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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 1h

Wait, you mean the Administration’s crackdown on free speech and academic freedoms in the name of antisemitism isn’t making Jews feel safe? Other than the rest of us who know that free speech and academic freedom are conditions that help protect Jews, who could have predicted this?

More U.S. Jews shield identity in public amid antisemitism fears, Post poll finds

A third of U.S. Jewish people say they don’t feel safe, and two-thirds report seeing antisemitic content online at least once a month, a Washington Post poll finds.

www.washingtonpost.com

Reposted by Todd Stein

Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 2h

"We are a decade into Trumpism. These Young Republicans have never known any other type of Republicanism. We’re talking about a full generation of Republicans who only understand politics in the context of an authoritarian project."

www.thebulwark.com/p/all-the-pr...

All the Pretty Little Nazis

The shape of things to come.

www.thebulwark.com

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 3h

The man who warmly embraced AfD in Germany is not bothered by the "I Love Hitler" chat groups. I did NOT see that coming.

The Daily Beast @thedailybeast.bsky.social · 1d

Vice President JD Vance downplayed the severity of racist texts leaked from a Young Republican group chat, dismissing the criticism as "pearl clutching" and attempting to draw attention to a Democrat texting scandal instead.

JD Vance Hits Out at ‘Pearl Clutching‘ Over Racist GOP Group Chat

The vice president defended the “college group chat” in a post made to X.

trib.al

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 12h

The what-age-does-a-person-become-personally-responsible-for-loving-Hitler challenge.

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 12h

Let’s remember that (during Clinton impeachment) Republicans dismissed Henry Hyde’s extramarital affair as a “youthful indiscretion.” He was 41 at the time of the affair.

That’s the same age Vance is now.

Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 13h

These. Were. Men. In. Their. 30s.

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

No one in the GOP Hitler chat was a "kid"

We checked. Sorry, JD Vance.

www.motherjones.com

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Reposted by Todd Stein

Julian Sanchez @normative.bsky.social · 13h

Remember, brown 13-year-olds are hardened menaces to society, but 30-something Republican Hitler afficionados in positions of power are just li’l guys.

Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 13h

These. Were. Men. In. Their. 30s.

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

No one in the GOP Hitler chat was a "kid"

We checked. Sorry, JD Vance.

www.motherjones.com

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 13h

Republicans believe it is proper to give one single individual the sole authority to:

1. Determine whether conditions exist for legitimate lethal military targeting;
2. Order the military strike on the target; and
3. Define the legal rationale for the strike.

One person. One.

Isabel Santos @isabelsantos.bsky.social · 1d

Trump said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a strike under his authority as Commander-in-Chief, killing six men he called “narcoterrorists” near Venezuela. A video shows a boat idling before being hit and bursting into flames.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

U.S. kills 6 alleged drug smugglers in new strike off Venezuela, Trump says

The operation follows Senate Republicans’ narrow defeat of a measure that aimed to prevent the administration’s actions on legal grounds.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 13h

Oh fuck.

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 13h

As a veteran of small House offices (including Cannon) there is NO way everyone on staff wouldn’t have known the swastika flag was there. And while possible the Congressman didn’t see it, if he didn’t know it it means no one on staff bothered to tell him.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 14h

Representative Dave Taylor, Republican of Ohio, said on Wednesday that his office and the U.S. Capitol Police were investigating after an American flag that had been altered to depict a swastika was found in his Capitol Hill office.

American Flag With Swastika Is Found in Republican Congressman’s Office

Representative Dave Taylor of Ohio condemned the symbol as “vile” and said his office was investigating with the U.S. Capitol Police.

nyti.ms

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 14h

And yet, if someone characterized the things that young Charlie Kirk said as “stupid jokes” or “stupid things” Vance would demand they lose their jobs.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 19h

JD Vance dismisses Young Republicans who in a group chat said "I love Hitler" and joked about slavery and rape as "a bunch of kids" who "told stupid jokes" and adds that "most of the stupid things I did when I was a teenager and young adult, they're not on the internet."

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 14h

😐

Reposted by Todd Stein

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 18h

Breaking News: President Trump is considering an overhaul to the U.S. refugee program that would favor mostly white people, documents show.

Trump Considers Overhaul of Refugee System That Would Favor White People

The proposals would transform a program aimed at helping the most vulnerable people in the world into one that gives preference to mostly white people who say they are being persecuted.

nyti.ms

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Reposted by Todd Stein

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 20h

This is the same Speaker who has repeatedly refused to put up the congressionally-mandated plaque honoring the Capitol Police members who were viciously assaulted by MAGA goons on January 6th.

We've seen your deeds, you oily liar.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21h

Mike Johnson: "We've always stood with Capitol police and law enforcement. We've shown that in word and deed."

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 19h

Marius, Julius Caesar and Crassus had privately-paid armies at their disposal. How did that turn out for the Republic?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 20h

Rep. Ralph Norman on Trump saying a wealthy donor is willing to pay the troops if the government can't: "Democrats underestimated the patriotism of those who are willing to pay the 1.3 million active enlisted men in this country."

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Reposted by Todd Stein

Adam Isacson @adamisacson.com · 21h

This photo, from Anthony Vazquez in yesterday's @chicago.suntimes.com. Caption: "A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent points a crowd control weapon at a protester Tuesday at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood."

chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Camouflage-clad agent points a non-lethal projectile weapon at a protester with his hands up, from perhaps 3 or 4 feet away.

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 22h

Thus, the King = paycheck. The math is simple.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 23h

Bessent: "This crazy No Kings rally this weekend, which is gonna be the farthest left, the hardest core, the most unhinged in the Democratic Party, which is a big title. No Kings equals no paychecks."

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 1d

It's not amazing. It's their business model.

Jody Avirgan @jodyavirgan.com · 1d

Kind of amazing that the photo Politico used of one of these folks -- the one who made a joke about gas chambers -- is from an event that Politico sponsored last summer.

Peter Giunta participates in a CNN-POLITICO Grill discussion at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, July 16, 2024. | Rod Lamkey Jr. for POLITICO

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 1d

The leader of House Republicans think shooting pastors in the head is acceptable conduct.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Q: We've seen images out of Chicago of federal agents shooting faith leaders with pepper balls and arresting journalists. Where's the limit for you on what's acceptable conduct by federal agents?

MIKE JOHNSON: I've not seen them cross the line yet.

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 1d

unexemptional.substack.com/p/is-it-just...

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 1d

"But if I write a check to the government I want it to go to something," responds the billionaire. Really? That's called paying taxes like a good citizen. Conservatives pretend that things that people get from the government are separate from the taxes that pay for it. The wealthy fall for this.

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 1d

This is illegal. But you know what's not illegal? A wealthy person writing a check to the U.S. Treasury to pay down the national debt. Have any of Trump's billionaire friends offered to do that?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 1d

Trump: "I had a very wealthy person who called -- a donor, a great gentleman -- and he said, 'if there's any money necessary, shortfall, for the paying of the troops, then I will pay it.' Meaning he will pay it. How about that?"

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 2d

That was an absolutely wild play. Go Brewers. Dodgers are pure evil.

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Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 2d

The Chinese Communist Party is under no legal obligation to release these detained church leaders. But the PRC government is. By continuing this politically-motived habit of referring to the "CCP," Rubio's State Dept. is not only factually wrong, but serves to let the PRC government off the hook.

Detention of Zion House Church Leaders in China - United States Department of State

The United States condemns the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s recent detention of dozens of leaders of the unregistered house Zion Church in China, including prominent pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin. Th...

www.state.gov

Todd Stein @toddstein.bsky.social · 2d

I mean…