@jakemadtown.bsky.social
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"The issues" are not immutable. Americans do not come out of the womb arguing about trans girls in Division III volleyball.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
And, you can also change the narrative yourself, by leading the public. Public pressure absolutely moves politicians. Sitting around waiting for others to take this seriously is failing. Making something the story and making the public care about it is the job of a politician.
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
January 6, 2026 at 1:55 AM
"The issues" are not immutable. Americans do not come out of the womb arguing about trans girls in Division III volleyball.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
The issues are what you make them. The issues are what you're loudest about.
Create the conversation around these murderers' war crimes, don't equivocate, and don't let up.
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"Trump is setting up a payback loop with the big oil companies...those companies and/or their executives can start contributing to Trump’s vanity projects, like the ballroom, like the Kennedy Center."
Norm Eisen is good on the pod, explaining how Venezuela invasion opens new avenues for corruption:
Norm Eisen is good on the pod, explaining how Venezuela invasion opens new avenues for corruption:
Now that Trump is trying to hand Venezuela to US oil companies, that incentivizes execs to give big donations to his PAC and WH ballroom in a "vicious circle" of corruption, @normeisen.bsky.social says. MTG gets how this betrays MAGA.
On the pod Norm lays it all out:
newrepublic.com/article/2048...
On the pod Norm lays it all out:
newrepublic.com/article/2048...
Marjorie Taylor Greene Wrecks Trump in Epic Maduro Rant as MAGA Breaks
As Representative Greene harshly criticizes Trump’s invasion of Venezuela, prominent advocate Norm Eisen explains how this illegal war unmasks MAGA’s true intentions—and details what should happen in ...
newrepublic.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:28 PM
"Trump is setting up a payback loop with the big oil companies...those companies and/or their executives can start contributing to Trump’s vanity projects, like the ballroom, like the Kennedy Center."
Norm Eisen is good on the pod, explaining how Venezuela invasion opens new avenues for corruption:
Norm Eisen is good on the pod, explaining how Venezuela invasion opens new avenues for corruption:
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NEWS: A source confirms DOJ has NOT provided Congress the legally required explanation for redactions in the Epstein file releases, despite a Jan. 3 statutory deadline under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Department of Justice Violates Epstein Files Law By Failing to Inform Congress of Reasons Behind Redactions
The Justice Department has now blown through another deadline.
meidasnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:39 AM
NEWS: A source confirms DOJ has NOT provided Congress the legally required explanation for redactions in the Epstein file releases, despite a Jan. 3 statutory deadline under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
In addition to the other reasons to hate Trumpian stuff in Venezuela, there's no economic reason to "take the oil."
That's because Americans are using less oil/gas while US is pumping more than ever. They can't cover costs of US oil, let alone S. America's. jakehasablog.blogspot.com/2026/01/it-i...
That's because Americans are using less oil/gas while US is pumping more than ever. They can't cover costs of US oil, let alone S. America's. jakehasablog.blogspot.com/2026/01/it-i...
We don't need more oil in America. So why grab it from Venezuela?
The Venezuelan adventure that went on this weekend should make you ask "WHY?" Not just for the arrogance and general unconstitionality of...
jakehasablog.blogspot.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:35 AM
In addition to the other reasons to hate Trumpian stuff in Venezuela, there's no economic reason to "take the oil."
That's because Americans are using less oil/gas while US is pumping more than ever. They can't cover costs of US oil, let alone S. America's. jakehasablog.blogspot.com/2026/01/it-i...
That's because Americans are using less oil/gas while US is pumping more than ever. They can't cover costs of US oil, let alone S. America's. jakehasablog.blogspot.com/2026/01/it-i...
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Since TANF was converted to block grants, only 22% of funding goes to cash assistance to the poor. This is Welfare State 101 knowledge. But the Washington Post does not mention that because now the editorial page is a place that draws its evidence from right wing youtubers rather than researchers.
January 5, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Since TANF was converted to block grants, only 22% of funding goes to cash assistance to the poor. This is Welfare State 101 knowledge. But the Washington Post does not mention that because now the editorial page is a place that draws its evidence from right wing youtubers rather than researchers.
So you're saying there is no plan. Cool, cool.
BRENNAN: To be clear, there is no plan for US occupation of this country of nearly 30 million people?
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
MARCO RUBIO: The president always retains optionality on anything and on all of these matters
January 4, 2026 at 6:20 PM
So you're saying there is no plan. Cool, cool.
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Moulton: "When we had briefings on Venezuela, we asked, 'Are you going to invade the country?' We were told no. 'Do you plan to put troops on the ground?' We were told no. 'Do you intend regime change in VZ?' We were told no. So in a sense, we have been briefed, we've just been completely lied to"
January 3, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Moulton: "When we had briefings on Venezuela, we asked, 'Are you going to invade the country?' We were told no. 'Do you plan to put troops on the ground?' We were told no. 'Do you intend regime change in VZ?' We were told no. So in a sense, we have been briefed, we've just been completely lied to"
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Nothing says "strong" like complaining off the record to a Beltway reporter
Some Democrats hate that their party is largely positioning itself in opposition to the operation that resulted in Maduro's capture.
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," one House Dem told @axios.com
Said another: "It looks weak." www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," one House Dem told @axios.com
Said another: "It looks weak." www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"It looks weak": Some Democrats want their party to shut up and clap for Maduro's capture
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," fumed one House Democrat.
www.axios.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Nothing says "strong" like complaining off the record to a Beltway reporter
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Wrote this before yesterday but it gets at what undergirds that (and lots of other things in politics).
"The internet universalized subjectivity instead of objectivity. … We have reverted from acting on what we *know* to acting on what we *think*."
"The internet universalized subjectivity instead of objectivity. … We have reverted from acting on what we *know* to acting on what we *think*."
Opinion | How the internet fractured the information ago — and drove down regard for actual facts and education
Philip Bump: We have reverted from acting on what we know to acting on what we think.
www.ms.now
January 4, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Wrote this before yesterday but it gets at what undergirds that (and lots of other things in politics).
"The internet universalized subjectivity instead of objectivity. … We have reverted from acting on what we *know* to acting on what we *think*."
"The internet universalized subjectivity instead of objectivity. … We have reverted from acting on what we *know* to acting on what we *think*."
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Stories built on "U.S. officials," especially ones published just hours after an action, are rarely the actual inside story.
And papers shouldn't be playing like they are.
And papers shouldn't be playing like they are.
January 4, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Stories built on "U.S. officials," especially ones published just hours after an action, are rarely the actual inside story.
And papers shouldn't be playing like they are.
And papers shouldn't be playing like they are.
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Bondi should charge Maduro with denying the legitimate results of a democratic election. Be good to get some precedent on that.
January 4, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Bondi should charge Maduro with denying the legitimate results of a democratic election. Be good to get some precedent on that.
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New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
January 4, 2026 at 11:35 AM
New euphemism for "bottomless corruption and naked abuses of power" just dropped
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Didn't expect to begin my career as geopolitics reporter today but.../gestures broadly/
Jackson Chourio is one of at least 3 Brewers currently in Venezuela, hitting a huge playoff homer last night. The Brewers are now in scramble mode figuring out what to do next.
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
Jackson Chourio is one of at least 3 Brewers currently in Venezuela, hitting a huge playoff homer last night. The Brewers are now in scramble mode figuring out what to do next.
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
January 3, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Didn't expect to begin my career as geopolitics reporter today but.../gestures broadly/
Jackson Chourio is one of at least 3 Brewers currently in Venezuela, hitting a huge playoff homer last night. The Brewers are now in scramble mode figuring out what to do next.
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
Jackson Chourio is one of at least 3 Brewers currently in Venezuela, hitting a huge playoff homer last night. The Brewers are now in scramble mode figuring out what to do next.
www.jsonline.com/story/sports...
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Chairman JCOS: “Months of planning…”
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
January 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Chairman JCOS: “Months of planning…”
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
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A side story is there’s a ton of insider trading on these prediction markets. New accounts making hundreds of thousands on their first and only trade, that maduro would be ousted. Seems like insider trading is legal if not encouraged on these platforms
January 3, 2026 at 5:29 PM
A side story is there’s a ton of insider trading on these prediction markets. New accounts making hundreds of thousands on their first and only trade, that maduro would be ousted. Seems like insider trading is legal if not encouraged on these platforms
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You don't have to listen to these professional liars who are barely trying. 9 months ago they were saying they were powerless to return a man they illegally sent to an El Salvador gulag because it would violate that country's national sovereignty
Vance pushes back and says this was not illegal, arguing "Maduro has multiple indictments in the United States for narcoterrorism. You don't get to avoid justice for drug trafficking in the United States because you live in a palace in Caracas."
January 3, 2026 at 3:19 PM
You don't have to listen to these professional liars who are barely trying. 9 months ago they were saying they were powerless to return a man they illegally sent to an El Salvador gulag because it would violate that country's national sovereignty
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Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
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Oooooh scary. A bipartisan resolution!
Wake me up when Democrats promise that the next Democratic AG is arresting everyone involves and charging them with various crimes.
Wake me up when Democrats promise that the next Democratic AG is arresting everyone involves and charging them with various crimes.
Harsh words from @kaine.senate.gov, who sits on the Senate’s armed services and foreign relations committees, and asks where Trump will deploy military forces next
January 3, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Oooooh scary. A bipartisan resolution!
Wake me up when Democrats promise that the next Democratic AG is arresting everyone involves and charging them with various crimes.
Wake me up when Democrats promise that the next Democratic AG is arresting everyone involves and charging them with various crimes.
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Maybe the Democrats should have, I dunno, prosecuted Donald Trump for his crimes when Joe Biden was president? Just spitballing here
January 3, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Maybe the Democrats should have, I dunno, prosecuted Donald Trump for his crimes when Joe Biden was president? Just spitballing here
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It's illegal for the president to relieve student loan debt. It's completely fine for the president to unilaterally decide to have the head of a foreign nation black bagged on foreign soil.
January 3, 2026 at 2:36 PM
It's illegal for the president to relieve student loan debt. It's completely fine for the president to unilaterally decide to have the head of a foreign nation black bagged on foreign soil.
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We are a rogue state, run by a dictator, and the international community should treat us as such including all appropriate economic and diplomatic sanctions
January 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
We are a rogue state, run by a dictator, and the international community should treat us as such including all appropriate economic and diplomatic sanctions
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I’m thinking this morning about all the people I spoke to last year who were absolutely convinced, and tried to convince me, that Trump would be antiwar compared to Biden and Harris.
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
January 3, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I’m thinking this morning about all the people I spoke to last year who were absolutely convinced, and tried to convince me, that Trump would be antiwar compared to Biden and Harris.
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
Reposted
This strike doesn't represent strength. It's not sound foreign policy. It puts Americans at risk in Venezuela and the region, and it sends a horrible and disturbing signal to other powerful leaders across the globe that targeting a head of state is an acceptable policy for the U.S. government.
January 3, 2026 at 10:37 AM
This strike doesn't represent strength. It's not sound foreign policy. It puts Americans at risk in Venezuela and the region, and it sends a horrible and disturbing signal to other powerful leaders across the globe that targeting a head of state is an acceptable policy for the U.S. government.
Reposted
I mean given that he is constitutionally barred from re-election what exactly can you call this other than legalized bribery?
NEW w/ @kenvogel.bsky.social: Trump’s team raised more than $100 million for MAGA Inc. in the second half of 2025, with much of the money coming from wealthy people and corporations with issues before the administration. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/u...
Trump Super PAC Raised More Than $100 Million in Recent Months
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:48 AM
I mean given that he is constitutionally barred from re-election what exactly can you call this other than legalized bribery?
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thankfully donald trump is speedrunning administration and political movement suicide. this should be extremely bad for him and his movement long term. democrats please stand against this the world is begging for you to stand strong against imperialism
January 3, 2026 at 8:22 AM
thankfully donald trump is speedrunning administration and political movement suicide. this should be extremely bad for him and his movement long term. democrats please stand against this the world is begging for you to stand strong against imperialism