Mary Potocnic
@marypoto.bsky.social
Senior grandma of seven, still working while continuing to be as informed as possible focused on preserving our democracy for our grandchildren and future generations.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
The CBS investigation portrays a modern concentration camp, similar to the Soviet GULAG (like CECOT, an acronym): sadistic guards, 24 hour lighting, isolation cells.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Since Trump took office, officials have transferred ten of the 37 men Biden spared from execution to the "Alcatraz of the Rockies." One prisoner still awaiting transfer has attempted suicide. n.pr/4jaZyvS
Biden stopped the executions of 37 men. Trump's DOJ wants to punish them
Since Trump took office, officials have transferred ten of the 37 men Biden spared from execution to the "Alcatraz of the Rockies." One prisoner still awaiting transfer has attempted suicide.
n.pr
December 23, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Since Trump took office, officials have transferred ten of the 37 men Biden spared from execution to the "Alcatraz of the Rockies." One prisoner still awaiting transfer has attempted suicide. n.pr/4jaZyvS
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
ATTN MILITARY: That $1776 you’re getting? He’s taking it out of your already approved BHA and putting his name on it. www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
Trump rebrands Congressionally-approved troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus
More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now it’s being used for $1,776 checks.
www.defenseone.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:53 PM
ATTN MILITARY: That $1776 you’re getting? He’s taking it out of your already approved BHA and putting his name on it. www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Trump and Republicans claim they want to "protect children."
But they've rolled back child labor laws and environmental protections, blocked gun safety reform, and spread lies about vaccines that save children from deadly diseases.
Hello?
But they've rolled back child labor laws and environmental protections, blocked gun safety reform, and spread lies about vaccines that save children from deadly diseases.
Hello?
December 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Trump and Republicans claim they want to "protect children."
But they've rolled back child labor laws and environmental protections, blocked gun safety reform, and spread lies about vaccines that save children from deadly diseases.
Hello?
But they've rolled back child labor laws and environmental protections, blocked gun safety reform, and spread lies about vaccines that save children from deadly diseases.
Hello?
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
InspireHer Chicago is a non-profit organization that pairs 11-to-19-year-old girls with adult women mentors to help them develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain valuable life skills.
InspireHer Chicago: Mentoring South Side Girls
InspireHer Chicago is a non-profit organization that pairs 11-to-19-year-old girls with adult women mentors to help them develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain valuable…
wgntv.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:28 AM
InspireHer Chicago is a non-profit organization that pairs 11-to-19-year-old girls with adult women mentors to help them develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and gain valuable life skills.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
NEW: After freezing billions in U.S. foreign aid and putting countless lives at risk around the world, Trump administration officials in Washington celebrated with a sheet cake.
By @annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy, photos by @peterdicampo.bsky.social
By @annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy, photos by @peterdicampo.bsky.social
Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.
Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: After freezing billions in U.S. foreign aid and putting countless lives at risk around the world, Trump administration officials in Washington celebrated with a sheet cake.
By @annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy, photos by @peterdicampo.bsky.social
By @annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy, photos by @peterdicampo.bsky.social
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Trump’s approach to Venezuela repeats the mistakes of the past | Austin Sarat
Trump’s approach to Venezuela repeats the mistakes of the past | Austin Sarat
Congress must work to stop the president from leading us further into a South American quagmire
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Trump’s approach to Venezuela repeats the mistakes of the past | Austin Sarat
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
We see you, gift procrastinators … Books We Love is here to help guide you to the perfect book for every person on your list. Browse recommended cookbooks, kids' books, biographies and much more: n.pr/3Ma6s8m
Books We Love
Here are 380+ great reads from 2025 handpicked just for you by NPR staffers and trusted critics.
n.pr
December 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM
We see you, gift procrastinators … Books We Love is here to help guide you to the perfect book for every person on your list. Browse recommended cookbooks, kids' books, biographies and much more: n.pr/3Ma6s8m
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
This gangster government steals everyone’s property and doesn’t care about the laws respecting the rights of creators. Everything they see belongs to them like the greedy leeches on this country that they are.
December 4, 2025 at 11:40 AM
This gangster government steals everyone’s property and doesn’t care about the laws respecting the rights of creators. Everything they see belongs to them like the greedy leeches on this country that they are.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Young Americans say the country is heading down a dark road and fear their futures are unstable. Financial insecurity, intense political polarization, and the rise of AI are eroding Gen Z's faith overall. 57% of them say the country is headed in the wrong direction — a six-point rise from last year.
51st Edition - Fall 2025
A new national poll from the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School reveals a generation under profound strain, as young Americans report
share.google
December 4, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Young Americans say the country is heading down a dark road and fear their futures are unstable. Financial insecurity, intense political polarization, and the rise of AI are eroding Gen Z's faith overall. 57% of them say the country is headed in the wrong direction — a six-point rise from last year.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
A top Pentagon officer whose abrupt retirement came as a shock to his colleagues was reportedly forced out after repeated clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Real Reason for Pentagon Pete Commander’s Shock Retirement Revealed
Reports initially stated Hegseth had nothing to do with the officer’s abrupt exit.
trib.al
December 4, 2025 at 11:53 AM
A top Pentagon officer whose abrupt retirement came as a shock to his colleagues was reportedly forced out after repeated clashes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Rightwingers are trying to destroy women’s right to vote | Moira Donegan
Rightwingers are trying to destroy women’s right to vote | Moira Donegan
Calls for disenfranchisement rest on a single assumption: that women’s citizenship is partial and conditional
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Rightwingers are trying to destroy women’s right to vote | Moira Donegan
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
The Trump administration is increasing its icebreaking fleet in the Arctic, per a new report that warns other nations are expanding their "capabilities" in the resource-rich region — singling out China as a particular threat.
Trump admin to ramp up icebreaker fleet as race for Arctic minerals heats up
DHS report says China's "continued expansion" in the Arctic is a key challenge to U.S. plans for the resource-rich region.
www.axios.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:49 AM
The Trump administration is increasing its icebreaking fleet in the Arctic, per a new report that warns other nations are expanding their "capabilities" in the resource-rich region — singling out China as a particular threat.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Such classic gaslighting it's an instructive moment. The question is not whether generic is better or worse, it's that a list with more expensive brand names is not the same as a list with cheaper generics. Perverting that truth into an attack on those calling it out is Manipulation 101.
Hassett: "On one of the Sunday shows, the anchor criticized the fact Walmart said the Thanksgiving dinner is cheaper by about $10. Then he said, 'Oh yeah, but they substituted generic stuff,' as if having a generic something is a crime for ordinary folks! It shows how out of touch these people are."
November 26, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Such classic gaslighting it's an instructive moment. The question is not whether generic is better or worse, it's that a list with more expensive brand names is not the same as a list with cheaper generics. Perverting that truth into an attack on those calling it out is Manipulation 101.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
How much more evidence do you need that republicans do not care if you live or die? Polluting the air & water; destroying health care; advocating against vaccines, gutting food safety inspections…
Now add this to the list:
Now add this to the list:
Exclusive: Republicans plan to challenge vehicle-safety mandates, such as automatic emergency braking and alarms that remind drivers a child is in the back seat.
Senate Committee to Challenge Auto-Safety Mandates That Hurt ‘Affordability’
Republicans are questioning the value of some features, such as automatic braking and rear-seat reminders.
on.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:37 AM
How much more evidence do you need that republicans do not care if you live or die? Polluting the air & water; destroying health care; advocating against vaccines, gutting food safety inspections…
Now add this to the list:
Now add this to the list:
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
The fact that only 3 (by my count) Republican members of Congress have spoken out about the Witkoff situation shows how thoroughly corrupted and compromised the entire party has become from top to bottom. None of this is about just Trump - it is the entire political party.
November 26, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The fact that only 3 (by my count) Republican members of Congress have spoken out about the Witkoff situation shows how thoroughly corrupted and compromised the entire party has become from top to bottom. None of this is about just Trump - it is the entire political party.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Trump may have inadvertently issued mass pardon for 2020 voter fraud, experts say
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump may have inadvertently issued mass pardon for 2020 voter fraud, experts say
Pardons of Giuliani and others who took part in fake elector scheme were largely symbolic, but could have a big effect
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Trump may have inadvertently issued mass pardon for 2020 voter fraud, experts say
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
The EPA is prioritizing review of new chemicals to be used in data centers. Experts say this could lead to the fast approval of new types of forever chemicals—with limited oversight.
The Trump Administration’s Data Center Push Could Open the Door for New Forever Chemicals
The EPA is prioritizing review of new chemicals to be used in data centers. Experts say this could lead to the fast approval of new types of forever chemicals—with limited oversight.
wrd.cm
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The EPA is prioritizing review of new chemicals to be used in data centers. Experts say this could lead to the fast approval of new types of forever chemicals—with limited oversight.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Under new Trump administration rules, students won't be able to borrow as much for medical or nursing school or some other health professions. n.pr/49F5HOn
New limits on school loans could narrow physician and nurse pipeline, educators warn
Under new Trump administration rules, students won't be able to borrow as much for medical or nursing school or some other health professions.
n.pr
November 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Under new Trump administration rules, students won't be able to borrow as much for medical or nursing school or some other health professions. n.pr/49F5HOn
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
Rewarding a dictator-aggressor always leads to another war. One that is usually even worse.
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Rewarding a dictator-aggressor always leads to another war. One that is usually even worse.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
A thought that I should have added...
There are scores of elected Rs who know exactly who Trump is — morally and idiot-wise — who are silent out of political fear of the primary.
mdavis19881.substack.com/p/epstein-15...
There are scores of elected Rs who know exactly who Trump is — morally and idiot-wise — who are silent out of political fear of the primary.
mdavis19881.substack.com/p/epstein-15...
Epstein 15: Is Something Big About To Break?
Rumors are swirling that the files are really, really bad for Trump and tons of Republicans are about to jump ship to stop the cover-up.
mdavis19881.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:46 AM
A thought that I should have added...
There are scores of elected Rs who know exactly who Trump is — morally and idiot-wise — who are silent out of political fear of the primary.
mdavis19881.substack.com/p/epstein-15...
There are scores of elected Rs who know exactly who Trump is — morally and idiot-wise — who are silent out of political fear of the primary.
mdavis19881.substack.com/p/epstein-15...
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
MAGA is terrified of losing "white dominance" in a multiracial and multicultural society and it drives them crazy.
November 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
MAGA is terrified of losing "white dominance" in a multiracial and multicultural society and it drives them crazy.
Reposted by Mary Potocnic
One of the less-discussed points Al Gore made in his crusade against fossil fuels was that there was a ton of money to be made in developing alternative sources of energy. But, of course, we were too dumb to listen.
The US is the world's largest oil and gas producer. Yet, "China is now making more money from exporting green technology than America makes from exporting fossil fuels."
China’s clean-energy revolution will reshape markets and politics
The world’s biggest manufacturer now has an interest in the world decarbonising
www.economist.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
One of the less-discussed points Al Gore made in his crusade against fossil fuels was that there was a ton of money to be made in developing alternative sources of energy. But, of course, we were too dumb to listen.