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Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Reposted by Opallaroche

“Fascism works not only by the passage of arbitrary, dehumanizing laws but also by the arbitrary, dehumanizing enforcement of the laws.” A deeply and sensitively reported piece by M. Gessen about how “soft fascism” is being operationalized against trans people—gift link:

nytimes.com

Opinion | What’s Happening in Kansas Should Alarm Us All (Gift Article)

Is Kansas just the beginning?

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

I think that Democrats feel that the Senate is better off with one less Republican voting. Just let this run its course. Beshear will do what is within his power to help the Democrats in the US Senate.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Acknowledging and accepting are two different things.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

This was a head banger for me. Wordle 1,852 4/6 ⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜ 🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Sheesh! He said we'd be out of there in 4 or 5 weeks. Now he is making excuses for why he isn't done after 4 months. Nothing he says about the matter means anything anymore so long as he can continue to manipulate the oil markets every week or so. Plus, this does distract from Epstein files.

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Reposted by Opallaroche

SpryOldLorax @spryoldlorax.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Here's an idea: Listen more to people who were right about everything. Listen less to people who were wrong about everything. Crazy, I know, but it's clearly something we've never tried before, so maybe let's give it a shot this time?

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

For fairness, though, maybe each school year, a parent can accompany their child, whether they are male or female, to a school admission examination of the genitals . Every child will be individually inspected each and every year. You never know what can happen during summer vacations.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Yes...he is very rich. He is also liberal (probably not fully progressive) with a lean toward environmental concerns. His brother, Lachlan, is very conservative. Interesting how James now dares to buy into any media after having made a settlement on daddy Rupert's estate.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

People are distracted by war and high prices. The Epstein thing is off the front page now. Maybe somebody will revive the story. I'm not holding my breath though.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

I don't think the country that prints its own currency and borrows in its own currency can become "bankrupt", but it can default on its debt. Those are two different situations. Also printing more currency to pay interest on its debt can lead to dangerously high inflation.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

It is two separate parts. For Democrats, #2 is poison and if it #2 passes and Trump signs it but refuses to sign #1, then we are stuck. Republicans would have to be brought back onboard to override a veto of #1. Democrats should balk at a two-part deal.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Republicans largely want to please Trump, so how does it work when they suddenly want to override his desires? They would have to have enough Democrats on-board to assist them in overriding that veto. If the bill(s) would force an undesirable poison pill on Democrats, I don't see that happening.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

What if Trump vetoes #1? This then becomes a bad deal for the country. And...if any of this could have been passed via reconciliation, why wasn't it done that way long ago?

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I have zero interest in it. When our local casino opened, my husband and I went with only $40 to spend. We were given account fobs at the casino and spent that $40 in less than 20 minutes. We left and never returned. I have no interest in any of it. Never bet on sports, nor do I care to do so.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

If Trump polls badly in an election year, it affects other politicians in his own political party. His unpopularity is their unpopularity.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

I think this Youtube presentation is AI using Rachel Maddow's voice. There is no record of the judge being removed from her office.

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Reposted by Opallaroche

Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

The Constitution clearly gives Congress the power to spend taxpayer funds, and no law allows the president to halt if he feels some US states aren’t being “good stewards” of the money. In case there’s any confusion on this, the Impoundment Control Act forbids it. Taxation without representation.

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Reposted by Opallaroche

Joe Walsh @walshfreedom.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Trump said one thing that mattered last night. He reminded us again that he will do all he can, break any law he has to, lie as much as he can, and incite as much violence as is necessary to attack our elections this year. Once again. Today’s show.👇 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

Last Night Doesn’t Matter. At All. November Matters. Keep Resisting

Podcast Episode · The Social Contract with Joe Walsh · February 25 · 33m

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Sounds great, but Republicans control the Senate and the House. A separate bill can be written in the House, passed and then the Senate could pass as a reconciliation bill. There are ways to get what they want.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

They are between a rock and a hard place. Do they perform in an unethical manner as demanded by their "superiors", or do they resign to work elsewhere where they won't be ordered to do the wrong/bad thing. They made a good choice here as they might otherwise eventually lose their law licenses.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Sadly, six of the justices on the US Supreme Court believe that it does. Since they are the majority on the Court, if they agree with the illegality, then it doesn't matter what the Constitution says.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

I got my Shingrix vaccine when I was age 70. I had no pain/fever as a result. I did feel tired and sleepy after my second shot. I have friends who have had the same response. I know none who actually "suffered" with the vaccine. I do know people who have definitely suffered with shingles.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

They don't have instant immunity. Should there be a reason why Trump cannot sign the pardons, they could be prosecuted. My guess is that Trump has written a "pocket pardon" of some sort that would protect all who commit crimes on his behalf. He probably does it for the military too.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Prior authorization requirement just means that you have to fight for the care your doctor says you need. This moves us closer to Medicare (dis)Advantage plans and their limited networks, hoops to jump through, and lesser coverage for more cost to the patient.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Did the voters of this country really vote for this? Do they agree? Why aren't Republicans in Congress screaming about this?

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Why isn't somebody from FIFA putting that laynard over his head for him as if they were ceremonially granting an award with appreciation from their hearts?

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

She is a lifelong member of the Methodist Church which is a Mainline Protestant church.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Does this apply to Melania Trump? What about Elon Musk? What about Peter Thiel?

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

I fairness to Trump, both insubordination and insurrection start with the letters "insu". It was just a misuse of words. He's fully capable of being commander-in-chief, just as the Secretary of Defense (or War) is fully capable of performing the extraordinary duties required of the position.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

I think only the "enhanced" subsidies (from the Covid19 era) will expire. The subsidies that existed before the enhancement will still be there. They won't be generous enough to cover the increased premiums to the degree that enhanced subsidies would.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Damn! That sucks! This is why having a single payer system would be so much better for all, including those now getting insurance through employers. The ACA is something, but it isn't perfect and relies on for-profit motives of insurance companies, not on delivering healthcare.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

All is not lost. ACA still exists, the the Covid-era enhanced subsidies will expire. Some states may be stepping up to help their own residents.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Did that actually happen? I thought it was the "enhanced" subsidies that were at stake. We'd be back to the old subsidies (before Covid), but the ACA would still exist. Democratic-led states have begun preparing to bolster subsidies in their own states. bsky.app/profile/char...

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Not according to the article. It looks like the blue states are going to do it as well.

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

It seems like it is his. Has anybody told him it is not?

Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

The author of the article talks about risk adjustment, but does not mention that, indeed, older people (age 55+) pay much higher premiums on the ACA exchange than younger people. It acts how bit of underwriting would act. Yes, there are youngster and oldster premiums.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

If that is the case, I agree. Shut down all government functions. I have three adult children who are federal employees who are at work today, one in DC. She has to commute, pay parking, and WORK as there is a supposed deadline for her project. Why go to work when you won't get paid?

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Read up. There are NO "Democrat" agencies. All agencies in government exist because votes in Congress created the funding mechanism for them. All agencies serve citizens in some manner.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

I am not sure people realize that if the Republicans want to keep the government open, it remains open - period. They have manipulated Senate parliamentary rules just recently to bypass regular order to confirm appointments. They can do the same to give themselves an open government. Simple.

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Opallaroche @opallaroche.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

That's not what happened. Read up.