ‘deeply concerning’, report finds
Watchdog says force being applied ‘inconsistently, disproportionately, and without adequate justification’ Home Office contractors are over-using restraint in immigration detention centres and failing to tackle the toxic culture behind bars, according to the findings of a new watchdog report described as “deeply concerning”. By Force of Habit: How the Use of Force in Immigration Detention Has Lost Sight of Necessity and Dignity was published by the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB), which examines conditions in prisons and immigration detention centres. The findings revealed force being applied inconsistently, disproportionately, and without adequate justification, which it said undermined the dignity and welfare of highly vulnerable individuals. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:03 AM
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grahamformaine.bsky.social
Two decades ago Susan Collins voted to send me and my friends to kill and die in a meaningless war.

It’s on the verge of happening again.
A tweet screenshot: No big deal. The US is about to go to war with Venezuela and is currently detonating bombs on a closed military base in Vieques, Puerto Rico. Maybe we should be watching this in real time, folks?
November 25, 2025 at 11:47 PM
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bradlander.bsky.social
There’s plenty of disagreement about policing & public safety policy, that’s no secret. But this Thanksgiving week, I’m genuinely grateful to this team, who risk their safety for mine without hesitation.
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
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bradlander.bsky.social
I especially liked something @nypd.bsky.social Commissioner Tisch said at the ceremony: “The true measure of your rank is not how many stand beneath you. It is how many rise because of you.”
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
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brainnotonyet.bsky.social
Ice is gassing neighbors in St. Paul this morning g during a paramilitary fascist raid on the city.
November 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social
Fire and Ice: Lessons from the Battle of Los Angeles
Fire and Ice: Lessons from the Battle of Los Angeles
Ill Will || Momentum in the movement against mass deportations had been building for weeks. From San Diego to Martha’s Vineyard, spontaneous confrontations with ICE agents were already happening. A…
classautonomy.info
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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emptywheel.bsky.social
Remarkable ¶ in Sara Ellis' opinion on CBP/ICE abuse of force. This is about an October 14 conflict at 105th Street and South Avenue North (I don't claim to know the neighborhood).

legacy.www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
The agents therefore began making plans to deploy chemical munitions on their way out. See Axon Body 4 Video 2025-10-14 1151 D01A49557 at 1:19:37–1:19:40 (“Yeah, I’ll drop ’em everywhere. But I need two more cans. I only got three on me.”); id. at 1:27:05, 1:27:18–20 (repeatedly stating that “I’m going to gas this street”); id. at 1:29:17–1:29:30 (“I’m going to be the one deploying the gas . . . I’m going to gas this street. And then I’m waiting here and I’m looking for fucking with the bricks and shit to keep everybody safe.”); Axon Body 4 Video 2025-10-14 1130 D01A4281B at 52:45–47 (agent miming throwing tear gas canisters and saying, “we’re going to be ching ching-ing away, just booking it”); Chicago Vehicle Wreck Riot at 1:15:00–1:15:03 (“I have a feeling I’m going to get to use this [tear gas] finally.”); id. at 1:22:14 (“We’re definitely gassing them when we leave. Just start throwing shit.”); id. at 1:28:56–1:28:58 (“We’re definitely going to gas them when we get out of here.”); Axon_Body_ 4_Video_2025-10-14_1251_D01A30574 at 29:52–30:00 (“We’re going to gas the street . . . let [the other agents] know.”); id. at 30:14–30:21 (“Hey guys. We’re going to start gassing here in a little bit.”).
November 25, 2025 at 11:17 PM
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melissjpeltier.bsky.social
Stephen Miller doesn’t want your brown gang members.

He wants your brown housekeepers & gardeners & contractors & elementary school students & pregnant moms & grandfathers & babies in car seats.

We tried to warn you. Now let’s work together to get these monsters out of power!
November 25, 2025 at 11:44 PM
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iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social
Jasmine Crockett tells the whole room about Donald Trump's history of racism against people of color!
November 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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melissjpeltier.bsky.social
Nice. 👍🏼
The devil is in the details, as always.
November 25, 2025 at 11:26 PM
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idratherbeinmaine.bsky.social
Even in Ohio! bsky.app/profile/carl...
carlquintanilla.bsky.social Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 13h
Page One in Cincinnati:

“.. I need to be able to look my grandkids in the eye and say I did not remain silent.”

#ICE
November 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
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johnpavlovitz.bsky.social
As long as this president is allowed to remain, our nation will never be well, and we so easily could be well. It could all be so very simple. Impeachment, prosecution, removal.

johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/i-spoke-on...
I Spoke on the National Mall. Here's What I Said About the Cancer of Donald Trump...
Over the weekend, I gathered with thousands of people from every corner of this nation for ‘Remove the Regime,’ a rally calling for the impeachment, conviction, and removal of Donald Trump.
johnpavlovitz.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
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joniaskola.bsky.social
I’m not a judge, but Witkoff should sit in prison for the rest of his life
November 25, 2025 at 11:11 PM
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scrimmins.bsky.social
An agent of Russia.
Surprise, surprise.
timkmak.bsky.social Tim Mak @timkmak.bsky.social · 2h
A private call between Trump-appointed envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin advisor Yuri Ushakov was just leaked — and it shows the American envoy effectively acting as a strategist for Moscow.
NEWSFLASH: Witkoff was secretly giving Russians advice
A secret transcript reveals that the Trump envoy was helping a Putin advisor formulate a plan.
www.counteroffensive.news
November 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
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gregggonsalves.bsky.social
This Administration’s policies will spur millions of new infections and deaths from AIDS. Today’s announcement is simply to rub all of our noses in this. It is to say: we know what we’re doing; we don’t care. It is pure sadism. It’s a descent into barbarism once again.
altcdc.altgov.info Alt CDC (they/them) @altcdc.altgov.info · 8h
1/ ⚠️ Breaking: At CDC, we've been told the US Government will not officially commemorate World AIDS Day this year. No explanation given.
Photograph of a printed guidance memo stating that the U.S. Government will not be commemorating World AIDS Day this year. Key points include: USG funds should not be used for related events, personnel should refrain from public promotion via social media or other channels, and CDC and other USG staff may attend local events but cannot speak or promote attendance. The memo notes this guidance supersedes previous blanket approval and may require adjustments to planned activities.
November 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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onestpress.onestnetwork.com
If leaders around the world have not understood that United States had a democratically orchestrated takeover and does align with authoritarian regimes while monetizing its power over (former) allies, they can force Ukraine to surrender and experience consequences on their own children.
November 20, 2025 at 10:01 PM
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simonwdc.bsky.social
Republican Rep. Don Bacon calls for Witkoff to be fired. May it be the first call of many. Witkoff needs to go, now.
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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simonwdc.bsky.social
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:

1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.

2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.

3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
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namwella1961.bsky.social
Washington D.C. observer John Heilemann: It's only a matter of time before retired & active-duty military personnel turn on Trump. Hegseth focusing on Mark Kelly could be the straw that broke the camel’s back within the military ranks.

Yes please!
#ProudBlue #Pinks #TrumpisaNationalDisgrace
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
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bradtakei.bsky.social
Lawmakers reminding troops to follow the law should not trigger FBI interviews. Full stop.
newrepublic.com The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 6h
The FBI has requested interviews with six Democrats regarding their video, which reminds troops to follow the Constitution.

The Trump administration saw the now-infamous video as treasonous, called for them to be hanged, and is weighing court-martialing Sen. Mark Kelly. trib.al/ELXKBpd
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
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emptywheel.bsky.social
This review happens during the period when Ghislaine delayed her appeal to SCOTUS.
billkristolbulwark.bsky.social Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 2h
Great urgency in reviewing Epstein files. Then silence for three months. Then the July 6 “nothing to see here” memo.

Wonder what they found that led to panicked silence then attempted cover up?
jasonleopold.bsky.social Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 3h
The docs also reveal the number of hours the FBI devoted to the project, which required some agents to work nights and weekends. The FBI paid personnel $851,344 in overtime for working on the Epstein files between March 17 and March 22.
November 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Reposted
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
NEW: ACLU lawyers name Emil Bove, now a federal judge, as possible witness in contempt inquiry.

The former DOJ official — who was Trump's criminal defense lawyer before that — is one of nine names submitted to Judge Boasberg.

This evening, at Law Dork:
ACLU lawyers name Emil Bove, now a federal judge, as possible witness in contempt inquiry
The former DOJ official — who was Trump's criminal defense lawyer before that — is one of nine names submitted to Judge Boasberg. And, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.
www.lawdork.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:36 PM
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katiestp.bsky.social
These “law enforcement officers” are truly monsters. Subhuman. It is our DUTY and our MORAL OBLIGATION to stand up against unjust laws.
November 25, 2025 at 10:05 PM
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hunterisntdunn.bsky.social
Voting is necessary, but not sufficient on its own.

We need to support fighters, not folders, in every race at every level. Taking down fascism & oligarchy requires mutual aid, mass mobilization, direct action (ie anti-ICE patrols), targeted pillar disruption *and* voting. Keep fighting back
50501movement.bsky.social 50501: The People’s Movement ❌👑 @50501movement.bsky.social · 3h
“Just vote blue in 2026” won’t save us from American fascism. Both parties have been drifting to the right for years. Democrats and Republicans have aligned themselves with corporatocracy and oligarchy, respectively.
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted
letters.resist.bot
From a constituent in 📍 Arnold, MD
An Open Letter
I'm writing to ask that you oppose the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrants and conduct public oversight investigations into the conduct of ICE agents and conditions of detention facilities. Federal agents are terrorizing our communities with unlawful racial profiling, violating due process rights, and subjecting innocent people to extremely inhumane treatment. I expect you to hold this administration accountable for their authoritarian tactics. Please also share this video, especially with fox, abc, and the other GOP news sources. Video from Women's March. https://youtu.be/684ncxqERO4?si=dGqBWqEQ5o2LZHJL Thank you for your time and consideration.
resist.bot
November 25, 2025 at 10:37 PM