iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Hey @petebuttigieg.bsky.social! Now that you're on the road in red states, I'd like to invite you to visit my community in the TX Panhandle. As a local columnist put it, "Talarico does not need to win rural Texas. He needs to lose it by less." Help us out! open.substack.com/pub/texasrur...

open.substack.com

Five Political Fights Rural Texans Should Watch

Rural Texas has long been treated as settled red territory.

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

New video out from @lincolnproject.us, y'all. "Which side of the wall are you on?" youtu.be/avvKHJdv_CY

youtu.be

Wall

YouTube video by The Lincoln Project

042

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

@endthecaste.bsky.social, you should check out this article from @thebulwark.bsky.social: Essentially, the article explains why, "Liberal democracy has never put down deep roots in the South in the way it did across the rest of the country." www.thebulwark.com/p/liberal-de...

thebulwark.com

Waiting for Liberal Democracy in the American South

Our country’s constitutional order is withering before us. In the states of the former Confederacy, democracy never fully flourished.

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

While not all of us can say that we put our life on the line, many of us *can* say, "I did not give up a 6 figure income and defend indigent defendants for my entire career . . . " Insert your own life experience or just get this ad more 👀. This is an important & effective ad by @votevets.org.

030

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

We *should* be othering and marginalizing billionaires, especially when they took advantage of their student visas, overstayed them, then busy themselves with destroying the country that welcomed them in. Go back to South Africa & try to make that work. #musk #thiel

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Boasberg pounced: [Rubio's] “revealed many operational details of the flights, including the number of people involved in the flights, many of their identities, the facility to which they were brought, their manner of treatment, and the time window . . .” talkingpointsmemo.com/news/incredu...

talkingpointsmemo.com

Incredulous Judge Gives Admin One Day Reprieve On Producing Evidence On Flouted Court Order

The Trump administration will get a one-day reprieve from having to reveal...

020

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Evening all, These are tough times for everyone and it's not too hard to become overwhelmed by the awfulness. If you lose yourself in the fog, please know that you can reach out via one of the numbers below and a human will answer your call. Take care of yourselves out there, Merlie.

030

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

The way things are going, this 6th generation TX Dem would be fine with being a Mexican citizen and thrilled to finally have a female CiC - especially when it's Pres. Claudia Sheinbaum.

151

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

"We were at war with a dictator, we are now fighting against a dictator supported by a traitor." French Senator Claude Malhurst succinctly describing the free world's war against fascism, heroically led by Ukraine, on March 4, 2025. Watch the entire speech ⬇️. youtu.be/wmDVrV7QRrU

youtu.be

Claude Malhuret, Senator of the French Republic, speaks the truth about what is happening in the US

YouTube video by Gregory Mullins

1125

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

"We’re embarked on a vast battle over the future of the American Republic, in which the executive and much of the judiciary is acting outside the constitutional order. That battle is fundamentally over public opinion." Josh defines post-constitutionalism ⬇️: talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/towar...

talkingpointsmemo.com

Toward a Theory of Civic Sede Vacantism

For almost a year I’ve been thinking through an idea that now...

011

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

@algreen.house.gov thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You don't just make me proud to be a Texan, you make me proud to be an American. And I hate to ask, but you actually see my "rep" (Jodey Arrington), perhaps you could have a word with him? He won't speak to us, much less listen. :(

042

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

@svecrumba.bsky.social, they could've taken Green's place 1 by 1 (think Birmingham protests in '60's) & forced Johnson to throw them out individually. Would've been great political protest & forced Rs to try & censure entire D caucus. But they didn't so . . . 🙄

110

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Respectfully, @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social, every one of you should have stood up & made Johnson kick y'all out with Rep. Green. The *biggest* fraud being perpetrated on Americans is that what we're seeing is not a coup. Please step aside for someone who can actually be a war time consigliere.

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

@jetta-jameson.bsky.social Thanks for the list! Here's another unopposed candidate, the coward posing as my "representative." TX - 19 Jodey Arrington

TX 2024 primary results - no Dem primary candidate, unopposed in general

221

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

@housedemocrats.bsky.social @democrats.org @senatedem.bsky.social Ignore those Third Way idiots. Millions of us have been sharing AOC's message in various accents at "tailgates, gun shows, local restaurants, & churches" for years. We're the modern-day New Dealers. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...

politico.com

Centrist Dem group rails against leftist identity politics and purity tests

Centrist Democrats produced a five-page document of takeaways at a retreat organized by Third Way.

001

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Seems like actions that would occur after an alliance.🤔 "...Rubio admitted that the Trump administration had no idea what Putin’s demands were for a peace agreement to be made, despite several talks between American and Russian officials over the last month." www.thedailybeast.com/rubio-melts-...

thedailybeast.com

Rubio Melts Down on Air Over Accusation U.S. Is ‘Placating Putin’

The secretary of state could not contain his fury as he sparred with ABC News host George Stephanopoulos.

120

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

@ptwelch.bsky.social, note the lack of service fee on my receipt. This is the official site set up by Zelensky that accepts donations. u24.gov.ua

Receipt from United 24, donation to Ukraine war effort.

141

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

The message below is even more true today. Slava Ukraini!! Official donation site set up by Zelensky: u24.gov.ua #standwithukraine

Pic of receipt for $150 donation to Ukraine defense.

051

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Quite right @fredguttenberg.bsky.social. But we also witnessed an official declaration of the new U.S./Russia alliance. It's time for choosing: democracy or autocracy? Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦💙🇺🇦 youtu.be/u0-Yeqh4PFY

youtu.be

Zelenskyy: I'll remain in Kyiv

YouTube video by euronews

020

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Cornyn, Cruz, & Arrington had no town halls while on break and now they won't answer phones at any of their offices or allow anyone to leave a message. @adamkinzinger.bsky.social

000

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Oh no! After years of doxxing and swatting attacks, NOW they're mad that the NYT ID'ed *government workers* being paid with taxpayer money? 💔 /s/ MAGA Loses It as DOGE Staffer Identities Revealed newrepublic.com/post/192086/... via @newrepublic.com

newrepublic.com

MAGA Loses It as DOGE Staffer Identities Revealed

MAGA is furious that public employees were identified.

051

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

This portal (see ⬇️) would appear to offer an opportunity to "anyone" (their words) to complain of banned books, DEI bans, transphobia, racial & LGBTQ bias, and misogyny. I'm sure y'all can think of more . . . Books seem like an obvious starting point, imho. www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/...

nbcnews.com

More than half of books banned last year featured LGBTQ characters or people of color, report finds

Of history and biography books that were banned last year, 26% featured Black people, and 25% featured LGBTQ people.

000

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Moms for Liberty partnered w/the Department of Education to launch a new portal where *anyone* can "submit reports of discrimination based on race or sex in publicly-funded K-12 schools." Reports will be used “to identify potential areas for investigation.” Portal: archive.is/3zxxN #orwell #resist

media.tenor.com

a warning sign that says snitch alert

Alt: a warning sign that says snitch alert

120

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

What the heck is "techno-fascism" & how is it related to the multitude of DOGE "mistakes"? I take a look in today's post. open.substack.com/pub/merlie1/...

open.substack.com

"We Will Make Mistakes"

Tracking DOGE Fails and the Alarming Rise of Techno-Fascism in America

000

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

@hawktales.bsky.social Thanks for the feedback! You gave me the courage to venture out of my comfort zone & write my first post on Substack. It's not political at all, quite the opposite, but I'll be expanding on the things I post here starting tomorrow. 😈 merlie1.substack.com/p/welcome?r=...

merlie1.substack.com

Welcome

A Tribute to Merle

140

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

@lawfare.bsky.social in general & Ben Wittes in particular is essential reading, y'all. Last paragraph: "It’s a long road ahead, and one of the many twists and turns in it is how you act. It is the 20th item on the list—the item not yet written." www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...

lawfaremedia.org

The Situation: A List

Make of it what you will.

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Re: article below & relevance: just ask Generals Kelly & Milley, John Bolton, @scaramucci.bsky.social, @michaelcohen212.bsky.social, etc., etc. about loyalty being a 1 way street w/DJT or recall the "Hitler Generals" comment. This assault on our freedoms ends, imo, in our defeat or tribunals. 🥊💙🥊

110

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

DJT's lackeys share a delusional belief: loyalty=safety. "Loyalty was [essential in] service to Hitler and his movement. SS men swore blood allegiance to their Führer:...'Loyalty is my oath.' [Loyalty] was [repaid] with Treue, betrayal with unspeakable savagery." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

theatlantic.com

‘Herr Hitler, Do You Really Believe Me Capable of Such a Dirty Trick?’

The chancellor rewarded loyalty with loyalty. Until he didn’t.

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

The demise of our country is a 5 alarm fire, but we need to fundamentally change the electoral process because decades of gerrymandering & meaningless elections (10 pts or less) leave millions effectively unrepresented. Can someone add a gift link please? I'm out. ☹️ www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/u...

nytimes.com

The Death of Competition in American Elections

A vast majority of 2024 races for Congress and state legislatures were decided by low-turnout or meaningless primaries. The trend is making politics more polarized and eroding public trust.

153

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

@hcrichardson.bsky.social sent this email to subscribers about the unauthorized use of her name, so be on the lookout y'all!

Hi Folks:
Just a quick heads up that I have not endorsed any of the events or protests circulating under my name.
This statement is neither opposition to the events nor support for them or projects like them. It's simply clarifying that I don't know the organizers, have not had a hand in any of the lists, and have not given permission for anyone to use my name in association with them.
Any time I want to put my name on something— and, crucially, have the time to do something other than write these letters and do the webcasts— you'll hear it directly from me, either here or posted on my own, verified, social media accounts.
It's a confusing world out there, I know. I hope this clears things up for all those who have written to ask.
Best,
Heather

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Charlie Sykes: "Like Cheney,...many [Never Trumpers] had a deeper & more visceral understanding of the dangers of Trumpism than some on the left... But the exiles know that there is nothing normal about it..,& that makes them important allies in the fights ahead." open.substack.com/pub/charlies...

open.substack.com

Courage, Principle, and Second Guessing

… “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.

031

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Morning friends! I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves today cause we need y'all! My rep, Jodey "era of woke government is over" Arrington won't hold town halls, but the comments to his FB posts are filling me with hope: www.facebook.com/share/p/18ae... @texasdemocrats.bsky.social

facebook.com

Redirecting...

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

@chrismurphyct.bsky.social files an important update from the Senate re: budget amendments & call to action. "This is a 5 alarm fire."

132

Reposted by Merlie

JusTrish @justrish1788.substack.com · 23/02/2025

Black history is US history! #blackhistory #history #UShistory Mary Church Terrell... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Ch...

en.wikipedia.org

Mary Church Terrell - Wikipedia

061

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Not through this article. @isabelsantos.bsky.social. Preview ⬇️: "Prominent DOGE Staffer is Grandson of Turncoat KGB Spy. Edward "Big Balls" Coristine happens to be the descendant of Valery Martynov, A SOVIET AGENT WHO SPIED FOR THE U.S." Martynov was recruited in '82 & executed by KGB in '87.

000

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Friends, I've seen lots of posts asking for action items to #resist the tyrants. Here are resources that will teach all of us how to regain our #resistance muscle memory. Please repost and share widely. We need to get up to speed on how we can effectively and non-violently fight for our country.💙💪🤲

000

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

@aoc.bsky.social good reminder. That's been the R playbook for 40+ years. I also believe we must increase & amplify our voices via large, organized, national protests.

110

Reposted by Merlie

politicaldude.bsky.social @politicaldude.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Special weekend shoutout to six accounts that I consider top class political (US & UK) accounts: @darlingm777.bsky.social @maxbrockbank.com @neverevertory.bsky.social @patrickhanrahan.bsky.social @sydesjokes.bsky.social @warrenoates1.bsky.social Make sure you are following them & share the love

2011530

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

@nymag.com introduces us to Edward "Big Balls" Coristine. “He’s following his dreams, and he’s got the balls to drop out of school for a little while and take advantage of an opportunity that was presented to him. I mean, would you not take it if you were 19?” SASQ: No. nymag.com/intelligence...

nymag.com

‘Big Balls’ on Top of the World

How Eddie Coristine, 19, came to join Elon Musk’s revolution terrorizing the federal government.

211

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

"Political interference in military leadership-especially dismissing generals and admirals based on ideological loyalty rather than competence-has repeatedly led to disastrous consequences [throughout history]." Don’t Purge the Generals open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

open.substack.com

Don’t Purge the Generals

History shows that political firings of military officers endanger national security.

24411

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

This ⬇️ 💯!! I'm new here, too. I joined b/c I was looking for a safe community & first things I did are on George's list. I follow back accounts with even a small number of followers, but I'd like to get a feel for you. Also, most users, me too, will block if you DM after a follow-back. #BlueCrew

120

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

@purrgressivecatdad.bsky.social, finally! Another LSU alum living in TX on here! LSU Law for me and I live in my small hometown in the Panhandle. Thanks for the follow. We're now mutuals. Go Tigers! Merlie

010

Merlie @merlerip.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Wonder when we'll see them loaded on a plane to Gitmo?

010