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Michael A. Shea

@michaelashea.bsky.social
1.2K followers 873 following 3.3K posts

Arlington, VA. W&M '82. Filmmaker. Bicyclist. Medical Clinic Volunteer. UAW Local 1981. We call Virginia a Commonwealth. Let's make it an actual Commonwealth. (he/him)

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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 2h
Eric Schmitt has a losing track record before the Supreme Court, ignores warnings that his evidence is weak, makes lame attempts at distraction, and doubles down when called out for his mistakes. How is it Trump has not made Eric Schmitt his Attorney General by now? Schmitt is a MAGA wet dream IRL!
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 5h
I bike/Metro’ed to the data center open house in the Douglass Center gym. Kudos to Loudoun County for putting this on.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 11h
I think I can explain Eric Schmitt's look of confusion when his ambush moment backfired against Jack Smith at the Senate hearing. He's probably never heard of Caitlin Clark or even realized that women play basketball at an elite level.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 15h
Something to remember about the majority justices on SCOTUS: They ruled this week that if Trump deported the Supreme Court justices appointed by Democrats to be put in the prison in Eswatini, SCOTUS would be powerless to halt the deportation while litigation over it proceeded.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We’re at the point where every political ad should start with Morpheus saying “Welcome to the real world.” Trump and his minions live in a very non-real world. Third country deportations ae human trafficking. Boat strikes are war crimes. The “adjudicated settlement” was because of a rape. Get real.
Morpheus, from the movie The Matrix, saying welcome to the real world.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Got this scam text today. There are so many tells that this is a scam. Among them- the idea that a “repair store” still exists is laughable. They just sell you a new phone. Scam artists these days are a disappointment. No respect for the craft.
A text: “‘Hi Dad when you aren’t busy please message me on my new number (571)546-2301. I’ve dropped my phone in the toilet and it’s completely broken. I’m texting from the repair stores phone so message my new number!”
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Congrats to the Commanders on the win yesterday over Seattle. This is starting to have a Jets vibe to it- winning games they probably shouldn't and losing games they should win. Buckle up, could be a wild season.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
There are probably a hundred thousand reasons why Beth Macy and JD Vance are very different. Policy choices, attitude, values, agenda, personality, authenticity, and more. But suppose you want to keep it simple and need one visual cue: Beth Macy isn't the one spending all that money on eye liner.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Bipartisan immigration reform was scuttled in 2013 because Boehner invoked the Hastert Rule and tanked it. Hastert is the GOP politician who was jailed for paying hush money to cover up his sexual abuses. Why does sexual assault keep coming up when we talk about what Republicans have done lately?
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Worth remembering that Trump is spending a billion dollars of our money on White House construction so he can get the same level of quality as the Reflecting Pool work. wapo.st/4z4m8xe
wapo.st
Trump administration set to spend at least $900 million on White House construction
The price tag is much larger than what has been previously reported, according to a Post review of confidential contracts, and taxpayers would cover most of it.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
NONE of the executions at sea of small boats by Trump have been justified. Everyone involved needs to be held accountable. wapo.st/4dDoFpG
wapo.st
Covert CIA program said to be behind mysterious attacks on Galápagos boats
A surveillance plane flew from El Salvador toward the fishing boats before drones attacked, flight data shows.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Kudos to the Washington Post for what is now a rare act of excellent journalism for them. This says a lot more about the excellence of Lisa Rein and Craig Whitlock than it does about the Post. wapo.st/4xNSTh4
wapo.st
Senators call for investigation into GI Bill trade schools, citing Post series
A bipartisan team of lawmakers is urging Veterans Affairs and the Justice Department to crack down on fraud in veterans education.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Rooting for Bobby Pulido to win a seat in Congress from Texas. How did the Washington Post manage to publish an article on the chances of a singer winning a seat in Congress without a single reference to Sonny Bono?
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Not sure why we, as a country, use our dwlndling media resources to report the ravings of a madman untethered by reality. wapo.st/4ryxfvH
wapo.st
Trump now says the Kennedy Center could be deadly. Months ago, it was ‘great.’
The president’s assessment of the Kennedy Center’s physical condition grew increasingly dire after his name went up on the building and revenue began to plunge.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Good grief. Carle Wealth, a hospital in Illinois, counts patient registration as care delivery, so even if they refuse you care and don't let you see a doctor, they charge you $410. Carle operates as a "not-for-profit" where the CEO is paid $5.7 million a year (per their 990). wapo.st/4AzY6M5
wapo.st
She waited for hours and left untreated. The ER billed her anyway.
The hospital said her visit began as soon as “care,” which could mean registration and nursing assessment, was initiated.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Sorry, MAGA. But he actually was always pretty clear about blowing up rules, going to war for no reason, and breaking stuff. You knew this was coming but thought it was all worth it to have a cage match on the White House lawn. wapo.st/4d8UZRj
wapo.st
Soaring diesel prices are clobbering Trump’s MAGA faithful, exposing rifts
Pain at the pump for rural Republicans is shifting the political map.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Good grief. We are so past the 25A exit ramp for this "president" untethered by reality. It is an epic embarassment. wapo.st/4AyAxDh
wapo.st
Trump administration considers building baseball park in Grand Teton National Park
Major League Baseball contacted the administration about hosting a game in a national park, with an agency official scouting Grand Teton as a possible location.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
I had these cards printed up at a union shop. HMU for one next time you see me. I am passing out these cards because we are failing at acknowledging the sacrifice of the four soldiers killed in action in July. Just because Hegseth is trying to erase their service, we don't have to. Say their names.
A box of cards, business card size, with gold stars and four names on one side: Tyler James Feehan, Isabella Gonzales, Michael Swinton, and Angel Rampersad.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
After spending almost $20 million of our money, Trump is abandoning the Reflecting Pool to the elements. This makes sense because it was ALWAYS about getting taxpayer money out to someone he sees as an ally. The prosecutions for nonexistent "vandalism" were always just to make busy work for Pirro.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The dental disinfectant volunteer team at today's RAM clinic in Luray. I teamed up with six undergraduate students, including three at William & Mary. This is one of the volunteer tasks at the RAM free medical clinics you have to confirm you are over 18 years old to do. I had that covered.
Seven people in purple medical gowns pose for the camera.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The clearest evidence that Trump has raked in billions of dollars since January 2025 is that Melania is making way more paid appearances in public.
Peng Liyuan, Xi, Trump, and Melania Trump.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
It is a little known part of Moore's Law for computing- any database worked over by Big Balls is the opposite of accurate. The DHS database is not reliable. IT was never Dog Killer Barbie's strong suit.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Any chance the recent deluge of examples of AI gone rogue is simply a pretext for those in power to claim, after they legitimately lose the November elections, that AI done them wrong and they reject the results?
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
You can take all the tea in China and put right down in the middle of the Mar-a-Lago sea, and it would not be enough for Trump or Xi to do anything with a positive impact on the world. www.nytimes.com/live/2026/09...
nytimes.com
Trump-Xi Summit Ends With Tea and Tour but Little Visible Policy Progress
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
RAM is back in Luray! Free health care tomorrow and Sunday at the high school. Go Bulldogs! Hope to see you.
The Ramusa.org truck.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
There is a country where statues and victory arches with Trump's likeness should fill the land and be seen in every direction. No one has ever done more to advance the political, economic, and strategic interests of this country than Trump has done. That country is China.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Trump: "I am the code!" Trump says the ballroom should not have emergency exits or other safety features because no safety rules apply and he is the "code." At this point in the biopic, flashback to when people died because slumlord Trump refused to put sprinklers in his buildings. wapo.st/3V9mXGk
wapo.st
‘I am the code’: Trump clashed with ballroom architect over safety issues
James McCrery II resigned in October after warning that the president was insisting on designs that violated fire and safety codes.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The hacker group that stole FBI employee data just went to a lot of trouble that, with a little patience, could have been avoided. Give Kash Patel more time and the FBI employee database will match the sex offender registry- and that data is publicly available.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The White House banned Politico, accusing it of using anonymous sources in an article where JD Vance briefed the reporter and the WH press staff repeatedly instructed Politico to report it was an anonymous source. Wow. We are so past the point of "you can't make this stuff up." wapo.st/4rssRyh
wapo.st
The White House banned Politico, citing anonymous sources. It provided the quotes.
In a letter defending its ban of Politico, the White House critiqued a report based on a press call it conducted, where reporters were told not to name the speaker.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Even Trump knows the name Trump is a political liability. So we get this weird third person reference and in quotes. And Trump signs off with “DJT” rather than his name. It’s like in the 1990s when Trump would call in to radio shows using a fake name to say what a great guy “Trump” was.
A post from Trump saying prices were higher under Biden.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump's speech was such a self parody of a presidential speech that the venue in NYC should have been the Comedy Cellar, not the UNGA. Trump would have tanked at the Comedy Cellar, but at least he'd have been on the right stage.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Which Buc-ees franchise did Joe Gruters manage badly before his Trump loyalty got him the gig of running the Republican Party?
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"I will annihilate you" and "to the victor belong the spoils" are both among the first refuges for a Fascist. The UN was founded to help remove from power any scourge like Trump.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I'm concerned that AI will make us extinct. BUT AI is not the people shooting DoorDash delivery workers in Austin. AI isn't committing genocide in Gaza or Darfur. AI isn't executing people on small boats in the Caribbean. You want help stopping AI from killing us? Take a number and get in line.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
From my road trip today to PA. A Republican, Brian Fitzpatrick, earning a labor endorsement is unusual, but a good thing. Not all Democratic politicians support workers. If more Republican elected officials supported workers, Democrats wouldn't be able to take their support for granted. 1/2
A sign outside an office building- Brian Fitzpatrick Endorsed by AFL-CIO America's Unions
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Trump’s Participation Trophy Arch is opposed by a majority of people for many valid reasons. Only Trump would think saying, “oh, I forgot to tell you it’s also a sniper’s nest and drone launch site” would flip people and make it popular. Good grief.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Uncle Sam, the road show. At Centerfest to support and celebrate Joy Powers for Congress.
Uncle Sam and Joy Powers pose for the camera.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Those of us supporting the Kennedy Center against Trump cannot lose. We have Wonder Woman on our side. Thanks to Lynda Carter for her eloquence and speaking out tonight at the Hands Off The Arts rally.
Lynda Carter speaking at a rally.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Mumps is back. San Diego outbreak. How long until smallpox is back? RFK Jr has probably put a big bet on Kalshi for a smallpox outbreak before year's end. And he will try to make good on that bet.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
So apparently Arlington is now Florida. It h as felt unseasonably warm here.
A headline on ARLnow; Woman arrested after nearly nude home break-in.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
At the Kennedy Center rally with co-organizer Chris Raleigh. Great event.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
There are more people here to say hands off the arts at the Kennedy Center than attended Trump’s two inaugurals combined.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Add the Kennedy Center now as Uncle Sam. Showing the shame America should feel about Trump. #HandsAroundTheKennedyCenter
Uncle Sam bows his head in shame as Trump protesters confront him.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Natalie Harp is a miracle worker. Makes Rasputin look like an amateur. She printed out the right disinformation pages to get Trump to say higher interest rates were actually his idea. Natalie plays Trump like a harp. She knows how to pluck his strings. www.cnbc.com/2026/09/16/t...
cnbc.com
Trump says he told Warsh to vote for hike with the rest of Fed board: 'It's not going to matter'
President Donald Trump previously threatened to cut off trade with countries that have trade surpluses with the U.S. if the Fed doesn't cut interest rates.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
When it takes a judicial decree to stop any president from wantonly tearing down buildings, we have already lost. Our system is broken beyond repair, flawed in design, and needs an overhaul. The only effective response is constitutional amendment. Preserve the Kennedy Center. Pass a new Article II.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
If Karoline Leavitt was still at the White House, she'd have deflected the controversy over Trump reading in large type "Kennedy Center Demoli" by saying the President was bringing a Demolition Derby to the Millennium Stage to improve the arts programming there. thehill.com/homenews/adm...
thehill.com
Trump appears to review poster about Kennedy Center demolition on Air Force One
President Trump was seen on Air Force One looking at a placard that appears to depict the potential demolition of the Kennedy Center amid an ongoing legal battle over getting his name on the buildi…
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Canada is changing its map titles from "North America" to "Europe." With grown ups as trading partners, they will prosper. apnews.com/article/euro...
apnews.com
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become the bloc's 1st associate member
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the European Union’s first associate member, a striking overture as U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats drive Ottawa closer to Europe.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I am shocked that a Russian oligarch and Putin buddy paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover the party costs for Donald Trump Jr at his wedding. Cocaine is in a huge oversupply and prices are down. Should have been a cheaper wedding party.
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I never thought the "Alligator Alcatraz" name was accurate. With the torture and inhumanity this DHS inspector general report uncovers, "Alligator Auschwitz" was always more on the mark. www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/defaul...
oig.dhs.gov
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Michael A. Shea @michaelashea.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Tell me you are not in Northern Virginia without telling me you are not in Northern Virginia. When I got to the crossing earlier this week, train was not moving at all. About ten minutes later, it moved and I got through.
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