Michael Szporluk
@majkl-s.bsky.social
Polish and Ukrainian American. Disability Rights Activist. Writer. Michigan transplant, twenty years in Portland, Oregon.
It is clear that the Trump administration is gearing up to be in or at least benefit directly from the drug trade. That’s what his latest egregious pardon is about, right? Our government supports drug and sex trafficking.
December 3, 2025 at 11:31 PM
It is clear that the Trump administration is gearing up to be in or at least benefit directly from the drug trade. That’s what his latest egregious pardon is about, right? Our government supports drug and sex trafficking.
If the Trump administration continues to kiss Putin’s ring, the rest of NATO should cancel all weapon orders from the USA, and only buy from European manufacturers.
December 3, 2025 at 11:28 PM
If the Trump administration continues to kiss Putin’s ring, the rest of NATO should cancel all weapon orders from the USA, and only buy from European manufacturers.
Gosh, maybe convicted felons awaiting sentencing should be barred from running for office to avoid sentencing?
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Gosh, maybe convicted felons awaiting sentencing should be barred from running for office to avoid sentencing?
When we told our 13 year old that Trump had called in troops to Portland, they responded with two observations: 1) they walked home yesterday from an event and everything was fine; 2) we don’t need troops, we need funds for homeless shelters. Smart kid.
September 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
When we told our 13 year old that Trump had called in troops to Portland, they responded with two observations: 1) they walked home yesterday from an event and everything was fine; 2) we don’t need troops, we need funds for homeless shelters. Smart kid.
Reposted by Michael Szporluk
I'm in Portland Oregon. Last night I went to a nice fund-raiser for Write Around Portland, a fantastic organization that supports diverse folks by giving them the respect they deserve and to affirm that everyone's story matters and belongs. We do not need or want federal troops to INVADE our town.
September 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I'm in Portland Oregon. Last night I went to a nice fund-raiser for Write Around Portland, a fantastic organization that supports diverse folks by giving them the respect they deserve and to affirm that everyone's story matters and belongs. We do not need or want federal troops to INVADE our town.
I think this might be the only time I've ever thought that Stephen Miller made a valid point. Of course his statement is from 3 1/2 years ago; and in the meantime I'm sure he's found a way to disavow or revise it. But he WAS right: Trump's rage now reveals he is a fascist.
September 19, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I think this might be the only time I've ever thought that Stephen Miller made a valid point. Of course his statement is from 3 1/2 years ago; and in the meantime I'm sure he's found a way to disavow or revise it. But he WAS right: Trump's rage now reveals he is a fascist.
I have no problem with charging the kid (who assassinated Charlie Kirk) with domestic terrorism. The same charge should be levied against the guy who killed the state politician (Melissa Hortman) and her husband in Minnesota. The President clearly does not understand the concept of rule of law (1)
September 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I have no problem with charging the kid (who assassinated Charlie Kirk) with domestic terrorism. The same charge should be levied against the guy who killed the state politician (Melissa Hortman) and her husband in Minnesota. The President clearly does not understand the concept of rule of law (1)
Reposted by Michael Szporluk
Why is it that when russia murders Ukrainians, our society has to chase global media with a stick to poke to get coverage? Do your job. Report.
Russia cynically murdered elderly people in line to get pension. With a demned aerial bomb ffs!
Russia cynically murdered elderly people in line to get pension. With a demned aerial bomb ffs!
September 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Why is it that when russia murders Ukrainians, our society has to chase global media with a stick to poke to get coverage? Do your job. Report.
Russia cynically murdered elderly people in line to get pension. With a demned aerial bomb ffs!
Russia cynically murdered elderly people in line to get pension. With a demned aerial bomb ffs!
Rubio says he wants to “ blow up crime groups” per today’s NYT. Maybe he could start at the WH?
September 4, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Rubio says he wants to “ blow up crime groups” per today’s NYT. Maybe he could start at the WH?
It would have been a bigger shock if the headline stated he knew something about European history (or literature, science, geography, etc)
August 29, 2025 at 8:03 PM
It would have been a bigger shock if the headline stated he knew something about European history (or literature, science, geography, etc)
so - this is indicative of my frustration with the media. She needs to tell him, directly and in no uncertain terms, "your talking points make absolutely no sense. Your lies harm our economy and our ability to mitigate the damage of climate change. Why do you lie to the American people?"
Because we currently have an epidemic of drone swarms targeting wind farms...?
OLLINS: But the Pentagon reviewed this wind project in 2023 & found that there were negligible national security impacts
BURGUM: In particular there's concern about radar relative to undersea drones...people with bad ulterior motives to the US would launch a swarm drone attack through wind farms
BURGUM: In particular there's concern about radar relative to undersea drones...people with bad ulterior motives to the US would launch a swarm drone attack through wind farms
August 27, 2025 at 2:11 AM
so - this is indicative of my frustration with the media. She needs to tell him, directly and in no uncertain terms, "your talking points make absolutely no sense. Your lies harm our economy and our ability to mitigate the damage of climate change. Why do you lie to the American people?"
Can Elbridge Colby and Sergio Gor please be called to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and / or the House Foreign Affairs Committee to explain the rationale behind the barriers they are placing to inhibit Ukraine's ability to defend itself and their de facto allegiance to Russia?
August 24, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Can Elbridge Colby and Sergio Gor please be called to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and / or the House Foreign Affairs Committee to explain the rationale behind the barriers they are placing to inhibit Ukraine's ability to defend itself and their de facto allegiance to Russia?
Recently - had a conversation with someone about mimetic theory, which inter alia explains the functioning of scapegoating. It is used by authorities to justify targeting & violence: in brief, blame the scapegoat (immigrants, Muslims, etc.) for unrest or problems in our community; (1)
August 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Recently - had a conversation with someone about mimetic theory, which inter alia explains the functioning of scapegoating. It is used by authorities to justify targeting & violence: in brief, blame the scapegoat (immigrants, Muslims, etc.) for unrest or problems in our community; (1)
As Donald Trump continues to attack Harvard, Yale, Columbia, etc., the only fair critique is this: how did those schools fail to teach basic ethics and the importance of rule of law & due process to Stefanik, Vance, Hawley, S.Miller, etc? That's what the schools need to be addressing, nothing else.
Rep. Elise Stefanik—Donald Trump’s erstwhile nominee for U.N. ambassador—was not well received when she returned to her district in upstate New York, barely geting a word in over the furious crowd.
“You’re a Nazi,” one said, while others chanted, “Shame.”
trib.al/Y8dVo8I
“You’re a Nazi,” one said, while others chanted, “Shame.”
trib.al/Y8dVo8I
August 19, 2025 at 8:07 PM
As Donald Trump continues to attack Harvard, Yale, Columbia, etc., the only fair critique is this: how did those schools fail to teach basic ethics and the importance of rule of law & due process to Stefanik, Vance, Hawley, S.Miller, etc? That's what the schools need to be addressing, nothing else.
This is a shocking and completely unexpected event. Thank God Trump has absolutely NO connection to Epstein and would release the Epstein tapes if only the dirty guilty democrats didn't block him. Maybe honorable Matt Gates can head a task force to look into this? ( s/ in case that's not clear)
you’re telling me the trump administration was lenient toward someone accused of sex crimes against children? crazy
Holy shit.
August 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This is a shocking and completely unexpected event. Thank God Trump has absolutely NO connection to Epstein and would release the Epstein tapes if only the dirty guilty democrats didn't block him. Maybe honorable Matt Gates can head a task force to look into this? ( s/ in case that's not clear)
Reposted by Michael Szporluk
"When a convicted felon moves into the White House, he does not become a king. The White House becomes an unlawful criminal enterprise." - definitely not an old Turkish proverb.
(inspired by: elizabethbangs.wordpress.com/2022/12/31/w...)
(inspired by: elizabethbangs.wordpress.com/2022/12/31/w...)
Blog 6 When is an old Turkish proverb not an old Turkish proverb?
“There is a famous saying”, Turkish Journalist Sedef Kabaş declared in a live broadcast on the 14th January 2022, “‘A crowned head will get wiser.’” She continued, “But we see tha…
elizabethbangs.wordpress.com
August 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
"When a convicted felon moves into the White House, he does not become a king. The White House becomes an unlawful criminal enterprise." - definitely not an old Turkish proverb.
(inspired by: elizabethbangs.wordpress.com/2022/12/31/w...)
(inspired by: elizabethbangs.wordpress.com/2022/12/31/w...)
Maybe just maybe Republicans who blatantly disregard the Constitution should not hold political office? In what other profession can employees directly disobey their foundational obligations and face no consequences? Ogles is free to resign anytime, the sooner the better.
If you’re under any illusions about what an authoritarian personality cult the GOP has become, they’re not hiding it:
August 17, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Maybe just maybe Republicans who blatantly disregard the Constitution should not hold political office? In what other profession can employees directly disobey their foundational obligations and face no consequences? Ogles is free to resign anytime, the sooner the better.
Reposted by Michael Szporluk
It doesn't matter whether conservative ideals and policies are good or bad, popular or unpopular, if they are imposed on Americans unlawfully and arbitrarily. A free society is ruled by law.
Given Trump’s lawlessness, we no longer have a legitimate government.
trib.al/UdMH6uD
Given Trump’s lawlessness, we no longer have a legitimate government.
trib.al/UdMH6uD
August 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM
It doesn't matter whether conservative ideals and policies are good or bad, popular or unpopular, if they are imposed on Americans unlawfully and arbitrarily. A free society is ruled by law.
Given Trump’s lawlessness, we no longer have a legitimate government.
trib.al/UdMH6uD
Given Trump’s lawlessness, we no longer have a legitimate government.
trib.al/UdMH6uD
I'm pretty sure I could do this well, at a fraction of his salary.
August 16, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I'm pretty sure I could do this well, at a fraction of his salary.
Reposted by Michael Szporluk
America is banning books- people who ban books are mostly on the wrong side of history. Countries that ban so many books definitely are on the wrong side of history.
August 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
America is banning books- people who ban books are mostly on the wrong side of history. Countries that ban so many books definitely are on the wrong side of history.
I haven't seen this expressed elsewhere, but it seems to me that Putin's eagerness to go to Alaska is a real sign of Russia's weakness. Russia has shown it can't defeat Ukraine, even with assistance from N.Korea and China. His economy is in tatters. (1)
August 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I haven't seen this expressed elsewhere, but it seems to me that Putin's eagerness to go to Alaska is a real sign of Russia's weakness. Russia has shown it can't defeat Ukraine, even with assistance from N.Korea and China. His economy is in tatters. (1)
When is the rest of Europe going to wake up and rescind Hungary's membership in the EU? They are no longer a democracy (for years already) and openly support authoritarian rule (Russia) that openly invades adjacent countries. It would seem they've lost the privilege of membership.
August 12, 2025 at 9:20 PM
When is the rest of Europe going to wake up and rescind Hungary's membership in the EU? They are no longer a democracy (for years already) and openly support authoritarian rule (Russia) that openly invades adjacent countries. It would seem they've lost the privilege of membership.
presenting the Alaska meeting with Putin as a "negotiation" or "peace talks" is a farce, and patently false at first blush. It is not a negotiation when one side is not in the room. It also shows Trump, despite the myth of the art of the deal, understands one thing only, how to be an entitled bully.
August 12, 2025 at 1:23 PM
presenting the Alaska meeting with Putin as a "negotiation" or "peace talks" is a farce, and patently false at first blush. It is not a negotiation when one side is not in the room. It also shows Trump, despite the myth of the art of the deal, understands one thing only, how to be an entitled bully.