Smart Dissent
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PRO DEMOCRACY. ANTI CONVICTED FELONS, STUPIDITY, CULTS AND FASCISM.
PRO DEMOCRACY. ANTI CONVICTED FELONS, STUPIDITY, CULTS AND FASCISM.
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Smart Dissent
@smartdissent.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Glad to be among the thousands moving to Blue Sky. Nice to see you all over here. Hoping to eventually have a fraction of the 60k "followers" we used to have on the artist-formerly-known-as-Twitter.
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"A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for a man who wants to end wars, not start them, and who has demonstrated already that he has the courage and strength to stand up and fight for peace" -- Tulsi Gabbard, 10/27/24
January 4, 2026 at 11:22 PM
"A vote for Donald Trump is a vote for a man who wants to end wars, not start them, and who has demonstrated already that he has the courage and strength to stand up and fight for peace" -- Tulsi Gabbard, 10/27/24
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Despite a statutory deadline requiring all of the files to be released by Dec. 19, 5.2 million documents remain to be reviewed and disclosed. It’s likely that the final public release will not occur until the end of February — one full year after Pam Bondi ordered the release of the records.
For Trump, the Epstein Cover-Up Beats the Truth
As one of her first acts as Attorney General, Pam Bondi wrote a letter to the new head of the FBI, Kash Patel, demanding that the “full and complete Epstein files” be delivered to her office by the ne...
www.democracydocket.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Despite a statutory deadline requiring all of the files to be released by Dec. 19, 5.2 million documents remain to be reviewed and disclosed. It’s likely that the final public release will not occur until the end of February — one full year after Pam Bondi ordered the release of the records.
Reposted by Smart Dissent
Dan Bongino has officially returned to private life after less than a year at the FBI.
Bongino said Saturday was his last day on the job before he would return to "civilian life."
Bongino said Saturday was his last day on the job before he would return to "civilian life."
January 5, 2026 at 12:55 AM
Dan Bongino has officially returned to private life after less than a year at the FBI.
Bongino said Saturday was his last day on the job before he would return to "civilian life."
Bongino said Saturday was his last day on the job before he would return to "civilian life."
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Trump just now on AF1: "Don't ask me who's in charge, because I'll give you an answer and it'll be very controversial."
Reporter: What does that mean?
Trump: "It means we're in charge."
Reporter: What does that mean?
Trump: "It means we're in charge."
January 5, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Trump just now on AF1: "Don't ask me who's in charge, because I'll give you an answer and it'll be very controversial."
Reporter: What does that mean?
Trump: "It means we're in charge."
Reporter: What does that mean?
Trump: "It means we're in charge."
Reposted by Smart Dissent
The Republicans cover our country in shame every day.
Trump: Don’t ask me who is in charge because I’ll give you an answer and it will be very controversial.
Reporter: What does that mean?
Trump: We’re in charge.
Reporter: What does that mean?
Trump: We’re in charge.
January 5, 2026 at 2:31 AM
The Republicans cover our country in shame every day.
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If we're going to stop "funding corruption," let's start with the destruction of the East Wing & building a gold clad ballroom. I'm okay with feeding & educating kids. (Also, a lot of that debt comes from the GOP's "big beautiful bill.")
January 5, 2026 at 2:37 AM
If we're going to stop "funding corruption," let's start with the destruction of the East Wing & building a gold clad ballroom. I'm okay with feeding & educating kids. (Also, a lot of that debt comes from the GOP's "big beautiful bill.")
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Trump just issued threats to attack Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Iran, Venezuela (again), and Greenland (which would be an attack on all of NATO).
January 5, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Trump just issued threats to attack Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Iran, Venezuela (again), and Greenland (which would be an attack on all of NATO).
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Reminder: Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair's Chris Whipple: "If he were to authorize some activity on land, then it's war, then [we'd need] Congress."
January 4, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Reminder: Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair's Chris Whipple: "If he were to authorize some activity on land, then it's war, then [we'd need] Congress."
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Every day that the pushback by Congress is muted, the more we can be sure Trump will take it asa green light to invade another country.
January 4, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Every day that the pushback by Congress is muted, the more we can be sure Trump will take it asa green light to invade another country.
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Excuse my optimism, but this passage in the New York Times today is the kind of blunt statement of the facts that NYT has been avoiding for years. They’re describing the Trump regime‘s actions in Venezuela as gunboat diplomacy and imperialism.
January 4, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Excuse my optimism, but this passage in the New York Times today is the kind of blunt statement of the facts that NYT has been avoiding for years. They’re describing the Trump regime‘s actions in Venezuela as gunboat diplomacy and imperialism.
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When you say "Elections?" the same way that Jim Mora said "Playoffs?!"
NBC News: “How soon will elections be held in Venezuela? Within 30 days?”
Rubio: “Elections? I think it is premature at this point.”
The US is going to be there for the long haul.
Rubio: “Elections? I think it is premature at this point.”
The US is going to be there for the long haul.
January 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
When you say "Elections?" the same way that Jim Mora said "Playoffs?!"
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2026 is the year we level up The Pulaski Institution in our mission to promote democracy in the heartlands.
I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far on an almost non-existent budget, and I know we have a unique vision that is more relevant than ever.
Won’t you join us?
www.zeffy.com/en-US/donati...
I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far on an almost non-existent budget, and I know we have a unique vision that is more relevant than ever.
Won’t you join us?
www.zeffy.com/en-US/donati...
January 3, 2026 at 9:19 AM
2026 is the year we level up The Pulaski Institution in our mission to promote democracy in the heartlands.
I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far on an almost non-existent budget, and I know we have a unique vision that is more relevant than ever.
Won’t you join us?
www.zeffy.com/en-US/donati...
I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far on an almost non-existent budget, and I know we have a unique vision that is more relevant than ever.
Won’t you join us?
www.zeffy.com/en-US/donati...
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I hope you’ll consider donating. I really hope you’ll tell other people about us.
If you do decide to give, you have the added option of making it a monthly or yeah donation. Those do the most to help us grow sustainably.
At minimum, I hope to see you at a Pulaski event someday.
If you do decide to give, you have the added option of making it a monthly or yeah donation. Those do the most to help us grow sustainably.
At minimum, I hope to see you at a Pulaski event someday.
January 3, 2026 at 9:39 AM
I hope you’ll consider donating. I really hope you’ll tell other people about us.
If you do decide to give, you have the added option of making it a monthly or yeah donation. Those do the most to help us grow sustainably.
At minimum, I hope to see you at a Pulaski event someday.
If you do decide to give, you have the added option of making it a monthly or yeah donation. Those do the most to help us grow sustainably.
At minimum, I hope to see you at a Pulaski event someday.
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But none of that is cheap. For some orgs, $250,000.00 isn’t all that much. For us, it’s a huge step in getting down to the work we want to be doing.
We didn’t start with a backer. We weren’t born at wealthy university. We’re different. And I think that makes us all the more worth supporting.
We didn’t start with a backer. We weren’t born at wealthy university. We’re different. And I think that makes us all the more worth supporting.
January 3, 2026 at 9:37 AM
But none of that is cheap. For some orgs, $250,000.00 isn’t all that much. For us, it’s a huge step in getting down to the work we want to be doing.
We didn’t start with a backer. We weren’t born at wealthy university. We’re different. And I think that makes us all the more worth supporting.
We didn’t start with a backer. We weren’t born at wealthy university. We’re different. And I think that makes us all the more worth supporting.
Reposted by Smart Dissent
We want to better understand these places, to talk in and with them.
It’s why we bring people on who have a foot in the places we care about. And it’s why we’re so committed to trying to bring in-person events and civic interaction directly to the places we’re discussing.
It’s why we bring people on who have a foot in the places we care about. And it’s why we’re so committed to trying to bring in-person events and civic interaction directly to the places we’re discussing.
January 3, 2026 at 9:35 AM
We want to better understand these places, to talk in and with them.
It’s why we bring people on who have a foot in the places we care about. And it’s why we’re so committed to trying to bring in-person events and civic interaction directly to the places we’re discussing.
It’s why we bring people on who have a foot in the places we care about. And it’s why we’re so committed to trying to bring in-person events and civic interaction directly to the places we’re discussing.
Reposted by Smart Dissent
And it includes other places in liberal democracies around the world where similar challenges have emerged. Post-industrial France, regional Australia, the Midlands and North of England.
All places where right-wing populism has been on the rise, where people are doubting liberal democratic ideals.
All places where right-wing populism has been on the rise, where people are doubting liberal democratic ideals.
January 3, 2026 at 9:32 AM
And it includes other places in liberal democracies around the world where similar challenges have emerged. Post-industrial France, regional Australia, the Midlands and North of England.
All places where right-wing populism has been on the rise, where people are doubting liberal democratic ideals.
All places where right-wing populism has been on the rise, where people are doubting liberal democratic ideals.
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Crucially, when we talk about heartlands we don’t just mean rural areas or the middle of the country—although those also count!
We mean places where *place* comes to the fore, where dislocation and status anxieties press on our politics. That includes California. It includes New England.
We mean places where *place* comes to the fore, where dislocation and status anxieties press on our politics. That includes California. It includes New England.
January 3, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Crucially, when we talk about heartlands we don’t just mean rural areas or the middle of the country—although those also count!
We mean places where *place* comes to the fore, where dislocation and status anxieties press on our politics. That includes California. It includes New England.
We mean places where *place* comes to the fore, where dislocation and status anxieties press on our politics. That includes California. It includes New England.
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I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done, which includes two conferences and a number of civic events.
And I’m excited for the chance to do more to bring people together and to enable some of our brilliant fellows to do important research.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
And I’m excited for the chance to do more to bring people together and to enable some of our brilliant fellows to do important research.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Healthy heartland democracy will be the focus of October summit at Hendrix - Arkansas Times
Freedom, pluralism and prosperity are especially vulnerable in places that can feel disconnected. A summit at Hendrix next month will address the state of democracy in the mid-South.
arktimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:26 AM
I’m extremely proud of the work we’ve done, which includes two conferences and a number of civic events.
And I’m excited for the chance to do more to bring people together and to enable some of our brilliant fellows to do important research.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
And I’m excited for the chance to do more to bring people together and to enable some of our brilliant fellows to do important research.
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...
Reposted by Smart Dissent
An interesting project that seeks a new set of liberal answers to the social disintegration that MAGA keeps using as their excuse to purge immigrants:
2026 is the year we level up The Pulaski Institution in our mission to promote democracy in the heartlands.
I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far on an almost non-existent budget, and I know we have a unique vision that is more relevant than ever.
Won’t you join us?
www.zeffy.com/en-US/donati...
I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far on an almost non-existent budget, and I know we have a unique vision that is more relevant than ever.
Won’t you join us?
www.zeffy.com/en-US/donati...
January 4, 2026 at 8:47 PM
An interesting project that seeks a new set of liberal answers to the social disintegration that MAGA keeps using as their excuse to purge immigrants:
Reposted by Smart Dissent
Agree or disagree with the merits of the operation, you can't help but be in awe of the Wehrmacht's Blitzkrieg of Poland
January 4, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Agree or disagree with the merits of the operation, you can't help but be in awe of the Wehrmacht's Blitzkrieg of Poland
Reposted by Smart Dissent
Seems important
Himes: "I was delighted to hear that Tom Cotton, chairmen of the Senate Intel Committee, has been in regular contact with the admin. I've had zero outreach and no D I'm aware of has. So apparently we're now in a world where the legal obligation to keep Congress informed only applies to your party."
January 4, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Seems important
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I’m just a little surprised that Rubio didn’t say “vibes.”
STEPHANOPOULOS: Trump said the US is going to 'run Venezuela.' Under what legal authority?
RUBIO: We want a better future for the people of Venezuela
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'll ask again -- what is the legal authority?
RUBIO: We have court orders
RUBIO: We want a better future for the people of Venezuela
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'll ask again -- what is the legal authority?
RUBIO: We have court orders
January 4, 2026 at 8:34 PM
I’m just a little surprised that Rubio didn’t say “vibes.”
Reposted by Smart Dissent
NYT Ed Board: Trump Is the Jan. 6 President.
"Trump dares the system to stop him. He does so knowing that the same system that failed to hold him to account for Jan. 6 is unlikely to do so."
"In Mr. Trump's second term, he has governed as if Jan. 6 never ended. The damage to the nation is severe."
"Trump dares the system to stop him. He does so knowing that the same system that failed to hold him to account for Jan. 6 is unlikely to do so."
"In Mr. Trump's second term, he has governed as if Jan. 6 never ended. The damage to the nation is severe."
Opinion | Trump Is the Jan. 6 President
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:16 PM
NYT Ed Board: Trump Is the Jan. 6 President.
"Trump dares the system to stop him. He does so knowing that the same system that failed to hold him to account for Jan. 6 is unlikely to do so."
"In Mr. Trump's second term, he has governed as if Jan. 6 never ended. The damage to the nation is severe."
"Trump dares the system to stop him. He does so knowing that the same system that failed to hold him to account for Jan. 6 is unlikely to do so."
"In Mr. Trump's second term, he has governed as if Jan. 6 never ended. The damage to the nation is severe."
Reposted by Smart Dissent
It's mind-blowing how incoherent the Trump regime's explanations are for what will happen in Venezuela going forward. It's like they've never really thought about it.
January 4, 2026 at 6:12 PM
It's mind-blowing how incoherent the Trump regime's explanations are for what will happen in Venezuela going forward. It's like they've never really thought about it.
Reposted by Smart Dissent
Trump said yesterday that interim Venezuela leader Delcy Rodríguez would help him "run" the country. Her later statements put the lie to that. Now, in a new Atlantic interview, Trump says “if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.” (Gift link)
Trump Threatens Venezuela’s New Leader With a Fate Worse Than Maduro’s
The president told The Atlantic that Delcy Rodríguez needs to comply with U.S. wishes—or else.
www.theatlantic.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Trump said yesterday that interim Venezuela leader Delcy Rodríguez would help him "run" the country. Her later statements put the lie to that. Now, in a new Atlantic interview, Trump says “if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.” (Gift link)