@doned.bsky.social
Lifetime Californian. Retired from career in law. Happily married. Avocation -- indie films. (www.imdb.com/name/nm13300140/) I believe in justice, equal rights, individual freedom, regulation of business, progressive taxes.
In case you doubt that we are in danger of totalitarianism in America, we have a secret, national surveillance system begun during his first term.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
In case you doubt that we are in danger of totalitarianism in America, we have a secret, national surveillance system begun during his first term.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
(1). The Democrats voting to end the shutdown are not doing that for money, or power, or glory. The shutdown is hurting the poor and the sick. Republicans have the luxury of caring nothing for them, so had no incentive to meet the demands to restore funding for the Affordable Care Act.
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
(1). The Democrats voting to end the shutdown are not doing that for money, or power, or glory. The shutdown is hurting the poor and the sick. Republicans have the luxury of caring nothing for them, so had no incentive to meet the demands to restore funding for the Affordable Care Act.
At its core, White Christian Nationalism is what much of the MAGA movement is about.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Nick Fuentes’s Rise Puts MAGA Movement in a ‘Time of Choosing’
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
At its core, White Christian Nationalism is what much of the MAGA movement is about.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
I have seen many claims that to be successful, the Democratic Party must change to be more in agreement with the writer's values. Instead, it makes sense to me widen the tent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
Opinion | This Is the Way You Beat Trump — and Trumpism
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I have seen many claims that to be successful, the Democratic Party must change to be more in agreement with the writer's values. Instead, it makes sense to me widen the tent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
I do believe ...
November 2, 2025 at 7:32 AM
I do believe ...
In ~10 months the Trumpocracy has bigly progressed Trump's wish to become dictator like his idols, Putin and Xi.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | In Trump’s America, Are We Losing Our Democracy?
Donald Trump has wielded power as no previous president has.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:29 PM
In ~10 months the Trumpocracy has bigly progressed Trump's wish to become dictator like his idols, Putin and Xi.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
<1> It is somehow comforting to know that the policies of our Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency require prompt and humane treatment of persons detained.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Revealed: ICE violates its own policy by holding people in secretive rooms for days or weeks
Guardian analysis finds ICE increasingly keeps people in holding rooms with little oversight, as some facilities see a 600% rise in detention length
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
<1> It is somehow comforting to know that the policies of our Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency require prompt and humane treatment of persons detained.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
<1> The destruction of the East Wing of the White House is the perfect metaphor for what two thirds of eligible American voters did this country by electing Donald Trump as President of the United States of America (either by voting for him or by failing to vote against him).
October 26, 2025 at 3:06 PM
<1> The destruction of the East Wing of the White House is the perfect metaphor for what two thirds of eligible American voters did this country by electing Donald Trump as President of the United States of America (either by voting for him or by failing to vote against him).
<1>I was born in 1949. America had lots of injustice, but most Americans had learned (at a terrible cost) that nazism and fascism are evil. Most of the people who had learned that lesson are now dead. For Americans alive today, all the of that was just another boring hour in some history class.
October 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
<1>I was born in 1949. America had lots of injustice, but most Americans had learned (at a terrible cost) that nazism and fascism are evil. Most of the people who had learned that lesson are now dead. For Americans alive today, all the of that was just another boring hour in some history class.
This tells us much about the young people swelling the ranks of Republicans.
‘This is so vile’: Young Republicans face backlash after racist chats leaked www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘This is so vile’: Young Republicans face backlash after racist chats leaked www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘This is so vile’: Young Republicans face backlash after racist chats leaked
Politico documented the use of slurs, including the N-word and a homophobic term, and antisemitic comments in chats
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:37 PM
This tells us much about the young people swelling the ranks of Republicans.
‘This is so vile’: Young Republicans face backlash after racist chats leaked www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘This is so vile’: Young Republicans face backlash after racist chats leaked www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Here is a thoughtful article about why the Trumpocracy may fail in turning America into a dictatorship. But, no guarantees.
(gift article from The New York times) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
(gift article from The New York times) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
Opinion | How to Save the American Experiment
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Here is a thoughtful article about why the Trumpocracy may fail in turning America into a dictatorship. But, no guarantees.
(gift article from The New York times) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
(gift article from The New York times) www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/o...
Ever since SCOTUS ruled that, basically, no criminal laws apply to Trump (as long as he does it in the Oval Office and claims he's acting as President), it has been clear to me that SCOTUS supports our having a tyrannical President, and the Founders be damned.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Why does the supreme court keep bending the knee to Trump? | Steven Greenhouse
As a new term begins, the justices have continually failed to provide a check on presidential power – with disastrous consequences
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Ever since SCOTUS ruled that, basically, no criminal laws apply to Trump (as long as he does it in the Oval Office and claims he's acting as President), it has been clear to me that SCOTUS supports our having a tyrannical President, and the Founders be damned.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
<1> I visited Moldova briefly last year, at the end of my visit to Ukraine. In America where we seem to be teetering on losing our democracy, it warms my heart to see that Moldova voted to remain free of Russian domination despite lies and threats.
October 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
<1> I visited Moldova briefly last year, at the end of my visit to Ukraine. In America where we seem to be teetering on losing our democracy, it warms my heart to see that Moldova voted to remain free of Russian domination despite lies and threats.
(1) The world is such a weird place. Per a recent poll, Americans are much less worried about the end of American Democracy than they were in 2022. Back then I felt very confident that we had saved democracy by voting Trump out of office.
www.yahoo.com/news/politic...
www.yahoo.com/news/politic...
Poll: Fears about the future of U.S. democracy fall, despite recent controversies
Since 2022, Americans seem to have shied away from dire predictions about civil war and the end of democracy.
www.yahoo.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
(1) The world is such a weird place. Per a recent poll, Americans are much less worried about the end of American Democracy than they were in 2022. Back then I felt very confident that we had saved democracy by voting Trump out of office.
www.yahoo.com/news/politic...
www.yahoo.com/news/politic...
<1> I am disappointed that CNN is reporting statements from the White House as fact. OK, report that they said something, but no more than that, because most of their statements are lies. E.g., the Trumpocracy is normalizing American troops occupying American cities.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/p...
White House views Portland protests as opening to pursue Trump’s crime crackdown | CNN Politics
When President Donald Trump announced he was sending troops to “protect war-ravaged” Portland, his administration cited the need to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities from persiste...
www.cnn.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:23 AM
<1> I am disappointed that CNN is reporting statements from the White House as fact. OK, report that they said something, but no more than that, because most of their statements are lies. E.g., the Trumpocracy is normalizing American troops occupying American cities.
www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/10/01/p...
I am restarting my Disney+ subscription that I canceled when they "suspended" Jimmy Kimmel. We maximize our power when we use the carrot as well as the stick. Bringing him back is costly for Disney. They are being attacked by MAGAs, the FCC, and right-wing local station networks ...
September 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I am restarting my Disney+ subscription that I canceled when they "suspended" Jimmy Kimmel. We maximize our power when we use the carrot as well as the stick. Bringing him back is costly for Disney. They are being attacked by MAGAs, the FCC, and right-wing local station networks ...
Trump wants TV Stations critical of him to lose their license. Standard "Dictatorship for Dummies" tactics. And like any good mob boss, he never orders what he wants, he just "suggests."
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Trump suggests FCC should consider revoking TV licenses over negative coverage of him
President Trump said overwhelming negative coverage about him by TV networks should be grounds for the FCC to revoke their broadcast licenses.
www.yahoo.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Trump wants TV Stations critical of him to lose their license. Standard "Dictatorship for Dummies" tactics. And like any good mob boss, he never orders what he wants, he just "suggests."
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
I just terminated my Disney+ / Hulu account.
(gift article from The New York Times)https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/arts/television/jimmy-kimmel-pulled-reactions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.m08.xKcp.pJIgnt0lMHHg&smid=bs-share
(gift article from The New York Times)https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/arts/television/jimmy-kimmel-pulled-reactions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.m08.xKcp.pJIgnt0lMHHg&smid=bs-share
Reactions to ABC’s Pulling of ‘Kimmel’ Reflect America’s Partisan Divide
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I just terminated my Disney+ / Hulu account.
(gift article from The New York Times)https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/arts/television/jimmy-kimmel-pulled-reactions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.m08.xKcp.pJIgnt0lMHHg&smid=bs-share
(gift article from The New York Times)https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/arts/television/jimmy-kimmel-pulled-reactions.html?unlocked_article_code=1.m08.xKcp.pJIgnt0lMHHg&smid=bs-share
I celebrate that Charlie Kirk is dead. He effectively spread hate, lies and bigotry; America and the world are better without him. I am posting this only because J.D. is calling for a pogrom against people who celebrate Charlie Kirk's death.
www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/p...
Vance says those who celebrate Charlie Kirk’s death should face consequences as he ramps up criticism of the left | CNN Politics
Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday doubled down on his criticism of the left in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, saying the First Amendment does not protect those who allegedly celebrated K...
www.cnn.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I celebrate that Charlie Kirk is dead. He effectively spread hate, lies and bigotry; America and the world are better without him. I am posting this only because J.D. is calling for a pogrom against people who celebrate Charlie Kirk's death.
www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/09/17/p...
Thought experiment:
TEAM ONE: Woke liberals, LGBT+, & undocumented immigrants.
TEAM TWO: MAGAs.
What percent of TEAM ONE would give water to someone on TEAM TWO who desperately needed it?
What percent of TEAM TWO would do that for someone on TEAM ONE?
I'd bet on TEAM ONE.
TEAM ONE: Woke liberals, LGBT+, & undocumented immigrants.
TEAM TWO: MAGAs.
What percent of TEAM ONE would give water to someone on TEAM TWO who desperately needed it?
What percent of TEAM TWO would do that for someone on TEAM ONE?
I'd bet on TEAM ONE.
September 13, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Thought experiment:
TEAM ONE: Woke liberals, LGBT+, & undocumented immigrants.
TEAM TWO: MAGAs.
What percent of TEAM ONE would give water to someone on TEAM TWO who desperately needed it?
What percent of TEAM TWO would do that for someone on TEAM ONE?
I'd bet on TEAM ONE.
TEAM ONE: Woke liberals, LGBT+, & undocumented immigrants.
TEAM TWO: MAGAs.
What percent of TEAM ONE would give water to someone on TEAM TWO who desperately needed it?
What percent of TEAM TWO would do that for someone on TEAM ONE?
I'd bet on TEAM ONE.
Trump promised that America would be "feared and respected again." Apparently ... not.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The World No Longer Takes Trump Seriously
At parades and in the halls of global power, America has been sidelined.
www.theatlantic.com
September 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Trump promised that America would be "feared and respected again." Apparently ... not.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reportedly many young men were influenced to vote for the liar candidate by a liar podcaster. ...
... Joe Rogan claims study shows Earth cooling...
... (NOT!) ...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
... Joe Rogan claims study shows Earth cooling...
... (NOT!) ...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Joe Rogan claims study shows Earth cooling – but report’s authors say he’s wrong
Scientists say ‘old-school denier nonsense’ isn’t helpful as podcaster repeatedly airs false claim on his show
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reportedly many young men were influenced to vote for the liar candidate by a liar podcaster. ...
... Joe Rogan claims study shows Earth cooling...
... (NOT!) ...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
... Joe Rogan claims study shows Earth cooling...
... (NOT!) ...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
I'd wondered what happened to Dan Rather after his retirement. Turns out he didn't, and is now posting his stories at "substack.com". His essay (below) seems right on.
open.substack.com/pub/steady/p...
open.substack.com/pub/steady/p...
Culture Crash
You can put him in a tux, but that won’t make him cultured
open.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I'd wondered what happened to Dan Rather after his retirement. Turns out he didn't, and is now posting his stories at "substack.com". His essay (below) seems right on.
open.substack.com/pub/steady/p...
open.substack.com/pub/steady/p...
<1> There is something particularly sickening, and yet clever, about the Trumpocracy offering burial with full military honors to an insurrectionist killed during 1/6 invasion of the Capital. Nobody could be less deserving of this honor.
August 31, 2025 at 2:59 AM
<1> There is something particularly sickening, and yet clever, about the Trumpocracy offering burial with full military honors to an insurrectionist killed during 1/6 invasion of the Capital. Nobody could be less deserving of this honor.
~6 months in, there's no doubt the Trumpocracy is following Hitler's playbook (substituting "immigrants" for "Jews"). There's also a playbook for resistance:
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
A Guide to the Everyday Acts That Can Gum Up the Fascist Machine
Inspired by a Danish anti-Nazi list of 10 commandments, a group of artists and organizers made their own list to encourage ordinary people to resist the Trump administration.
www.thenation.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:32 PM
~6 months in, there's no doubt the Trumpocracy is following Hitler's playbook (substituting "immigrants" for "Jews"). There's also a playbook for resistance:
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
www.thenation.com/article/acti...