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Frank D. Russo

@fdrtoday.bsky.social

840 followers 540 following 3.8K posts

Attorney, active in politics & public policy half a century starting with JFK & civil rights movement, Ex Publisher California Progress Report & Legal Counsel to Speaker of CA Assembly. Trying to enjoy life in difficult times with music, photography travel

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Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · Dec 11

I’m a mediator & seek agreement on facts hence my banner at top with another FDR. I also work as an arbitrator where I decide truth amongst “alternative facts.”

With all the news & opinion maybe I should focus more on WHAT SHOULD BE DONE about this “fine mess” we’re in.
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Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1h

Something Interesting Is Happening With Republican Opinion About the War in Ukraine
Phillips P. OBrien

Stronger support for aid to Ukraine seems to have been catalyzed when Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin during the Alaska Summit in August

He no longer controls this
bit.ly/4mTqS23

Something Interesting Is Happening With GOP Public Opinion

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1h

Oklahoma Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago
NYT Gift Article

Gov. Kevin Stitt, current chair of the National Governors Association, broke with Texas saying “Oklahomans would lose their mind” if Illinois sent troops to their red state

Rare: old school
bit.ly/470b9IO

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 4h

Live Updates: Courts Hear Challenges to Chicago and Portland National Guard Deployments
NYT Gift

Lawyers for and against deployments of troops facing off in two courtrooms simultaneously

Oregon before judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Illinois before Fed District Judge

bit.ly/3KMqNjk

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 4h

Half Of 2025 U.S. Nobel Prize Winners In Science Are Immigrants
Forbes

Examples of immigrants contributing to science and technology come as Trump enacts policies to restrict immigration including that of highly skilled individuals

Read about American history of immigrant winners
bit.ly/4hmZEjv

Half Of The 2025 U.S. Nobel Prize Winners In Science Are Immigrants

Three of the six U.S. winners in the 2025 Nobel Prize science categories immigrated to the United States, one of them as a teenager.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 4h

Napa County supervisors back Prop. 50, redistricting measure meant to counter Texas GOP maps

They voted unanimously to encourage residents to participate in the Nov. 4 special election and described it as a defense of democracy amid national battles over congressional control

bit.ly/48oSUz6

Napa County supervisors back Prop. 50, redistricting measure meant to counter Texas GOP maps

Supervisors voted unanimously to support the November ballot measure, saying it would defend fair elections as Texas moves to redraw congressional districts favoring Republicans.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 5h

The pulse of a city on edge - hundreds protest Trump's plan to deploy troops in Chicago
Sky News

Hundreds of National Guard troops have set up camp at army training center. They drew a diverse crowd of protesters, faces lit by phone screens voices raised and fists raised in defiance
bit.ly/3VTZTbN

The pulse of a city on edge - hundreds protest Trump's plan to deploy troops in Chicago

Hundreds of National Guard troops have set up camp at an army training centre on the outskirts of Chicago. Their presence drew a diverse crowd of protesters to the city centre - their faces lit by pho...

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 5h

Trump Fires Black Officials From an Overwhelmingly White Administration
NYT Gifted

Only 2 of 98 Senate-confirmed appointees to the most senior jobs in government were Black

Proud to have ‘Blacks for Trump’ at his rallies behind the podium but not behind him in the cabinet meetings

bit.ly/4hmQOCl

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 6h

For a fair election, support Prop. 50
Santa Rosa Press Democrat

They supported ballot measure that established California independent redistricting commission

Voters will ultimately decide who controls Congress in the midterm, there ought to be a level playing field for the election
bit.ly/4ogGgqx

PD Editorial: For a fair election, support Prop. 50

Prop. 50 could help shift the balance of power in Washington.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 7h

Democrats Are Winning the Shutdown Fight: Turns out Republicans still haven’t figured out the politics of health care
by Jonathan Cohn

"HERE’S HOW YOU CAN TELL Democrats have the upper hand in the week-old shutdown fight: Marjorie Taylor Greene just endorsed their key demand"

More
bit.ly/3VXgyuZ

Democrats Are Winning the Shutdown Fight

Turns out Republicans still haven’t figured out the politics of health care.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 7h

The Slow Death Facing The Comey Prosecution
by Joyce Vance

Vance, a former US attorney has an informed analysis of the case and quickly identifies problems with this prosecution, how it may be dismissed on pre-trial motions and that the government is not ready for the rocket docket
bit.ly/3KFHIEk

The Slow Death Facing The Comey Prosecution

This morning at 10 a.m., former FBI Director Jim Comey was arraigned in federal court.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 7h

I can't remember but I lived in Oakland most of my life and I'm happy to see an Oaklander get one of the awards.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 7h

Bill Browder: It’s Time to Make Putin Pay for His War
The Moscow Times

He's a brave and outspoken critic of the Kremlin since the 2009 death of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky in Russian prison. Despite threats he is responsible for the Magnitsky Act.

A few comments on Trump at the end.
bit.ly/42yplXZ

Bill Browder: It’s Time to Make Putin Pay for His War - The Moscow Times

Once a leading investor in Russian markets, U.S.-born British financier Bill Browder has been an outspoken critic of the Kremlin since the death of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, in a Russian prison in...

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 8h

Meet the 22 artists, scientists and authors who will each get $800,000 MacArthur genius grants
AP

The thru line is empathy and deep engagement with community

Including a novelist who writes about Native American communities in Oakland, California and more

Nevertheless we persist
bit.ly/430RWFy

Meet the 22 artists, scientists and authors who will each get $800,000 MacArthur genius grants

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced its 2025 class of fellows on Wednesday, a prize often called the “genius award.”

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 8h

Thinkers, dreamers, doers: Here's who made the 2025 MacArthur Fellow list
NPR

It is great to be able to post an uplifting inspiring piece of news in this time that has gotten many of us pessimistic about our future

This is one of them. Read about these "geniuses," keep hope alive
bit.ly/47fZyX8

Thinkers, dreamers, doers: Here's who made the 2025 MacArthur Fellow list

A cartographer, a composer, a neurobiologist, and a novelist are among the recipients of this year's "Genius Grants." Each Fellow will receive a no-strings attached award of $800,000.

Reposted by Frank D. Russo

Mueller, She Wrote @muellershewrote.com · 1d

Portland has elevated protesting to an art form.

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 1d

#WarRavagedPortland

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 22h

Federal judge blocks Trump changes to teen pregnancy prevention program
The Hill

Trump admin can’t force them to comply with executive order against “indoctrinating” children about “radical gender ideology”
based on irrelevant ideological factors in order to receive funds

bit.ly/48V8ToB

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 22h

Pope Leo will ‘stand with’ Catholic leaders in protecting immigrants’ rights
Politico

Pope's comments mark the most recent push from the Vatican against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown

Pope had tears in his eyes watching video of immigrants from El Paso bishop
bit.ly/4h5w55G

Pope Leo will ‘stand with’ Catholic leaders in protecting immigrants’ rights, advocates say

The comments from the pope mark the most recent push from the Vatican against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 22h

Nightmare scenario': Analysis warns Supreme Court may 'clear path' for one-party rule
by Nicole Charky-Chami

Louisiana v. Callais on docket October 15

Removing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act could give Republicans a path to redraw up to 19 House seats to benefit their party
bit.ly/4nHvmdn

'Nightmare scenario': Analysis warns Supreme Court may 'clear path' for one-party rule

A Democratic voting rights group was "sounding the alarm" Wednesday, warning of a "nightmare scenario" wherein the U.S. Supreme Court could "clear the path for a one-party system" and give Republicans...

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1d

San Francisco Bay Area is facing doom loop — just not the one we usually think about
SF Chron

Greying of population: Biggest increase in median age since 2020, has similar share of children as adults over 65

Problem faced in other states and communities

(why we need immigrants)
bit.ly/4o36HQm

This is the real doom loop. It will change everything about life in the Bay Area

Already one of the oldest parts of the U.S., the San Francisco metro area is aging faster than any other major region. It will change every aspect of our lives.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1d

Conservative SCOTUS justices signal openness to allowing conversion therapy
by Bob Egelko Legal Reporter for SF Chron
Gift article

Justice Clarence Thomas said Colorado ban appears to be a “prior restraint on speech” and other justices seemed to agree

We'll have a decision by June
bit.ly/4mXA6KW

Conservative SCOTUS justices signal openness to allowing conversion therapy

While professional groups oppose conversion therapy, Justice Samuel Alito asked whether the medical profession had been “politicized, taken over by ideology.”

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1d

"This is going to affect everybody": Napa's Member of Congress Thompson meets with local health care organizations to discuss impacts of ACA cuts
Napa Register

28,000 people in the Congressional district will lose their health insurance coverage if the tax credits expire
bit.ly/4737IkF

'This is going to affect everybody': Thompson meets with local health care organization to discuss impacts of ACA cuts

In response to Napa residents' fears of losing their health care coverage, Rep. Mike Thompson on Monday met with a leader of the Community Health Initiative, a Napa-based organization that helps clien...

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1d

Trump calls for investigation into Blumenthal over allegations he lied about military service--15 years ago!
CNN

After Senator grilled Pam Bondi in hearing

Pardon my French but how chickenshit is this? Clearly designed to intimidate which it won't

Message to others from Bone Spurs
bit.ly/4nHPnAJ

Trump calls for investigation into Blumenthal over allegations he lied about military service | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump called for Sen. Richard Blumenthal to be investigated in a Truth Social post late Tuesday night, hours after the Democratic senator sparred with Attorney General Pam Bondi durin...

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1d

Is ICE wrongly arresting US citizens? Here’s what Americans say in new poll
Miami Herald

Spoiler alert! The answer is yes
.
They're concerned about scale and intensity of Trump’s immigration crackdown according to new YouGov poll

Strength in Democrats & Independents

Read more at: bit.ly/4nfag5j

Is ICE wrongly arresting US citizens? Here’s what Americans say in new poll

The survey also asked respondents if ICE agents are using the appropriate amount of force.

www.miamiherald.com

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1d

What I Learned By Watching Every Pam Bondi Speech
by Ankush Khardori

The Trump loyalist is a new kind of attorney general--an openly political one

This is simply a great read with all the goods on her (that we know about) with data and quotes

You will learn a lot

bit.ly/4h1fjoh

What I Learned By Watching Every Pam Bondi Speech

The Trump loyalist is a new kind of attorney general.

Frank D. Russo @fdrtoday.bsky.social · 1d

Why This Essay Could Cause the University of Virginia to Shut Down
by Siva Vaidhyanathan who is a "belittler"

How the latest “compact” would do deep and permanent harm to American higher education

“Belittlement” of "conservative ideas" not allowed

But caviling on liberal ones OK
bit.ly/3KGrr24

Why This Essay Could Cause the University of Virginia to Shut Down

How Linda McMahon’s latest “compact” would do deep and permanent harm to American higher education