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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

We impeached him twice. Both times the resulting failure to convict in the Senate left him in a stronger position.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

bsky.app/profile/boba...

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

Are you suggesting it was LESS toxic before DADT?

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

You think the blackmail didn't exist before DADT? DADT changed it to make it (marginally) harder to drum gay people out of the service, because they had to prove ACTIVITY, not just preference. And it made it MUCH harder for the bigots to pretend gays weren't already serving.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

The trans issues are different - but mostly because they weren't even ISSUES until the GOP created them. The Dems didn't have to take a position before, and some of them have chosen wrongly now that they do. But let's not pretend that choosing correctly is going to bring tons of more voters.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

They've shifted left on Gaza - even Harris did a tiny bit before the election, and the rest of the party more since. But we as the minority haven't managed to stop Trump and the GOP from sending more bombs, so we're still genocidal monsters.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

They shifted left on gay marriage. I remember when Biden gave Obama a big shove to the left. They've shifted left on green energy - thank you AOC, who is now "too establishment." They shifted left on single-payer health care - thank you Bernie, who is now blamed for Platner.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

See, that's always the promise. But in practice, on EVERY issue where the Dems are not progressive enough, and then move to the left, another issue is found where they are still not progressive enough, so the non-voters have another excuse to not vote.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

Point 1 - how many anti-trans bills have been signed by Democratic governors or Presidents? Is it more, less, or the same as those signed by Republicans? We both know the answer.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

Not so much faith, as comparison with the alternatives. Third Parties are a pipe dream in the US system - and we can't change the system to fix that without first gaining power in the current system. That only leaves violent revolution - which might not go our way, and would cause even MORE damage.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

Well, if they'd fucking VOTE, their ideas might not be so impossible. In this year's Georgia primaries, Boomers and older still accounted for over 50% of the total electorate. I'm 60 years old, I am still in the YOUNGER half of the people who actually cast votes.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

I'd love to hear it. But is it an actual plan that takes account of reality, or just wish-casting?

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

That is literally all I'm asking. And I am also bitching on your behalf.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

They really are, aren't they? Mind you, THAT specific stupid solution reminds me of DADT - which was a stupid, but ultimately successful stepping stone to full rights to serve in the military for LGBs. (Used to be Ts - Trump/Hegseth killed that.)

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

I AM. In fact, that's literally part of why I'm still a member of my local Dems - so I can yell louder, and vote against bigoted delegate candidates. People who don't show up to the meetings don't get to vote for those.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

That's a big "if," though. I don't think any proposed Dem bill will be vicious enough for the GOP, nor that any proposed GOP bill will be mild enough to get anti-trans Dem support.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

I admit that I'm guessing, and that Britain's disaster is a specter over my guess.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

That is a very fair point, and one I don't have an answer for. I don't think the Dems are that far gone, though - I think it's more a matter of some of the edge cases doing what they feel they have to in order to get elected, and who will be inactive on the issue in office, rather than actively bad.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

Yeah, me too. But I also recognize that different districts and states have different challenges. And while I don't think anti-trans Dems can get an anti-trans bill passed - I KNOW anti-trans Republicans can.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

If I had a better solution, I'd offer one. But putting Vance in charge doesn't seem like one. I'd love a country where all of our Democrat in office were fully vocal active supporters of trans rights. That's not what we have - but I don't think we can GET there without working through what we have.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

Oh, I'm doing neither. I'm encouraging a view. I never claimed to have any control.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 2h

No. But my family is. My gay son. My two trans nephews - both of which have changed states to escape persecution. And various friends.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

So far, and in districts where they can afford to. In others, they avoid the most controversial positions. Note KLB, running for GA Gov here, suggests single-person restrooms as a solution for trans people rather than protecting them in gendered facilities, and avoids commenting on sports at all.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

I'm pretty sure the three pastors praying over the Democratic candidate at the event I attended on Wednesday mix religion with their politics. The candidate herself was vocal about how her religion inspires her politics.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

They're turning out this year for Democrats in general - with little regard to their stance on trans issues.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

Yeah, those suck. And yeah, they get their entire term to be transphobic, just like Sinema and Fetterman have/had their entire terms to be covert MAGA. I don't know Andrews - but I suspect Talarico's actual voting record, if he wins, will not be as bad as you fear. Paxton's WILL, if he wins.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

You do need all that. My experience is restricted to my location - but WAY more of those volunteers here are Christian and Black than are LGBT.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

Oh, if I don't go down trying to defend you (and my son), they'll be along to kill me a little later. I'm very publicly an atheist, with too long a record to cover up by having a fake epiphany. When they finish with the LGBTs, they'll work their way back to the non-Christians.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

I'M not talking about the candidates. I'M talking about the voters. The people in office WOULD agree with you - probably even the transphobes. I'm not sure the voting public would be as united on the issue.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

A thousand paper cuts gives you more time to apply bandages. And maybe even take away the paper from the guy holding it.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

We need to kick out the transphobes, too. But the time for that is in the primaries.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

It's harder to give you references when you block replies. But here's a start. capitalbnews.org/black-lgbtq-... If you want scholarly studies, go find someone with a JSTOR account - web searches is the best I can do for you.

capitalbnews.org

Leaving the Church Isn't So Simple for LGBTQ+ Black Christians

Almost two-thirds of LGBTQ+ people raised in the faith have departed, new data finds. But queer Black Americans might be giving up more.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

You can try to make a purely secular progressive coalition - but it's not going to win many seats in Congress.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

a Democrat where THREE pastors took turns as they and their fellow church members stood around the candidate praying for God's guidance and strength for the campaign. Together, they made up over 90% of the attendance at the event.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

Yes, that's probably true. It's the ones who would vote Democrat but stay home over these issues that are the problem. Go door-knocking in Georgia - you'll meet them. And yes, as an atheist, I'd like to get the pastors out of the party, too. But I was just at a candidate event for...

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

In your mind, is there a difference between "making excuses" and "stating existing challenges?" Because Black churches and Catholic Latinos that think being gay/trans is a sin are two great big elements of the Democrats - and those facts won't change just because you call them excuses.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

But I don't think actively speeding up the planned genocide by assisting Republicans to get elected is helpful. Nor are these "What if you were a champion baseball player and the pitcher threw a trans baby?" questions.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

All of which adds up to giving us more time to replace the anti-trans wing. It ain't easy - there's a LOT of money out there pushing the anti-trans agenda from multiple fronts, including a religious argument that resonates with a lot of the Dem base.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 3h

No, they shouldn't. They should be loudly calling for change, and supporting candidates to beat anti-trans Dems in the primaries. But 1) anti-trans Dems will move slower and less violently than anti-trans Repubs; and 2) anti-trans Dems will not have the support of other Dems.

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Reposted by Mark Hall

Bruce Wilson @brucewilson.bsky.social · 23h

[Pentagon just announced that the firing squad execution of the Fort Hood shooter will be livestreamed]

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 22h

And Newsom. I don't think Ossoff is ready for a presidential race yet - but he's definitely a better choice than Newsom or Emmanuel.

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Reposted by Mark Hall

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 22h

Ossoff: "The question was about the stewardship of tax dollars. And as we stand here today Rep. Collins is under federal investigation for the illegal misuse of tax dollars. For illegally funneling public money to his violent staffers girlfriend."

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 23h

Your replies is this thread are amazing. A prepared answer for each of the fearful scenarios. The final trump card, of course, would be SCOTUS giving aid and comfort to the would-be traitors - but even the Roberts Court hasn't shown itself to be that far gone. Just Alito and Thomas.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 23h

In my area, the price of Honeycrisp is as seasonal as the quality - they're best when they're cheapest, which is in the late fall. They actually get down BELOW the cost of Envy or Fuji. Perfect for our Thanksgiving Waldorf Salad. But I've never seen an Empire or Jonagold here, so I can't compare.

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 23h

Limited choices in my small town compared to the author's, but Cosmic Crisp is almost always available and consistently delicious. Honeycrisp is great around November but often "meh" in other seasons. And Envy, Fuji, or Gala are good enough when the others fail me.

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Reposted by Mark Hall

✪ Beware the Gray Ghost ✪ @jongraywb.blacksky.app · 09/03/2025

…🤔 Your belly button is just your old mouth. …🙃

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Mark Hall @bobapril.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Mind you - the racism is still a feature, not a bug, and must ALSO be rooted out.

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