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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 15h

That's higher than I expected for you. That's worrisome.

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 15h

Given the trend, what do you guess are the odds of seeing military at polling places next year? At the moment I'm giving it 1:3 odds.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 22h

And the stonewalling will continue, because there are no consequences for doing it.

Dems only hope is to get back the house and senate and impose penalties for this level of contempt. But even then, I'm not holding my breath.

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 1d

Arrrgh! Would some reporter please ask for a special briefing by the Admin to the American people detailing what communities in Portland are war zones with detailed specifics of atrocities requiring military intervention. This isn't rocket science.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 1d

You know, I've reached the point where I want our leaders to take a Patrick Henry stand: "Give me liberty, or give me death!"

Time for our leaders to stand up for liberty, regardless of the consequences.

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 1d

I wonder when MAGA/Trump Admin will find its Leni Riefenstahl.

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 1d

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

John Searle obituary

American philosopher whose Chinese Room thought experiment rebuts the idea that computers can think as humans do

www.theguardian.com

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 2d

👍
We need more like you. Especially people in power positions, like law firms, universities, media, etc.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 2d

Tom, have you never *thought* about "obeying in advance", even if you don't? I think most prudent people have at least thought about it by this point.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 2d

Honestly, I have to say I've had the thought of self-censoring. Then I just post anyway. If they want to harass or disappear me, then fine, but I'm not going to disappear myself.

Perhaps extreme, but the Patrick Henry's, "Give me liberty or give me death!" comes to mind more and more.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 2d

Seconded. 👍

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 3d

Not sure what your current assessment is, but we sure seem to be doing the authoritarian slide much quicker that I expected at this point.

Every single election between from here on out is critical. Let's see if Dems fight accordingly.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 3d

Every person who has ever been abused knows this tactic: look what you made me do.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 4d

There is a strong contingent of Republicans in Oregon. Wonder how all this is playing out with them these days.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 4d

God help us, but I've lost faith in our Dem leadership.

I wish someone would ask our D leaders their positions on JVL's two assumptions. Might as well clear that up right now.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 4d

I'm amazed that, if in fact he does have serious health issues, that it hasn't been leaked by now by some anonymous source.

Is this administration that good a keeping secrets at this level?

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 6d

I'm sure those blue state republicans are willing to take on for the team. ;)

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

How to Build a Dictionary: On the Hard Art of Popular Lexicography ‹ Literary Hub share.google/6mMygFzo7G2b...

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

*iykyk ;)

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

"The president had a speech waiting for him on the teleprompter, and now and then Trump would hunch his shoulders and apparently pick off a stray word or phrase from it, like a distracted hunter firing random buckshot from a duck blind."

😂My dad would have so appreciated that duck hunter comment.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

Per cbsnews just a couple of minutes ago:
www.cbsnews.com/live-updates...

Government shutdown live updates as Senate fails to pass funding bills before deadline

The Senate failed to pass a House bill to keep the government open ahead of a midnight deadline. Follow live updates here.

www.cbsnews.com

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

Which, for me, only means that were he more competent we'd be totally screwed by now. As it is, his advisors are still getting the authoritarian job done.

TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

No doubt.

Basically Trump is taking a poisoned pill approach. The shutdown consequences will be so horrific that Ds will vote for the budget to avoid them.

I'm predicting enough Ds will blink and the budget will pass. Let's see how it goes.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

Choose the layoffs to be in blue states. Employees may not be D, but the state will be affected.

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TomB @tdb011235.bsky.social · 7d

Tom, your thoughts on how our enemies and allies will likely analyze these speeches?

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