Melissa

@mkverson.bsky.social

1427 Followers 2805 Following

Humanist, mom, earth lover.

"If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people-their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties- someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal" then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal." - John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage
Excerpt of MLK, Jr Letter from a Birmingham Jail: “I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.”… “I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension in the South is a necessary phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace, in which the Negro passively accepted his unjust plight, to a substantive and positive peace, in which all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened …
'BUT ARE THERE NOT MANY FASCISTS IN YOUR COUNTRY?' 'THERE ARE MANY WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE FASCISTS, BUT WILL FIND IT OUT WHEN THE TIME COMES! - ERNEST HEMINGWAY -
Screenshot of a description of Trump’s daily schedule that sounds more like that of a retiree in a nursing home or retirement community than of a sitting POTUS.
Excerpt from 2014 Fox interview w/Trump: "You Know what solves it? When the economy crashes, when the country goes to total hell and everything is a disaster, then you'll have a, (chuckles) y'Know, you’ll have riots to go back to where we used to be when we were great.” -Donald J. Trump, on how to MAGA
Cartoon depicting a white man blaming a white woman calling racists racist for his becoming a Nazi.
Excerpt of ProPublica article by Olga Pierce, Justin Elliott and Theodoric Meyer from December 21, 2012 “In the November election, a million more Americans voted for Democrats seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives than Republicans. But that popular vote advantage did not result in control of the chamber. Instead, despite getting fewer votes, Republicans have maintained a commanding control of the House. Such a disparity has happened only three times in the last century. (Here's a chart comparing 2010 and 2012.) Analysts and others have identified redistricting as a key to the disparity. Republicans had a years-long strategy of winning state houses in order to control each state's once-a-decade redistricting process. Republican strategist Karl Rove laid out the approach in a Wall Street Journal column in early 2010 headlined "He who controls redistricting can control Congress." The approach paid off. In 2010 state races, Republicans picked up 675 legislative seats, gaining complete control of 12 state legislatures. As a result, the GOP oversaw redrawing of lines for four times as many congressional districts as Democrats.”
Editor's note on an NPR article that places a glowingly positive spin on a bribery scheme by Amazon to put $25M+ into the pockets of the sitting US president’s marriage partner masquerading as a “documentary” which has been almost unanimously panned by film and industry critics, reads: “Amazon is among NPR's recent financial supporters and pays to distribute some NPR content.” 🫠 Tags: melania trump president trump box office
Photo of one of the heroic Allied forces leaders who oversaw the defeat of fascist totalitarian tyranny during WWII, Winston Churchill, standing next to his fascist appeasing and enabling predecessor, Neville Chamberlain.
Image of one of the heroic political leaders in the fight against tyranny in WWII, Winston Churchill, standing next to his predecessor and fascist enabler Neville Chamberlain.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is MAGA’s favorite democrat in the house.
Helen Andrews is misogynist and Charles Murray is too.
'BUT ARE THERE NOT MANY FASCISTS IN YOUR COUNTRY?' 'THERE ARE MANY WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE FASCISTS, BUT WILL FIND IT OUT WHEN THE TIME COMES! - ERNEST HEMINGWAY -
“BUT ARE THERE NOT MANY FASCISTS IN YOUR COUNTRY? THERE ARE MANY WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE FASCISTS, BUT WILL FIND IT OUT WHEN THE TIME COMES!” - ERNEST HEMINGWAY
General Ben Hodges social media post warning of military folks bootlicking a fascist and murderous dictator, reposted with toddler-like snark by former Fox morning couch sitter, Pete Hegseth.
At least 1200 detainees from the "Alligator Alcatraz" ICE concentration camp are unaccounted for, as desperate families try to track down their missing family members. Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site As of the end of August, the whereabouts of two-thirds of more than 1,800 men detained at Alligator Alcatraz during the month of July could not be located. www.miamiherald.com
The Original Antifa: image of US and allied forces WWII soldiers on D-Day.
Map showing state membership in regional public health coalitions, including Northeast Public Health Collaborative and West Coast Health Alliance.
Image of social media post by Donald J Trump calling for the firing of Jimmy Kimmel on July 22, 2025, mere months before Jimmy Kimmel was fired by ABC/Disney.
Nantucket sewage reveals cocaine levels 50 percent above US average, according to data from health officials By Emily Sweeney Globe Staff, Updated September 5, 2025, 11:29 a.m.
Nantucket sewage reveals cocaine levels 50 percent above US average, according to data from health officials By Emily Sweeney Globe Staff, Updated September 5, 2025, 11:29 a.m.
Wikipedia entry describing the “Groyper War”
Post by Anat Shenker-Osorio Words to Win By Thrilled to see growing consensus that Congressional Democrats not hand Republicans more rope to hang us with and instead make demands in the continuing resolution fight. To do this successfully, they must refuse the framing of "government shutdown" and instead engage on their own (accurate!) terms: "We will not be accomplices to turning the government into a weapon against the American people." "We will not vote to finance a war against Americans." "We will not be complicit in the abductions of neighbors, the stealing of healthcare from elders, and the snatching of food from kids." "This is a regime of the bullies, for the billionaires, by the bribes -- abetting the pedophiles -- and we want absolutely no role in green lighting their assault on America."
Pup giving side eye as her picture is taken.
New York Times headline “Political Assassination Rattles Minnesota” on the politically motivated murder of Minnesota elected official Melissa Hartman and her husband, Mark.
Employment charts by race from January to August 2025
Dialogue from Idiocracy movie: Frito: Yah I know this place is pretty good, I went to law school here. Pvt. Joe Bowers: In Costco? Frito: Yah I couldn’t believe it myself, luckily my dad was an alumnus and pulled some strings.
Excerpt from article on Lawdork by Chris Geidner: “As I made clear on Bluesky, I have many issues with the way Bowser has handled and is handling all of this. I think the city needs a stronger leader in this moment. But, the characterization by the Post - the entire framing of the story — was irresponsible and inflammatory. It was also both exactly what Trump's team wanted and the most likely to create outrage at Bowser. It also ignores that 90% of what happened today is about the background. First, Bowser's order - and the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center - is pretty clearly an effort to minimize the chances of Trump seeking to extend the emergency, as he could seek to do through Congress under the federal law in question. Second, federal law enforcement, as opposed to the troops, are always here and there are limits, particularly in an antagonistic environment, as to how D.C. officials can address concerns about their use. Further, beyond the August order declaring the emergency in D.C., an underlying, earlier Trump order from March established the "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force" - a federal task force that will remain in effect after the 30 days. With those two realities in mind, note what Bowser says is the purpose of the center being established in her order. It is "to manage the District's response to the Task Force, the Presidential declaration of emergency and on a continuing basis" and will "coordinate centralized communications; formulate post-emergency planning; formulate post-emergency operations; and ensure coordination with federal law enforcement to the maximum extent allowable by law within the District." It is far from ideal, but, if you look at the ongoing federal-led efforts with its task force and think about the limits D.C. government has in addressing federal law enforcement even in the best of times, it is not hard to see this as an effort to create a channeled engagement with federal officials that — at least, Bowser presu…
Social media post by: Facts They Don't Teach You August 31 at 2:29 PM Image of men squatting and cramped caged mining shaft “elevator” with no room to move or stand-up with the caption: “This photo was taken of miners at the end of their shift during the Gilded Age before they were unionized. Somewhere there were people at the top of the company who felt there was nothing wrong with this picture. This Labor Day remember the blood, sweat, and tears that those before us paid to give the working class the basic rights we enjoy today.”
Scene from director Alex Garland’s 2024 movie, “Civil War”, where a character who is a purported military soldier (man dressed in US military styled camouflage and holding a machine gun) is asking a character who is an American journalist “What kind of American are you?” to determine whether to shoot them or not.
List of words Third Way has banned from discourse, including some highlighted: privilege, violence, othering, systems of oppression, unhoused, food insecurity, person who immigrated, incarcerated people, involuntary confinement.
Andrew Lawrence @ndrew_lawrence Replying to @UrbanAchievr Conservative: I have been censored for my conservative views Me: Holy shit! You were censored for wanting lower taxes? Con: LOL no...no not those views Me: So....deregulation? Con: Haha no not those views either Me: Which views, exactly? Con: Oh, you know the ones
August 10, 2023| truthout article Headline: “10 States Purged Over 19 Million Voters Between 2020 and 2022 Electoral Cycles” Lede: “This amounts to 8.5 percent of the registered U.S. electorate being prevented from exercising their right to vote.” Byline: By Brett Wilkins, COMMON DREAMS
'BUT ARE THERE NOT MANY FASCISTS IN YOUR COUNTRY?' THERE ARE MANY WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE FASCISTS, BUT WILL FIND IT OUT WHEN THE TIME COMES! - ERNEST HEMINGWAY -
Screen shots of posts by Simon Rosenberg saying “I refuse to believe this is true”, concerning reporting on two topics: 1) Russia and the US discussing Israel’s occupation of West Bank as “model” for ending Russia’s imperialist invasion of Ukraine, ie giving Russia portions of Ukraine to control, and 2) US reportedly giving Russia rights to Alaskan earth minerals and lifting sanctions on Russian aviation.
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social • 10m Breakthrough the noise: This step in DC is a pilot project for militarizing other American streets. President Trump just said so. * Even when DC violent crime is down 26 percent. Reminder of August leaked memo (via @gregsargent.bsky.social): newrepublic.com/article/1987 • Aaron Rupar0@atrupar.com • 39m Trump mentions NYC, Baltimore, and Oakland, says "they're so far gone," and adds, "this will go further. We'll starting very strongly with DC."
Net favorability of political party according to polling July 16-20, 2025: Republican: between -10% and -20% Democratic: -30% Notes: Excludes undecided or those that could not rate the parties. Values before 2020 are yearly averages of polls. Source: Wall Street Journal poll of 1,500 registered voters, conducted July 16 - 20; margin of error: +/- 2.5 pct. pts.
The Hollywood Reporter: “Sometimes a Nazi Salute is a Nazi Salute” with image of Elon Musk giving what can only be described as…a Nazi salute.
@democrats.org
To provide political cover for supporting the crypto industry's legislative giveaway, group chat members suggested pro-crypto allies in the Democratic caucus could introduce symbolic anti-corruption amendments to the final bill prohibiting President Donald Trump and elected officials from profiting from cryptocurrencies knowing the effort would be "doa," or dead on arrival, since the language would likely be voted down by Republicans.
Cartoon depiction of former democratic US president Barack Obama agreeing to Republican Party calls for bipartisanship, which ultimately resulted in capitulating to their demands.
Quote from Lyndon B. Johnson: “I'll tell you what's at the bottom of it. If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you.”
Elon Musk throwing a Nazi salute.
Elon Musk doing a Nazi salute.
Cartoon of man blaming a woman’s attitude for his becoming a Nazi.
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER “Forcibly disappeared” It is characterized by three cumulative elements (defined in A/HRC/16/48/Add.3): 1. Deprivation of liberty against the will of the person; 2. Involvement of government officials, at least by acquiescence; 3. Refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person.
Philip Bump @pbump.com Here's Trump saying to Bukele that "homegrown criminals are next" and talking about how El Salvador will need to build "about five more places.".. Write your reply Philip Bump@pbump.com • 48m Hat-tip to @titonka.bsky.social for flagging it! L3 6 • 111. Danielle Kurtzleben @titonka.bsky.social • 47m (salute] and hat-tip to@michelekelemen.bsky.social for flagging it to
Newspaper headline: Kim Jong Un gives North Korea's most famous TV anchor a luxury home Video/image: Kim Jong-un gives Pyongyang flat to North Korean news anchor BY JOHN YOON ASIA PACIFIC THE NEW YORK TIMES Apr 16, 2022
Trump's new loyalty test: "Golden Trump bust lapel pins" By: JASON WEISBERGER / 6:53 PM WED APR 9, 2025 (Screen grab of social media post showing images of golden Trump pin) Members of Trump's cabinet, as well as Congresspeople and Senators, are being instructed to wear a tribute to their inglorious, convicted felon leader. Substacker Dean Blundell shares a post from social media in which the new FCC Chairman is sporting not a US Flag but a gleaming golden bust of Donald Trump. Purportedly, these lapel pins are popping up around Washington, D.C. It is a pretty big ask for elected members of Congress not to wear their respective lapel badges; they all seem quite proud of them.
Circle of 4 photos of Trump w/accompanying statements: 1. I MAKE A STUPID DECISION 2. SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENS 3. I CONVINCE MY FOLLOWERS THE PROBLEM IS NOW MAGICALLY SOLVED 4. I REVERSE MY STUPID DECISION
What country has the most untapped oil? Based on current estimates, the country with the most untapped oil reserves in the world is Russia, with an estimated 256 billion barrels of untapped oil. The next-richest countries in terms of untapped oil reserves are: Saudi Arabia (212 billion), Canada (167 billion), Iran (143 billion), and Brazil (120 billion).