democracy

<p>From <span class="h-card"><a href="https://mstdn.social/@jackhutton" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>jackhutton</span></a></span> </p><p>&quot;It’s always right wing violence. It is always attacks on Democrats—the right wing, Fox, OAN, Murdoch, Musk are terrorists. &quot;</p><p><a href="/tags/mn/" rel="tag">#MN</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a></p><p>Me: Add the so called leader to the list of terrorists as well as all GOP lawmakers and admin secretaries like <a href="/tags/kristinoem/" rel="tag">#KristiNoem</a> who paint Dems as the enemy.</p>

<p>Jamie Raskin, a leading Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, stated that the bill seeks to strip courts of their power to hold the administration in contempt when the President violates court orders. <br><a href="/tags/fascism/" rel="tag">#fascism</a> <a href="/tags/constitution/" rel="tag">#constitution</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#trump</a> <a href="/tags/meme/" rel="tag">#meme</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a></p>

<p>Here&#x27;s our issues for today! Call your reps and do more at: <a href="https://www.5calls.org/" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>www.5calls.org/</a></p><p>* Oppose Trump Attorney Emil Bove for Federal Court Judge.<br>* We still need to reign in Trump&#x27;s war powers [if calling Senate: S.J.Res. 59 / if calling House: H.Con.Res. 38]<br>* Condemn Trump and Miller&#x27;s attack on immigrants, California - and block every action they can.<br>* RFK and Kristi Noem must resign for their incompetence and cruelty.<br>* (House) Oppose the GENIUS crypto scam act.<br>* (Senate) Oppose HR the &quot;One Big Beautiful Bill&quot; Act.</p><p>For your rep here: <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.house.gov/representatives/</span><span class="invisible">find-your-representative</span></a></p><p>For your Senators:<br>Senator Schiff: 202-224-3841<br>Senator Padilla: 202-224-3553 (Fresno 559-497-5109 and Sacramento 916-448-2787)<br>Governor Newsom: 916-445-2841</p><p><a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#politics</a> <a href="/tags/democrats/" rel="tag">#democrats</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/california/" rel="tag">#california</a> <a href="/tags/santaclara/" rel="tag">#santaclara</a> <a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USPol</a> <a href="/tags/capol/" rel="tag">#CAPol</a></p>

<p>Donating to <span class="h-card"><a href="https://newsie.social/@ProPublica" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>ProPublica</span></a></span> supports a newsroom full of investigative journalists intent on bringing about real change through reporting on abuses of power in the public interest. They&#x27;ve done incredible work this year. And if you donate on <a href="/tags/givingnewsday/" rel="tag">#GivingNewsDay</a> your donation is matched dollar for dollar. <a href="https://give.propublica.org/campaign/748664/donate?c_src=ben" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="give.propublica.org/campaign/748664/donate?c_src=ben"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">give.propublica.org/campaign/7</span><span class="invisible">48664/donate?c_src=ben</span></a> <a href="/tags/givingtuesday/" rel="tag">#givingtuesday</a> <a href="/tags/journalism/" rel="tag">#journalism</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a></p>

<p><a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#Trump</a> <a href="/tags/biden/" rel="tag">#Biden</a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#Politics</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/usa/" rel="tag">#USA</a></p>

<p>More than fifty of us took our protest of the Trump regime to the streets today in Galloway, New Jersey, USA. So glad to see many young people, even children, participating.</p><p><a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USPol</a> <a href="/tags/resist/" rel="tag">#Resist</a> <a href="/tags/protest/" rel="tag">#Protest</a> <a href="/tags/indivisible/" rel="tag">#Indivisible</a> <a href="/tags/mobilize/" rel="tag">#Mobilize</a> <a href="/tags/solidarity/" rel="tag">#Solidarity</a> <a href="/tags/demonstration/" rel="tag">#Demonstration</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a> <a href="/tags/peace/" rel="tag">#Peace</a> <a href="/tags/pax/" rel="tag">#Pax</a> <a href="/tags/antifascism/" rel="tag">#AntiFascism</a> <a href="/tags/indivisiblenj/" rel="tag">#IndivisibleNJ</a> <a href="/tags/nokings/" rel="tag">#NoKings</a></p>

<p>This year, <span class="h-card"><a href="https://newsie.social/@ProPublica" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>ProPublica</span></a></span> reported on ICE splitting up families, the people behind DOGE and their impact, the backroom dealings of Trump and others in his administration, and more. I&#x27;m proud to work with these journalists - and they need your support.</p><p>As always, I want to prove that the <a href="/tags/fediverse/" rel="tag">#fediverse</a> is an important source of support for nonprofits like ours. We&#x27;re here, we&#x27;re engaged, and we care.</p><p>If you have the means, please consider a donation:</p><p><a href="https://give.propublica.org/campaign/748664/donate?c_src=ben" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="give.propublica.org/campaign/748664/donate?c_src=ben"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">give.propublica.org/campaign/7</span><span class="invisible">48664/donate?c_src=ben</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/journalism/" rel="tag">#journalism</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a></p>

<p>🇨🇦 Our Shared Future 🇨🇦<br>Upholding Canadian Values in the 2025 Federal Election</p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bmrrFxNnX6YhDsgo_44Roq-Qgdjd3UxueaGTqIAYcVw/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="docs.google.com/document/d/1bmrrFxNnX6YhDsgo_44Roq-Qgdjd3UxueaGTqIAYcVw/edit?usp=sharing"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">docs.google.com/document/d/1bm</span><span class="invisible">rrFxNnX6YhDsgo_44Roq-Qgdjd3UxueaGTqIAYcVw/edit?usp=sharing</span></a></p><p> CAVE: collaborate, advocate, vote, educate</p><p><a href="/tags/calpol/" rel="tag">#CalPol</a> <a href="/tags/canadavotes/" rel="tag">#CanadaVotes</a> <a href="/tags/2025cdnelection/" rel="tag">#2025CdnElection</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/canadianvalues/" rel="tag">#CanadianValues</a> <a href="/tags/diversity/" rel="tag">#diversity</a> <a href="/tags/multiculturalism/" rel="tag">#multiculturalism</a><br><a href="/tags/elbowsup/" rel="tag">#ElbowsUp</a> <a href="/tags/never51/" rel="tag">#never51</a><br><a href="/tags/populism/" rel="tag">#populism</a> <a href="/tags/conservatism/" rel="tag">#conservatism</a> <a href="/tags/housing/" rel="tag">#housing</a> <a href="/tags/foodsecurity/" rel="tag">#FoodSecurity</a> <a href="/tags/inflation/" rel="tag">#inflation</a> <a href="/tags/unions/" rel="tag">#unions</a> <a href="/tags/solidarity/" rel="tag">#solidarity</a></p>

<p>Speaking of weak Democrats, you have no idea how much trouble I&#x27;ve had getting Democrats in <a href="/tags/maine/" rel="tag">#Maine</a> to introduce or otherwise advocate for gun reform legislation. I&#x27;ve written multiple times to the chair of the Democratic Senate Committee, the Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party, Senate President Mattie Daughtry (my state senator), the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, and more. All of them refuse to answer me. What cowardice. <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#Politics</a> <a href="/tags/democrats/" rel="tag">#Democrats</a> <a href="/tags/guns/" rel="tag">#Guns</a> <a href="/tags/gunreform/" rel="tag">#GunReform</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a> <a href="/tags/us/" rel="tag">#US</a> <a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USpol</a></p>

<p>Urge your Congressmember to stand firm against the assaults on our <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a>, the <a href="/tags/judiciary/" rel="tag">#judiciary</a> &amp; the rule of <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#law</a> by rejecting the <a href="/tags/judges/" rel="tag">#JUDGES</a> Act, the <a href="/tags/pepper/" rel="tag">#PEPPER</a> Act, the <a href="/tags/norra/" rel="tag">#NORRA</a> Act &amp; The <a href="/tags/niap/" rel="tag">#NIAP</a> Act today.<br><a href="https://resist.bot/petitions/PDVYDP" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>resist.bot/petitions/PDVYDP</a> </p><p><a href="/tags/resistbot/" rel="tag">#ResistBot</a> <a href="/tags/resist/" rel="tag">#resist</a> <a href="/tags/coup/" rel="tag">#coup</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#Trump</a> <a href="/tags/musk/" rel="tag">#Musk</a> <a href="/tags/stephenmiller/" rel="tag">#StephenMiller</a> <a href="/tags/vought/" rel="tag">#Vought</a> <a href="/tags/supremecourt/" rel="tag">#SupremeCourt</a> <a href="/tags/scotus/" rel="tag">#SCOTUS</a> <a href="/tags/potus/" rel="tag">#POTUS</a> <a href="/tags/teslatakedown/" rel="tag">#TeslaTakedown</a> <a href="/tags/fafo/" rel="tag">#FAFO</a> <a href="/tags/nafo/" rel="tag">#NAFO</a> <a href="/tags/putin/" rel="tag">#Putin</a> <a href="/tags/mbs/" rel="tag">#MBS</a> <a href="/tags/xi/" rel="tag">#Xi</a> <a href="/tags/modi/" rel="tag">#Modi</a> <a href="/tags/saudiarabia/" rel="tag">#SaudiArabia</a> <a href="/tags/gcc/" rel="tag">#GCC</a> <a href="/tags/uae/" rel="tag">#UAE</a> <a href="/tags/dubai/" rel="tag">#Dubai</a> <a href="/tags/oman/" rel="tag">#Oman</a> <a href="/tags/qatar/" rel="tag">#Qatar</a> <a href="/tags/bahrain/" rel="tag">#Bahrain</a> <a href="/tags/kuwait/" rel="tag">#Kuwait</a> <a href="/tags/petrostate/" rel="tag">#PetroState</a> <a href="/tags/climate/" rel="tag">#climate</a> <a href="/tags/climatechange/" rel="tag">#ClimateChange</a> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://mastodon.social/@resistbot" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>resistbot</span></a></span> @[email protected]</p>

<p><a href="/tags/nokings/" rel="tag">#nokings</a> <a href="/tags/nazi/" rel="tag">#nazi</a> <a href="/tags/america/" rel="tag">#america</a> <a href="/tags/usa/" rel="tag">#usa</a> <a href="/tags/maga/" rel="tag">#maga</a> <a href="/tags/hungaria/" rel="tag">#Hungaria</a> <a href="/tags/russia/" rel="tag">#russia</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#trump</a> <a href="/tags/putin/" rel="tag">#putin</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/nebula/" rel="tag">#nebula</a> <a href="/tags/nowplaying/" rel="tag">#nowplaying</a> <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#law</a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#politics</a> <a href="/tags/press/" rel="tag">#press</a> <a href="/tags/opposition/" rel="tag">#opposition</a> </p><p><a href="https://nebula.tv/videos/spectacles-so-this-is-how-democracy-dies" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="nebula.tv/videos/spectacles-so-this-is-how-democracy-dies"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">nebula.tv/videos/spectacles-so</span><span class="invisible">-this-is-how-democracy-dies</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxzwvd8cudo" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxzwvd8cudo"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxzwvd</span><span class="invisible">8cudo</span></a></p>

<p>&quot;What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places — and there are so many — where people have behaved magnificently, it energizes us to act, and raises at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.&quot;</p><p>— Howard Zinn</p><p><a href="https://www.howardzinn.org/collection/a-marvelous-victory/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.howardzinn.org/collection/a-marvelous-victory/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.howardzinn.org/collection/</span><span class="invisible">a-marvelous-victory/</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/howardzinn/" rel="tag">#HowardZinn</a> <a href="/tags/resist/" rel="tag">#Resist</a> <a href="/tags/protest/" rel="tag">#Protest</a> <a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USPol</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#Trump</a> <a href="/tags/musk/" rel="tag">#Musk</a> <a href="/tags/doge/" rel="tag">#DOGE</a> <a href="/tags/gop/" rel="tag">#GOP</a> <a href="/tags/ice/" rel="tag">#ICE</a></p>

<p>After 13 yrs on Twitter, <span class="h-card"><a href="https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bikemonterey</span></a></span> stopped posting on that platform in Nov 2022. <br>We are also no longer posting on Meta platforms; we do have a <span class="h-card"><a href="https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bikemonterey</span></a></span> Instagram account, but it refers people to this Mastodon account. <br>Although we set up a <span class="h-card"><a href="https://sfba.social/@bikemonterey" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bikemonterey</span></a></span> BlueSky acct, it likewise refers to this Mastodon acct. </p><p>When we did some updates today to Summer Bike Buzz <a href="https://bikemonterey.org/bike-buzz-summer-2025-news-from-bicycling-monterey.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="bikemonterey.org/bike-buzz-summer-2025-news-from-bicycling-monterey.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">bikemonterey.org/bike-buzz-sum</span><span class="invisible">mer-2025-news-from-bicycling-monterey.html</span></a>, we pointed out what a chief information officer of a Monterey County transportation agency posted on Mastodon on July 6, 2025: <br>“Change isn’t easy. And transformational change requires perseverance and dedication. It doesn’t have to be fanatical. Honestly medium-level relentless will do.” <a href="https://mastodon.world/@NoRomBasic/114808599939418491" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="mastodon.world/@NoRomBasic/114808599939418491"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">mastodon.world/@NoRomBasic/114</span><span class="invisible">808599939418491</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/systemschange/" rel="tag">#SystemsChange</a> <a href="/tags/socialmedia/" rel="tag">#SocialMedia</a> <a href="/tags/mastodon/" rel="tag">#Mastodon</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/powertothepeople/" rel="tag">#PowerToThePeople</a></p>

<p>New <a href="/tags/blog/" rel="tag">#blog</a> post: Libraries are awesome</p><p><a href="https://rldane.space/libraries-are-awesome.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="rldane.space/libraries-are-awesome.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">rldane.space/libraries-are-awe</span><span class="invisible">some.html</span></a></p><p>285 words</p><p>Getting back in the swing of things!</p><p>cc: my wonderful <a href="/tags/chorus/" rel="tag">#chorus</a>: <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@joel" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>joel</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@dm" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>dm</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@sotolf" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>sotolf</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@thedoctor" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>thedoctor</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://merveilles.town/@pixx" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>pixx</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://behold.mylegendary.quest/users/twizzay" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>twizzay</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@orbitalmartian" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>orbitalmartian</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://fosstodon.org/@adamsdesk" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>adamsdesk</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@krafter" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>krafter</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@roguefoam" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>roguefoam</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@solusspider" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>solusspider</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://polymaths.social/@clayton" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>clayton</span></a></span></p><p>(I will happily add/remove you from the chorus upon request! :)</p><p><a href="/tags/100daystooffload/" rel="tag">#100DaysToOffload</a> <a href="/tags/16/" rel="tag">#16</a></p><p><a href="/tags/rldanewriting/" rel="tag">#rlDaneWriting</a> <a href="/tags/library/" rel="tag">#Library</a> <a href="/tags/libraries/" rel="tag">#Libraries</a> <a href="/tags/publicspaces/" rel="tag">#PublicSpaces</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a></p>

<p>Prompted by ProPublica’s reporting on efforts by right-wing activists to disallow ballots in a key judicial election, North Carolina Democrats have introduced a bill designed to prevent votes from being tossed out based on postelection rule changes.</p><p><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/north-carolina-supreme-court-election-discarded-votes-legislation?utm_source=mastodon&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/north-carolina-supreme-court-election-discarded-votes-legislation?utm_source=mastodon&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/nor</span><span class="invisible">th-carolina-supreme-court-election-discarded-votes-legislation?utm_source=mastodon&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/northcarolina/" rel="tag">#NorthCarolina</a> <a href="/tags/election/" rel="tag">#Election</a> <a href="/tags/voting/" rel="tag">#Voting</a> <a href="/tags/law/" rel="tag">#Law</a> <a href="/tags/supremecourt/" rel="tag">#SupremeCourt</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a></p>

<p>Dozens of towns in Massachusetts, we&#x27;re coming up to an important election. It can be argued that local government is just as important - and possibly more important - than who sits in the Oval Office. So please make sure you are registered!</p><p><a href="https://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegis</span><span class="invisible">trationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx</span></a></p><p>I hope for everyone&#x27;s sake that you check NOW, because the deadline is upon us ⬆️ </p><p><a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/election/" rel="tag">#election</a> <a href="/tags/usa/" rel="tag">#USA</a></p>

<p>The arrests of <a href="/tags/media/" rel="tag">#media</a> member Don Lemon, a Democratic political candidate, and activists demand an immediate national response. Read my letter here... and let&#x27;s take action!</p><p><a href="https://www.blueamp.co/p/an-open-letter-to-journalists-and" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.blueamp.co/p/an-open-letter-to-journalists-and"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.blueamp.co/p/an-open-lette</span><span class="invisible">r-to-journalists-and</span></a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#politics</a> <a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#news</a> <a href="/tags/press/" rel="tag">#press</a> <a href="/tags/usa/" rel="tag">#usa</a> <a href="/tags/unitedstates/" rel="tag">#unitedstates</a> <a href="/tags/socialmedia/" rel="tag">#socialmedia</a> <a href="/tags/ice/" rel="tag">#ice</a> <a href="/tags/murder/" rel="tag">#murder</a> <a href="/tags/dhs/" rel="tag">#dhs</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#trump</a> <a href="/tags/us/" rel="tag">#us</a> <a href="/tags/russia/" rel="tag">#russia</a> <a href="/tags/eu/" rel="tag">#eu</a> <a href="/tags/nato/" rel="tag">#nato</a> <a href="/tags/us/" rel="tag">#us</a> <a href="/tags/america/" rel="tag">#america</a> <a href="/tags/tech/" rel="tag">#tech</a> <a href="/tags/fascism/" rel="tag">#fascism</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/minneapolis/" rel="tag">#minneapolis</a> <a href="/tags/minnesota/" rel="tag">#minnesota</a></p>

<p>&quot;Taiwan’s vibrant and competitive democratic system has allowed for regular peaceful transfers of power since 2000, and protections for civil liberties are generally robust. Ongoing concerns include inadequate safeguards against the exploitation of migrant workers and the Chinese government’s efforts to influence policymaking, media, and the democratic infrastructure.&quot;</p><p><a href="https://freedomhouse.org/country/taiwan/freedom-world/2025" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="freedomhouse.org/country/taiwan/freedom-world/2025"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">freedomhouse.org/country/taiwa</span><span class="invisible">n/freedom-world/2025</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/taiwan/" rel="tag">#Taiwan</a> <a href="/tags/humanrights/" rel="tag">#HumanRights</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a> <a href="/tags/freedomhouse/" rel="tag">#FreedomHouse</a> <a href="/tags/台灣/" rel="tag">#台灣</a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#Politics</a></p>

<p>Just out from <span class="h-card"><a href="https://texasobserver.social/@josephinelee" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>josephinelee</span></a></span> and Joelle DiPaolo: After three decades of fighting back against <a href="/tags/vouchers/" rel="tag">#vouchers</a>, the governor enlisted the help of the president to destroy the last vestiges of Republican resistance this week. <a href="https://www.texasobserver.org/abbott-trump-house-vouchers-pass/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.texasobserver.org/abbott-trump-house-vouchers-pass/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.texasobserver.org/abbott-t</span><span class="invisible">rump-house-vouchers-pass/</span></a> </p><p><a href="/tags/education/" rel="tag">#education</a> <a href="/tags/schools/" rel="tag">#schools</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#Trump</a> <a href="/tags/gregabbott/" rel="tag">#GregAbbott</a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#politics</a> <a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USpol</a> <a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#news</a> <a href="/tags/txlege/" rel="tag">#TXlege</a> <a href="/tags/texas/" rel="tag">#Texas</a> <a href="/tags/republicans/" rel="tag">#Republicans</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a></p>

<p>&quot;The <a href="/tags/monopoly/" rel="tag">#monopoly</a> <a href="/tags/media/" rel="tag">#media</a> morons for whom he’s entertained tens of millions of ad-viewing viewers deemed it so, and I’m sure it has nothing to do w Stephen <a href="/tags/colbert/" rel="tag">#Colbert</a> using his brilliant timing and razor-sharp wit to disembowel Don-Don on the regular&quot;</p><p>CONT-&gt; <a href="https://www.blueamp.co/publish/post/168652683" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.blueamp.co/publish/post/168652683"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.blueamp.co/publish/post/16</span><span class="invisible">8652683</span></a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/humor/" rel="tag">#humor</a> <a href="/tags/funny/" rel="tag">#funny</a> <a href="/tags/tv/" rel="tag">#tv</a> <a href="/tags/ai/" rel="tag">#ai</a> <a href="/tags/usa/" rel="tag">#usa</a> <a href="/tags/america/" rel="tag">#america</a> <a href="/tags/unitedstates/" rel="tag">#unitedstates</a> <a href="/tags/fascism/" rel="tag">#fascism</a> <a href="/tags/us/" rel="tag">#us</a> <a href="/tags/russia/" rel="tag">#russia</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/tech/" rel="tag">#tech</a> <a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#news</a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#politics</a> <a href="/tags/press/" rel="tag">#press</a> <a href="/tags/entertainment/" rel="tag">#entertainment</a></p>

<p>&quot;What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places — and there are so many — where people have behaved magnificently, it energizes us to act, and raises at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.&quot;</p><p>— Howard Zinn</p><p>Full text: <a href="https://www.howardzinn.org/collection/a-marvelous-victory/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.howardzinn.org/collection/a-marvelous-victory/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.howardzinn.org/collection/</span><span class="invisible">a-marvelous-victory/</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/howardzinn/" rel="tag">#HowardZinn</a> <a href="/tags/resist/" rel="tag">#Resist</a> <a href="/tags/protest/" rel="tag">#Protest</a> <a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USPol</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a> <a href="/tags/trump/" rel="tag">#Trump</a> <a href="/tags/musk/" rel="tag">#Musk</a> <a href="/tags/doge/" rel="tag">#DOGE</a> <a href="/tags/gop/" rel="tag">#GOP</a> <a href="/tags/ice/" rel="tag">#ICE</a></p>

<p>“This is the most massive secrecy grab in <a href="/tags/texas/" rel="tag">#Texas</a> since the adoption of the Public Information Act.” </p><p>New today from Michelle Pitcher: A move to &quot;standardize&quot; <a href="/tags/police/" rel="tag">#police</a> personnel files could have devastating consequences for <a href="/tags/transparency/" rel="tag">#transparency</a>. <a href="https://www.texasobserver.org/secrecy-g-file-police-records-texas-legislature/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.texasobserver.org/secrecy-g-file-police-records-texas-legislature/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.texasobserver.org/secrecy-</span><span class="invisible">g-file-police-records-texas-legislature/</span></a> </p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#news</a> <a href="/tags/politics/" rel="tag">#politics</a> <a href="/tags/uspol/" rel="tag">#USpol</a> <a href="/tags/fascism/" rel="tag">#fascism</a> <a href="/tags/txlege/" rel="tag">#TXlege</a> <a href="/tags/journalism/" rel="tag">#journalism</a> <a href="/tags/humanrights/" rel="tag">#HumanRights</a> <a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#news</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a></p>

<p>A Tarrant County resident who has worked as an election judge criticized the county’s move to cut more than 100 polling sites.</p><p>“You’re not saving money,” she said. “You’re sacrificing democracy to save a buck.”</p><p><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/tarrant-county-texas-polling-sites-early-voting-cuts?utm_source=mastodon&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mastodon-post" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.propublica.org/article/tarrant-county-texas-polling-sites-early-voting-cuts?utm_source=mastodon&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mastodon-post"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.propublica.org/article/tar</span><span class="invisible">rant-county-texas-polling-sites-early-voting-cuts?utm_source=mastodon&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mastodon-post</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/news/" rel="tag">#News</a> <a href="/tags/texas/" rel="tag">#Texas</a> <a href="/tags/tarrantcounty/" rel="tag">#TarrantCounty</a> <a href="/tags/vote/" rel="tag">#Vote</a> <a href="/tags/elections/" rel="tag">#Elections</a> <a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#Democracy</a> <a href="/tags/voting/" rel="tag">#Voting</a></p>

<p>The anti-autocracy handbook: how scientists can cope with democratic backsliding. This guide is a call to action, resilience, and collective defence of democracy and academic freedom in the face of mounting authoritarianism.</p><p> <a href="https://zenodo.org/records/15696097" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>zenodo.org/records/15696097</a> <br><span class="h-card"><a href="https://respublicae.eu/@EU_Commission" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>EU_Commission</span></a></span> </p><p><a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/acedemicfreedom/" rel="tag">#acedemicfreedom</a> <a href="/tags/authoritarianism/" rel="tag">#authoritarianism</a></p>

<p>How to be a modern autocrat. Cartoon for Dutch newspaper Trouw: <a href="https://www.trouw.nl/cartoons/tjeerd-royaards~bcb45712/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.trouw.nl/cartoons/tjeerd-royaards~bcb45712/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.trouw.nl/cartoons/tjeerd-r</span><span class="invisible">oyaards~bcb45712/</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/democracy/" rel="tag">#democracy</a> <a href="/tags/dictators/" rel="tag">#dictators</a> <a href="/tags/leadership/" rel="tag">#leadership</a></p>