Rachel
@sowster.bsky.social
Democracy geek, travel lover, reader, mom. Opinions are my own. These are my daily musings.
Reposted by Rachel
I see a LOT more murders committed by politically motivated right-wing killers.
September 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I see a LOT more murders committed by politically motivated right-wing killers.
Reposted by Rachel
It’s incredibly rare for a grand jury not to indict. The grand jury process is an important check on prosecutors’ power by the people. I am proud of my fellow citizens who are refusing to indict without sufficient cause. wapo.st/3Jyc2QI
D.C. judges and grand jurors push back on Trump policing surge
A federal magistrate judge said one arrest in D.C. was preceded by the “most illegal search I’ve seen in my life” and another lacked “basic human dignity.”
wapo.st
August 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
It’s incredibly rare for a grand jury not to indict. The grand jury process is an important check on prosecutors’ power by the people. I am proud of my fellow citizens who are refusing to indict without sufficient cause. wapo.st/3Jyc2QI
Best part of the internet right now is people giving their opinions on whether or not Gavin. Newsom has good hair. Please continue.
August 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Best part of the internet right now is people giving their opinions on whether or not Gavin. Newsom has good hair. Please continue.
You’re called husband or father, not passenger princess
May 2, 2025 at 8:30 PM
You’re called husband or father, not passenger princess
I told some friends I got a raise. They responded, “yes! More travel!” That’s how I know I found my people—we all break down money in increments of cost for our next travel adventure.
February 10, 2025 at 2:11 AM
I told some friends I got a raise. They responded, “yes! More travel!” That’s how I know I found my people—we all break down money in increments of cost for our next travel adventure.
“Nearly $7 million has been “apportioned” over the past week to cover the agency’s expenses, while the administration tries to freeze big chunks of government funding as part of DOGE’s mandate to root out programs deemed wasteful or out of step with the president’s priorities.”
White House opens funding spigot for DOGE expenses - Roll Call
Nearly $7 million over the past week has gone to cover the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s expenses.
rollcall.com
February 6, 2025 at 5:26 AM
“Nearly $7 million has been “apportioned” over the past week to cover the agency’s expenses, while the administration tries to freeze big chunks of government funding as part of DOGE’s mandate to root out programs deemed wasteful or out of step with the president’s priorities.”
Don’t let them tell you our court system, an important U.S. institution doesn’t work.
I stood in court yesterday for the last criminal sentencing hearing I will handle as a federal prosecutor. I watched as the judge meticulously checked that every word was correct in the sentencing materials,
🧵
1/5
I stood in court yesterday for the last criminal sentencing hearing I will handle as a federal prosecutor. I watched as the judge meticulously checked that every word was correct in the sentencing materials,
🧵
1/5
February 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Don’t let them tell you our court system, an important U.S. institution doesn’t work.
I stood in court yesterday for the last criminal sentencing hearing I will handle as a federal prosecutor. I watched as the judge meticulously checked that every word was correct in the sentencing materials,
🧵
1/5
I stood in court yesterday for the last criminal sentencing hearing I will handle as a federal prosecutor. I watched as the judge meticulously checked that every word was correct in the sentencing materials,
🧵
1/5
Merrick Garland spoke at my office a couple weeks ago. He said that being an AUSA means your job is to do the right thing every single time. 💯
January 18, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Merrick Garland spoke at my office a couple weeks ago. He said that being an AUSA means your job is to do the right thing every single time. 💯
I have food opinions to share.
Rocky road ice cream: treasure hunt.
Brussels sprouts: crap shoot (half are good, half not)
Rocky road ice cream: treasure hunt.
Brussels sprouts: crap shoot (half are good, half not)
January 3, 2025 at 5:58 AM
I have food opinions to share.
Rocky road ice cream: treasure hunt.
Brussels sprouts: crap shoot (half are good, half not)
Rocky road ice cream: treasure hunt.
Brussels sprouts: crap shoot (half are good, half not)
It would appear I am saving for retirement too aggressively to also travel as much as I want to right now. A conundrum.
December 23, 2024 at 9:57 PM
It would appear I am saving for retirement too aggressively to also travel as much as I want to right now. A conundrum.
Best use of ChatGPT? Hands down, getting help with my husband’s texts about car maintenance, buying car parts, etc. It translates for me and suggests good responses when I’m flummoxed.
December 16, 2024 at 11:21 PM
Best use of ChatGPT? Hands down, getting help with my husband’s texts about car maintenance, buying car parts, etc. It translates for me and suggests good responses when I’m flummoxed.
As I take stock at the end of another year, I see where life has been what I planned and what I didn’t. But I am focused on my childhood self’s answered prayers.
December 16, 2024 at 2:29 AM
As I take stock at the end of another year, I see where life has been what I planned and what I didn’t. But I am focused on my childhood self’s answered prayers.
Reposted by Rachel
At CLEcast, we believe in combining professional growth with community impact. That’s why we partner with nonprofits. Your continuing legal education credits help fund their work. CLEs may not be the most fun part of being an attorney, but together we can make it a little more meaningful.
December 13, 2024 at 3:35 PM
At CLEcast, we believe in combining professional growth with community impact. That’s why we partner with nonprofits. Your continuing legal education credits help fund their work. CLEs may not be the most fun part of being an attorney, but together we can make it a little more meaningful.
Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr Day fall on the same date in 2025. What are your plans?
December 12, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr Day fall on the same date in 2025. What are your plans?
A defense attorney told me they took on a case because I’m the prosecutor and reasonable. Getting a compliment like that from across the aisle has made my week!
December 12, 2024 at 1:42 AM
A defense attorney told me they took on a case because I’m the prosecutor and reasonable. Getting a compliment like that from across the aisle has made my week!
Ok defense attorney friends, based on what you know from the media, what is your legal strategy for Mr Mangione?
December 10, 2024 at 5:25 AM
Ok defense attorney friends, based on what you know from the media, what is your legal strategy for Mr Mangione?
Loss of momentum is terrifying. As I have learned about my ADHD brain over the past few years, I am grateful to understand the science behind it and the tools I’ve always created for myself. I don’t think I will ever give up my list of scary things, though, especially this one.
December 7, 2024 at 7:57 PM
Loss of momentum is terrifying. As I have learned about my ADHD brain over the past few years, I am grateful to understand the science behind it and the tools I’ve always created for myself. I don’t think I will ever give up my list of scary things, though, especially this one.
The legal field needs to value training lawyers in good management practices. Law school and the industry don’t prioritize this, but it impacts the entire field and who thrives. How do we start changing this?
December 6, 2024 at 4:42 PM
The legal field needs to value training lawyers in good management practices. Law school and the industry don’t prioritize this, but it impacts the entire field and who thrives. How do we start changing this?
Portland is covered with frost this morning. My husband got out of bed early to scrape my car windows and get the heat started before I go to the gym. Is there a better way to show your love?
December 3, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Portland is covered with frost this morning. My husband got out of bed early to scrape my car windows and get the heat started before I go to the gym. Is there a better way to show your love?
One of my favorite things about watching my child grow up is sharing books I love with him. Tell me which books you can’t/couldn’t wait to share!
I’ll go first—he’s finally ready for The Hobbit and I’m trying hard not to start Little Women too soon
I’ll go first—he’s finally ready for The Hobbit and I’m trying hard not to start Little Women too soon
November 29, 2024 at 5:28 PM
One of my favorite things about watching my child grow up is sharing books I love with him. Tell me which books you can’t/couldn’t wait to share!
I’ll go first—he’s finally ready for The Hobbit and I’m trying hard not to start Little Women too soon
I’ll go first—he’s finally ready for The Hobbit and I’m trying hard not to start Little Women too soon
I started my #HolidayRunStreak yesterday. You run a minimum of one mile per day from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. My hubby is doing a bike streak-minimum of 3 miles per day. What are you doing to stay motivated during the holidays?
November 29, 2024 at 5:01 PM
I started my #HolidayRunStreak yesterday. You run a minimum of one mile per day from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. My hubby is doing a bike streak-minimum of 3 miles per day. What are you doing to stay motivated during the holidays?
Feeling like superwoman: gave my child a tennis lesson with only one eye (corneal abrasion) and only whiffed the ball once! Victory!
November 28, 2024 at 1:01 AM
Feeling like superwoman: gave my child a tennis lesson with only one eye (corneal abrasion) and only whiffed the ball once! Victory!
An abrasion on my eyeball feels like a slightly overdramatic way for the universe to tell me to take Thanksgiving week off.
November 26, 2024 at 4:08 AM
An abrasion on my eyeball feels like a slightly overdramatic way for the universe to tell me to take Thanksgiving week off.
I’ve caved… watching a Christmas movie before Thanksgiving. Send help (and hot cocoa with a peppermint stick).
November 26, 2024 at 2:12 AM
I’ve caved… watching a Christmas movie before Thanksgiving. Send help (and hot cocoa with a peppermint stick).