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Jan 17
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Simon Rosenberg's avatar

Shaun, I am taking this post down. If you want to return to the subject of the battle of attention in a more constructive manner go for it.

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Moishe Swift's avatar

PRESIDENT BIDEN:

I have supported the Equal Rights Amendment for more than 50 years, and I have long been clear that no one should be discriminated against based on their sex. We, as a nation, must affirm and protect women’s full equality once and for all.

On January 27, 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. The American Bar Association (ABA) has recognized that the Equal Rights Amendment has cleared all necessary hurdles to be formally added to the Constitution as the 28th Amendment. I agree with the ABA and with leading legal constitutional scholars that the Equal Rights Amendment has become part of our Constitution.

It is long past time to recognize the will of the American people. In keeping with my oath and duty to Constitution and country, I affirm what I believe and what three-fourths of the states have ratified: the 28th Amendment is the law of the land, guaranteeing all Americans equal rights and protections under the law regardless of their sex.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/17/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-equal-rights-amendment/

[Completely agreed with this, brilliant to leave the bomb in the lap of the incoming Trump administration and have them try and justify why women don't deserve explicit equal rights and why constitutional amendments aren't allowed.]

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Deborah Potter's avatar

U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan claims that she is required to publish it in order to certify the amendment. You could contact her directly with your concern. Her phone number is 1-866-272-6272 and email archivistoftheunitedstates@nara.gov

Her FB page is https://www.facebook.com/AOTUS11Shogan/

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Veronica's avatar

I just e-mailed her. I couldn't speak to her or anyone at the Archives, since the option to do so wasn't available.

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Deborah Potter's avatar

I don't think she's going to budge, but we did start a roar on her FB page. https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2025/nr25-004

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Catherine Giovannoni's avatar

I'm glad he did this, but I'd have been happier if he'd done it 4 years ago. Mostly symbolic at this point.

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Deborah Potter's avatar

Thank you, President Biden! It's meaningful. "The American Bar Association (ABA) has recognized that the Equal Rights Amendment has cleared all necessary hurdles to be formally added to the Constitution as the 28th Amendment." Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a lawyer, said Colleen Shogan was “wrongfully inserting herself into a clear constitutional process, despite the fact that her role is purely ministerial.” According to PBS, some members of Congress are protesting at the National Archives today.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment on 27 January, 2020. Why, oh why, wait four years to make this declaration??

Now, Joe, please make sure Merrick publishes Jack’s report on Donald’s theft and mishandling of classified documents. Immediately! Or it will never see the light of day.

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Michael G Baer's avatar

This is Fantastic!!! Take the wins, baby. Its part of the Constitution now, and we will see if it can become a new tool in creating equal justice for over half our population.

It took decades and decades... Today it is LAW! (Do you realize the 27th amendment was passed in 1992, more than 32 years ago?) Hallelujah and God Bless!!!

Now if he will just free Leonard Peltier over the weekend...

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Moishe Swift's avatar

TIRED: "well obviously this thing Biden did on his way out will be overturned immediately, so it means nothing"

WIRED in a way that's *useful*: "Biden says the ERA is ratified, and if [when] SCOTUS says it's not, they're illegitimately taking rights away from women and we need to demand them back"

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Lonnie E's avatar

NONE of the orange baby man's clown show would be happening if he was disqualified day one after forensic psychiatrist Dr Bandy X Lee's report of the FIVE DANGEROUS MENTAL PATHOLOGIES of Donald Trump.

"World Mental Health Coalition"

https://youtube.com/@dangerouscasenow2523?si=OzNy4LkMVxd8JzHZ

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David Holzman's avatar

Or if McConnell had pushed for impeachment after the insurrection.

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Hical's avatar

Appreciate the upfront, out front daily defense of CA by Governor Newsom who refuses to let Trump and assorted MAGA crooks, criminals, and creeps define and criticize him over the terrible tragedy he is fighting 24/7 in CA.

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Cathy Murphree's avatar

Agree completely and we need this from top Dems, day in and day out. I also think important they are short, proactive, not defensive, and FIT ON ONE SCREEN. Need more of this and would like to see billboards with such messaging. (I see issue-focused billboards driving through northern New Mexico.)

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Colleen McGloughlin's avatar

Would be encouraging to see some Democrats in office show (shout?) some support for the Governor of CA.

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Lonnie E's avatar

Crimes of Big Money in Politics

🔸Endless war in every country for endless profit

🔸Endless destruction of the environment for endless profit

🔸Endlessly pit society against itself to hide in plain sight for endless profit

"Consequences of Capitalism", Noam Chomsky, Preface

https://open.substack.com/pub/simonwdc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=280c3q

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Michael G Baer's avatar

Im a Californian. How is it they can do "ag-raids" in Bakersfield before Trump is even inaugurated?

If Trump and the MAGA GOP continue to hold recovery assistance hostage to the budget process, maybe our governor should raise secession as a bargaining chip and a point of leverage. Newsom has pointed out that California contributes a net surplus in the tens of billions if not more, to help Maga Mike Johnson;s state of Louisiana recover from hurricanes, without any conditions.

F*ck around and find out MagaMike.

I am not completely serious about secession (unless Trump 2.0 exceeds our worst fears) but the threat would get some attention over there in D.C. All of us can get real creative about how to fight back. Perhaps we could all stop using Amazon for the entire President's Day Weekend. Just one idea... it would be interesting to see how much economic pain we can bring to the oligarchic billionaires if we really get creative and organize.

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Kari Hinman's avatar

I was wondering the same thing, who is authorizing these ag-raids? I'm for just stopping using Amazon, that also includes avoiding Whole Foods, which isn't hare as quality has really gone down since Amazon acquired it.

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Michael G Baer's avatar

That's a heavy lift for me, to give it up entirely. I'm working to come to terms with that and I am sure many on our side have similar challenges. But a group protest for several days or a week might help me and others realize how to get along without it. Every little bit helps, I get it, but its a lot easier for me to drop WaPo and NYT, than Amazon. What other ways can we push back economically on the oligarchs?

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MaryCFM's avatar

Great idea

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Susan Troy's avatar

I'm not surprised about Whole Foods. I stopped going there years ago when I discovered the previous owner was a right winger. I'm supporting a neighborhood market instead. In fact, I'm making it a point to support local even more this year. I have the luxury of being able to do that and I'm going to use it.

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David Salzillo's avatar

Is this an obey in advance situation? That's what I was thinking, but I really don't know.

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Michael G Baer's avatar

Thanks Simon,

"David Kim, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent for U.S Border Patrol’s El Centro Sector, said in a statement that the operation was targeted toward those who have broken federal law, including for trafficking dangerous substances and sex offenses."

So the people picking our oranges for long hours spend their off time as drug dealers and sex criminals? Hmmm, seems a little fishy.

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Emily H's avatar

Well, this Californian living in the red zone of the Sierra Nevada gold country will have pulled out of Facebook by Sunday (downloading my photos is a tedious one-at-a-time chore), and examining my conscience over Amazon…. Easy access to reading material is my Amazonian Achilles Heel. But I have determined to limit purchases, and to boycott on the weekend in question. I am also attempting to improve my command of Spanish.

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Susan Dieterlen's avatar

In case anyone here has not heard of this: an independent Bookstore alternative to Amazon. It's a twofer- hurts Amazon and helps local independent businesses https://bookshop.org/

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Jayne M's avatar

There's an independent bookstore in our very red city and county in rural West Central GA. They are the cultural center of our community and have all types of books, reading groups, and events. They use this app, as well!

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Emily H's avatar

I will check this out!

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MaryCFM's avatar

Thanks,,,

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Colleen McGloughlin's avatar

If one is interested in used books, it is my understanding that Biblio is independent of Amazon. Please correct me if I am wrong.

https://www.biblio.com/?sscid=11k9_jlkre&utm_source=shareasale&utm_medium=3299615&utm_campaign=385748

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Jayne M's avatar

Also many public libraries are connected to Libby or other similar apps where you can borrow audio books, magazines, newspapers for an extended time.

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Susan Dieterlen's avatar

Very important to support public libraries, too!

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Susan Troy's avatar

I have been ordering books through Thrift Books and Daedalus Books. I'd rather pay shipping than give another dime to Bezos. I'm seriously interested in finding an off-ramp for Instagram and Facebook. I've had it with Zuckerburg and the rest of these jerks. No more. We have a new Subaru and it has Starlink. I want to disconnect it because every time it pops up on the screen, it makes me think of Mr. Musky and that makes me nauseous.

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Sun's avatar

I cancelled Amazon and I don’t miss it. Hello public library and local independent bookstores. You can do it!

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ArcticStones's avatar

"…maybe our governor should raise succession as a bargaining chip and a point of leverage"

Michael, I’m pretty sure you meant *secession*, not "succession".

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Emily H's avatar

Yes. And he defies the spell checker later in the post.

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Michael G Baer's avatar

Thankyou Mr. Stones, and I don't have spellchecker figured out, or I would. Does substack provide that somehow?

"Inauguration" was a guess, did I get that one right grammar police?

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Emily H's avatar

Looks good to me…. But I’m a mathematician not a grammar maven.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Surely you meant "orthographic police"? ;)

More seriously, I rarely comment on spelling or language, doing so only to try to be helpful when an error changes the meaning. After all, English is my second language. If you wish, you can make corrections by clicking the three dots near the top of your post and choosing Edit.

PS. Personally I avoid Spell Checker because it sometimes makes some really bizarre "corrections".

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Purobi Phillips's avatar

Like it once insisted my friend Wanda's mom should have named her Panda.

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ArcticStones's avatar

Some years ago, when I translated a menu, I failed to notice that "ham hocks" had been auto-corrected to "ham cocks". One of the restaurant’s customers did notice – and I had to pay for the reprinting.

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Michael G Baer's avatar

ESL really? Curious about your first language, AS? "Orthographic" is quite a sophisticated word for seccond language folk, and most first language types too. I'm impressed.

I do typos all the time (not to mention there, their, they're) so it would be nice if obvious spelling/grammar mistakes were highlighted like in MS Word . Maybe soon, technological progress does have some advantages after all.

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ArcticStones's avatar

My wife and I live in Maine, in a small town not far from Mexico and Peru. When I say I’m from Norway and Mainers nod knowingly, I have to explain "No, no, the other Norway."

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Emily H's avatar

Mr. Baer:

For many many years and across three institutions, I was the mathematics instructor for incoming international students, mostly from countries whose home language had nothing to do with Roman or Germanic roots. I picked and chose sparingly among the various language errors I would address in their work; spelling was usually at the bottom of my list. I read your "succession" as "secession" without effort. :) I should say, that as a (northern) Californian (now -- I grew up in New York) I immediately thought about secession myself when I saw that ugliness.

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Bison Doc's avatar

Years ago my computer corrected my 'native plants' to naive plants. I suppose they are naive but who knows?

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Susan Troy's avatar

Michael, I'm so happy to hear your suggest that.I don't use Amazon myself because I decided to do my own tiny boycott of Bezos years ago. However, I have been thinking how effective some kind of boycott of Amazon and others might be. I think it's an idea worth developing. Thank you!!!!!

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Paul Carrigan Jr.'s avatar

Simon, IRRC I read last week that Gov. Newsome had a rapid response team already, responding to destructive MAGA/X lies about the Calif. fires. While he is on the ground in Southern California, trying to help his constituents.

p.s. Gracias! for the Bessent clip. What a quivering coward in a nice suit.

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CatChex's avatar

The video snippet posted (Bessent) is stunning, indeed.

The lack of a spine, inability to answer a direct question, equivocating (does Bessent *know* anything?) is what I’ve come to expect from many of these wholly unqualified nominees - but this guy is the Treasury nominee? “I’ll just do what I’m told…. “ - as will the others.

Horrifying. All of them.

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Simon Rosenberg's avatar

Bessent's answer borders on perjury.

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kitkatmia's avatar

Lawrence & Joe last nite had a free ranging interview that really showed the control and depth of joe's governing. The man is not feeble, he's just older. This interview could have gone on for hours. I sure hope Joe will continue to speak to the nation as he retires from politics. We will continue to need his guidance, wisdom, government knowledge as we fight our way out of this mess. He is a democratic warrior and we need him by our side. Same with Kamala. I am sure they are very sad about handing over our government to the anti democratic maga criminal kleptocrats after all the good they did. Bless them!

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gerri caldarola's avatar

Maybe we should resurrect the name "People's Party"!

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Cynthia Erb's avatar

I realize now I was foolish to expect Bessent to be one of the “better” nominees.

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David Salzillo's avatar

He is still one of their "better" nominees lololol. In Trump world, all is relative. :)

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Madam Geoffrin's avatar

NJ Democrats need to take heed, too. Murphy’s State of the State address had amazing statistics. NJ is the fastest GROWING state in the Northeast, is the 10th fastest growing state in the country and has the most jobs in its history. But the GOP candidates will pound on taxes (they are high, but the services we get are amazing and Christie didn’t cut my taxes) & the problematic NJ Transit, I predict.

Source: InsiderNJ.

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Lisa Iannucci's avatar

We need to continue w reform including ballot design & shared services. It's the only way taxes will moderate. The focus for 2025 needs to be voter registration. The state Dem party is very weak & woefully inadequate when it comes to any sort of mobilization.

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MaryCFM's avatar

Yes. Person to person voter registration. We all need to get involved w our communities.

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Carol C's avatar

I appreciate the clip of Bessent being questioned by Maggie Hassan. I had only seen the shorter version where “nothing comes to mind as inflationary…” He is not apparently used to having his ideas questioned. He is not a convincing liar. I should think Trump would not be pleased at Bessent’s being unable to follow the example of Hegseth’s aggressive, smirking style.

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Lisa Iannucci's avatar

yeah, his days are numbered already, IMHO. He s*cks at lying.

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Sarah Marshall's avatar

The Trump administration is a jobs program for people who are disqualified to work elsewhere.

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MaryCFM's avatar

Right. DEI don-old Everyday IFollow

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Catherine Giovannoni's avatar

Gov. Newsom does a good job of being loud and proud. California is the world's sixth or seventh largest economy. Trump's tactics really are designed to make Putin happy.

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Purobi Phillips's avatar

Fifth largest economy, behind US, China, Germany, and Japan.

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Dennis Bress's avatar

Orange 🍊 County WON

YES !!!!! Orange 🍊 County WON

When the system is fair, and all is done to get all persons eligible to Vote, to easily Vote and then to count every Vote, Democrats WIN !!!!

WE have won 5/6 of the Congressional races in Beautiful Blue Orange 🍊 County.  YES !!!

1.         38        Sanchez

2.         45        Tran

3.         46        Correa

4.         47        Min

5.         49        Levin

Only one we did not win was CA40, Kim.

And Orange County VOTED for Harris / Walz by over 36,000 VOTES !!!!

When the system is fair, and all is done to get all persons eligible to Vote, to easily Vote and then to count every Vote, Democrats WIN !!!!

#TeamWork

All we ask for is the opportunity to earn the "American Dream" —namely, a good-paying job, safe streets, affordable housing, affordable healthcare, and a good education for our children. It is OUR job to help deliver the opportunity to achieve the American Dream for all.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner..... GO Democrats !!!!!

Congratulations !!!!! GO TEAM !!!!! GO USA !!!!

Democrats Harris / Walz won by 36,916. Votes in the OC and Harris / Walz beat Trump by 9.2 Million Votes or 58.5% to Trump 38% in California

Democrat Linda Sanchez CA38 won by 54,292. Votes

Democrat Derek Tran CA45 won by 653. Votes

Democrat Lou Correa CA46 won by 56,734. Votes

Democrat Dave Min CA47 won by 10,167. Votes

Democrat Mike Levin CA49 won by 16,447. Votes

Democrat Adam Gray CA13 won by 187. Votes

Democrat George Whitesides CA27 won by 7,990. Votes

For Orange County :

Voter Turnout : 76.1%

Ballots Counted 1,417,397

Registered Voters 1,861,450

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Michael G Baer's avatar

Good stuff, but I think you meant that Harris got her 9+ million votes and Trump got 6+ million votes, so she only one by about 3 million votes.

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