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John Bachtell

@johnbachtell.bsky.social
730 followers 212 following 247 posts

Social change agent, environmental steward, joyful solidarity and community builder.

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Reposted by John Bachtell
Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I hope everyone reads this, thinks about it and then shares it. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
A few hundred noncitizen votes are a national scandal. But when states reject hundreds of thousands of ballots from eligible voters, it’s business as usual
One state rejected ballots because some voters failed to include their mother’s maiden name on the back of the return envelope.
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Wajahat Ali @wajali.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The horror!
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J. J. Ames, Jr. @jjatoupolisci.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
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John Bachtell @johnbachtell.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
What part of the ACA are they citing? Orwellian stuff.
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Jay Willis @jaywillis.net · 22/09/2026
For all the work the conservative legal movement put into capturing the Supreme Court, they've never been able to get around the basic fact that normal people hate its policy agenda. The polling numbers on Citizens United are ABYSMAL. Blowout-level stuff. ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
A major contributing cause of this explosive increase was Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision striking down a federal law that prohibited corporations from using their general treasury funds to support or oppose candidates for office. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the five-justice majority that the prohibition was tantamount to “censorship,” and that the intrusion on corporations’ First Amendment rights could not be justified by the government’s interest in preventing corruption.

According to a 2025 YouGov poll, 79 percent of Americans disagree with the majority’s conclusion that independent corporate expenditures “do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption.” On the contrary, 75 percent believe that unlimited spending in elections makes democracy weaker by allowing the wealthy to exert too much influence over the decisionmaking of ostensibly public servants. Basically, Citizens United opened the floodgates to a wave of big money in politics, and people are tired of drowning.
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Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Carlos Josué Marchena is “the 25th person to die in ICE detention this year—and the second person to die at the detention facility in Louisiana this year, according to ABC News' analysis of ICE data.” abcnews.com/US/costa-ric...
abcnews.com
Costa Rican immigrant died while in ICE custody, agency says
A 36-year-old immigrant from Costa Rica died last week in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, according to an agency notification sent to lawmakers on Monday.
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@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This is remarkable investigative reporting by @propublica.org into a pay to play scheme involving Sen Collins. Stop whatever you are doing and read it. The corruption is staggering but the Trump admin killed the investigation. www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
propublica.org
The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way
After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...
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Alex Burness @burness.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
People are hiding at home, afraid to go outside and encounter ICE. They're struggling to find food and holding kids out of school, as friends and family are disappeared in bunches. This is now the reality of daily life across the U.S., and I took a snapshot of what it looks like in one community:
boltsmag.org
“We're Afraid on a Daily Basis”: How a Maryland Sheriff Targeted Immigrants Long Before ICE Raids Spiked - Bolts
Frederick County’s sheriff turned his office into a force multiplier for ICE before such collaboration became commonplace. As he again faces voters this year, the harm to immigrant communities is impo...
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Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I know that some people don't think these types of things are important but I really do. Cultural change precedes political change. When you don't have the culture, it's more difficult to win politically or to sustain political wins. newrepublic.com/post/215697/...
newrepublic.com
MAGA Festival With Kid Rock Canceled After No One Wanted to Go
The “Freedom Fest” is no longer happening after dismal ticket sales.
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The Editorial Board @editorialboard.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This ain’t right. We all know it ain’t right.
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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Let me get this straight, not only are we angry when people are heavy utilizers -- whether because of bad health or moral hazard -- but now we're also angry about low utilizers who are just paying into the system and not using resources?
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Jay Hightman @jay.hightman.org · 18/09/2026
actionnetwork.org
Hands Around the Kennedy Center
Details to come.
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Ben Wikler @benwikler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Here’s what Tom Tiffany doesn’t want you to know about his position on AI.
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Lee West @whodat35.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Just when you thought it couldn’t get even more FUBAR: DOGE Staffers Are Back—and Leading AI Takeover of Government Services! The DOGE goons who drove federal agencies into the ground last year are back, including that dude who goes by “Big Balls.” newrepublic.com/post/215538/...
newrepublic.com
DOGE Staffers Are Back—and Leading AI Takeover of Government Services
The DOGE goons who drove federal agencies into the ground last year are back, including that dude who goes by “Big Balls.”
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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Mitch McConnell leaves the Senate after not having a clue what he voted for or where he is.
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Shefali Luthra @shefali.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Big news: The family of Tierra Walker, who died after she couldn't get an abortion, is suing a slate of Texas actors in state court, including AG Ken Paxton. They say the state ban is unconstitutional. This is the first suit of its kind. 19thnews.org/2026/09/texa...
19thnews.org
Tierra Walker died after she couldn’t get an abortion. Her family is suing Ken Paxton
The case, filed Tuesday, argues that Texas’ near-total abortion ban violates the state and U.S. Constitutions, which “prohibit state actors from killing their citizens.”
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Simon Rosenberg @simonwdc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
In the past six days six right-aligned pollsters have begun "flooding the zone," releasing eighteen polls in eleven battleground Senate races. While they've done this before the pace and intensity of this effort is unprecedented, a reflection of their desperation. 1/
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Simon Rosenberg @simonwdc.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
So Rs are now up to 6 pollsters, 20 polls, 13 Senate battleground states, and lots and lots of bullsh-t over 7 days. No one should treat any of this as legit.
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Pat Casey @patcasey.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We’re just letting this guy destroy our whole civilization. He’s got the IQ of a horse
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CNN @cnn.com · 17/09/2026
On Wednesday, the rapper Macklemore said he would donate $1 million, his full net earnings from his now-truncated role on the Ed Sheeran tour, to six organizations that supported Palestinian people. He invited New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to do the same. cnn.it/4xnoPZj
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@lynnfellman.bsky.social @lynnfellman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Check out Simon Rosenberg @simonwdc.bsky.social on_wdc and @hopiumchronicles.bsky.social onicles “Why Early Voting Matters” here: www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/voting-ear...
hopiumchronicles.com
Voting Early/Voting On Day 1 - Why It Matters
In the coming weeks we will be discussing the importance of Voting Early this November.
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Rep. Ted Lieu @reptedlieu.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Uh ...
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Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
🚨BREAKING: A nonpartisan network of former military and civilian leaders is warning that hundreds of thousands of overseas voters could be disenfranchised if a new USPS rule based on the president’s order is allowed to stand. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
Thousands of overseas voters could be disenfranchised by Trump mail voting rule, advocates warn
The fate of the USPS rule currently hangs in the balance before the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
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John Bachtell @johnbachtell.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I took action with Indivisible. Will you join me? Use this link to sign up: www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
mobilize.us
Hands Off Our Vote in 2026! · Indivisible
**Hands Off Our Vote** is Indivisible’s national program to ensure all eligible voters get to cast their ballot, every ballot is counted, and the results are honored. **By signing up you’ll become a ...
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Viktor Köves @viktorkoves.com · 06/09/2026
This could be us, Chicago 🥺
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Jeffrey Tumlin 🏳️‍🌈 🌁 @jeffreytumlin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Does your city still have a waterfront freeway? Go to Seattle to see what that space could become
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Aida 🇵🇷🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇦🐾🌊🦋🗽💙🐸 @latina4jesusdshw.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This is so powerful! Let’s not stop talking about Epstein files! #Pinks #USDemocracy
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John Bachtell @johnbachtell.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Somebody is terrified.
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Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Apple: Think Different is now Apple: Think Compliant
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Apple has bowed to the dictator and changed Lake Ontario to “Lake America” on its maps. It’s clear that Big Tech will sell out every one of us if it means another nickel in their bank account.
“Lake America” on an Apple map
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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 02/09/2026
“DON’T PANIC,” RIGHT? Fine. Don’t panic. ORGANIZE. 📌 A USPS whistleblower is warning the mail-ballot system could face “catastrophic failure” before the midterms. Make your voting plan now. Vote early, in person, or use a secure drop box. Don’t leave your vote to chance.
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Reminder that any political party trying to make it harder to vote is sending a clear message: they can't win on their ideas alone. www.propublica.org/article/mail-vot…
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M Meerkat @kackbro.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Bye Bye,Google Maps........🖕🏻
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Norm Eisen @normeisen.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Please don't overreact to Roberts Court decision on the contemplated USPS ballot moves They simply held that the injunction came too early in the process, before there was a final rule👇 Now we HAVE a final rule & we will litigate it. I'm as confident in our arguments here as in any of our cases!
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pmamtraveller.bsky.social @pmamtraveller.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
"Break Free" by artist Disha Dua.
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Canadian History Ehx @cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Before Europeans arrived, these were some of the names for The Great Lakes: Superior: gichi-gami (great sea) Erie: erielhonan (long tail) Michigan: michigami (long body of water) Ontario: Ontarí'io\kanadario (great lake\beautiful water) Huron: karegnondi (fresh water sea)
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Dan Froomkin/Press Watch/Heads Up News @froomkin.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Good morning. Your government has committed two more murders on the high seas. www.cnn.com/2026/08/24/p...
cnn.com
US launches deadly strike on alleged drug boat, believed to be the first in two months | CNN Politics
The US military said early Monday it struck an alleged drug trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific, marking the first known strike in more than two months.
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Randi Weingarten 🖇️📚✊🇺🇸 @rweingarten.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
While Target has stayed silent on ICE’s ongoing operations in MN, its own hometown.,communities across the country are fighting back, shopping local not Target for back to school This is our ad in the NYT today.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 23/08/2026
A governor’s race, a coveted Senate seat and enough congressional contests to swing control of the House are all in play in Ohio, where voters of all stripes express a deep sense of powerlessness. Come November, the state will find out if it is truly inching back toward purple.
nyti.ms
Angry Ohio Voters Could Turn Their State Purple Again
A governor’s race, a Senate contest and enough congressional contests to swing control of the House are all in play in Ohio, where voters of all stripes express a deep sense of powerlessness.
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alexvonwitzleben.bsky.social @alexvonwitzleben.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Solar farms usually need large stretches of open land. India found another place to put them: directly above water that was already flowing through irrigation canals.The idea took shape in Gujarat. #ActOnClimate #Renewables #ClimateActionNow #solarpower
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Katie Phang @katiephang.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A federal judge has ordered the unsealing of grand jury materials that led to Jeffrey Epstein being indicted & another federal judge has denied the FBI’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Epstein victims who allege FBI failed to investigate Epstein and his co-conspirators: youtu.be/bEyyMA0ImJY
youtu.be
Judge ORDERS EPSTEIN Grand Jury Docs UNSEALED Despite MAXWELL'S PROTESTS!!
YouTube video by Katie Phang
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M Meerkat @kackbro.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
NO 👇 LIES DETECTED FROM ABDUL EL-SAYED, CHUMPSTER....
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Dan Froomkin/Press Watch/Heads Up News @froomkin.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Our top political journalists have an awesome news peg to write about Ossoff now but I strongly doubt they will address the substance of his argument. It’s too damn lucid and instructive. It makes them look like fools.
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Caroleeena @caroleeena.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Cybersecurity professional and designer Kate Rose has developed "adversarial fashion"—garments printed with patterns of repeating, fake license plates designed to confuse Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs).
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#StupidSuez @diplomatofnight.com · 19/08/2026
First time I've seen Angie Nixon speak and I like it “I don’t know about you but I was taught to love my neighbors… They call me extreme but these things are not radical. They are not extreme… So Ashley Moody can call us whatever she wants. But in November she will call me Senator.”
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Jennifer Shin - WTAF @jennifershin.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Another evil motherfucker down, oh so many more to go.
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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
On the left: Oliver North, convicted for his role in illegally selling missiles to Iran during the Reagan administration. On the right: Fox News “military analyst” Oliver North, who thinks Iran shouldn’t have missiles. Same guy. Same Oliver North.
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
ROSIE: “.. I'm back in the spotlight all thanks to President Ompa J. Loompa, who is watching us this evening from inside a catering cart. You know, I couldn't have done it without you, sweetie. You brought me back just like you did with fascism and the measles." $DIS
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
The president is obviously out of his mind, yet the nation's big money people remain bullish. Maybe they like having a leader who is happy to take bribes and won't enforce laws to protect the general public.
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