Kindler
@kindler.bsky.social
After decades working in public policy on sustainability, gaining advanced degrees in Poli Sci & Environmental Policy, blogging on Virginia politics at Blue Virginia and more, I’ve launched my own journal on Substack (https://kindler.substack.com)
Pinned
Kindler
@kindler.bsky.social
· Aug 21
Trump’s “Smash Sparrows” Campaigns
Because Dictatorships are Really, Really Stupid
open.substack.com
"Trump’s 'Smash Sparrows' Campaigns: Because Dictatorships are Really, Really Stupid." My latest on Substack:
Having a Republican governor who kowtows to MAGA has many costs — and in Virginia, those costs have included severe damage to Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia. A rundown by former state Delegate David Toscano, including how new Dem governor Spanberger can begin to fix the damage.
Youngkin’s UVA Legacy: A Damaged Institution that Spanberger Must Repair
(previously published by the Richmond Times Dispatch and Charlottesville Daily Progress
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Having a Republican governor who kowtows to MAGA has many costs — and in Virginia, those costs have included severe damage to Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia. A rundown by former state Delegate David Toscano, including how new Dem governor Spanberger can begin to fix the damage.
Reposted by Kindler
First Secretary of Defense you could defeat by painting a tunnel on the side of a boulder.
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
First Secretary of Defense you could defeat by painting a tunnel on the side of a boulder.
Outstanding breakdown of the Russia-Trump “peace plan” hoax by @timothysnyder.bsky.social:
Russian Unreality and American Weakness
Notes from a bizarre moment of diplomatic history
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Outstanding breakdown of the Russia-Trump “peace plan” hoax by @timothysnyder.bsky.social:
Reposted by Kindler
Is perjury still a thing, or nah?
The Trump admin submitted a sworn declaration under oath that Costa Rica had changed its mind and would no longer take Mr. Abrego.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Costa Rica has now said publicly that that this is false, that they have not changed their position at all, and that they will still take him.
Unpacked:
In Aug., Govt said if Abrego pled guilty he could go to Costa Rica, where he's okay with going. Abrego said no to plea. Govt now wants to send him to Liberia. Why not Costa Rica? Govt told judge Thurs that Costa Rica wouldn’t take him anymore. @mariasacchetti exposed them.
In Aug., Govt said if Abrego pled guilty he could go to Costa Rica, where he's okay with going. Abrego said no to plea. Govt now wants to send him to Liberia. Why not Costa Rica? Govt told judge Thurs that Costa Rica wouldn’t take him anymore. @mariasacchetti exposed them.
November 23, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Is perjury still a thing, or nah?
Reposted by Kindler
Home Depot on defense for their horrific enabling of ICE crimes. That means Ain't Buying It boycott is already working and it's not even Thanksgiving yet!
www.newsweek.com/home-depot-i...
www.newsweek.com/home-depot-i...
Home Depot speaks out about ICE involvement as boycott calls grow
The retailer's premises have become a key target of immigration enforcement activities in recent months.
www.newsweek.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Home Depot on defense for their horrific enabling of ICE crimes. That means Ain't Buying It boycott is already working and it's not even Thanksgiving yet!
www.newsweek.com/home-depot-i...
www.newsweek.com/home-depot-i...
Reposted by Kindler
Reposted by Kindler
Rep Jasmine Crockett on MTG quitting: “I was like, you got to be kidding. You’re on the other side of the president for one week and you can’t take the heat? Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes.”
Greene fanned the flames of hate for years and can’t handle the monster she helped create.
Greene fanned the flames of hate for years and can’t handle the monster she helped create.
November 23, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Rep Jasmine Crockett on MTG quitting: “I was like, you got to be kidding. You’re on the other side of the president for one week and you can’t take the heat? Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes.”
Greene fanned the flames of hate for years and can’t handle the monster she helped create.
Greene fanned the flames of hate for years and can’t handle the monster she helped create.
Reposted by Kindler
We’re not talking nearly enough about the Trump admin moving towards ending legal protections for whistleblowers among senior federal employees. You know…the people who expose waste, fraud, and abuse. Wasn’t that what this administration was all about? Everything is always a con
November 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
We’re not talking nearly enough about the Trump admin moving towards ending legal protections for whistleblowers among senior federal employees. You know…the people who expose waste, fraud, and abuse. Wasn’t that what this administration was all about? Everything is always a con
Reposted by Kindler
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Kindler
Once again: read @mariahblake.bsky.social's "They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals"
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
EPA just approved new ‘forever chemical’ pesticides for use on food
Critics warn the EPA’s approvals of new PFAS pesticides could expose more Americans to “forever chemicals” through their food.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Once again: read @mariahblake.bsky.social's "They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals"
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
bookshop.org/p/books/they...
Reposted by Kindler
Reposted by Kindler
Yes yes, surely we should not “single out” the leading cause of climate change when seeking to address climate change
November 23, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Yes yes, surely we should not “single out” the leading cause of climate change when seeking to address climate change
Reposted by Kindler
There are going to be prominent Democrats and mainstream media voices who insist that we have to "turn the page" and "forgive and forget" and they should all be roundly ignored, if not mercilessly mocked.
It’s crazy to think about the crimes we’re going to learn about after this regime ends.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
November 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
There are going to be prominent Democrats and mainstream media voices who insist that we have to "turn the page" and "forgive and forget" and they should all be roundly ignored, if not mercilessly mocked.
Reposted by Kindler
The thing about Trump saying it’s fine for Mamdani to call him a fascist is that he genuinely thinks all of this is kayfabe, just as he could insult Rubio or Cruz but still work with them. It’s not possible for him to imagine other people being sincere about anything.
November 23, 2025 at 12:20 AM
The thing about Trump saying it’s fine for Mamdani to call him a fascist is that he genuinely thinks all of this is kayfabe, just as he could insult Rubio or Cruz but still work with them. It’s not possible for him to imagine other people being sincere about anything.
Reposted by Kindler
What's new? Trump is the king of stiffing people he promises to pay. Or even *contracted to pay*. He has the lawsuits to show that the Trump Org was infamous for not paying/underpaying contractors.
I hope none of the hardworking ATCs actually bought that BS.
🧾 www.thedailybeast.com/trump-stiffs...
I hope none of the hardworking ATCs actually bought that BS.
🧾 www.thedailybeast.com/trump-stiffs...
Trump promised bonuses to air traffic controllers who worked throughout the shut down. Only 7% will actually see that bonus while all others get nothing even though they worked through the shut down.
#ProudBlue#Voices4Victory
#OneV1
www.thedailybeast.com/trump-stiffs...
#ProudBlue#Voices4Victory
#OneV1
www.thedailybeast.com/trump-stiffs...
Trump Stiffs Thousands of Air Traffic Controllers With Shutdown Bonus Snub
Most workers miss out on a bonus for working through the shutdown.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:05 AM
What's new? Trump is the king of stiffing people he promises to pay. Or even *contracted to pay*. He has the lawsuits to show that the Trump Org was infamous for not paying/underpaying contractors.
I hope none of the hardworking ATCs actually bought that BS.
🧾 www.thedailybeast.com/trump-stiffs...
I hope none of the hardworking ATCs actually bought that BS.
🧾 www.thedailybeast.com/trump-stiffs...
Reposted by Kindler
I don’t know if the right will ever stop using socialism & communism as scare words. But it’s time for moderate Dems to stop flinching every time the right yells “Democrat socialist” Start learning the lessons right in front of them from Mamdani’s candidacy and his win.
It’s affordability, stupid‼️
It’s affordability, stupid‼️
November 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I don’t know if the right will ever stop using socialism & communism as scare words. But it’s time for moderate Dems to stop flinching every time the right yells “Democrat socialist” Start learning the lessons right in front of them from Mamdani’s candidacy and his win.
It’s affordability, stupid‼️
It’s affordability, stupid‼️
Reposted by Kindler
Maybe we can fit this on a t-shirt? (From MeidasTouch):
November 21, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Maybe we can fit this on a t-shirt? (From MeidasTouch):
Reposted by Kindler
US Senator Mitch McConnell:
"Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. ...
"Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. ...
November 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
US Senator Mitch McConnell:
"Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. ...
"Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. ...
Reposted by Kindler
Kilmeade: According to your plan, Ukraine will have to give up land that they have not lost in the war.
Trump: They will lose it in a short period of time.
Kilmeade: The whole Donbas?
Trump: They are losing land.
Trump: They will lose it in a short period of time.
Kilmeade: The whole Donbas?
Trump: They are losing land.
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Kilmeade: According to your plan, Ukraine will have to give up land that they have not lost in the war.
Trump: They will lose it in a short period of time.
Kilmeade: The whole Donbas?
Trump: They are losing land.
Trump: They will lose it in a short period of time.
Kilmeade: The whole Donbas?
Trump: They are losing land.
Reposted by Kindler
Reposted by Kindler
Marjorie Taylor Greene has been hated by the left for years and never feared for her life. She’s been hated by the right for two days and had to hire security.
November 20, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Marjorie Taylor Greene has been hated by the left for years and never feared for her life. She’s been hated by the right for two days and had to hire security.
Reposted by Kindler
Big win for the thousands of Virginians commuting to work in DC every day. Bigger win for the integrity of our military. In America we swear oaths to the Constitution and the law, and the law is clear: Trump's occupation of American cities is illegal. apnews.com/article/nati...
Judge orders Trump administration to end National Guard deployment in DC
A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to end its monthslong deployment of National Guard troops to help police the nation’s capital. U.S.
apnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Big win for the thousands of Virginians commuting to work in DC every day. Bigger win for the integrity of our military. In America we swear oaths to the Constitution and the law, and the law is clear: Trump's occupation of American cities is illegal. apnews.com/article/nati...
Reposted by Kindler
I am LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY at this meeting! Republican campaign consultants built their entire midterm strategy around making Mamdani into the devil incarnate and the face of Democratic Party, then Trump slobbers all over him today in the Oval!
November 21, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I am LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY at this meeting! Republican campaign consultants built their entire midterm strategy around making Mamdani into the devil incarnate and the face of Democratic Party, then Trump slobbers all over him today in the Oval!
Reposted by Kindler
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Socialism is what they called public power.
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Socialism is what they called social security.
Socialism is what they called the growth of free and independent labor organizations.
Socialism is their name for almost anything that helps all the people.
—Harry Truman, 1952
Reposted by Kindler
As usual, the New York Times headline dialed down Trump’s rhetoric to make it seem slightly less insane than it really was. Trump didn’t just accuse Dems of sedition — he called for their execution.
November 20, 2025 at 11:31 PM
As usual, the New York Times headline dialed down Trump’s rhetoric to make it seem slightly less insane than it really was. Trump didn’t just accuse Dems of sedition — he called for their execution.