Spit the bit means that the horse being ridden rejects the direction of the cruel rider atop it. The horse is asserting its independence. It's quite an exact understanding for what's happening, but there are many ways to say it, and your saying works too.
Thanks for explaining this to me. And yes, that makes total sense. I love wordplay, so now that I know what spit the bit means, my simile is that the Rs seem to be at the beginnings of a histamine response. Let's hope that this turns into one helluva head cold!
You're much too kind. I want them to linger and pay for what they've put us through. So, let's add hives and uncontrollable itching to the list!!! BTW, if we continue along this line of thought, things are going to get very Old Testament here in a hurry!
When you bridle a horse, you slide the bit into its mouth before fitting the bridle over its head and ears and buckling it under the neck. The horse will either accept the bit or use its tongue to push it out. A horse “spits the bit” when the rider tries to bridle it to go somewhere, and the horse refuses. This requires trust on both sides; the rider is using bare fingers to introduce a metal rod into a horse’s mouth with very large strong teeth. For the horse, once the bridle is on and buckled, the bit stays in and the rider has control.
not doing more to obstruct, protest, delay and walk out. They still approve Trump judges and participate in hearings that are shams. I know we are in the minority but can’t our representatives do more to obstruct and fight?
I want to respond to this comment for it is a view often expressed in our family.
While we can be disappointed in what our electeds are doing, and I expressed very public frustration yesterday in my post, it is critical that we understand when things are changing, and when we get wins, when they weaken and fray - for that is everything we are working towards, and it is happening. Expressing frustration without acknowledging real, meaningful progress is corrosive and we need to avoid it all costs. We had an extraordinary week - Trump bled votes on 5 - 5 important votes. Celebrate that, take those wins, and let's go get some more this week - Simon
Exactly the point, Simon, and that's why it's so important for us to elect more Democrats to office so that they CAN do the things we expect them to do.
I did so this morning. My Rep, Jimmy Panetta, wrote me an email today about passing the ACA 3 year subsidy extension in the House, and how Affordability is the central issue.
I said Congratulations Jimmy and Thank You, but you have to expand the "Central Issues" list to the International Lawlessness of the Trump Administration trying to deconstruct NATO and the 80 year International order, and also ICE "Faceshooters" acting with impunity.
(and yes, in October I moved from CA-16 to CA-19)
I also sent a donation to Mary Peltola today. Also, the Audacious Hopium Fund.
Good work, we in California have to learn about our new districts and educate all our neighbors. My group is (in part) focusing on the Derek Tran re-election in Orange County.
Simon, can you put the video that was on your Bluesky of the marine vet arrested/tortured by ICE in Minneapolis? Trump has declared war on Minnesota, and America. (and our allies, and various countries) He and his gangsters have to go. Waiting for 2028 is not an option. He is insane.
I know that you understand this. I feel that too many of our electeds don't yet. It is not the time for political calculations IMO. We are in a national emergency.
The gold price rose over 2% today. Meaning, the dollar fell 2% today, which I take the mean the whole world is worried.
In the second video in that link, the marine vet, who was pulled out of a car by ICE goons, quoted one as saying: "Have you not learned? This is why we killed that lesbian b*tch." Horrifying, enraging, and not at all surprising.
There was another video yesterday or day before in which a peaceful protestor is approached by ICE agent who says exact same thing, "Have you not learned?" As she asks him what he means, he knocks her phone out of her hands and video ends. Not sure if it's same goon as the one who spoke to Marine vet or if that's the line they've been ordered to communicate with everyone they encounter.
Reading further down in comments re this video on BlueSky, no one let them in-- they forced open the door. That absolutely is a violation of their (our) rights and these goons don't care.
Absolutely agree. I just called and emailed my Republican sycophant Rep and my 2 DEM Senators to stop additional funding for ICE, recall and retrain all ICE, citing their numerous abuses and violations of the 4th amendment (thank you for that reference), refuse additional hiring of additional ICE until current ICE can show they can carry out their actions lawfully, and re-direct current additional ICE funding to ACA subsidies.
I really pushed on my MA senators and representative to reel in ICE working with their republican colleagues as Simon mentioned all of the good examples from last week. I am so so angry about what Trump and the R's are doing. Attending several vigils and rallies definitely helped last week and over the weekend... Keep up the fight!
Doreen, who are your MA state rep & senator? Additional actions MA needs:
-- pass the Safe Communities Act, H.2580/S.1681, to make consistent law across MA that police cannot work with ICE on immigration matters (only criminal matters),
-- pass the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, H.1954/S.1127, because immigration court is civil court and thus has no public defenders,
-- pass a strong data privacy bill, H.86, so ICE can't track immigrants, protesters, women seeking healthcare, etc based on our cell phone location data (passed in the MA senate last fall)
Originally, I was going to write to reenforce Simon's message about 2026 being the year states and municipalities would really have to grapple with the destructive federal budget cuts. I was going to point to a front-page article in the Knoxville News Sentinel about how the R supermajority in the TN state legislature was hemming and hawing over how they were going to do this--especially with slower economic growth due to tariffs reducing our state revenues.
But before I could do any of that, I had to compose myself after watching/listening to the statement from Becca Good about her murdered wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good. If her message, if her late wife's life and example, don't inspire us to call, call, call our representatives in Washington--no matter how MAGA--then nothing can.
Courageous statement from Jerome Powell, showing how to stand up to the Mad King and his spineless sycophants. Please share the video with your networks.
Here’s missive number one for my MAGAt Rep. (In an hour or so I’ll send one about the Fed.)
Dear Rep McClintock,
I am APPALLED that Mr Trump has declared himself Acting President of Venezuela! This is MADNESS. It is high time to question Mr Trump’s fitness for office. We are counting on you to recognize this clear and present danger to the United States and work toward his (very) early retirement.
Yours truly,
PS All my electeds’ email boxes were jammed by Sunday. Onward and upward.
It's interesting to note that after he unleashed the DOJ investigation of Jerome Powell, the markets are down. Also, Trump's threats to Greenland are causing the Europeans to discuss severe countermeasures, e.g., coming down on US corporations doing business in the EU....Might we see major R donors, companies, and CEOs find the courage to put pressure on Congressional Republicans and the Administration? Small cracks becoming bigger cracks?
Self report: There wasn’t one in my town so I put together a “no ICE” protest in the center of Winchester, MA. Therefore, if you read any national totals for participants in demonstrations over the weekend, add 7.
Hi, as we make calls today and this week, just sharing a few words that resonate so well with Simon's words of COURAGE and RESISTANCE, in our talking points with legislators; this is from William Kristol of the Bulwark:
After Trump’s first year, and especially after the accelerationist authoritarianism of the last ten days, the primary moral value for our opposition party has to be courage. Democrats now have to embrace resistance without embarrassment. The United States of America is not yet occupied territory. There are many fronts on which the Democratic party in Congress can fight to stop it from becoming so.
For example:
Refuse to support ongoing funding for the Department of Homeland Security, unless various provisions like those outlined by Sen. Chris Murphy—requiring ICE agents to have warrants for arrests, banning them from wearing masks, limiting their use of guns, and restricting the Border Patrol to the border—are incorporated into the funding bill that needs to be passed before January 30. It’s true that Republicans refuse to accept some limitations on ICE, so this could lead to a government shutdown at the end of the month. But the most recent government shutdown began on September 30 amid great trepidation among Democrats about its political effects. Five weeks later, Democrats won resounding electoral victories, by margins far greater than polling a month before suggested. Since then, we’ve also seen Republican defections in Congress on the issue of Obamacare subsidies. A similar dynamic could take effect, this time with a focus on ICE.
Democrats could also refuse to vote to fund the government until Trump’s Justice Department obeys existing law and releases the Epstein files. The bipartisan power of that issue should be obvious by now.
Democrats can work with Republicans on preserving the independence of the Federal Reserve. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis has already said, in light of the Justice Department’s attack on Jerome Powell, that he’ll join Democrats to block any proposed replacement for Powell as chair. In the meantime, Democrats should also work to get Republicans to join them to block any Trump nominee for the Fed, as any such nominee can be expected to help undermine the Fed’s independence.
When that happens, Barbara, I call his number at the local office in my area. Here's the web page with his contact info: https://www.cruz.senate.gov/contact. Find your area of Texas; there should be a phone number you can call.
Simon, thank you for the great summary of where we are today.
I've been thinking about your point that Dems need to go beyond just focusing on "kitchen table issues." I strongly agree with you, but I think it's easy to do both. Dems can talk about Trump's corruption, or involvement in foreign wars, or misuse of ICE, or whatever and then say, "And that's what he's focused on. He's got millions to spend on ballrooms, Venezuela, and ICE but is cutting your ability to buy a house, or get groceries, or see a doctor. If you elect me, I'll be laser focused on preserving our democracy and on lowering your electric costs and building affordable housing." It's pretty simple to make the pivot if you start with the "democracy issues" and then contrast what Trump is doing with the "affordability issues." (BTW, I'd love to see an update of your "With Democrats, Things Get Better" presentation that contrasts where we were when Biden left office and where we are now, on Trump's first anniversary. I know you're busy, but it could be a real help to candidates gearing up for the midterms.)
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen about impeaching Noem, cutting funding for ICE, and stopping Trump before he goes into Greenland. I'm writing more postcards to NC today.
That was an extremely moving statement by the wife of Renee Nicole Good, especially the emphasis on kindness. I can only imagine that its strength and clarity came not only from her memories of who Nicole was and their relationship, but also from the support she has received and the response all around the country to her wife's murder. It would have been understandable if such a statement focused on her devastation and anger, but she chose to express who the person was that they tried to erase from the world. They killed a woman named Good, but they did not, and cannot, kill her memory or the goodness and the kindness in this country. Be Good.
Meantime, the acting president of Venezuela received 27 likes for his announcement. It's difficult to like someone so self-centered and destructive and, in a word, unlikeable. He used to take up all the oxygen in the room--but not any longer.
Me too, John. I literally cannot imagine the rage I would feel if one of these goons murdered someone I loved by shooting them in the face three times. I'm afraid I wouldn't be nearly as rational and kind and selfless as that good woman. We learn from one another how to be better people.
Call. Write. Call again. Keep up the defiance. All actions matter.
Spit the bit? I'd never heard that expression. I guess I'm a bit too crude, one of my charms, but "💩 their shorts" works perfectly well for me!
Spit the bit means that the horse being ridden rejects the direction of the cruel rider atop it. The horse is asserting its independence. It's quite an exact understanding for what's happening, but there are many ways to say it, and your saying works too.
Thanks for explaining this to me. And yes, that makes total sense. I love wordplay, so now that I know what spit the bit means, my simile is that the Rs seem to be at the beginnings of a histamine response. Let's hope that this turns into one helluva head cold!
Maybe they will go straight to shock and sudden death. Histamine is powerful stuff. It would be easier if they just self destruct.
You're much too kind. I want them to linger and pay for what they've put us through. So, let's add hives and uncontrollable itching to the list!!! BTW, if we continue along this line of thought, things are going to get very Old Testament here in a hurry!
I know. Don't get me started!!
A horse rider’s take on Spitting The Bit:
When you bridle a horse, you slide the bit into its mouth before fitting the bridle over its head and ears and buckling it under the neck. The horse will either accept the bit or use its tongue to push it out. A horse “spits the bit” when the rider tries to bridle it to go somewhere, and the horse refuses. This requires trust on both sides; the rider is using bare fingers to introduce a metal rod into a horse’s mouth with very large strong teeth. For the horse, once the bridle is on and buckled, the bit stays in and the rider has control.
I think this is a horse thing.
Excellent I’m gonna steal that
My question is why are elected democrats
not doing more to obstruct, protest, delay and walk out. They still approve Trump judges and participate in hearings that are shams. I know we are in the minority but can’t our representatives do more to obstruct and fight?
I want to respond to this comment for it is a view often expressed in our family.
While we can be disappointed in what our electeds are doing, and I expressed very public frustration yesterday in my post, it is critical that we understand when things are changing, and when we get wins, when they weaken and fray - for that is everything we are working towards, and it is happening. Expressing frustration without acknowledging real, meaningful progress is corrosive and we need to avoid it all costs. We had an extraordinary week - Trump bled votes on 5 - 5 important votes. Celebrate that, take those wins, and let's go get some more this week - Simon
Thanks, Simon. Appreciate all you do, sometimes frustration boils over for me.
🙌🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Exactly the point, Simon, and that's why it's so important for us to elect more Democrats to office so that they CAN do the things we expect them to do.
Feel free to write to them with clear instructions as to what more they should be doing. That is the Hopium way.
I did so this morning. My Rep, Jimmy Panetta, wrote me an email today about passing the ACA 3 year subsidy extension in the House, and how Affordability is the central issue.
I said Congratulations Jimmy and Thank You, but you have to expand the "Central Issues" list to the International Lawlessness of the Trump Administration trying to deconstruct NATO and the 80 year International order, and also ICE "Faceshooters" acting with impunity.
(and yes, in October I moved from CA-16 to CA-19)
I also sent a donation to Mary Peltola today. Also, the Audacious Hopium Fund.
Good work, we in California have to learn about our new districts and educate all our neighbors. My group is (in part) focusing on the Derek Tran re-election in Orange County.
Simon, can you put the video that was on your Bluesky of the marine vet arrested/tortured by ICE in Minneapolis? Trump has declared war on Minnesota, and America. (and our allies, and various countries) He and his gangsters have to go. Waiting for 2028 is not an option. He is insane.
I know that you understand this. I feel that too many of our electeds don't yet. It is not the time for political calculations IMO. We are in a national emergency.
The gold price rose over 2% today. Meaning, the dollar fell 2% today, which I take the mean the whole world is worried.
There are two videos floating around this am:
- DHS going door to door (which is wildly illegal) - https://bsky.app/profile/dominicervolina.com/post/3mc6vyltzsc2c
- The Marine who was beaten - https://bsky.app/profile/simonwdc.bsky.social
I will try to post in the coming days.
Better link for the second video is here. https://bsky.app/profile/gbrockell.bsky.social/post/3mc6zl5bghs2k
Horrifying!
In the second video in that link, the marine vet, who was pulled out of a car by ICE goons, quoted one as saying: "Have you not learned? This is why we killed that lesbian b*tch." Horrifying, enraging, and not at all surprising.
There was another video yesterday or day before in which a peaceful protestor is approached by ICE agent who says exact same thing, "Have you not learned?" As she asks him what he means, he knocks her phone out of her hands and video ends. Not sure if it's same goon as the one who spoke to Marine vet or if that's the line they've been ordered to communicate with everyone they encounter.
Thanks for sharing. I never thought I would see decency die like this.
Hate crime penalties are due.
I think the door-to-door is a violation of the 4th Amendment. I wouldn't open the door to them at all. They have no right.
Reading further down in comments re this video on BlueSky, no one let them in-- they forced open the door. That absolutely is a violation of their (our) rights and these goons don't care.
That is as Simon indicated wildly illegal. There needs to be legal action to stop it.
Absolutely agree. I just called and emailed my Republican sycophant Rep and my 2 DEM Senators to stop additional funding for ICE, recall and retrain all ICE, citing their numerous abuses and violations of the 4th amendment (thank you for that reference), refuse additional hiring of additional ICE until current ICE can show they can carry out their actions lawfully, and re-direct current additional ICE funding to ACA subsidies.
I really pushed on my MA senators and representative to reel in ICE working with their republican colleagues as Simon mentioned all of the good examples from last week. I am so so angry about what Trump and the R's are doing. Attending several vigils and rallies definitely helped last week and over the weekend... Keep up the fight!
Did you get a good response? I pressed my MA state rep a while back and got a "But ICE is Federal" response. I got nothing from the senator.
Mostly, thank you and we'll pass that on.
Doreen, who are your MA state rep & senator? Additional actions MA needs:
-- pass the Safe Communities Act, H.2580/S.1681, to make consistent law across MA that police cannot work with ICE on immigration matters (only criminal matters),
-- pass the Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, H.1954/S.1127, because immigration court is civil court and thus has no public defenders,
-- pass a strong data privacy bill, H.86, so ICE can't track immigrants, protesters, women seeking healthcare, etc based on our cell phone location data (passed in the MA senate last fall)
See more about those and other bills here: https://www.progressivemass.com/issues/agenda/
Check your MA legislators track record here: https://scorecard.progressivemass.com
Thanks, Rachel. My reps are Rep. Peisch and Senator Barret.
Barrett has cosponsored the bills I listed; you can ask him to push leadership to get them to a vote.
Peisch has not cosponsored any of them. Cosponsoring is a low bar, the least she can do.
Yes, I have been disappointed in her responses.
And now the convicted felon and all-around creep wants his (not our) DOJ to indict the Fed Chairman.
When will business leaders stand up to this crazy and dangerous buffoon?
Originally, I was going to write to reenforce Simon's message about 2026 being the year states and municipalities would really have to grapple with the destructive federal budget cuts. I was going to point to a front-page article in the Knoxville News Sentinel about how the R supermajority in the TN state legislature was hemming and hawing over how they were going to do this--especially with slower economic growth due to tariffs reducing our state revenues.
And I was going to recommend the Ezra Klein interview with M. Gessen, who grew up in Putin's Russia. Gessen expresses particular shock at how quickly Trump has moved America into authoritarianism--much faster than either Putin or Orban. https://www.nytimes.com/video/opinion/100000010629486/venezuela-renee-good-and-trumps-assault-on-hope.html?smid=url-share
But before I could do any of that, I had to compose myself after watching/listening to the statement from Becca Good about her murdered wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good. If her message, if her late wife's life and example, don't inspire us to call, call, call our representatives in Washington--no matter how MAGA--then nothing can.
Courageous statement from Jerome Powell, showing how to stand up to the Mad King and his spineless sycophants. Please share the video with your networks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckGHaBLSn4
Good morning all (it’s 7:30 AM Pacific).
Here’s missive number one for my MAGAt Rep. (In an hour or so I’ll send one about the Fed.)
Dear Rep McClintock,
I am APPALLED that Mr Trump has declared himself Acting President of Venezuela! This is MADNESS. It is high time to question Mr Trump’s fitness for office. We are counting on you to recognize this clear and present danger to the United States and work toward his (very) early retirement.
Yours truly,
PS All my electeds’ email boxes were jammed by Sunday. Onward and upward.
It's interesting to note that after he unleashed the DOJ investigation of Jerome Powell, the markets are down. Also, Trump's threats to Greenland are causing the Europeans to discuss severe countermeasures, e.g., coming down on US corporations doing business in the EU....Might we see major R donors, companies, and CEOs find the courage to put pressure on Congressional Republicans and the Administration? Small cracks becoming bigger cracks?
E.U. has to impose sanctions on the Mad KIng (and us.)
Self report: There wasn’t one in my town so I put together a “no ICE” protest in the center of Winchester, MA. Therefore, if you read any national totals for participants in demonstrations over the weekend, add 7.
Awesome. Seeing your post was truly heartwarming!
Hi, as we make calls today and this week, just sharing a few words that resonate so well with Simon's words of COURAGE and RESISTANCE, in our talking points with legislators; this is from William Kristol of the Bulwark:
After Trump’s first year, and especially after the accelerationist authoritarianism of the last ten days, the primary moral value for our opposition party has to be courage. Democrats now have to embrace resistance without embarrassment. The United States of America is not yet occupied territory. There are many fronts on which the Democratic party in Congress can fight to stop it from becoming so.
For example:
Refuse to support ongoing funding for the Department of Homeland Security, unless various provisions like those outlined by Sen. Chris Murphy—requiring ICE agents to have warrants for arrests, banning them from wearing masks, limiting their use of guns, and restricting the Border Patrol to the border—are incorporated into the funding bill that needs to be passed before January 30. It’s true that Republicans refuse to accept some limitations on ICE, so this could lead to a government shutdown at the end of the month. But the most recent government shutdown began on September 30 amid great trepidation among Democrats about its political effects. Five weeks later, Democrats won resounding electoral victories, by margins far greater than polling a month before suggested. Since then, we’ve also seen Republican defections in Congress on the issue of Obamacare subsidies. A similar dynamic could take effect, this time with a focus on ICE.
Democrats could also refuse to vote to fund the government until Trump’s Justice Department obeys existing law and releases the Epstein files. The bipartisan power of that issue should be obvious by now.
Democrats can work with Republicans on preserving the independence of the Federal Reserve. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis has already said, in light of the Justice Department’s attack on Jerome Powell, that he’ll join Democrats to block any proposed replacement for Powell as chair. In the meantime, Democrats should also work to get Republicans to join them to block any Trump nominee for the Fed, as any such nominee can be expected to help undermine the Fed’s independence.
I'm really glad to hear about what Chris Murphy is doing. I'd thought Democrats should place strict conditions on any funding for ICE.
Senator Cruz’ mailbox was full. Hopefully with lots of calls. I was able to leave my concerns with my voicemail to Senator Cornyn.
I’m gonna start emailing Cruz. His box been full a few days now
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/contact/write-ted/form
When that happens, Barbara, I call his number at the local office in my area. Here's the web page with his contact info: https://www.cruz.senate.gov/contact. Find your area of Texas; there should be a phone number you can call.
Every. Single. Day. until that Criminal In Chief is removed from office.
Simon, thank you for the great summary of where we are today.
I've been thinking about your point that Dems need to go beyond just focusing on "kitchen table issues." I strongly agree with you, but I think it's easy to do both. Dems can talk about Trump's corruption, or involvement in foreign wars, or misuse of ICE, or whatever and then say, "And that's what he's focused on. He's got millions to spend on ballrooms, Venezuela, and ICE but is cutting your ability to buy a house, or get groceries, or see a doctor. If you elect me, I'll be laser focused on preserving our democracy and on lowering your electric costs and building affordable housing." It's pretty simple to make the pivot if you start with the "democracy issues" and then contrast what Trump is doing with the "affordability issues." (BTW, I'd love to see an update of your "With Democrats, Things Get Better" presentation that contrasts where we were when Biden left office and where we are now, on Trump's first anniversary. I know you're busy, but it could be a real help to candidates gearing up for the midterms.)
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen about impeaching Noem, cutting funding for ICE, and stopping Trump before he goes into Greenland. I'm writing more postcards to NC today.
That was an extremely moving statement by the wife of Renee Nicole Good, especially the emphasis on kindness. I can only imagine that its strength and clarity came not only from her memories of who Nicole was and their relationship, but also from the support she has received and the response all around the country to her wife's murder. It would have been understandable if such a statement focused on her devastation and anger, but she chose to express who the person was that they tried to erase from the world. They killed a woman named Good, but they did not, and cannot, kill her memory or the goodness and the kindness in this country. Be Good.
Meantime, the acting president of Venezuela received 27 likes for his announcement. It's difficult to like someone so self-centered and destructive and, in a word, unlikeable. He used to take up all the oxygen in the room--but not any longer.
Me too, John. I literally cannot imagine the rage I would feel if one of these goons murdered someone I loved by shooting them in the face three times. I'm afraid I wouldn't be nearly as rational and kind and selfless as that good woman. We learn from one another how to be better people.