@vlstap.bsky.social
Books, music, politics, equality, history. Raised in old Chicago. Good trouble.
🏳️🌈🇺🇸🐶🐱🌷🎨♑️💫🎷🍪
🏳️🌈🇺🇸🐶🐱🌷🎨♑️💫🎷🍪
Reposted
To make common cause with this Administration is to support an affirmatively white supremacist vision of this country. Period.
Every corporation.
Every Republican.
Every influencer.
Every Governor.
Every evangelical leader.
Every voter. Yes. Every voter.
Every corporation.
Every Republican.
Every influencer.
Every Governor.
Every evangelical leader.
Every voter. Yes. Every voter.
Mark Kelly: "This president, when he says things like 'third world countries,' what is he really saying? I think what he's saying is he doesn't want brown people in our country. And that's disturbing. It's un-American."
November 30, 2025 at 4:41 PM
To make common cause with this Administration is to support an affirmatively white supremacist vision of this country. Period.
Every corporation.
Every Republican.
Every influencer.
Every Governor.
Every evangelical leader.
Every voter. Yes. Every voter.
Every corporation.
Every Republican.
Every influencer.
Every Governor.
Every evangelical leader.
Every voter. Yes. Every voter.
Reposted
“We know that the people of Charlotte will be looking to folks like us to be helpful, and we stand ready to do that...”
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
As ICE operations move to North Carolina, coalition of Chicago minority groups vows to carry on the fight
Local organizations offer to assist resistance to federal immigration action in North Carolina and say they'll prepare for the spring return of ICE and Border Patrol agents to the Chicago area.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
“We know that the people of Charlotte will be looking to folks like us to be helpful, and we stand ready to do that...”
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted
BREAKING: US Coast Guard will no longer classify swastika, nooses & the Confederate flag as hate symbols. Now they're just “potentially divisive.”
Genocide isn't "potentially divisive," it is horrific violence & must be condemned without exception. And MAGAs wonder why they're referred to as Nazis.
Genocide isn't "potentially divisive," it is horrific violence & must be condemned without exception. And MAGAs wonder why they're referred to as Nazis.
November 20, 2025 at 7:57 PM
BREAKING: US Coast Guard will no longer classify swastika, nooses & the Confederate flag as hate symbols. Now they're just “potentially divisive.”
Genocide isn't "potentially divisive," it is horrific violence & must be condemned without exception. And MAGAs wonder why they're referred to as Nazis.
Genocide isn't "potentially divisive," it is horrific violence & must be condemned without exception. And MAGAs wonder why they're referred to as Nazis.
Reposted
Interesting to see numerous reporters now running to Dem lawmakers to get them to talk more about Trump's lawlessness. It's almost like when Dems respond forcefully to Trump, the media wakes up and takes notice. Something to learn in this!
Important: House Dem leaders just said Trump's call for execution of Dems has prompted them to contact US Capitol Police and House Sergeant at Arms to "ensure the safety of these members and their families."
Treat Trump like an unhinged menace. He's weak and in deep political trouble. Don't let up.
Treat Trump like an unhinged menace. He's weak and in deep political trouble. Don't let up.
November 20, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Interesting to see numerous reporters now running to Dem lawmakers to get them to talk more about Trump's lawlessness. It's almost like when Dems respond forcefully to Trump, the media wakes up and takes notice. Something to learn in this!
Reposted
It’s all workshopped on Black communities first. We told you to end qualified immunity. But you were all too scared to look like you weren’t “backing the blue.”
And here we are.
And here we are.
NEW: In light of widespread allegations of civil rights violations arising from Trump's immigration crackdown, Democrats are renewing efforts to pass legislation to hold federal agents individually accountable:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Democrats target federal officials accused of civil rights violations in new legislation
Lawmakers are launching a new effort to close a legal loophole that means federal officials, including law enforcement agents, cannot be sued for constitutional violations.
www.nbcnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:08 PM
It’s all workshopped on Black communities first. We told you to end qualified immunity. But you were all too scared to look like you weren’t “backing the blue.”
And here we are.
And here we are.
Reposted
“We don’t deserve the trust of the nation if we’re unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a fear of reprisal.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“We don’t deserve the trust of the nation if we’re unclear about the divisiveness of swastikas,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to a fear of reprisal.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted
Trump issues an order for the arrest and criminal prosecution of members of Congress who made a video reminding soldiers and sailors that they swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States and shouldn't implement illegal orders. Trump's conduct is unabashed fascism.
November 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Trump issues an order for the arrest and criminal prosecution of members of Congress who made a video reminding soldiers and sailors that they swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States and shouldn't implement illegal orders. Trump's conduct is unabashed fascism.
Reposted
Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. n.pr/49PWIKc
Why home insurance is unaffordable, even in places without wildfires or hurricanes
Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.
n.pr
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. n.pr/49PWIKc
Reposted
This is the correct explanation of what happened tonight👇
KBJ threaded the needle thanks to CA1’s unfinished business.
-if she denied the admin stay, the full SCOTUS woulda stepped in to override her.
-if she immediately referred the case to the full Court, they coulda dragged feet.
-instead she boxed them in to act quickly once she does refer the case.
-if she denied the admin stay, the full SCOTUS woulda stepped in to override her.
-if she immediately referred the case to the full Court, they coulda dragged feet.
-instead she boxed them in to act quickly once she does refer the case.
November 8, 2025 at 3:35 AM
This is the correct explanation of what happened tonight👇
Reposted
#ProudBlue Bovino is “leading” ICE in Chicago. Like 47 et al, he is a bully that enjoys what seems to be his absolute power & ability to use force against peaceful protesters. Take a look at the court filing - this will be coming to your city if it can’t be stopped here.
A Border Patrol agent was caught on video telling another to throw tear gas “for fun,” according to a court filing. They also mocked protesters and residents who were getting gassed.
November 4, 2025 at 9:30 PM
#ProudBlue Bovino is “leading” ICE in Chicago. Like 47 et al, he is a bully that enjoys what seems to be his absolute power & ability to use force against peaceful protesters. Take a look at the court filing - this will be coming to your city if it can’t be stopped here.
Reposted
The GOP talking point…
Only “old” people showed up at No Kings!
Damn right we showed up!
We show up at the Ballot Box too!
You are the First Administration that has pissed off the Grandpa’s and Grandma’s.
You have no idea what you’ve awakened.
Only “old” people showed up at No Kings!
Damn right we showed up!
We show up at the Ballot Box too!
You are the First Administration that has pissed off the Grandpa’s and Grandma’s.
You have no idea what you’ve awakened.
October 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The GOP talking point…
Only “old” people showed up at No Kings!
Damn right we showed up!
We show up at the Ballot Box too!
You are the First Administration that has pissed off the Grandpa’s and Grandma’s.
You have no idea what you’ve awakened.
Only “old” people showed up at No Kings!
Damn right we showed up!
We show up at the Ballot Box too!
You are the First Administration that has pissed off the Grandpa’s and Grandma’s.
You have no idea what you’ve awakened.
Reposted
This pic from Chicago today made me ponder how we see many enormous post-election rallies against Trump, but we never see enormous rallies *for* Trump. Sure, we see a score of people on the roadside with flags every so often, but nothing like this. Maybe he's just not as popular as he thinks he is.
October 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This pic from Chicago today made me ponder how we see many enormous post-election rallies against Trump, but we never see enormous rallies *for* Trump. Sure, we see a score of people on the roadside with flags every so often, but nothing like this. Maybe he's just not as popular as he thinks he is.
Reposted
HAPPENING NOW: Aerial coverage of a HUGE CROWD peacefully protesting in Boston to protest Donald Trump and his administration’s authoritarian actions and policies —
MASSIVE No Kings Day turnout!!! 😮
📍Boston, Massachusetts
MASSIVE No Kings Day turnout!!! 😮
📍Boston, Massachusetts
October 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
HAPPENING NOW: Aerial coverage of a HUGE CROWD peacefully protesting in Boston to protest Donald Trump and his administration’s authoritarian actions and policies —
MASSIVE No Kings Day turnout!!! 😮
📍Boston, Massachusetts
MASSIVE No Kings Day turnout!!! 😮
📍Boston, Massachusetts
Reposted
Great day to show what you believe in. Speak your truth. Show you are prepared to fight against authoritarian rule. If you’re marching, having a teach-in,organizing, or resting for future battles, do it with the conviction that we will not give in, that we stand on the side of justice.And stay safe.
October 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Great day to show what you believe in. Speak your truth. Show you are prepared to fight against authoritarian rule. If you’re marching, having a teach-in,organizing, or resting for future battles, do it with the conviction that we will not give in, that we stand on the side of justice.And stay safe.
Reposted
I understand this. Please tell me you do, too.
October 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I understand this. Please tell me you do, too.
Reposted
Reposted
“It’s never a good time to bow down to a tyrant… Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to fear. Hold on to the truth… and hope.” @jimacosta.bsky.social
January 29, 2025 at 7:11 AM
“It’s never a good time to bow down to a tyrant… Don’t give in to the lies. Don’t give in to fear. Hold on to the truth… and hope.” @jimacosta.bsky.social
Reposted
Mike Johnson continues to refuse to swear in a Democrat who won in a landslide.
October 1, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Mike Johnson continues to refuse to swear in a Democrat who won in a landslide.
Reposted
I can’t believe I’m watching interviews of city mayors talking about how they are coordinating with other mayors to discuss how to protect their residents FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
I know we are “used to it” but it is absolutely insane
I know we are “used to it” but it is absolutely insane
October 1, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I can’t believe I’m watching interviews of city mayors talking about how they are coordinating with other mayors to discuss how to protect their residents FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
I know we are “used to it” but it is absolutely insane
I know we are “used to it” but it is absolutely insane
Reposted
September 29, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Reposted
Unless the Senate acts, the government will shut down midnight on Wednesday.
@nicholasbednar.bsky.social evaluates OMB Director Russ Vought's plan to use this shutdown as a springboard for permanent federal workforce cuts.
@nicholasbednar.bsky.social evaluates OMB Director Russ Vought's plan to use this shutdown as a springboard for permanent federal workforce cuts.
Reductions in Force During Shutdowns
The Trump administration plans to use the pending shutdown as justification for additional RIFs.
www.lawfaremedia.org
September 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Unless the Senate acts, the government will shut down midnight on Wednesday.
@nicholasbednar.bsky.social evaluates OMB Director Russ Vought's plan to use this shutdown as a springboard for permanent federal workforce cuts.
@nicholasbednar.bsky.social evaluates OMB Director Russ Vought's plan to use this shutdown as a springboard for permanent federal workforce cuts.
Reposted
You need proof Thomas Sanford was MAGA as fuck? It's been nine hours since he was identified and you haven't heard SHIT about his social media from the press. If he had been following Meidas Touch instead of Charlie Kirk they would be playing his posts in a loop.
September 29, 2025 at 3:42 AM
You need proof Thomas Sanford was MAGA as fuck? It's been nine hours since he was identified and you haven't heard SHIT about his social media from the press. If he had been following Meidas Touch instead of Charlie Kirk they would be playing his posts in a loop.
Reposted
NEWS: Mass Confusion in the Pentagon as Trump Pledges the use of the Military Against American Civilians. All the news you missed today: open.substack.com/pub/aaronpar...
NEWS: Mass Confusion in the Pentagon as Trump Pledges the use of the Military Against American Civilians
Good evening everyone.
open.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 11:48 PM
NEWS: Mass Confusion in the Pentagon as Trump Pledges the use of the Military Against American Civilians. All the news you missed today: open.substack.com/pub/aaronpar...
Reposted
Should this man be in any law enforcement position?
Now ask this: do you believe this man will face any consequences for this violent assault on an unarmed, emotionally distressed woman?
We can call in complaints to the DHS misconduct hotline: 1-800-323-8603
www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline
Now ask this: do you believe this man will face any consequences for this violent assault on an unarmed, emotionally distressed woman?
We can call in complaints to the DHS misconduct hotline: 1-800-323-8603
www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline
September 26, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Should this man be in any law enforcement position?
Now ask this: do you believe this man will face any consequences for this violent assault on an unarmed, emotionally distressed woman?
We can call in complaints to the DHS misconduct hotline: 1-800-323-8603
www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline
Now ask this: do you believe this man will face any consequences for this violent assault on an unarmed, emotionally distressed woman?
We can call in complaints to the DHS misconduct hotline: 1-800-323-8603
www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline
Reposted
"Instead of a traditional public address from a world leader, U.S. President Donald Trump tilted back his badly-dyed hair-sprayed coif and howled at the moon for the better part of an hour"
Trump's UN speech was such an extraordinary combination of lies, delusions, narcissism, hatefulness, ignorance and lunacy that it could have been given by no other person than Trump.
www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-un-ad...
www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-un-ad...
Trump’s UN Address Was a Tragedy of Shakespearian Proportions
Of course, the president’s main messages today were ones of irrationality and instability, so who knows what the plot points and soliloquies will be tomorrow or next week.
www.thedailybeast.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"Instead of a traditional public address from a world leader, U.S. President Donald Trump tilted back his badly-dyed hair-sprayed coif and howled at the moon for the better part of an hour"