Dale
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dalepoak.bsky.social
Dale
@dalepoak.bsky.social
Husband, dad, grandpa. Former House Approps Committee & OMB staff. Former Republican. Now retired and cranky. Posting on politics and Maine. https://substack.com/@daleoak?r=9q4gn&utm_medium=ios 🇺🇸🆘 🇺🇦
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"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759
American Patriots: “You killed unarmed protesters!”

Royal officials: “They were domestic terrorists.”

American Patriots: “The cause of liberty will prevail over your tyranny.”
January 9, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Rare earth minerals do not get as much attention as oil as a motivation for Trump’s actions in Venezuela, but they may be just as important.
January 7, 2026 at 9:19 PM
On 1/20/25, Trump gave a blanket pardon to 1500+ rioters responsible for the #January6 Capitol attack, including Josiah Kenyon.

Kenyon pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced to 72 months in prison.
January 7, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Dale
In a breathtaking reversal of reality, Trump uses a taxpayer funded website to whitewash the history of Jan. 6, blaming Capitol Police, Democrats and Pence -- everyone but himself and the mob that stormed the Capitol. @lukebroadwater.bsky.social @alanfeuer.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
White House Posts False Jan. 6 Narrative on Riot’s 5th Anniversary
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Propagandists who would make Stalin blush.
January 6, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Reposted by Dale
🇺🇸
The January 6th insurrection as well as September 11th are the two most significant acts of domestic as well as foreign terrorism perpetrated on American people in modern history. 🗽
January 6, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Today is the 5th anniversary of the #January6 insurrection. Sadly, the country reelected the man who fomented the riot, pardoned its violent participants, and disrespects the rule of law across multiple fronts.
January 6, 2026 at 2:35 PM
This. This is what it’s all about. Any talk of stopping illegal drugs is only a cover for his aggression and complete disregard for the sanctity of other countries’ borders.
President Trump has offered a variety of reasons for his intense ambitions in Venezuela and Greenland.

But one tie binds them all: They hold many of the critical minerals essential to AI and defense technology — and therefore future global dominance.
The war for minerals, oil and AI
Venezuela and Greenland hold many of the critical minerals essential to AI and defense technology — and therefore future global dominance.
www.axios.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Finally finished my summer reading list, which turned into a fall reading list and then a winter reading list. Maybe I need to get started now on next summer’s reading list.
January 5, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Reposted by Dale
January 3, 2026 at 11:30 PM
2026 gonna be great
January 1, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Two questions:

1. Was Benjamin Wittes hired as a consultant for this project? (He should have been.)

2. Will the National Park Police confiscate the projection equipment?

@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org
@hollybfletcher.bsky.social
Washington Monument to light up with dazzling NYE projection show
The Washington Monument will host a dazzling six-night projection display starting New Year's Eve 2025, marking the U.S.'s 250th anniversary celebrations.
www.wusa9.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Trump said he would end Russia’s war against Ukraine “in 24 hours.” On day 343 of his presidency, the war continues.

Zelensky and Trump met again today, and Trump admitted that finding peace is “very complicated stuff.”

Glad he finally figured that out.

Stand with #Ukraine 🇺🇦
December 29, 2025 at 12:50 AM
In this case, the metaphor for the disastrous dissolution of #USAID and international humanitarian assistance writes itself.

wapo.st/49vjHcU
The wondrous, short-lived dream of the MVP1 toilet
The shared global vision to lift humanity and end poverty has fractured. The fate of a U.S.-sponsored toilet shows the fallout.
wapo.st
December 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Because, of course, what better way to observe the birth of the Prince of Peace than a military strike.
December 27, 2025 at 9:55 PM
As antisemitism and tolerance of fascism, is on the rise, everyone should follow @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social to be reminded of what happens when hate is taken to the extreme.

#neverforget
27 December 1924 | Dutch Jew, Simon van Praag, was born in Rotterdam.

He was deported to #Auschwitz from #Westerbork in February 1943. He did not survive.
---

📖 Learn about the fate of Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
December 27, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Perhaps Bari Weiss should mention that the President of the United States calls the press he doesn’t like “an enemy of the People.” That, it seems, would impact trust among some folks.

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
December 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It’s a complete disgrace that the January 6th plaque has not been hung.

#January6
#Jan6
#Jan6plaque
NEW: Jan 6 police heroes file new motion defending their lawsuit which seeks court order for Architect of Capitol to finally hang the January 6th plaque honoring officers

Law required plaque to be hung by 2023
It hasn't been
GOP leaders won't see if/when it'll happen

(MORE)
December 23, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Dear Leader welcomes you to the Democratic People’s Republic of Trump. While you are here, please take advantage of the anti-woke entertainment offerings at the Dear Leader’s personal performance arts center. You definitely should go; we’ll know if you don’t.
December 18, 2025 at 6:52 PM
The extension of visa restrictions to these categories, especially international adoptions (exactly what is the threat posed by babies?), under the new Executive Order seems like a huge deal and worthy of more media attention. Link to the EO in replies.
The full text tells us that the following exceptions to the immigrant visa restrictions on the travel bans have now been eliminated:

- Immediate relatives (children under 21, spouses, parents) of US citizens
- International adoptions
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visas
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
On January 20, Trump gave a blanket pardon to 1500+ rioters responsible for the #January6 Capitol attack, including Justin Jersey.

Jersey pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement and was sentenced to 51 months in prison. He grabbed an officer’s face and knocked the officer to the ground.
December 15, 2025 at 10:45 PM
“Trump has no jurisdiction over state-level cases to offer the pardon”

Fact check: True
JUST IN: President Trump says he pardoned Colorado's former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters for her "attempts to expose Voter Fraud" in the 2020 presidential election.
Trump says he's pardoned Tina Peters, but that may not save her from prison
Trump has no jurisdiction over state-level cases to offer the pardon.
www.axios.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Reposted by Dale
Lindsey Graham voted to confirm RFK Jr.

The people of South Carolina should vote for @drannieandrews.com.
The measles outbreak in South Carolina is “accelerating” with no end in sight following Thanksgiving and other large gatherings, state health officials say.
South Carolina measles outbreak is 'accelerating,' driving hundreds into quarantine
Some students who remain unvaccinated are now in a second 21-day quarantine since the beginning of the school year.
nbcnews.to
December 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Dale
The US government is now a mafia organization.
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Good piece by George Will. Share with your conventional Republican friends who, for some baseless reason, still voted for Trump.

wapo.st/4pg1HJa
Opinion | A sickening moral slum of an administration
Regarding Venezuela, Ukraine and much more, Trump and his acolytes are worse than simply incompetent.
wapo.st
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM