In a recent op-ed, Senator Bernie Sanders urged his Democratic colleagues to stand firm against President Trump during the ongoing government shutdown, warning that capitulating would only embolden Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. Sanders characterized Trump as a “schoolyard bully” who would exploit any concessions to further undermine democratic institutions. The senator criticized the administration’s actions, including withholding essential funding and disregarding court rulings. Sanders argued that Democrats must resist Trump’s demands to protect vulnerable populations and uphold democratic principles, framing the situation as a critical moment for the nation’s future.
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The Trump administration is reportedly planning ground operations on Mexican soil against drug cartels, with personnel from the Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command and the CIA already in training. These covert missions, if authorized, would involve drone strikes and represent a significant escalation in the ongoing “armed conflict” with cartels, which the President has deemed “unlawful combatants”. This development follows the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and the declaration of an “armed conflict,” potentially further complicating relations with the Mexican government, who has stated they will not permit unilateral action by American military personnel. While discussions continue on the scope of the missions, the operations, if approved, would be conducted under Title 50, providing a legal framework for covert intelligence activities.
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President Trump announced that the United States and Canada would not be restarting trade talks following an apology from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The apology was made in response to an Ontario political advertisement featuring former President Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs. Trump considered the advertisement to be inaccurate, and had previously paused negotiations and increased tariffs on Canada due to the ad. The advertisement used a quote from Reagan, a known supporter of free trade, to warn against tariffs.
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Obama tells Democrats to push back against Trump’s ‘lawlessness and recklessness”, and the sentiment is that it’s about time. Many feel that the current Democratic leadership isn’t doing enough, that the warnings have been sounded for far too long, and more forceful action is needed. The consensus seems to be that the urgency of the situation demands a unified front, including past leaders like Obama, Biden, and even figures like Bush and Clinton, to unequivocally declare that democracy is at risk. There’s a palpable frustration that this level of public pushback hasn’t been more pronounced.
Obama’s call to action raises the question: what does “push back” actually look like?… Continue reading
A recent NBC News poll indicates a majority of voters hold either President Trump or Republicans in Congress responsible for the ongoing federal shutdown, which entered its second month at the time of the survey. The survey revealed 52 percent of voters blamed Trump and/or Republicans, while 42 percent blamed Democrats in Congress. The poll also highlighted partisan divisions, with each party’s base primarily blaming the opposing party. With no significant progress toward a deal, Democrats are seeking to address health care subsidies, while Republicans refuse to negotiate until the government is reopened.
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**Trump says no Tomahawks for Ukraine, for now**
Well, let’s be honest, did anyone *really* think Trump was going to just hand over Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine? It feels a bit like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? When you look at how he operates, always focused on the deal, the transactional nature of it all, it’s hard to imagine him doing anything that doesn’t benefit him personally. And, by the way, where are those Epstein files, huh? It’s almost comical how predictable it is.
The situation seems to be, as it always has been, one giant theater production. One call from Moscow, and that’s all it takes.… Continue reading
As the government shutdown loomed, and funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was set to lapse, President Trump was hosting a lavish Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago. This event was met with strong criticism, with prominent Democrats accusing the president of prioritizing his wealthy friends over the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP benefits. While the SNAP benefits were expiring on November 1st, Trump was pictured enjoying himself at the party. Legal challenges have emerged, with judges ordering the release of emergency funding for SNAP and the potential for unlawful suspension of the program.
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President Trump attributed the ongoing government shutdown, poised to become the longest in history, to Democrats whom he labeled as “crazed lunatics.” Despite the shutdown’s impact on federal workers and crucial programs, Mr. Trump did not present a concrete plan for addressing healthcare costs, a key concern for Democrats. He maintained his stance of blaming Democrats and expressed confidence in their eventual capitulation, while also suggesting potential actions like ending the filibuster to achieve his policy goals. This occurred during an interview where he discussed a variety of topics.
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In response to Texas’s mid-decade gerrymandering, California voters are poised to approve Proposition 50, a redistricting measure aimed at aiding Democrats. This initiative, championed by Democrats and Governor Gavin Newsom, seeks to redraw congressional district lines to potentially secure five additional safe seats for the party. Early returns and polling data suggest the measure is on track for victory, with the campaign successfully framing it as a way to combat Trump’s influence. While facing some opposition, particularly from Republicans concerned about the “Gavinmander,” the focus on Trump has galvanized Democrats, and national groups have opted for neutrality or support. This measure would likely improve Democrats’ chances of winning the House majority, but the challenge remains the lack of similar actions in other Democrat-led states.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed confidence in the state’s Prop 50 ballot measure, which would allow the state to redraw congressional maps. He criticized former President Trump’s efforts to influence mid-decade redistricting in other states, accusing him of manipulating the upcoming elections. Newsom believes this measure is crucial to counter Trump’s strategies and strengthen the Democratic party’s position. He emphasized the importance of winning in upcoming elections to limit Trump’s influence and rebuild the Democratic brand.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood