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DGCassidy

@dgcassidy.bsky.social

500 followers 410 following 2.9K posts

Humanist. Agnotology watchdog. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇮🇪 Agitator for a better tomorrow for *everyone*. #VA01 progressive. #LFC, #PetShopBoys fan. Believer in peer-reviewed data, conclusions, and policies.

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · Dec 17

Agnotology = word of the last decade.

“Proctor found that ignorance spreads when firstly, many people do not understand a concept or fact and secondly, when special interest groups – like a commercial firm or a political group – then work hard to create confusion about an issue.”

Sound familiar?

Shawn McClure @shawnmcclure.bsky.social · Dec 15

"Agnotology is the study of the deliberate spread of ignorance or doubt to influence opinion. It helps us understand how people use ignorance to hide or divert attention from societal problems, promote ignorance, and stoke xenophobia and populism."
www.bbc.com/future/artic...

The man who studies the spread of ignorance

How do people or companies with vested interests spread ignorance and obfuscate knowledge? Georgina Kenyon finds there is a term which defines this phenomenon.

www.bbc.com

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Amanda L. Pohl @pohlforvirginia.com · 3h

Early voting is underway and I cast my ballot via mail. Don’t forget to vote either early in-person, by mail, or on Election Day! Virginia needs to elect Democrats who will protect democracy and freedom for all and I’m proud to cast my vote for these leaders. 🗳️ 🇺🇸

Ballot marking Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, Jay Jones, and Leslie Mehta

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Wittman Watch @wittmanwatch.bsky.social · 9h

Rob proposes the same inane policies every shutdown (Ex: members of Congress lose salary) knowing they have no chance of passage. "Well, I tried." If Republicans hold out, 24M Americans may see insurance premiums increase by up to 300%. Rob could take a more active role but don't hold your breath.

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 9h

Is no Republican going to push back on this? NO-ONE?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 11h

Trump: "We took the freedom of speech away because that's been through the courts and the courts said you have freedom of speech, but what has happened is when they burn a flag it agitates and irritates crowds."

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Lisa Vedernikova Khanna @lisaforvirginia.bsky.social · 1d

Happy first day of recess to Rob Wittman!

How many town halls is good ole Rob hosting while he’s home in district?

Oh right. None. As always.

Come meet me at one of my dozen+ events across VA-01 where I’ll be actually meeting our neighbors, not hiding from them.

www.lvk.vote/events

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Salaam Bhatti @salaambhattiva.bsky.social · 1d

The National Governors Association didn't even blink when the Big Bill snaked its way through Congress, despite the unfunded mandates the bill dumped on states.

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 1d

If the National Governors Association chooses to remain silent, Illinois will have no choice but to withdraw from the organization.

We should be standing as one against the idea that Donald Trump can call up the National Guard against our will.

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Salaam Bhatti @salaambhattiva.bsky.social · 18h

GOP: everyone must eat healthy. MAHA!
Us: we'd love to, can you make groceries cheaper?
GOP: No, but we will make them pricier with our tariffs.
Us: can you help us to afford the food?
GOP: no, but we will cut food stamps.

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 1d

This statement, by VA @senatorhashmi.bsky.social, about the "second anniversary of the brutal murder and kidnapping of over 1500 Israelis" by Hamas terrorists, is spot-on, both in tone and content. bluevirginia.us/2025/10/tues...

Statement by 2025 VA LG nominee, State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, on the 2nd anniversary of Hamas' brutal terrorist attack on Israel, which began a horrific war that's lasted to this day...and needs to end ASAP!

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 1d

They don’t discuss policy *by design*. All that Earle-Sears and Republicans have to offer is identity politics and Project 2025. Their fear-filled rhetoric stirs up anger and hate, to weaponize voters’ emotions against them. It’s always been their ploy.

Cardinal News @cardinalnews.org · 1d

Spanberger answers questions about policy. Earle-Sears does not.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/wes_chant-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C143&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/cardinalnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/wes_chant-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C371&ssl=1" /> This fits a pattern where Earle-Sears has avoided taking about most issues. Her silence on issues is unprecedented in modern Virginia history. The post Spanberger answers questions about policy. Earle-Sears does not. appeared first on Cardinal News.

dlvr.it

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Blue Virginia @bluevirginia.bsky.social · 2d

John Reid keeps flat-out lying; the media keeps not covering it bluevirginia.us/2025/10/new-...

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Sam Shirazi @samshirazi.bsky.social · 2d

Most Virginia Dems have been silent after initial batch of statements

But notable backing for Jay Jones from Senator Tim Kaine

Kaine served as Virginia Governor and Lt. Governor

So understands role of statewide office

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 2d

Great question. I think he’s aware. He’s complicit in it all.

Wittman Watch @wittmanwatch.bsky.social · 2d

Rob Wittman burrows himself into a foxhole to avoid shrapnel. He refuses to condemn his party's dangerous rhetoric and rampant violations of law and the Constitution: illegal deportations, purging the FBI and DOJ, and decimating voting rights. Is Rob aware of what’s happening in his party?

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Salaam Bhatti @salaambhattiva.bsky.social · 2d

Why isn’t Rob Wittman working to reopen the government?

Because once it reopens, he’ll have to vote on releasing the Epstein files.

And he plans to vote no.

He’s protecting predators, not children.

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 2d

They lie. Endlessly. Massively.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 2d

Mike Johnson: "Let me look right into the camera and tell you very clearly: Republicans are the ones concerned about healthcare. Republicans are the party working around the clock everyday to fix healthcare. This is not talking points for us: we've done it."

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henricodems.bsky.social @henricodems.bsky.social · 3d

This is what's at stake

One month to go, people. Keep working!

@indivisibleva.bsky.social @50501virginia.bsky.social @wittmanwatch.bsky.social @804thepeople.bsky.social @neighbors4change.bsky.social

Virginia Democrats @vademocrats.bsky.social · 4d

ICYMI: Winsome Earle-Sears’ extreme record attacking reproductive rights has earned her the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee, the oldest anti-abortion group in the United States.
virginiaindependentnews.com/elections/na...

National Right to Life Committee endorses slate of Republican candidates in Virginia

The oldest anti-abortion group in the US endorsed Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, John Reid for lieutenant governor, and Jason Miyares for attorney general.

virginiaindependentnews.com

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 3d

A million times this. Every #VA01 candidate needs to be doing this. And start now. Nov 1 is when the 💩 will hit the fan and there’s no harm telling people that way in advance.

Salaam Bhatti @salaambhattiva.bsky.social · 3d

Democratic candidates in Virginia have a unique opportunity starting November 1.

When people visit health care websites, they’ll see costs higher than ever.

If Dems can land a message on how Republicans caused this, they should convert voters.

DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 4d

Love this thread! My hope is that this primary race echoes NYC‘s primary: candidates fighting their corners *and* smart candidates building each other up to focus in on what voters will care about at the election. It CAN be a debate of momentum building, not discord. They’re not Republicans. 😂

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 5d

You know what to do.

Seat Adelita Grijalva Without Delay — Her District Deserves a Voice

Text SIGN PVRWGR to 50409 to send this to your officials.

resist.bot

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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 5d

"If more and more polls continue to look like the Washington Post poll, then that really does create pressure on Republicans. And I was heartened by Jeffries expanding the message."

My full discussion w/ @davidnir.com about how Democrats are winning the shutdown: www.publicnotice.co/p/democrats-...

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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 5d

This is fascism.

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Wittman Watch @wittmanwatch.bsky.social · 5d

Folks are wondering about the wisdom of a Dem primary between 9 candidates (as of right now). One of the 9, @votetimva.bsky.social, has thoughts. A worthwhile read for all. We at WittmanWatch aim to show how #VA01 is NOT represented now, so whoever comes next knows how to succeed for all of us.

Tim Cywinski For Congress @votetimva.com · 5d

Comment from an @bluevirginia.bsky.social article about another candidate raising $$$.

I don’t mind this comment– the anonymity yes – but not the substance. It’s on the mind of voters. So let's talk how this mentality is undemocratic + why every community in our district deserves a voice too. 🧵

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DGCassidy @dgcassidy.bsky.social · 5d

Johnson and Republicans want this chaos. They want to destroy all we’ve built, and hand it to Trump and Christian Nationalists backed by billionaires.

Is there another explanation? I’m willing to hear it.

Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari @repyassansari.bsky.social · 5d

Speaker Johnson just cancelled votes next week. This shutdown belongs to him, Trump, and Republicans. They aren’t showing up to do their jobs while people and families around the country are suffering. This is absolutely unacceptable.

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Lisa Vedernikova Khanna @lisaforvirginia.bsky.social · 5d

I was born here 30 years ago, and I’m just as American as the descendants of the Mayflower.

Birthright citizenship is uniquely American: if you’re born here, you belong here. I’m glad to see that reaffirmed today.

For me, my husband, and many millions, it’s why we can proudly call America home.

Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney.bsky.social · 5d

BREAKING: The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 100-page opinion -- says it is unequivocally, lopsidedly easy to determine that the Trump administration's view of birthright citizenship is wrong.

www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

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George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · 5d

It’s the Epstein files shutdown.

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Data for Progress @dataforprogress.org · 5d

Our polling with @groundwork.bsky.social finds that 75% of voters are concerned about rising health care premiums, including 82% of Democrats, 74% of Independents, and 69% of Republicans.

www.dataforprogress.org/datasets/pre...

Bar chart of polling data from Data For Progress.
Title: Voters Are Very Concerned About Rising Health Care Premiums.
Description: How concerned are you, if at all, about health insurance premiums rising this year?
All likely voters — Concerned: 75%, Not concerned: 25%
Democrat — Concerned: 82%, Not concerned: 18%
Independent / Third party — Concerned: 74%, Not concerned: 25%
Republican — Concerned: 68%, Not concerned: 31%

September 29–30, 2025 survey of 1,245 U.S. likely voters.

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Wittman Watch @wittmanwatch.bsky.social · 5d

There are two possibilities:
1. Wittman lied when he said this stuff.
2. Wittman is not respected by his peers, and his power in Congress is woefully weak.
Either way, he’s unfit to represent #VA01. We will lose *nothing* in replacing him, and have *everything to gain*.

Lincoln’s Kayak 🫘 @lincolnskayak.bsky.social · 5d

“We will do everything we can” is Wittmanese for “I’m gonna sit back and wait this out. Eventually air traffic controllers will all start calling out sick and my party leadership will cave.”

In early May, Wittman claimed Medicaid spending cuts were a “no go”. Then he voted for HR1 anyway.

Newspaper article, above the fold headline. Sycophantic Loser Republican Congressman Pretends to Care About Constituents Losing Healthcare, but in the end he will vote with his party. He’ll be given a concession that only gets 1/3 of the cuts reduced. Then later he’ll gaslight constituents into believing he stood his ground.

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