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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy

@ptwelch.bsky.social
10K followers 10K following 302 posts

PNW, Retired teacher, photographer, video producer, former mayor, herding cats, VWs, NW history, hanging with crows and watching my grandson grow. Too old to die young, Left of left of center. Supports blue sky, water, and politics

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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
When someone says government should be run like a business, remind them that Medicare has about a 1.4% administrative overhead, while private insurance companies average between 14% and 20% in administrative costs. Medicare for all would save consumers billions yearly.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Given his history, if Graham Platner really wanted to win, he should have run as a Republican.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
With trump’s repeated assertion that our strategic oil reserves will be depleted in July, there is little reason for Iran to negotiate. Every day of delay improves their position and weakens trump’s. $12 a gallon gas, if you can find it, here we come.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
There is no aspect of life in America or, indeed, on this planet that trump has not made worse. Like a chicken killing dog, republicans must be made to wear the fetid and festering remains of his political corpse around their necks for eternity.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
As if the human tragedy isn’t enough, 300 Billion to Iran. Combined with the cost of the war, that’s north of $1k of additional debt for every person in this country. For what?
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
If dementia don gets hit by lightning tonight, I will be forced to reconsider my agnosticism.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
One of my bucket list items is to do that at a Waffle House but, we don’t have them in the PNW. Dennys just isn’t the same.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Are republicans so deluded that they think trump’s dementia will improve? Or, are they just counting on a deus ex machina, (likely death) to save them?
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
I would add the EPA, FDA & CDC to this list. However, the devil is in the details. The selection process for leadership is the critical and also most dangerous component. Safeguards must be built in.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
There is no programming on CBS you can’t live without. If you want to help improve media and journalism, act accordingly.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
I would have thought the fact that we are being led by a stupid, corrupt, racist, petty, senile, demented pedophile and his gang of sycophantic morons, intent on destroying our democracy, would hit harder with some folks.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
One of a handful of non profit golf courses in the country. Operated by the National Links Trust until Trump canceled the contract. The NLT has been amazingly helpful for our PNW 501 (C) (3) public course in helping to keep golf affordable
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
I lost my tuxedo about 5 years ago after 19 years together. I’ve shared my home with 20 cats over the past 77 years. He and I had the strongest and most enduring bond. He was a bit of an aesthetic dick face as well. Comes in handy when you want to impart your loathing without being vulgar.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Thank you. I’d expect no less. But you cannot reform a criminal cabal. Abolish and start over with rules, accountability, quality leadership, empathy, and real training. Also, don’t hire criminals.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Call or email your reps and senators. This insanity must end now! Congress needs to return to DC immediately and remove the madman destroying our country and endangering the world.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Got my drone out for another No Kings event yesterday. About 2500 attendees in my blue city of 10k. We're old but feisty.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
First science fiction/ horror film I saw in a theater. Ran all the way home.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
With few exceptions we have a Vichy congress. They all need to be primaried, if only to force them to make their positions absolutely clear to their constituents.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Thank you. Now take the next step as well. Abolish ICE. They cannot be reformed. They, absolutely, must be held accountable for their crimes. CBP may still be salvageable with better training, clear consistent oversight, and competent management.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Trump shows us what an unmitigated POS he is every day. Yet somehow he still remains president. When he is gone, and he will be. Some serious introspection, thoughtful analysis, economic, constitutional, and societal revisions are in order. Also dancing, singing and unmitigated fucking joy.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
You are the only candidate that will align perfectly with your views. You want a viable 3rd party? Run for local office under that banner. Build from the ground up. If you don't want to go through that process, get involved other ways; boards, commissions,panels always looking for participation
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Again, thank you for responding. I deeply appreciate your efforts to enlighten and taking the time to discuss.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Trump is cornered by his own incompetence and hubris. He hates humiliation but, I see him as growing increasingly desperate. In his first administration there were still a few guardrails. This time around, it's only been the courts, and that's been both limited and time consuming.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Such an action might seem an effective bargaining chip to open the Strait of Hormuz. That assumes that the we don't destroy the deep water terminal and that the Iranian's give it enough value to not risk its destruction. I don't believe such a move would be successful.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Thank you for that thoughtful response. There are times when I rely too much on my 70+ years of witnessing US foreign policy FUBAR. When I hear 5k marines being reallocated from Japan (why?) I envision, not an invasion, rather action to secure Kharg Island, holding Iranian oil production hostage
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
I'd very much like to hear your perspective on this, and I truly hope you are correct. I'm here to learn.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
I hope you're correct but, improbable/irrational decisions are a hallmark of this administration. Historically, there ample examples that galvanized public support for war: Custer, the Maine, 9/11. Trump grew up in the age of Disney coonskin caps and Remember the Alamo. MAGA loves revenge scenarios
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
I fear trump is preparing a blood sacrifice of our troops to drum up support for his idiotic and illegal war. He cares nothing about the lives of others, American soldiers included.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Congress needs to establish codified criteria for what is a "War". No more B.S. euphamisms like police action, OCO, targeted operations, to avoid congressional approval. Unfortunately, we will need a functional legislative branch to accomplish that.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
There were snowy days in college I commuted to class hanging onto a VW bug bumper. Did you know you could steer them from back there ? 🤣
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
I can hear them now. And for a brief moment I’m rolling down the road in my 64 LeMans. Feels good.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
I showed Rear Window to my high school Video Production Classes for 20 years. So many layers of excellence and craft. Truly brought home to them that what you see on the surface of a film may contain even more depth and meaning when you examine it closely.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
In one year Trump has completely destroyed any thinking human's trust in the CDC, FBI, DOJ, DOE, FCC, and virtually every other acronym encumbered division of the federal government. Each will need to be rebuilt from the ground up. (I didn't mention DHS because we already knew it was corrupt)
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
The Overton window is finally and reliably moving left in much of the country. Corporate Dems fail to recognize this at their own peril.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
I’m sure Pam will get right on that.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
I'd bet these calculations are being considered. If Vance dumps RFK, backs off on ICE and the current Imperialism, they might have a shot. But not if the Epstein files are released. That's their kryptonite. It will likely destroy the GOP and many of their most wealthy backers. Release the files.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
The powers behind him are not particularly susceptible to sunk cost fallacy. They also know that the celebration that will occur with his demise, irrespective of cause, will strengthen the base and drive some of the independents back into their clutches. There is danger to the GOP in this but 👇
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Politics is America's most cynical business, and martyrdom sells. He's now being pushed back out onto the campaign trail. This increases the danger to him both in terms of his failing health as well as potential assassination. A small lapse in security or medical care and we have Trump lite. 👇
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Trump has become a liability to the GOP and an asset to the corporate dems in congress. Most of whom will walk to easy victories in the fall. They won't need a platform. "I'm not GOP" will be enough. This is why I think there is a significant chance that Trump will die before the election. 👇👇
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
This was a murder by proxy. The grantor, Bovino, should be held equally responsible. Especially since he’s hiding and covering up for the shooter. In a just world he’d be arrested.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Given Trumps declining mental state and the continuing downward arc of his already disastrous polling, the powers behind and controlling him may soon see more value in him as a martyr than as president. In some respects, he may become even more dangerous. As per Nietzsche: Die at the right time.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Any member of congress who supports ICE is an accessory to murder.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Any Dem voting to fund ICE needs to be primaried. There is no possible justification or rationale that can suffice to support any funding, at all, for this criminal organization.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
On the plus side I heard they still have endless bread sticks
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
If politicians, corporations, governments, and institutions pay a price for standing up and doing the right thing, the price for capitulation must be significantly higher. That’s on us. Making choices through that lens is, for most of us, the most powerful tool we have as individuals.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
I live up on the Peninsula. When I’m in the City I generally pick up a bag of 10 cheese or so and freeze a bunch. 45 seconds in the microwave and I’m back on 45th in the 60s
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
The kidnapping of Maduro is only peripherally about oil. Big oil won't soon leap into Venezuela. The risks from the coming chaos are too great. It's about control of Latin American resources through extortion. Trump is a gangster. Nice country you have there, shame if something happened to it.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
I’m on the board of a small nonprofit golf park. The National Links Trust has been incredibly helpful & supportive to us. What’s happening to them is tragic and criminal. It will make golf in DC more expensive and less accessible for all but the rich.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Even more so in the books. I personally enjoyed his passion for obscure baseball players and prime numbers.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
I, for one, would love to see him hosting the 2026 Prison Follies at Supermax.
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