Thank you for the strong words. I hope the Democrats have a vigorous response to whatever Trump says tonight. Also, It can't be said often enough that Biden was held to account for inflation he did not cause. Now we have an lawless, inhumane, and criminal regime actively trying to destroy the economy of this country and much else.
I feel the same way when these “independent” voters still soft sell trump’s decline while in 2024 they acted like Biden, who was in far better condition in public appearances, was apparently on death’s doorstep.
Some pundits say that Dems lost the shutdown because some of them "caved." I disagree. The shutdown did several things for Dems. (1) It raised the cost of health insurance front and center shortly before notices of huge ACA increases went out. (2) It showed Dems as defenders of the subsidies. (3) It showed the Republicans as taking away the subsidies. (4) It led enough Republicans to sign on to the Dems' discharge petition. And (5) By ending the shutdown before Thanksgiving, they avoided being branded as the Grinch that stole Thanksgiving.
The idiot in chief got like two whole days of positive news cycle after that before ruining it by trying to pressure Ukraine into a bad ceasefire deal. And now the same issue is up again, hurting him. Yeah he won that round alright lol
Very much agree. Comments that they caved appear to be from people who didn't lose their grocery resources or income for 2 months.
They have a right to the feeling, but it's unuseful to presume your or mine or any world view is decent at the expense of people who are hungry or losing their credit rating because of no income for 2 months.. It's punching down. By all means be mad, but instead of complaining about it use it - everything that happens, like it or not, offers a strategic opportunity, or even several, as Jon M points out.
Just no time to floof when there's work to be done.
Unilateral disarmament is now official policy? Has the news been sent to Los Alamos National Lab busy building massive quantities of new nukes? How about to Castelion missile factory in Sandoval County NM? Whydo we need all the weapons? A total waste of taxpayer dollars. Stop the madness!
I assume they only need 218 to pass the straight up ACA extension in the House, so that looks very promising. I hear the Senate will be more difficult, but do they need 51 or 60 votes?
I'm calling reps about Venezuelan blockade. Article One gives congress the power to declare war. Will they role over again? Perhaps it depends how loud we are about it.
Can Trump execute war on Venezuela without a war declaration? Will the armed forces obey him without Congressional war declaration? Yes. Remember the invasion of Iraq when Congress passed the Authorization to Use Military Force.
... based on the insane accusation that Venezuela stole our land and our oil? This is no different than Saddam Hussein rolling into Kuwait in the first Gulf War.
I made the ACA the focus of today's calls to traitors Tillis and Budd, and told them their legacy was going to be one of death and economic collapse. I'm hoping to knock some sense into the aides who listen to the calls. I will call back this afternoon about Venezuela, and remind them that they have already ceded their constitutional duty of the power of the purse by allowing Trump to enact tariffs and that if they allow him to go over the War Powers Act, that they will add war crimes to their legacies.
Respect states’ rights, new bipartisan group of legislative leaders tells feds
GOV & POLITICS, CIVIL RIGHTS
Dec 16, 2025 | 1:12 pm ET By Kevin Hardy
Respect states’ rights, new bipartisan group of legislative leaders tells feds
More than 40 legislative leaders from 30-plus states met at the inaugural Assembly of State Legislative Leaders in Columbus, Ohio, this week. The group is calling for a renewed focus on states’ rights.
It’s their stupid talking point stemming from Venezuela nationalizing oil production under Chavez. They claim that “stole” from US companies, as if these companies’ interests converge with US citizens and not billionaires. Apparently corporations can now determine sovereignty too.
Not dumb, but ready to lie about anything if it will serve his purposes. Behind that dumb facade is an evil narcissistic lawless and immoral man. And smart enough to have bamboozled a nation into electing him twice even after Jan 6.
I’m no expert but I think in his Big Mac addled grey matter, the nationalizing of oil company assets under Venezuelan law, which I think included privately owned land, is the equivalent is stealing US land (?). That’s my best shot. If so, it obviously completely ignores Venezuelan sovereignty and their right to interpret their own law. This from a sleazeball who I’m sure took advantage of eminent domain many times when it suited him.
I'm very curious about what Citgo's position is on all of this. Citgo is at least partially owned by PDVSA, which is controlled by the Venezuelan government. I deliberately avoid buying gas there for this reason, although due to sanctions in 2018 or 2019, PDVSA supposedly no longer benefits economically from Citgo. (How that works, I have no idea.)
Thanks for this. It makes sense now. It was the “land” part that threw me. Basically, this is about American or international oil companies getting shafted on their investments and not getting their damages awards paid. So…not really about land so much as resources and damages. Also not about US ownership per se, but the interests of private mega-corporations that Trump seems to be identifying with.
If you read the book: The Brothers by Steven Kinzer about John Foster Dulles (Sec of State) and Alan Dulles (head of the CIA) under Eisenhower, you will see this pattern. What is good for American companies is good for the world. They waged more covert regime changes, but the end result was to put into power a despot leader who would exploit its citizens. Fruit companies in Guatemala, oil in Iran (England wanted control also), Vietnam (did not work out for us) the Congo, Cuba (also did not work for us). Etc etc
Right, yeah I learned the United Fruit/Guatemala story in grad school. Culminated in 400 indigenous villages being razed by a Reagan administration-backed military junta.
I just don’t specifically recall the US ever previously alleging that it actually owns the land that Latin American countries sit on. I don’t understand how one gets to that conclusion.
- [senators]: pass HR 6019. No handouts for J6ers in Congress.
- Pass the ACA subsidies extension. It’s insulting to see GOP congresspersons tell us to go buy health insurance from the gecko or the emu or Costco or Sam’s Club while they enjoy taxpayer-subsidized health insurance themselves.
Congratulations to Archbishop Ron Hicks in leading NY! He will be in lock step with Pope Leo XIV to stand for the poor, immigrants, orphans and all marginalized people! I hope he schools jd and the other magas.
Another EXECUTIVE OVERREACH resolution in the books! Tucson City Council passed their resolution with a unanimous 7-0 vote "OPPOSING EXECUTIVE OVERREACH, SUPPORTING THE US CONSTITUTION, AND DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY (CITY-WIDE); AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY"
Thank you for the strong words. I hope the Democrats have a vigorous response to whatever Trump says tonight. Also, It can't be said often enough that Biden was held to account for inflation he did not cause. Now we have an lawless, inhumane, and criminal regime actively trying to destroy the economy of this country and much else.
I feel the same way when these “independent” voters still soft sell trump’s decline while in 2024 they acted like Biden, who was in far better condition in public appearances, was apparently on death’s doorstep.
blame the MSM!
Some pundits say that Dems lost the shutdown because some of them "caved." I disagree. The shutdown did several things for Dems. (1) It raised the cost of health insurance front and center shortly before notices of huge ACA increases went out. (2) It showed Dems as defenders of the subsidies. (3) It showed the Republicans as taking away the subsidies. (4) It led enough Republicans to sign on to the Dems' discharge petition. And (5) By ending the shutdown before Thanksgiving, they avoided being branded as the Grinch that stole Thanksgiving.
Plus the fact that the GOP made it clear they would starve half the population of they had to
The idiot in chief got like two whole days of positive news cycle after that before ruining it by trying to pressure Ukraine into a bad ceasefire deal. And now the same issue is up again, hurting him. Yeah he won that round alright lol
Very much agree. Comments that they caved appear to be from people who didn't lose their grocery resources or income for 2 months.
They have a right to the feeling, but it's unuseful to presume your or mine or any world view is decent at the expense of people who are hungry or losing their credit rating because of no income for 2 months.. It's punching down. By all means be mad, but instead of complaining about it use it - everything that happens, like it or not, offers a strategic opportunity, or even several, as Jon M points out.
Just no time to floof when there's work to be done.
Excellent point, Kathy!
Unilateral disarmament is now official policy? Has the news been sent to Los Alamos National Lab busy building massive quantities of new nukes? How about to Castelion missile factory in Sandoval County NM? Whydo we need all the weapons? A total waste of taxpayer dollars. Stop the madness!
On another topic Simon, just listened to Annie Andrews interview. She's running for senate in Measleville...S.C against what's his name. Holy shit! She's dynamite. Are you/we doing anything to support her? Here's a link. https://underthedesknews.substack.com/p/dr-annie-explains?utm_source=live-stream-redirect&triedRedirect=true
She is dynamite, in the Mallory McMorrow mould. Perhaps they can start their own subcommittee in Senate. Thanks for link
I assume they only need 218 to pass the straight up ACA extension in the House, so that looks very promising. I hear the Senate will be more difficult, but do they need 51 or 60 votes?
I'm calling reps about Venezuelan blockade. Article One gives congress the power to declare war. Will they role over again? Perhaps it depends how loud we are about it.
60 votes are needed in the Senate.
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/17/nx-s1-5645846/congress-health-care-subsidies and
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/11/g-s1-101655/senate-aca-premium-vote
TY
Can Trump execute war on Venezuela without a war declaration? Will the armed forces obey him without Congressional war declaration? Yes. Remember the invasion of Iraq when Congress passed the Authorization to Use Military Force.
... based on the insane accusation that Venezuela stole our land and our oil? This is no different than Saddam Hussein rolling into Kuwait in the first Gulf War.
100%
I made the ACA the focus of today's calls to traitors Tillis and Budd, and told them their legacy was going to be one of death and economic collapse. I'm hoping to knock some sense into the aides who listen to the calls. I will call back this afternoon about Venezuela, and remind them that they have already ceded their constitutional duty of the power of the purse by allowing Trump to enact tariffs and that if they allow him to go over the War Powers Act, that they will add war crimes to their legacies.
I will definitely make calls to my senators and rep today on this.
⭐ Pre-Existing Means Excluded
We remember a law that said, “You belong,”
If you’re sick or you’re well, you still can be strong.
Pre-existing? No problem.
You’re covered. You’re in.
Healthcare was human—not profit, not spin.
But Congress chopped coverage and pulled out the thread,
Now pre-existing means denied instead.
Cancer? Diabetes? Asthma too?
Sorry, dear neighbor—not covered for you.
Then came the chatter on Fox every night:
“Just buy it at Costco! It’s cheap! It’s all right!”
Rand Paul waved charts with a confident grin,
But group plans don’t work when you’re already sick within.
Costco plans? They’re not magic.
They’re not ACA law.
They can screen you and drop you—
That’s legally raw.
No subsidies. No guarantees.
No rule saying insurers must say “yes, please.”
Just old-school denial with shiny new names,
A rerun of history’s cruelest games.
So grandparents speak up, steady and true,
Cutting through noise that’s meant to confuse.
Because freedom means care when your health’s on the line—
Not disinformation dressed up as fine.
And we ask it out loud, for the people to see:
If pre-existing means excluded again…
Who is healthcare really for—
You and me?
#ResharingBrigade #GrandparentsForTruth #IndyMedia #ProDemocracy #SupportUkraine #SupportPalestine #SupportAfghanVets
Simon, thanks for the good news about the discharge petition; hope it's successful.
I called my Congressman and Senators to say they must stop him from dragging us into a war.
STATELINE News
Respect states’ rights, new bipartisan group of legislative leaders tells feds
GOV & POLITICS, CIVIL RIGHTS
Dec 16, 2025 | 1:12 pm ET By Kevin Hardy
Respect states’ rights, new bipartisan group of legislative leaders tells feds
More than 40 legislative leaders from 30-plus states met at the inaugural Assembly of State Legislative Leaders in Columbus, Ohio, this week. The group is calling for a renewed focus on states’ rights.
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/respect-states-rights-new-bipartisan-group-legislative-leaders-tells-feds
Top Legislative Leaders Call on Federal Government to Respect State Authorities During Inaugural Assembly in Columbus, Ohio
December 16, 2025
More than 40 legislative leaders from 30-plus states met at the inaugural Assembly of State Legislative Leaders in Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 15.
https://www.ncsl.org/press-room/details/top-legislative-leaders-call-on-federal-government-to-respect-state-authorities-during-inaugural-assembly-in-columbus-ohio
Anybody have a read on how Trumpemort thinks Venezuela stole land from the US? Like, what??
It’s their stupid talking point stemming from Venezuela nationalizing oil production under Chavez. They claim that “stole” from US companies, as if these companies’ interests converge with US citizens and not billionaires. Apparently corporations can now determine sovereignty too.
Ok but land? He’s saying we own the land the oil reserves are in??
There’s always the possibility that he’s real dumb.
Not dumb, but ready to lie about anything if it will serve his purposes. Behind that dumb facade is an evil narcissistic lawless and immoral man. And smart enough to have bamboozled a nation into electing him twice even after Jan 6.
I think both things can be (and are!) true at once.
I’m no expert but I think in his Big Mac addled grey matter, the nationalizing of oil company assets under Venezuelan law, which I think included privately owned land, is the equivalent is stealing US land (?). That’s my best shot. If so, it obviously completely ignores Venezuelan sovereignty and their right to interpret their own law. This from a sleazeball who I’m sure took advantage of eminent domain many times when it suited him.
Ah, yes, this explanation makes the most sense. Thank you.
I'm very curious about what Citgo's position is on all of this. Citgo is at least partially owned by PDVSA, which is controlled by the Venezuelan government. I deliberately avoid buying gas there for this reason, although due to sanctions in 2018 or 2019, PDVSA supposedly no longer benefits economically from Citgo. (How that works, I have no idea.)
This breaks down the whole thing- as usual he’s grossly oversimplifying what is essentially a matter for the courts. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2025/12/16/parsing-trumps-venezuela-claims-the-oil-case-behind-the-rhetoric/
This link is so helpful! Thank you!
Thanks for this. It makes sense now. It was the “land” part that threw me. Basically, this is about American or international oil companies getting shafted on their investments and not getting their damages awards paid. So…not really about land so much as resources and damages. Also not about US ownership per se, but the interests of private mega-corporations that Trump seems to be identifying with.
If you read the book: The Brothers by Steven Kinzer about John Foster Dulles (Sec of State) and Alan Dulles (head of the CIA) under Eisenhower, you will see this pattern. What is good for American companies is good for the world. They waged more covert regime changes, but the end result was to put into power a despot leader who would exploit its citizens. Fruit companies in Guatemala, oil in Iran (England wanted control also), Vietnam (did not work out for us) the Congo, Cuba (also did not work for us). Etc etc
Yep. And one of 'em got an airport named after him. My dad used to call JF "John Foster Dullhead."
Right, yeah I learned the United Fruit/Guatemala story in grad school. Culminated in 400 indigenous villages being razed by a Reagan administration-backed military junta.
I just don’t specifically recall the US ever previously alleging that it actually owns the land that Latin American countries sit on. I don’t understand how one gets to that conclusion.
I actually thought maybe he was referring to the imagined occupation of American towns/apartment complexes by TdA! lol!!
Ha! I mean no explanation is beyond what he could possibly think.
Wednesday congresspersons call script:
- [senators]: pass HR 6019. No handouts for J6ers in Congress.
- Pass the ACA subsidies extension. It’s insulting to see GOP congresspersons tell us to go buy health insurance from the gecko or the emu or Costco or Sam’s Club while they enjoy taxpayer-subsidized health insurance themselves.
You know the world is tilting on its axis when Marjorie Taylor Green is the voice of reason for the Republican party.
I plan to volunteer with a local group who is involved with Swing Left’s Ground Truth Project.
The Venezuelans stole what?
No clue, but it makes me so nervous for my Venezuelan cousin who is an officer in the army!
Reminder that every single clean energy project diminishes the Petro Bros' power.
Congratulations to Archbishop Ron Hicks in leading NY! He will be in lock step with Pope Leo XIV to stand for the poor, immigrants, orphans and all marginalized people! I hope he schools jd and the other magas.
Another EXECUTIVE OVERREACH resolution in the books! Tucson City Council passed their resolution with a unanimous 7-0 vote "OPPOSING EXECUTIVE OVERREACH, SUPPORTING THE US CONSTITUTION, AND DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY (CITY-WIDE); AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY"
https://tucsonaz.hylandcloud.com/221agendaonline/Documents/ViewDocument/RESOLUTION%2024054.pdf?meetingId=1890&documentType=Agenda&itemId=78127&publishId=187262&isSection=false
As with the Pima County (Tucson's county) resolution that passed last month, Phin Anderson wrote the resolution and saw it through to final passage.
Two Southern Arizona resolutions have passed. Arizonans.... Flagstaff/Coconino/Phoenix-area/Santa Cruz County/other fellow Hopiites: contact me.
amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great work Randy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful!