Steve Sikora
@artofangles.bsky.social
Former manager, bleeding edge tech services for visual communicators. Still sane. Gainfully retired.
Veteran🇺🇸
Seen from Key West to PEI 🇨🇦
#STEAM #Humanities #Civics #ClimateAction #PublicHealth #CyberSecurity #RuleOfLaw
#InformedCitizenry
#SlavaUkraini🇺🇦
Veteran🇺🇸
Seen from Key West to PEI 🇨🇦
#STEAM #Humanities #Civics #ClimateAction #PublicHealth #CyberSecurity #RuleOfLaw
#InformedCitizenry
#SlavaUkraini🇺🇦
Reposted by Steve Sikora
This #VeteransDay, our gratitude is with all who served, and our hearts are with the families of the fallen. We honor their sacrifice not just with words, but with action. That means fighting to protect the benefits they were promised and committing to end #ForeverWars.
November 11, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This #VeteransDay, our gratitude is with all who served, and our hearts are with the families of the fallen. We honor their sacrifice not just with words, but with action. That means fighting to protect the benefits they were promised and committing to end #ForeverWars.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
A #BlueskyLullaby for tonight: To mark the anniversary of the wreck of the 'Edmund Fitzgerald' on Lake Superior (November 10, 1975), here's Gordon Lightfoot's famous song about it—as covered even more hauntingly by the Punch Brothers, including Chris Thile singing and on mandolin. See you around.
Punch Brothers cover Gordon Lightfoot "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" 3/3/22 Boston, MA
YouTube video by Less Than Face Productions
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 5:33 AM
A #BlueskyLullaby for tonight: To mark the anniversary of the wreck of the 'Edmund Fitzgerald' on Lake Superior (November 10, 1975), here's Gordon Lightfoot's famous song about it—as covered even more hauntingly by the Punch Brothers, including Chris Thile singing and on mandolin. See you around.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
There were 6000 shipwrecks on the Great Lakes in the 100 years before the Edmund Fitzgerald went down—that’s one sunk boat a week— and Gordon Lightfoot wrote his song and none since. one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5518...
🔊 Listen Now: 50 years ago, the Edmund Fitzgerald, a 'rock star' ship, sank in Lake Superior
Morning Edition on NPR One | 5:03
one.npr.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:46 AM
There were 6000 shipwrecks on the Great Lakes in the 100 years before the Edmund Fitzgerald went down—that’s one sunk boat a week— and Gordon Lightfoot wrote his song and none since. one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5518...
“Amid such [Republican] vitriol at the ACA, it can be easy to forget that the law brought America’s uninsured rate to a historic low, improved health outcomes across a range of conditions and reduced health inequities.”
Excellent analysis of the current situation.👇🏼
Excellent analysis of the current situation.👇🏼
Here is my latest for @msnbc.com, on Trump's ill-advised concept of a plan for health care, which entails repealing the ACA, and redistributing private insurers' tax breaks to the people for what would essentially amount to an HSA, which is unhelpful if not wealthy. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | Trump’s new plan for Obamacare leaves Americans to fend for themselves
We finally know what “concepts of a plan” looks like – and it’s not good.
www.msnbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:03 AM
“Amid such [Republican] vitriol at the ACA, it can be easy to forget that the law brought America’s uninsured rate to a historic low, improved health outcomes across a range of conditions and reduced health inequities.”
Excellent analysis of the current situation.👇🏼
Excellent analysis of the current situation.👇🏼
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Joyce Carol GOATs
We have discovered the antidote to Elon Musk's tyranny—his truest nemesis.
First of Her Name, Queen of the Bookstores and Libraries, Daughter of the Literature Department and Humanities, The Breaker of Billionaires...
@joycecaroloates.bsky.social
lithub.com/elon-musk-ge...
First of Her Name, Queen of the Bookstores and Libraries, Daughter of the Literature Department and Humanities, The Breaker of Billionaires...
@joycecaroloates.bsky.social
lithub.com/elon-musk-ge...
Elon Musk gets roasted on his own platform by Joyce Carol Oates.
Like an ancient cyborg culling through the ruins of a post-apocalyptic planet (twitter, derogatory), Joyce Carol Oates recently fired her full-power death ray at aspiring trillionaire Elon Musk, wh…
lithub.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Joyce Carol GOATs
Reposted by Steve Sikora
btw, to point out something that might not be obvious, but they do not have "November and December" to work on this. November is nearly half over and the remaining days the House is slated to be in session in Nov will be for the CR. December has a grand total of 12 days where the House is in session
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 PM
btw, to point out something that might not be obvious, but they do not have "November and December" to work on this. November is nearly half over and the remaining days the House is slated to be in session in Nov will be for the CR. December has a grand total of 12 days where the House is in session
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Time for change in some high places in the Democratic Party if we are to meet the greater challenges of the moment in this country. My latest. www.thedailybeast.com/why-these-vi...
Why These Vichy Dems and Their Spineless Boss Need to Go Now
We need courage and clarity from our leaders. Schumer and these eight in the Senate have shown they have failed that test. Time to turn the page.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Time for change in some high places in the Democratic Party if we are to meet the greater challenges of the moment in this country. My latest. www.thedailybeast.com/why-these-vi...
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Voters want a Democratic Party that fights back against the forces that have rigged the system and made their lives more difficult.
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
November 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Voters want a Democratic Party that fights back against the forces that have rigged the system and made their lives more difficult.
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
Reposted by Steve Sikora
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
November 10, 2025 at 10:19 PM
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Why is the "we must be united!" hectoring directed at people who are mad at the Cavers and not to the Cavers? Everyone who's mad was united, then the Cave Caucus walked across the aisle and betrayed what the public had been told was the Dem position.
The sooner we get past internal recriminations and back to fighting united, the better off we all are — the likelier our victory next November.
November 10, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Why is the "we must be united!" hectoring directed at people who are mad at the Cavers and not to the Cavers? Everyone who's mad was united, then the Cave Caucus walked across the aisle and betrayed what the public had been told was the Dem position.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Gifting this article from The Atlantic by a judge appointed by Reagan, who is resigning so he can speak out about how Trump is destroying the rule of law. Must read.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why I Am Resigning
A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Gifting this article from The Atlantic by a judge appointed by Reagan, who is resigning so he can speak out about how Trump is destroying the rule of law. Must read.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Steve Sikora
This is a civil war.
Lincoln had McClellan, Hooker and Pope.
He junked them for Grant, Sherman and Sheridan
We have Schumer, Durbin and Cortez Masto in our leadership.
Act Blue, lose my fucking number until we're clean of generals who can't fight or discipline the troops. No cash for this shit.
Lincoln had McClellan, Hooker and Pope.
He junked them for Grant, Sherman and Sheridan
We have Schumer, Durbin and Cortez Masto in our leadership.
Act Blue, lose my fucking number until we're clean of generals who can't fight or discipline the troops. No cash for this shit.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This is a civil war.
Lincoln had McClellan, Hooker and Pope.
He junked them for Grant, Sherman and Sheridan
We have Schumer, Durbin and Cortez Masto in our leadership.
Act Blue, lose my fucking number until we're clean of generals who can't fight or discipline the troops. No cash for this shit.
Lincoln had McClellan, Hooker and Pope.
He junked them for Grant, Sherman and Sheridan
We have Schumer, Durbin and Cortez Masto in our leadership.
Act Blue, lose my fucking number until we're clean of generals who can't fight or discipline the troops. No cash for this shit.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
As of this morning, it is imperative that the Democratic caucus in the senate remove Schumer as Minority Leader, Durbin as minority whip and Cortez Masto as Vice Chair of Outreach.
Replace them today with Van Hollen, Murphy and Merkley. Or anyone else who actually knows how to lead and discipline.
Replace them today with Van Hollen, Murphy and Merkley. Or anyone else who actually knows how to lead and discipline.
November 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
As of this morning, it is imperative that the Democratic caucus in the senate remove Schumer as Minority Leader, Durbin as minority whip and Cortez Masto as Vice Chair of Outreach.
Replace them today with Van Hollen, Murphy and Merkley. Or anyone else who actually knows how to lead and discipline.
Replace them today with Van Hollen, Murphy and Merkley. Or anyone else who actually knows how to lead and discipline.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
I’m shocked by how the mainstream news coverage of this vote is dominated by logistics and timing, rather than being about what an epic collapse this represents by Democratic leaders.
November 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
I’m shocked by how the mainstream news coverage of this vote is dominated by logistics and timing, rather than being about what an epic collapse this represents by Democratic leaders.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
I wrote a bit more about that here: presswatchers.org/2025/11/the-...
The real story is the Democratic leadership collapse | Press Watch
The current crop of Democratic leaders does not constitute an effective opposition to Trump
presswatchers.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I wrote a bit more about that here: presswatchers.org/2025/11/the-...
“Republicans were unlikely ever to give in on the [ACA] tax credits, because their ideological opposition to universal health care is so overwhelming that they would rather suffer defeat than surrender. But that is just the thing: They were taking the hit.”👇🏼
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Senate Democrats Just Made a Huge Mistake
The shutdown was hurting Trump. Ending it helps him.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:59 PM
“Republicans were unlikely ever to give in on the [ACA] tax credits, because their ideological opposition to universal health care is so overwhelming that they would rather suffer defeat than surrender. But that is just the thing: They were taking the hit.”👇🏼
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Least surprising pardon news so far. Appalling.
November 10, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Least surprising pardon news so far. Appalling.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Schumer is spreading the word he was against the deal. But he is the leader. So he either tacitly let it happen or he failed as a leader. No excuse works for him. This is a fail.
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Schumer is spreading the word he was against the deal. But he is the leader. So he either tacitly let it happen or he failed as a leader. No excuse works for him. This is a fail.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Democrats who care about the country should not just vote no on this terrible capitulation to Trump and MAGA. They should demand a change in Dem leadership in the Senate and support primarying these folks who so clearly are not up to the challenge our country faces at this moment.
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Democrats who care about the country should not just vote no on this terrible capitulation to Trump and MAGA. They should demand a change in Dem leadership in the Senate and support primarying these folks who so clearly are not up to the challenge our country faces at this moment.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Sanders: That is a totally meaningless gesture. You can get 100 votes here and it won't mean anything because the House is not going to take it up.
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Sanders: That is a totally meaningless gesture. You can get 100 votes here and it won't mean anything because the House is not going to take it up.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
November 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
This is really good to see: Miki Sherrill just put out a statement sharply criticizing the Senate Dems' pending cave in the government shutdown, ripping it as "malpractice" and a betrayal of the people who are "counting on us to fight for them." Sherrill knows what drove her victory. Wake up, Dems.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
I will not support a deal that does nothing to make health care more affordable.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
I will not support a deal that does nothing to make health care more affordable.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
Shaheen is retiring; Virginia is solid enough Blue territory that Kaine shld be replaced by a Democrat who is serious about preserving American democracy.
Senate reaches deal to reopen government after moderate Democrats cave
Senate Reaches Deal To Reopen Government After Moderate Democrats Cave
Republicans found enough Democrats willing to drop their party's demand to extend soon-to-expire health care subsidies for millions of people.
www.huffpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Shaheen is retiring; Virginia is solid enough Blue territory that Kaine shld be replaced by a Democrat who is serious about preserving American democracy.
Reposted by Steve Sikora
A #BlueskyLullaby for tonight: You'll hear the trio of Duke Ellington on the piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Sonny Greer on drums in this March 1946 recording. See you around.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdvV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdvV...
Tip Toe Topic
YouTube video by Duke Ellington - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 AM
A #BlueskyLullaby for tonight: You'll hear the trio of Duke Ellington on the piano, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Sonny Greer on drums in this March 1946 recording. See you around.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdvV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdvV...