John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 12hThe stability of becoming a US citizen has never seem so fragile with a president and his admin openly talking about stripping people of their citizenship. 020
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 13hSays the man who’s own party once impeached him. Paxton is in it for Paxton… not for Texans. Ironically he is not even in it for Trump. Why anyone would vote for that is something that hard to understand. 010
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Amazing that the rot in the GOP extends so far back and after all this time they are still able to manipulate the religious conservatives in this country with a few buzz words. Hastert became Speaker because of.... yeah, the moral failings of the very man who designed using the religious right. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 05/10/2026Ever since USSR’s acquisition of atomic weapons the ongoing policy has been a deterrent structure. “You hit us, we will hit you back, harder”. It’s a rather bleak mutual destruction deterrent… but it’s held. There have been attempts for treaties, with limit success. But no one will trust us now. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 05/10/2026After all, the grift only continues if he remains as a politician. Hard to believe what it will take to revive his political career when he loses this… he has burned so many bridges in state politics. 0121
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 05/10/2026A video negotiated through a contentious divorce due to infidelity… pretty sure there was more a financial motive than any altruistic reasons. 2172
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 04/10/2026Sadly, I can’t help but wonder if this “endorsement” was a divorce condition for her to get certain assets and/or support. That’s how the GOP operates as well with women. 040
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 03/10/2026That is when presidential pardon power should have been first challenged. Your former VP, who becomes the president on your resignation, grants you a full pardon. presidential crimes that rises to level of impeachment should not be eligible for unconditional pardon. 627033
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Fairly certain that the opinion, majority or dissent, will still contain a “road map” from Alito or Thomas on how to present the constitutional question for its return to SCOTUS. 0150
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 30/09/2026The deep frustration is that these shadow docket decisions could very easily be overturned when the cases finally wend their way through the lower courts. Precedent needs to be set and the shadow docket doesn't do that. 120
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 29/09/2026But the “proof” is direct genital inspection, genetic testing, or testosterone levels. All K-12…. Every physical to play sports. Those wishing to play men’s sports not subject to inspection. 061
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 29/09/2026It’s hitting here in Washington State… a fairly blue state, but they maneuvered two initiatives on the ballot in the name of “protecting” students. One mandating schools reporting if their child seems trans or gay… the other requires “proof” for all females to play sports. 130
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Wow. The DOJ’s argument is that the order wasn’t clear enough… yet the evidence indicates that they willingly knew and still violated the order. Yet they are untouchable because any referral for contempt would be quashed receipt. There is a precedent on separations hanging on this decision 061
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 29/09/2026When over the top praising can't even keep a raging narcissist awake. 020
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Oh... it must have been their concern last April... not wanting the oil processing facilities to "explode" offered various channels for Iran to sell oil... at the prices that were driven up by the very war. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Does anyone else find it fascinating that whomever is his 'handler" keeps allowing these things to happen? I may be reading too much into it, but it seems to me this is a symptom of fighting among his staff... which he promotes... to not allow any one advisor to give him honest feedback. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 28/09/2026This shows how broken is the rule of law. Cases are supposed to wind their way through the whole court system, with judges reviewing hours of testimony and documents solidify a decision. Not bypassing all of that with a shadow docket controlled by possibly 3-6 corrupted justices. 061
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 25/09/2026*ok, admittedly some of us readers can also be a pain in the ass. Continuity and canon are very important to some audiences… in all genres actually. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I would say that sci-fi writers do tend to be better writers… maybe that’s because they write what they like as opposed to chasing a larger market. (There are cross over authors, but few) Or maybe us being a more critical audience encourages better writing.* 300
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Are Melanie appearances negotiated specifically for the event or did she grant him a certain number of tokens? If he wants more appearances does he have to make additional in game purchases? 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 24/09/2026The balance of power, co-equal branches is at stake here… The judiciary is all the judiciary… not just SCOTUS. Until a final ruling what is adjudicated stands and must be honored. This is actually a Constitutional challenge and should not be ignored. 081
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026I just really hope this isn't just maneuvering to thwart upcoming House investigations. I think there is a real fear of losing the House and the investigations to come. "We can't comment on ongoing investigations." 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026...4 justices to agree. There could very likely be back door communications with certain justices to get to at least 4. But it isn't quite set up for a shadow docket decision... or at least I hope so. Ultimately, precedent is being destroyed for state's rights to adjudicate their own election laws 030
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026None of his arguments address what the State Supreme Court gave in their ruling. He isn't even trying to argue that original case, instead he is throwing these spaghetti noodles at the wall trying to see what will stick. The scary part is something just might as he references that they just need... 130
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Or… they have found a scapegoat, separate from the trafficking of girls, like money laundering, that they can use to distract. There are so many in too deep to allow much investigation. 040
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Another sign they fear the loss of the House. An active investigation, no matter how superficial, stalls oversight. This is a tactic to further stall. 1100
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 23/09/2026If it’s easy to add names by a president it will certainly be as easy to remove names when he is gone. And yes, in a strange narcissistic haze, he does equate that their assignations elevated their legacies… they really didn’t… but in his mind it’s a pinnacle he fears and desires. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Literally throwing the baby out with the bathwater. With no investigation other than running AI they will deny almost a million people their healthcare. No evidence of fraud. Statistically there are people in that group that will die when their care stops. It's a death sentence. 011
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 22/09/2026No, they are not breaking with Trump until they actually vote against him. They are public trying to distance themselves but the House is out of session until after the election. That's pretty convenient for them to not have to prove they are distancing themselves. 020
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Could explain the leverage they have on her… but I really don’t think it took too much leverage for her to vote Trump’s way, especially on judges. 061
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I’m not sure exactly what is being signed… I have to think there is a strategy by Denmark to just wait him out by throwing a few meaningless bones to him. In a way this does reinforce NATO. But if he starts dropping in companies to take resources… 020
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I might be accused of overreaching, but a precursor to genocides has historically been the intentional destruction of the records documenting who were arrested and who were in custody. This very first step to taking away people’s humanity is to make them non-existent. 051
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 22/09/2026This is not who we are as a country. It’s one thing to detain, arrest, and deport people… but erasing documentation of who you are deporting has been a precursor to every historical genocidal event. My calling that out shouldn’t be shrugged off as overreacting. Read the history on genocides. 040
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Iran created and nurtured the Houthis for decades. But I would say they’re never directly controlled them. I’m not sure they could stop them now if they wanted. The Houthis are only going to be satisfied with the destruction of Saudi Arabia and full control of the southern peninsula. 030
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 19/09/2026He is trying to bring change in behavior… in this case reporting. I’m not sure there is value anymore to reporting from inside the WH. I’d rather they just call out and report the truth rather than trying to save their access. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 19/09/2026But honestly, you need no validation from the likes of me, because it’s not on me to grant anything… that’s the deep flaw in those commenting… that somehow they have to give you “permission” to say and do the things you do. “Don’t upset the progressive apple cart too much” 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Institutional racism is too deeply imbedded in our society to escape. You cannot self proclaim that you are an ally then turn around and question the very perspectives offered. Your alliance is no deeper than “I’m not racist, I have black friends.” I value your perspective and try to do better. 110
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 19/09/2026I wonder if the there is a human equivalent of wagyu? 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I think internal polling is brutal. They are having to acknowledge the emperor has no clothes… as the voters are calling out. Their opponents need to call out the verbal flip flop and remind of the voting record. Words mean nothing if they haven’t once voted against Trump. 020
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Yes, yes he could. I would also reference that the Live Nation trial exposed a great deal of the underbelly of the industry, including venue control. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Alito’s rant had no basis in a case law… no attempts to even try to frame it as a constitutional argument. He wants to stop voters who don’t think like him. He wants to make law… not adjudicate law. Even Scalia would be disgusted. 001
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 15/09/2026This is stunning… it is not an argument on the constitutionality. It is not an argument regarding the law or precedent. It is that he sees something that needs to be law… he is creating law. Even Scalia would be appalled. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026And what business or product Mr. Vance have you ever built? Kind of ironic considering your official salary has come from the tax payers for some time now. 030
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026As people struggle to pay for gas… buy food… they accepted a gift that exceeds what the vast majority of people make in a year. It is literally a Marie Antoinette moment. (Yeah, I know the quote isn’t historically accurate, but the contempt for the masses was still there.) 2226
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026The whole Trump family is worth billions. Why did he have to accept a “gift” from Russia… and yes, this was from Russia. Benedict Arnold’s name has gone over 200 years as a symbol of treachery… Will the Trump name someday replace? 5110
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026His whole life is an illusion… perhaps you could even grant there was some brains behind all the manipulations to build his brand. But that brain train has long left the station. Just put videos of him even 10 years ago next to today’s and you can plainly see the decline. 010
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Some give credit that he is somehow a master at propaganda… but in reality he spews stuff so stupid that it enters the absurd. Yet there are those who still believe him and others that use him for their own agenda. Whatever scrap of intelligence that existed in that balding head is long gone. 000
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Another thing to be kept in mind when these venues, even if self funded, still take a great deal of tax dollars to build and support. 010
John Russell @murga65.bsky.social · 14/09/2026It should be noted this is the federal government continuing a pattern of undermining the states that actually issue the licenses. Voter registration, drivers’s license, etc. this is all to imply that only the Feds can fix. It is, ironically, exactly what they claim socialism would do. 130
