Brandon Friedman
@brandonfriedman.bsky.social
Founder, Rakkasan Tea Company • Dallas Police Oversight Board • Former Obama guy • Once a soldier
Dallas, Texas
rakkasantea.com
@rakkasantea.bsky.social
Dallas, Texas
rakkasantea.com
@rakkasantea.bsky.social
Pinned
Fascists are using laws and norms against us. Stop letting them. — The McPherson Square Group
There’s a reason cops don’t wait for red lights when pursuing a suspect.
www.themcphersonsquaregroup.com
My latest today on how strict adherence to the rules is killing Democrats while fascists take cities
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
I know, everybody should leave X, but I think an exception should be made solely for Joyce Carol Oates so she can keep wounding Musk's withered soul on his own site and he can't do a thing about it.
![Joyce Carol Oates quoting a tweet that says “wherever he [Elon Musk] goes, he wants to leave”:
"wherever he goes, he wants to leave"-- that's because when he gets there, he has brought his own self along; & whatever club he's invited to join has been devalued by the invitation.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:buy3qvqcj3o76leo6ap7pn2p/bafkreifilfbsxemfsambf4kqwolr24ld2ekqcrz4ybgv3bv7kzi5e6kppm@jpeg)
November 11, 2025 at 3:14 AM
I know, everybody should leave X, but I think an exception should be made solely for Joyce Carol Oates so she can keep wounding Musk's withered soul on his own site and he can't do a thing about it.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
4 UC Berkeley undergrads who put up a cardboard insect to protest Turning P*int USA’s sold out campus event are being charged with FELONY VANDALISM.
www.dailycal.org/news/campus/...
www.dailycal.org/news/campus/...
4 UC Berkeley students arrested on felony vandalism charges for anti-TPUSA art installation
UCPD arrested four students early Monday morning for felony vandalism, according to information from campus administrators.
www.dailycal.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
4 UC Berkeley undergrads who put up a cardboard insect to protest Turning P*int USA’s sold out campus event are being charged with FELONY VANDALISM.
www.dailycal.org/news/campus/...
www.dailycal.org/news/campus/...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Ah yes. Just what I want to do: haggle with Aetna over unsubsidized private plans.
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Ah yes. Just what I want to do: haggle with Aetna over unsubsidized private plans.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Hemp is defined as <0.3% delta-9 THC in dry weight. The minibus adds a ban on “any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products which are marketed or sold as a final product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use,” and sets a limit of 0.4 mg THC per container.
The shutdown deal includes a ban on hemp products that none of its negotiators debated in public.
Disappointing that only 24 senators voted against killing an amendment to strike that ban.
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
Disappointing that only 24 senators voted against killing an amendment to strike that ban.
www.senate.gov/legislative/...
November 11, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Hemp is defined as <0.3% delta-9 THC in dry weight. The minibus adds a ban on “any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products which are marketed or sold as a final product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use,” and sets a limit of 0.4 mg THC per container.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Not a single Democratic Senator who voted NO on surrender with strongly worded posts, statements, emails, videos etc has publicly called on Schumer to resign as the Leader of the Democratic caucus. It’s telling. They are all mostly cowards - followers of public opinions instead of being leaders.
Here are the at least 6 House Democrats, 3 Democratic-aligned organizations, and 4 Democratic Senate candidates calling for Chuck Schumer to resign as leader:
November 11, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Not a single Democratic Senator who voted NO on surrender with strongly worded posts, statements, emails, videos etc has publicly called on Schumer to resign as the Leader of the Democratic caucus. It’s telling. They are all mostly cowards - followers of public opinions instead of being leaders.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Any Senate Democrat who is not publicly and explicitly calling for Schumer's resignation as the Leader is complicit.
The reason the Dems get away with “don’t blame me, those 8 voted for it” is because there are people who genuinely believe that’s how things work. It’s incredibly depressing.
November 11, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Any Senate Democrat who is not publicly and explicitly calling for Schumer's resignation as the Leader is complicit.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
The bigger fight? Buddy, I die without health care and your pals in the Senate — none of whom will ever go without access to lifesaving medical care — told me they were gonna fight so my premiums don't go up 50%. And then they folded.
But there are real dangers out there that must be fought; and energy spent fighting each other is energy lost to that bigger fight.
November 10, 2025 at 11:32 PM
The bigger fight? Buddy, I die without health care and your pals in the Senate — none of whom will ever go without access to lifesaving medical care — told me they were gonna fight so my premiums don't go up 50%. And then they folded.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
This is so offensive I don’t even know where to start.
“Vote blue no matter who and also shut the fuck up when those people betray you.”
Nope.
We will primary every senator who doesn’t call for Schumer to step down in the next 24 hours.
You work for us.
“Vote blue no matter who and also shut the fuck up when those people betray you.”
Nope.
We will primary every senator who doesn’t call for Schumer to step down in the next 24 hours.
You work for us.
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 11, 2025 at 12:19 AM
This is so offensive I don’t even know where to start.
“Vote blue no matter who and also shut the fuck up when those people betray you.”
Nope.
We will primary every senator who doesn’t call for Schumer to step down in the next 24 hours.
You work for us.
“Vote blue no matter who and also shut the fuck up when those people betray you.”
Nope.
We will primary every senator who doesn’t call for Schumer to step down in the next 24 hours.
You work for us.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
NEW: Some math teachers took a photo wearing t-shirts reading "Problem Solved" on Halloween
There was no connection to Charlie Kirk, but some right-wing influencers and GOP politicians insisted there was
Dozens of death threats followed. Here's what happened -->
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
There was no connection to Charlie Kirk, but some right-wing influencers and GOP politicians insisted there was
Dozens of death threats followed. Here's what happened -->
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
One photo, a deluge of threats: Inside the Arizona high school turned upside down by right-wing activists
A group of math teachers — some of whom were fans of Charlie Kirk — had their lives turned upside down this week over false accusations about a Halloween photo.
www.nbcnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
NEW: Some math teachers took a photo wearing t-shirts reading "Problem Solved" on Halloween
There was no connection to Charlie Kirk, but some right-wing influencers and GOP politicians insisted there was
Dozens of death threats followed. Here's what happened -->
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
There was no connection to Charlie Kirk, but some right-wing influencers and GOP politicians insisted there was
Dozens of death threats followed. Here's what happened -->
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
The surest Jan of all the sure Jans
SCOOP: Schumer privately fought to extend government shutdown
Scoop: Schumer privately fought to extend government shutdown
"We let him know what we were doing," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
www.axios.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The surest Jan of all the sure Jans
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
“Right now I’m not so open to working with Disney. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great.” 👏🙌🤘
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Oscar Isaac “Not So Open to Working With Disney” on ‘Star Wars’ Return After Kimmel Suspension: “If They Can Not Succumb to Fascism, That Would Be Great”
Isaac, who played Poe Dameron in the 'Star Wars' sequels, hit out at the studio in the days after the Disney-owned ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel's late night series off the air in September.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
“Right now I’m not so open to working with Disney. But if they can kinda figure it out and, you know, not succumb to fascism, that would be great.” 👏🙌🤘
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Here comes the gray haired Senate (white) man splaining from a multi millionaire will never have to worry about paying for healthcare to lay out how Democrats must keep surrendering to Republicans to “move forward together.” 🙄
Many feel betrayal and frustration, and the feelings are hot right now.
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Here comes the gray haired Senate (white) man splaining from a multi millionaire will never have to worry about paying for healthcare to lay out how Democrats must keep surrendering to Republicans to “move forward together.” 🙄
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Joyce Carol Oates owned Elon so hard he's spent the last day posting about movies he hasn't seen in 15 years
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Joyce Carol Oates owned Elon so hard he's spent the last day posting about movies he hasn't seen in 15 years
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
🚨 Tim Kaine is saying the quiet part out loud - underscoring why anyone shouldn't be satisfied with any of the "no" statements or posts from Dem Senators.
If Dem Senators are truly disgusted with this save they should be calling on #SurrenderSchumer to step aside as the Leader immediately.
If Dem Senators are truly disgusted with this save they should be calling on #SurrenderSchumer to step aside as the Leader immediately.
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
🚨 Tim Kaine is saying the quiet part out loud - underscoring why anyone shouldn't be satisfied with any of the "no" statements or posts from Dem Senators.
If Dem Senators are truly disgusted with this save they should be calling on #SurrenderSchumer to step aside as the Leader immediately.
If Dem Senators are truly disgusted with this save they should be calling on #SurrenderSchumer to step aside as the Leader immediately.
This should get King expelled from the caucus
SENATOR ANGUS KING: "Standing up to Donald Trump didn't work. It actually gave him more power."
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This should get King expelled from the caucus
Replacing "air traffic controllers" with "true patriots" seems like a good way to kill lots of people
‘REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY’: Trump threatens to replace absent air traffic controllers with ‘true Patriots’
‘REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY’: Trump threatens to replace absent air traffic controllers with ‘true Patriots’
But he promises $10,000 bonuses to controllers who have shown up without fail during the more-than-monthlong shutdown.
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Replacing "air traffic controllers" with "true patriots" seems like a good way to kill lots of people
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
lol she got his ass and he knows it
November 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
lol she got his ass and he knows it
Speaking my language
This is the political equivalent of the Luka trade. Schumer is the Nico Harrison of the Senate.
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Speaking my language
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
This is the political equivalent of the Luka trade. Schumer is the Nico Harrison of the Senate.
November 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This is the political equivalent of the Luka trade. Schumer is the Nico Harrison of the Senate.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Chuck Schumer has not met this moment and Senate Democrats would be wise to move on from his leadership.
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Chuck Schumer has not met this moment and Senate Democrats would be wise to move on from his leadership.
Schumer needs to resign
KILMEADE: Schumer says he's voting no. Did you do this outside leadership?
SHAHEEN: No. We kept leadership informed throughout.
SHAHEEN: No. We kept leadership informed throughout.
November 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Schumer needs to resign
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Yup, and the damage isn’t so much in the story as in the proof of weakness. Trump now knows he has new torture tools to make Dems do what he wants. It’s why at least one of the 7 capitulators oughta be run out of office now, mid session. Get that number down to 6. www.offmessage.net/p/16-thought...
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Yup, and the damage isn’t so much in the story as in the proof of weakness. Trump now knows he has new torture tools to make Dems do what he wants. It’s why at least one of the 7 capitulators oughta be run out of office now, mid session. Get that number down to 6. www.offmessage.net/p/16-thought...
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
@schumer.senate.gov let people go weeks without paychecks, let families lose access to SNAP and vital programs, all for nothing. No concessions, no vision, no fight.
And now they’ll ask us to work tirelessly to flip Congress next year, but why should anyone trust they’ll do better?
And now they’ll ask us to work tirelessly to flip Congress next year, but why should anyone trust they’ll do better?
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
November 10, 2025 at 2:03 AM
@schumer.senate.gov let people go weeks without paychecks, let families lose access to SNAP and vital programs, all for nothing. No concessions, no vision, no fight.
And now they’ll ask us to work tirelessly to flip Congress next year, but why should anyone trust they’ll do better?
And now they’ll ask us to work tirelessly to flip Congress next year, but why should anyone trust they’ll do better?
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
Beyond policy considerations and electoral politics, Tuesday provided a lot of people with a brief spark of hope that maybe our democracy is not already dead, and Democrats immediately capitulating to anti-democracy forces for no discernible benefit is a great way to extinguish that spark.
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Beyond policy considerations and electoral politics, Tuesday provided a lot of people with a brief spark of hope that maybe our democracy is not already dead, and Democrats immediately capitulating to anti-democracy forces for no discernible benefit is a great way to extinguish that spark.
Reposted by Brandon Friedman
I spotted this on Mastodon and I find it horrible, not least for the speed with which this has happened.
November 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
I spotted this on Mastodon and I find it horrible, not least for the speed with which this has happened.