Mary-Pat C
LightNews LightNews
marypatc.bsky.social
Mary-Pat C
@marypatc.bsky.social
310 followers 96 following 3 posts
TV Producer, former radio program producer, life coach, music lover, sometime singer, wine geek, foodie, cat person, individual dog lover, believer in democracy and the rule of law.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
meidastouch.com
You have to see this.

PoliticsGirl and her husband teamed up with the brilliant Timothy Snyder (author of On Tyranny) and the legendary John Lithgow to create something truly powerful. It’s important, it’s urgent—and it needs to be shared far and wide.
20 Lessons on Tyranny: by Timothy Snyder / read by John Lithgow
YouTube video by PoliticsGirl
youtu.be
March 31, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
altnps.bsky.social
A federal judge barred the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from firing intelligence officers who had been assigned to D.E.I. roles eliminated by the Trump administration, ruling that they should be given the opportunity to seek reassignment to other open positions.
March 31, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
editorialboard.bsky.social
They are going to break Social Security under the guise of fighting fraud and waste so that public trust collapse while 68 million people grow increasingly desperate such that they can privatize it in the name of efficiency and anti-corruption.

It will be the biggest mugging of the century.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Mar 31
Sen. Roger Marshall: "What we do know is that 40% of those phone calls coming into the Social Security hotline are people trying to change the account where that money is being sent. I don't know the success level of those ... we're gonna work on that. I think that's a huge priority."
March 31, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
atrupar.com
Trump on emissions standards for cars: "It doesn't mean a damn bit of difference to the environment. It doesn't matter."
March 31, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
rbreich.bsky.social
Americans are beginning to fear dissent. That’s exactly what Trump wants.

My latest for The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/31/americans-dissent-fear-trump
Americans are beginning to fear dissent. That’s exactly what Trump wants | Robert Reich
Attacks on the pillars of civil society are chilling speech. But American democracy was built on criticism
www.theguardian.com
March 31, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
mikemadrid.bsky.social
If George Conway is saying it’s time to march on the streets…it’s time.
gtconway.bsky.social George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 @gtconway.bsky.social · Mar 29
If you’re upset about the chaos and corruption Trump is inflicting on your country—whether your focus is the nihilistic dismantling of government, the economy, our foreign relations, or his threats to the rule of law—please join the nationwide marches on April 5. Learn more here 👉

handsoff2025.com
Hands Off!
Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. They're taking everything they can get their hands on and daring the world to stop them. On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the stre...
handsoff2025.com
March 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
thedailybeast.bsky.social
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is continuing its dismantling of the U.S. Institute of Peace, naming one of its young software engineers as head of the agency after it refused to allow DOGE employees into the building earlier this month.
28-Year-Old Installed as Head of Agency That Defied DOGE
The young DOGE employee rakes in over $120k a year.
www.thedailybeast.com
March 31, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
annabower.bsky.social
Here’s the email that Harvard University’s president, Alan Garber, sent to members of the Harvard community in response to this news.
105) HARVARD Office of the President Dear Members of the Harvard Community, Earlier today, the federal government's task force to combat antisemitism issued a letter putting at risk almost $9 billion in support of research at Harvard and other institutions, including hospitals in our community. If this funding is stopped, it will halt life-saving research and imperil important scientific research and innovation. The government has informed us that they are considering this action because they are concerned that the University has not fulfilled its obligations to curb and combat antisemitic harassment. We fully embrace the important goal of combatting antisemitism, one of the most insidious forms of bigotry. Urgent action and deep resolve are needed to address this serious problem that is growing across America and around the world. It is present on our campus. I have experienced antisemitism directly, even while serving as president, and I know how damaging it can be to a student who has come to learn and make friends at a college or university. For the past fifteen months, we have devoted considerable effort to addressing antisemitism. We have strengthened our rules and our approach to disciplining those who violate them. We have enhanced training and education on antisemitism across our campus and introduced measures to support our Jewish community and ensure student safety and security. We have launched programs to promote civil dialogue and respectful disagreement inside and outside the classroom. We have adopted many other reforms, and we will continue to combat antisemitism and to foster a campus culture that includes and supports every member of our community. For the past fifteen months, we have devoted considerable effort to addressing antisemitism. We have strengthened our rules and our approach to disciplining those who violate them. We have enhanced training and education on antisemitism across our campus and introduced measures to support our Jewish community and ensure student safety and security. We have launched programs to promote civil dialogue and respectful disagreement inside and outside the classroom. We have adopted many other reforms, and we will continue to combat antisemitism and to foster a campus culture that includes and supports every member of our community. We still have much work to do. We will engage with members of the federal government's task force to combat antisemitism to ensure that they have a full account of the work we have done and the actions we will take going forward to combat antisemitism. We resolve to take the measures that will move Harvard and its vital mission forward while protecting our community and its academic freedom. By doing so, we combat bias and intolerance as we create the conditions that foster the excellence in teaching and research that is at the core of our mission. Much is at stake here. In longstanding partnership with the federal government, we have launched and nurtured pathbreaking research that has made countless people healthier and safer, more curious and more knowledgeable, improving their lives, their communities, and our world. But we are not perfect. Antisemitism is a critical problem that we must and will continue to address. As an institution and as a community, we acknowledge our shortcomings, pursue needed change, and build stronger bonds that enable all to thrive. Our commitment to these ends—and to the teaching and research at the heart of our University-will not waver. Sincerely, Alan M. Garber
March 31, 2025 at 11:46 PM
marypatc.bsky.social
This is devastating and all to common from the heartless health industry. Sickening and horribly horribly sad.
April 1, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
npr.org
With the abrupt shutdown of USAID funding, many clinics, including those serving women in remote areas, have shuttered. Midwives are reporting that mothers and babies are dying as a result.
A midwife says of the aid cuts in Afghanistan: 'No one prioritizes women's lives.'
With the abrupt shutdown of USAID funding, many clinics, including those serving women in remote areas, have shuttered. Midwives are reporting that mothers and babies are dying as a result.
www.npr.org
April 1, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
restofusparty.bsky.social
This is the action we need from our elected officials.
a man in a suit and tie is giving a speech in front of a crowd of people in a courtroom .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is giving a speech in front of a crowd of people in a courtroom .
media.tenor.com
April 1, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
muellershewrote.com
Looking for corporate media coverage of the @booker.senate.gov filibuster and finding NONE. Currently live on CSPAN2 and YouTube.
April 1, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
muellershewrote.com
Yup.
March 31, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
stevenbeschloss.bsky.social
Can we permanently put to rest the myth that a businessman knows more how to manage the economy? Or do we have to wait for our economy’s collapse for some among us to grasp it?
March 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
joycewhitevance.bsky.social
It’s not a joke. We need to take it seriously. This is the same man who repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the results of an election if he lost. People who were shocked when he made good on that in 2020 should not have been, and we must not be now. joycevance.substack.com/p/trumps-thi...
Trump’s Third Term
In a telephone interview last week with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Donald Trump refused to rule out running for a third term as president.
joycevance.substack.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social
US says international humanitarian law should be followed in Gaza
US says international humanitarian law should be followed in Gaza
The deaths of 15 people including paramedics in a convoy have been blamed on Israel's military.
www.bbc.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
bbkogan.bsky.social
So far, Republicans having been toying with using “directed scorekeeping” to force CBO/JCT to pretend the Trump tax cuts are free.

Now Republicans are flirting with abusing Section 312 of the Congressional Budget Act - to just assert the power to fabricate their own cost estimates on the spot.
Lots of churn over the parl. BUT Cornyn, leaving a Finance Cmte meeting, said that Rs are discussing if Graham as Budget chair can "basically say under his authority what the baseline is." "That may be how this proceeds" - though he cautioned that talks are still ongoing Jordain Carney @jordainc •1d News w/@meredithllee: Senate GOP could take first step as soon as WEDNESDAY on budget resolution: politico.com/news/2025/03/3...
April 1, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
davelevitan.bsky.social
The sheer volume of time and energy being spent by thousands of university-based researchers in *every* field right now to figure out if their funding will exist next month or next year, if their careers can even continue… just citing dollar values doesn’t do it justice, it is full-scale upheaval.
April 1, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
marcelias.bsky.social
Proud that my firm and I are representing Democrats in this fight!💪⚖️🗳️

"As Democrats debate how best to challenge the Trump administration’s rapid expansion of executive power, the lawsuit represents one of the first moments where seemingly every arm of the party is pushing back with one voice."
Democrats Sue Trump Over Executive Order on Elections
The lawsuit accuses President Trump of vastly overstepping his authority to “upturn the electoral playing field in his favor and against his political rivals.”
www.nytimes.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
macfarlanenews.bsky.social
ALERT: Democratic Natl Committee & campaign leaders file suit, asking judge to declare new Trump executive order on elections "legally void"

They argue the new Trump orders would "suppress voters, upend voter registration systems and hand over sensitive information to DOGE"
April 1, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
maddow.bsky.social
Pushback works, part gazillion:

"Here are the facts: DOGE moved forward with plans to close multiple field offices. Then, without public notice or explanation, they reversed their plans. Now they are trying to pretend like they were never planning to close the offices."
popular.info/p/how-the-so...
How the Social Security Administration and DOGE are gaslighting Americans
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sent an email on March 27 to beneficiaries saying that reports that field offices were closing was an invention of fake news media.
popular.info
March 31, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
chrislhayes.bsky.social
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
The Makeup Artist Donald Trump Deported Under the Alien Enemies Act
The President has invoked the law to send Venezuelans to prison in El Salvador without due process—and, in many cases, under false pretenses.
www.newyorker.com
April 1, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
stevenbeschloss.bsky.social
There’s a very unwell man clutching the levers of power who badly needs an intervention.
briantylercohen.bsky.social Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social · Mar 31
“Beautiful thing to watch.”
April 1, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
mattmfm.bsky.social
Chris Murphy has confirmed he’s joining Cory Booker in solidarity on the Senate floor all night to protest Trump’s lawlessness and corruption.
April 1, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Reposted by Mary-Pat C
alt18f.bsky.social
Wiped out or fired up? ❤️‍🔥Thank you so much to @matteowong.bsky.social for writing about us!
theatlantic.com The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Mar 2
18F, a team in the General Services Administration, was tailor-made for government efficiency and technology, writes @matteowong.bsky.social. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency wiped it out.
DOGE Killed a Government-Efficiency Team
“It’s chaotic, and it feels like it’s chaotic on purpose.”
www.theatlantic.com
March 2, 2025 at 5:36 PM