Category Archives: Government

Why Attack Iran? Our Authoritarianism and Our Corruption

TIMOTHY SNYDER (thanks to Jim S.) Note: Timothy Snyder is an American Historian currently holds the inaugural chair in Modern European History at the Munk School of School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. From 2017 to 2025 … Continue reading

Posted in Crime, Essays, Government, History, Justice, Law, Military, Politics, War | Comments Off on Why Attack Iran? Our Authoritarianism and Our Corruption

State of the State – Report from Governor Ferguson

Thanks to Mary Jane F. OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement on the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session: When I delivered my State of the State address at the start of this session, I talked about … Continue reading

Posted in Government | 1 Comment

Texas banned Pride crosswalks — so San Antonio painted the sidewalks rainbow instead

By Kamrin Baker in GoodGoodGood (thanks to Pam P.) In October 2025, following pressure from United States Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered cities across the state to remove LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalks and other road markings that “advance political agendas” … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Essays, Gay rights/essays, Government | Comments Off on Texas banned Pride crosswalks — so San Antonio painted the sidewalks rainbow instead

Pete Hegseth Blew Billions on Fruit Basket Stands, Chairs, and Crab

Pete Hegseth Blew Billions on Fruit Basket Stands, Chairs, and Crab. The Defense Department went on a $93 billion spending spree in 2025. By:      Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling/  in the New Republic (Thanks to Jim S.) The Pentagon spent more money in September—the … Continue reading

Posted in Ethics, Government, Military, Morality | Tagged | Comments Off on Pete Hegseth Blew Billions on Fruit Basket Stands, Chairs, and Crab

‘Titanic’ Statue of Trump and Epstein Draws Attention in D.C.

by Tiago Ventura in Time Magazine A statue depicting President Donald Trump embracing the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a Titanic-style pose has appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The gold-painted replica of Trump can be seen … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Government, Satire | Comments Off on ‘Titanic’ Statue of Trump and Epstein Draws Attention in D.C.

U.S. Marine Band forced to cancel concert

thanks to Pam P.

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Morality, Music, Race | Comments Off on U.S. Marine Band forced to cancel concert

Ken Burns – The Art of the American Revolution

Thanks to Mary Jane F.

Posted in Government, History | Comments Off on Ken Burns – The Art of the American Revolution

Employing Military Force Against Iran

Thanks to Pam P. Ed note: Think about war — easy to start, hard to finish. Not unusual for a more radical regime to take over. The students have no weapons. The Iranian government structure is broad and deep. There … Continue reading

Posted in Government, War | Comments Off on Employing Military Force Against Iran

SECRETARY CLINTON’S OPENING STATEMENT

Thanks to John R. Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, Members of the Committee… as a former Senator, I have respect for legislative oversight and I expect its exercise, as do the American people, to be principled and fearless in pursuit of … Continue reading

Posted in Government | 2 Comments

The CDC is withholding critical information about vaccine-preventable diseases from the American public. Why? 

by Paul Offit (thanks to Ed M.) On January 27, 2026, researchers from Vanderbilt University, the University of North Carolina, and Harvard Medical School published a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine that revealed a surprising and previously unrealized aspect of Robert F. … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Health | Comments Off on The CDC is withholding critical information about vaccine-preventable diseases from the American public. Why? 

The House convenes for a floor session on HR 4692 (Honoring Japanese-Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II) at the state Capitol.

Thanks to Ann M. Watch Skyline chaplain Sao as he gives the invocation!!

Posted in Government, History, Law, Morality, Remembrances | Comments Off on The House convenes for a floor session on HR 4692 (Honoring Japanese-Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II) at the state Capitol.

A Valentine’s day tragedy & a reformist President

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Ed note: I’ve loved reading about Teddy Roosevelt–such a unique American personality. If you want a pretty complete picture consider the Edmund Morris Trilogy: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (covers pre-presidency), Theodore Rex (presidency), and … Continue reading

Posted in Government, History | Comments Off on A Valentine’s day tragedy & a reformist President

Sugar, Bad Bunny and the Americas

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Last night’s thirteen-minute Super Bowl half-time show featuring Bad Bunny had more watchers than any other halftime show in history: an estimated 135 million watched live, while millions more have streamed it since. Rapper, singer, … Continue reading

Posted in Government, History | Comments Off on Sugar, Bad Bunny and the Americas

I’m the Prime Minister of Spain. This Is Why the West Needs Migrants.

By Pedro Sánchez in the New York Times Mr. Sánchez is the prime minister of Spain. He wrote from Madrid. Imagine you’re the leader of a nation, and you face a dilemma. Half a million or so people who are crucial … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Immigration, Justice, Law, Morality, Social justice | Comments Off on I’m the Prime Minister of Spain. This Is Why the West Needs Migrants.

The Globalization of Canadian Rage

By Stephen Marche in the New York Times Mr. Marche is the author, most recently, of “The Next Civil War.” He wrote from Toronto, where he lives. The defiance against America that has consumed Canadian life for over a year now … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Government, Law, Military, Politics | Comments Off on The Globalization of Canadian Rage

A once-in-a-generation moment at MOHAI

Thanks to Mary M. This summer, MOHAI is proud to host the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation. This landmark exhibit from the National Archives will bring some of the rarest and most important original documents in … Continue reading

Posted in Government, History | Comments Off on A once-in-a-generation moment at MOHAI

American Democracy Will Not Die in Darkness

Paul Krugman (thanks to Diana C.) ICE in Minneapolis: Schools go remote as protests growBroad daylight, actually The Washington Post adopted the slogan “Democracy dies in darkness” in February 2017. Some found it pompous, but it reflected a widespread theory … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Immigration | Comments Off on American Democracy Will Not Die in Darkness

Trump Is About to Find Out What Every Bully in History Has Found Out

The New Republic and Michael Tomasky In 2025, Donald Trump scared people. And institutions. Go back in your mind to the way he came out of the gate, gunning the accelerator on every front. Pardoning the insurrectionists. Dismantling the executive branch. Firing inspectors general and heads and … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Government | Comments Off on Trump Is About to Find Out What Every Bully in History Has Found Out

Federal Judge’s Order freeing 5 year old

Thanks to Dan S.

Posted in Advocacy, Ethics, Government, Immigration, Justice, Kindness, Law | Comments Off on Federal Judge’s Order freeing 5 year old

If They Call Me a Domestic Terrorist

Thanks to Pam P.

Posted in Advocacy, Communication, Government, Immigration, Poetry | Comments Off on If They Call Me a Domestic Terrorist

The Boys of Terezin

Thanks to Ann M. Don’t miss this deeply moving documentaryabout courageous teenage boys and thesecret magazine they dared to create in Terezín Between 1942 and 1944, about 100 teenage boys imprisoned in the Terezín concentration camp created a secret magazine … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Government, History, Morality, protests, Social justice, terrorism, War | Comments Off on The Boys of Terezin

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

Ed Note: Here’s the recent posting by HCR. You can subscribe to her free newsletter, Letters from an American, here. Public outrage over the violence of federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol has given … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Politics | Comments Off on Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson

Steets of Mineapolis by Bruce Springsteen

Thanks to Mary M. 2,870,341 views Jan 28, 2026 #1 on music Trending chartLyrics:Through the winter’s ice and coldDown Nicollet AvenueA city aflame fought fire and ice‘Neath an occupier’s bootsKing Trump’s private army from the DHSGuns belted to their coatsCame … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Guns, Justice, Kindness, Law, Military, Morality, protests, Race, Social justice | Comments Off on Steets of Mineapolis by Bruce Springsteen

For Alex Jeffrey Pretti

Thanks to Diana C.

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Immigration, Morality, Poetry | Comments Off on For Alex Jeffrey Pretti

Two regulatory rollbacks, along with a new A.I. experiment in Medicare, raise some worrisome questions.

By Paula Span in the NYT Ed note: We should be proud of our LTC Washington State Ombudsman, Patricia Hunter, for advocating for us and pushing back on the negative moves of CMS. Month after month, Patricia Hunter and other members … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, Government, Health | Comments Off on Two regulatory rollbacks, along with a new A.I. experiment in Medicare, raise some worrisome questions.