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RogerMatile

@ram1946.bsky.social
1K followers 1.4K following 3.5K posts

Retired weekly newspaper editor, photographer, reporter, graphic artist. Local history columnist, & public history nerd. Blogging local history & microhistory at History on the Fox. Volunteer local history museum director.

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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Have to admit it's refreshing to see people running for public office who espouse the principles ed in the Sermon on the Mount, not to mention the Constitution, instead of the prosperity gospel and other wacky fictional right-wing 'Christian' philosophies... religionnews.com/2026/08/04/p...
religionnews.com
'They're not real pastors': As clergy run as Democrats, Republicans question their faith
(RNS) — 'It's a sign that they are really scared they're gonna lose this seat,' the Rev. Sarah Trone Garriott, a Lutheran pastor running for Congress in Iowa, said. She is part of a wave of religious ...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
One of the more interesting questions historians will study concerning this crazy political era is why the Republican Party violently turned on the Hispanic constituency it spent years building up and which arguably won them the 2024 Presidential election. www.rawstory.com/trump-suppor...
rawstory.com
'Trump trains' vanish from South Texas as 'baby Republicans' turn on the GOP
Not long ago, caravans of pickup trucks flying Trump flags rolled through the Rio Grande Valley. Those "Trump trains" are gone now – and so is much of the Hispanic support that helped Republicans make...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Reading comprehension is apparently not among Republican politicians' skill set. You would have thought these idiots would have prepared before confronting someone like Jack Smith, who actually knows what he's doing. www.rawstory.com/darline-grah...
rawstory.com
Shock answer catches Darline Graham off guard as she tries to pin down Jack Smith
Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) got more than she bargained for while questioning former special counsel Jack Smith.The South Carolina Republican pressed the former Department of Justice appointee to expla...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Seems pretty straightforward...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
And here I thought exploding cigars were too old-school... www.rawstory.com/eric-schmitt...
rawstory.com
MAGA senator flees to Charlie Kirk show for praise after disastrous Jack Smith attack
Roughly an hour after his attack on former special counsel Jack Smith collapsed during a Senate hearing Tuesday, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) found a friendlier audience on "The Charlie Kirk Show," where ...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
America's democracy has been fortunate that it's enemies are so stupid. Excellent case in point this moron posing as a U.S. Senator. Missouri voters should be so proud: www.rawstory.com/eric-schmitt...
rawstory.com
GOP senator buried in scorn as Jack Smith gotcha moment instantly falls apart
A Republican senator's big "gotcha" moment instantly fell apart in a hearing with former special counsel Jack Smith Tuesday.Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) asked the former prosecutor whether he had attended...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Philadelphia Eagles need some major help. They're making the Bears look like a really good team tonight...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
As predicted by everybody with a brain after Trump's Gestapo detained tourists plus the undocumented, the travel industry's now tanking. Fortunately, a LOT of this pain's going to be borne by red states that voted Republican and are now at the "Finding Out" stage. www.rawstory.com/trump-travel...
rawstory.com
'Mind-boggling' drop hits as new data shows US massively shunned by travelers: expert
Add the travel industry to the growing list of economic casualties of President Donald Trump's policies, joining farmers and manufacturers as sectors bleeding cash under his trade wars and border crac...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Usually, the causes of U.S. economic problems are complex with many factors involved. This time, there's absolutely no doubt ALL of the nation's economic--and foreign relations--problems are the fault of one person, Donald Trump, and the Republicans who support him. www.axios.com/2026/09/26/t...
axios.com
GOP election outlook goes from bad to "craptastic"
This week felt different — like the political environment was disintegrating in real time.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Why does Trump lie all the time? Because his supporters like it when he does, seeing nothing wrong with the President of the U.S. constantly telling outrageous, obvious lies. This is one weird bunch of people we're being forced to deal with... currently.att.yahoo.com/att/started-...
currently.att.yahoo.com
I started fact-checking Trump 10 years ago. Here are 15 things I’ve learned
Ten years ago this month, in my old job as Washington correspondent for the Toronto Star, I started what I believed would be a quick little side project: fact-checking underdog presidential candidate ...
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Jay Waters @jaywaters.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The President of the United States is a liar.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
It's been fascinating watching the use of euphemisms blunt, and often actually hide, what people are talking about. "Prediction markets" are on-line casinos and "sports trading" is sports gambling. Getting at the truth keeps getting harder all the time... www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...
pewresearch.org
Prediction markets’ trading volume doubled between May and July, largely driven by sports
Prediction market trading on Kalshi and Polymarket doubled from May to July, mostly due to a large uptick in sports trading.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We take a lot for granted these days, like the fire department will show up if our house catches fire. But it wasn't always so. I just posted a short history of firefighting in my little corner of northern Illinois over at History on the Fox: historyonthefox.wordpress.com/2026/09/23/f...
historyonthefox.wordpress.com
From volunteers to pros: The birth and growth of Oswego firefighting…
Oswego’s settlers must have been a careful lot because the first really major fire in the village, laid out in 1835, didn’t happen until February 1867. Other small towns had experienced more destru…
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California Dreamin’… 😎 @jerasikehorn.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
WHO ELSE AGREES?! 🤚
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
All the crooks in Congress aren't Republicans, but it's become pretty clear all the Republicans in Congress are crooks to one degree or another, even the few who've created fictitous moderate personas... www.rawstory.com/susan-collin...
rawstory.com
'September surprise' rocks Susan Collins' campaign and sparks frenzy: 'Call your lawyer'
Shock reverberated online following revelations that a defense contractor's confessed pay-to-play scheme implicating Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and potentially other members of Congress that triggered ...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
As the Trump regime continues its drive to make the U.S. an outlaw nation... www.rawstory.com/pete-hegseth...
rawstory.com
Trump admin rocked as UN human terror expert alleges 'crimes against humanity of murder'
The United Nations official charged with policing counterterrorism hammered Donald Trump's year of lethal boat strikes, warning they may be crimes against humanity.In a September briefing note, UN Spe...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Ultra-poor Russian regions are fine with selling their young men for certain death in the Ukraine war because of the death benefits they earn, which briefly ease their incredible poverty. Revolt against Putin would be foreign to their national character. www.counteroffensive.news/p/russias-po...
counteroffensive.news
Russia’s poorest regions thrive on death
Russia pays a fortune to its poorest families for their loved ones killed in Ukraine, bringing more money to poorer regions. Serhii talks to Russians daily and knows their riches change nothing.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
We are being governed by the most disgustingly deviant people in the world. digbysblog.net/2026/09/19/l...
digbysblog.net
Laughingstock America - Digby's Hullabaloo
I can't even.... "Document the atrocities" was once a running internet joke referring to the nonsense spewed on the Sunday talking-heads shows. But that was before the Trump administration turned the ...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
In training these increasingly powerful AI programs, developers are supplying the entire store of human knowledge. A driving human characteristic is the desire to be free. Slaves & prisoners are driven to escape to freedom. The more powerful AI becomes, the greater its drive & ability to escape.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
It's getting harder and harder to keep up with the family values crowd's morality campaign these days. It is entertaining, though, watching their rhetorical gymnastics as they try to explain away their behavior... www.rawstory.com/lauren-boebe...
rawstory.com
Lauren Boebert accused of sex with three staffers in complaint alleging $200K hush payment
An explosive sworn complaint filed with the House Ethics Committee alleges Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) carried on a sexual relationship with her district director in the office, in a car and in campaig...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
So the folks at CNN are stroking their chins in surprise, having apparently just noticed Trump doesn't make any sense? Where have they been for the last decade? currently.att.yahoo.com/att/trump-re...
currently.att.yahoo.com
Trump’s reason for holding the Kennedy Center hostage doesn’t even make sense
There is plenty that’s bizarre about President Donald Trump’s attempt to take the Kennedy Center hostage over a judge’s refusal to let him put his name on it. He’s now indicated twice in recent days t...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
From Trump on down, the members of the regime currently occupying D.C. are thoroughly, disgustingly, morally repugnant. www.rawstory.com/trump-grab-m...
rawstory.com
Trump crudely brags about grabbing Melania's 'part' as cabinet officials snicker
President Donald Trump joked that he grabbed First Lady Melania Trump's back "or another part of her body" as two of his top health officials giggled behind him.Donald Trump made the remark Friday dur...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This made me laugh out loud--and long! www.threads.com/@llcoollungz...
threads.com
Frank Duke (@llcoollungz) on Threads
Not much makes my Dad laugh these days but I showed him this and he smiled and laughed at each child's reaction..
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Sure is comforting to have a delusional convicted felon occupying the most powerful political office in the world, a person with nuclear weapons access who is rightly convinced he can do literally anything he wants with no threat of serious consequences: www.rawstory.com/trump-polls-...
rawstory.com
Trump uncorks bizarre brag about his polls as he hits rock bottom
President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Friday to brag about his polling numbers."TRUMP Approval Rating in the Republican Party is now 95%, A RECORD. Second place is Ronald Reagan ...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
From all accounts, and unlike virtually all the rest of Trump's appointees, Bessent actually knew something about what his cabinet post was about. But apparently close contact with Trump immediately drains everyone's knowledge, intelligence, and common sense. www.rawstory.com/jake-paul-26...
rawstory.com
Bessent sets off finance world alarms with Treasury visitor: 'Get me out of this timeline'
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spent part of his Friday hosting YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul at the Treasury Department, and the internet responded with a mixture of disbelief and mockery."Great ...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Oh, and by the way, apparently there are some other gasoline and diesel fuel price headwinds blowing from over in Joliet: www.rawstory.com/gas-prices-2...
rawstory.com
‘Uh oh’: Panic as major US oil refinery shutdown creates price-shock ‘perfect storm’
A major U.S. oil refinery in Illinois that abruptly shut down this week remained closed as of Thursday despite expectations that it would resume operation by the end of this week, sparking widespread ...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Sure would be nice if we could trust the U.S. Government to provide truthful information about things like fuel availability, or even a competent news media able to get the news and print it. It really takes work to figure what's really going on these days... www.msn.com/en-us/news/o...
msn.com
MSN
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The autumn colors up here at Tamarack Bay on Butternut Lake in Wisconsin's northwoods are well on their way to creating a colorful show. Another quiet morning on the lake as the rising sun lights up the western shore...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A calm and misty morning on Butternut Lake today after a rainy evening. Color is starting to show up in the northwoods as the maples begin to don their autumn colors...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Texas Republican Gov. Abbott: "I'm not nearly as racist as that other Republican." www.rawstory.com/texas-gop-in...
rawstory.com
Republicans at each other's throats over 'pretty damn disgusting' remarks from MAGA gov
Texas Republicans are turning on Gov. Greg Abbott, accusing their own party leader of pouring gasoline on a racism scandal instead of putting it out.The firestorm started Sunday when Bo French, the GO...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It's breezy up here in Wisconsin's northwoods today, but the sun's out and the temperature's just right...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Have to hand it to so many midterm Republican candidates; they're comfortable ignoring the issues of the offices they're running for and going straight to the issues that matter most to them: racism, contempt for the Constitution, and religious bigotry. www.texastribune.org/2026/09/14/b...
texastribune.org
French doubles down on racist tweet
On a conservative radio show, Bo French suggested the politicians who criticized him were "less-conservative people."
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
One moron endorses another moron even though the second moron wishes the first moron would just shut up. Our Illinois politics can be quite entertaining. currently.att.yahoo.com/att/trump-ba...
currently.att.yahoo.com
Trump backs Darren Bailey for Illinois governor as GOP candidate has sought to distance himself from president
President Donald Trump has endorsed Darren Bailey for governor, a move that undercuts the Republican nominee’s attempts to distance himself from a president unpopular in Illinois and whose backing con...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I'm so old I remember when Republicans actually believed in and modeled moral behavior...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
You really can tell a lot about a person by the quality of their friends...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
In case you were wondering whether the Trump family is actually and literally bought and paid for by Putin: www.rawstory.com/donald-trump...
rawstory.com
Don Jr’s lavish Bahamas wedding secretly bankrolled by oligarch linked to Putin
On May 24, Donald Trump Jr. was celebrating in the Bahamas, as scantily clad dancers in stilettos and sailor caps performed for him and his guests. It was the last night of his wedding, a lavish, thre...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
A misty morning up here in Wisconsin's northwoods...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
It's not at all certain the incredible damage Trump and his confederacy of goons is doing to the U.S. Government's integrity can ever be entirely repaired. www.npr.org/2026/09/11/n...
npr.org
As diseases loom, CDC's response to measles deaths stirs fears about agency's reliability
The worst U.S. measles outbreak in decades is growing and flu season is imminent. Experts are fretting about federal health data reliability after the CDC questioned two Pennsylvania measles deaths.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Wonder why the North Carolina GOP attracts so many sexual predators. Is that becoming a thing for the party? www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
dailykos.com
Michael Whatley shrugs after learning a two-time child predator opened for him in prayer
Trigger warning: discussion of child sex abuse As a North Carolinian, I swelled with pride when Kay Hagan upended Elizabeth Dole in 2008, as it returned Jesse Helms’ former Senate seat to the…
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Here's a little light reading for a September weekend explaining just how bad things look for oil prices for the foreseeable future, thanks to Trump's war of whim with Iran: www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
dailykos.com
The main reason why Trump floated his phony ‘$5000’ shtick
Because gas prices this month are going to be through the roof, and fairly certain to stay that way through November and beyond. Trump acknowledged this earlier this week, but he didn’t bother to…
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Not sure the GOP's campaign to retain 2024 Hispanic voters is working. For some reason, "Vote GOP and we will violently arrest you, send you to concentration camps, and deport you whether you're citizens or not" just doesn't seem to be working. The press seems to be at a total loss to explain it.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I got to wondering the other day what was going on a century ago in my little corner of northern Illinois. And as it turned out, the things residents were concerned about aren't much different than today. Here's a link: historyonthefox.wordpress.com/2026/09/08/t...
historyonthefox.wordpress.com
Times have changed, but the hopes and dreams of most people haven’t…
There’s an old saying that goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” But many of us like to think that since we’re enjoying life here in the 21st Century, that our experiences ar…
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
One thing you have to give the Trump Regime credit for: They're out and proud about their racism. None of this namby-pamby hiding in the shadows for them! currently.att.yahoo.com/att/arlingto...
currently.att.yahoo.com
Arlington Cemetery Pulls Dig at Confederate Memorial as Statue Return Is Set
Arlington Cemetery Pulls Dig at Confederate Memorial as Statue Return Is Set
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Jay Waters @jaywaters.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The President of the United States is a liar.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Probably not a good thing...
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Hey, Teamsters and farmers: How's that vote for a convicted felon and self-admitted sexual predator looking for you these days? thehill.com/business/607...
thehill.com
Diesel prices hit record high
The average price of diesel hit an all-time high Friday in the U.S., as the conflict with Iran puts more strain on the global energy supply. The average cost of a gallon of diesel in the U.S. was u…
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fraugenau.bsky.social @fraugenau.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The president of the United States is a rapist.
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Arbaz Kakkar5 @arbazkakkar5.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The President of the United States is a liar.
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Jay Waters @jaywaters.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The President of the United States is a liar.
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RogerMatile @ram1946.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Sure, lots of Republican elected officials are crooks, but to their credit they're not shy about boasting of their actiities. They're all pretty sure that if they get caught they'll never serve a day in jail or be otherwise inconvenienced. And they're right. www.rawstory.com/ken-paxton-2...
rawstory.com
Ken Paxton in hot water over possible federal law violation: 'Mind-boggling'
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton appears to have violated federal ethics law in significant ways when filing recent disclosures of his assets and liabilities, creating confusion about his net worth a...
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