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 🇺🇸🆘 🇺🇦
Pinned
Dale
@dalepoak.bsky.social
· Aug 31
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759
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
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.
Reposted by Dale
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
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
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
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
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 🇺🇦
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
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 🇺🇦
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 🇺🇦
In this case, the metaphor for the disastrous dissolution of #USAID and international humanitarian assistance writes itself.
wapo.st/49vjHcU
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
In this case, the metaphor for the disastrous dissolution of #USAID and international humanitarian assistance writes itself.
wapo.st/49vjHcU
wapo.st/49vjHcU
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
Because, of course, what better way to observe the birth of the Prince of Peace than a military strike.
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
#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/
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
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
#neverforget
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...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
December 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
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)
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
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.
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
- Immediate relatives (children under 21, spouses, parents) of US citizens
- International adoptions
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visas
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
“Trump has no jurisdiction over state-level cases to offer the pardon”
Fact check: True
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
“Trump has no jurisdiction over state-level cases to offer the pardon”
Fact check: True
Fact check: True
Reposted by Dale
Lindsey Graham voted to confirm RFK Jr.
The people of South Carolina should vote for @drannieandrews.com.
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
Lindsey Graham voted to confirm RFK Jr.
The people of South Carolina should vote for @drannieandrews.com.
The people of South Carolina should vote for @drannieandrews.com.
Reposted by Dale
The US government is now a mafia organization.
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The US government is now a mafia organization.
Good piece by George Will. Share with your conventional Republican friends who, for some baseless reason, still voted for Trump.
wapo.st/4pg1HJa
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
Good piece by George Will. Share with your conventional Republican friends who, for some baseless reason, still voted for Trump.
wapo.st/4pg1HJa
wapo.st/4pg1HJa
Reposted by Dale
George Retes is an American citizen and veteran who was unjustly pepper-sprayed, arrested, and imprisoned for three days by ICE.
Yet he won't be intimidated by this lawless administration. He's speaking up and telling his story as part of a new $250k @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social campaign. 👇
Yet he won't be intimidated by this lawless administration. He's speaking up and telling his story as part of a new $250k @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social campaign. 👇
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 PM
George Retes is an American citizen and veteran who was unjustly pepper-sprayed, arrested, and imprisoned for three days by ICE.
Yet he won't be intimidated by this lawless administration. He's speaking up and telling his story as part of a new $250k @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social campaign. 👇
Yet he won't be intimidated by this lawless administration. He's speaking up and telling his story as part of a new $250k @ofthebraveusa.bsky.social campaign. 👇
Come on Don, you’re getting close but you know you can do better! Try harder to get to 30%!
Trump’s job approval rating has fallen five percentage points to 36%, the lowest of his second term, while disapproval has risen to 60%, per @gallup.com news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
Trump's Approval Rating Drops to 36%, New Second-Term Low
President Donald Trump's job approval rating has slipped to a new second-term low point and is approaching his all-time low of 34%.
news.gallup.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Come on Don, you’re getting close but you know you can do better! Try harder to get to 30%!
Reposted by Dale
I guess it’s clear why the lawmakers needed to make that video
November 29, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I guess it’s clear why the lawmakers needed to make that video
Reposted by Dale
A reminder that the current SECDEF caught the eye of the president by championing the pardoning of American war criminals — men whose own units testified against them, and who were convicted by military juries
He should never have been nominated for, let alone confirmed in, this job
He should never have been nominated for, let alone confirmed in, this job
November 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A reminder that the current SECDEF caught the eye of the president by championing the pardoning of American war criminals — men whose own units testified against them, and who were convicted by military juries
He should never have been nominated for, let alone confirmed in, this job
He should never have been nominated for, let alone confirmed in, this job
Always happy to post good federal budget geek material.
Former OMB official Mark Sandy describes in @lawfaremedia.org how Trump’s OMB is infringing on Congress’s power of the purse.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trum...
Former OMB official Mark Sandy describes in @lawfaremedia.org how Trump’s OMB is infringing on Congress’s power of the purse.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trum...
Trump Is Usurping Congress’s Power of the Purse
How is the Trump administration impounding congressional appropriations, and will Congress reassert its authorities?
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Always happy to post good federal budget geek material.
Former OMB official Mark Sandy describes in @lawfaremedia.org how Trump’s OMB is infringing on Congress’s power of the purse.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trum...
Former OMB official Mark Sandy describes in @lawfaremedia.org how Trump’s OMB is infringing on Congress’s power of the purse.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trum...
Tom is always worth reading, and this one is exceptional. Or perhaps exceptionally troubling.
This is a new and dire development in the ongoing American constitutional crisis. The voters, Congress, and, yes, the U.S. military must all now be more vigilant than at any time in our modern history.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
The President Is Losing Control of Himself
Donald Trump’s outbursts on social media this week were different than usual.
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Tom is always worth reading, and this one is exceptional. Or perhaps exceptionally troubling.
What could possibly go wrong?
November 18, 2025 at 12:25 PM
What could possibly go wrong?
I’m sure it does violate federal law. And I’m sure Trump couldn’t care less.
A site affiliated with Lee Greenwood sells merchandise with the seal—such as a $20 beer pong set with “Presidential themed balls”—and pays licensing fees to a Trump LLC.
Trump-Licensed Presidential Seal Beer Pong Set Could Violate Federal Law
A site affiliated with Lee Greenwood sells merchandise with the seal—such as a $20 beer pong set with “Presidential themed balls”—and pays licensing fees to a Trump LLC.
www.forbes.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I’m sure it does violate federal law. And I’m sure Trump couldn’t care less.