James Barta
@bartajam.bsky.social
Proud Portlander, recovering politico, from Montana via Michigan. College football, Timbers, Thorns fan. Want to make government work effectively as possible for those we serve and for the tax payers.
Here's a real Portland problem, not the nonsense from the right-wing media machine. From the departing director of the Portland Art Museum examples of how local gov'ts create too many unnecessary hoops for businesses and organizations to easily do their work. www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
November 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Here's a real Portland problem, not the nonsense from the right-wing media machine. From the departing director of the Portland Art Museum examples of how local gov'ts create too many unnecessary hoops for businesses and organizations to easily do their work. www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2025...
People should support the D they want in a given primary, but make no mistake - the worst person who speaks up against this President is *always* better than anyone who makes excuses for him.
Trump is an existential threat to our democracy. From a federal judge: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump is an existential threat to our democracy. From a federal judge: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why I Am Resigning
A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 AM
People should support the D they want in a given primary, but make no mistake - the worst person who speaks up against this President is *always* better than anyone who makes excuses for him.
Trump is an existential threat to our democracy. From a federal judge: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump is an existential threat to our democracy. From a federal judge: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Are you ready to make Trump pay for not negotiating to help health care and keeping the House closed?
Do like I did and donate to #AftynBehn. Running in the Tennessee 7th Congressional district against a Trump selected R on Dec 2. Republicans won the last race by 21 points in 2024, but now...?
Do like I did and donate to #AftynBehn. Running in the Tennessee 7th Congressional district against a Trump selected R on Dec 2. Republicans won the last race by 21 points in 2024, but now...?
November 9, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Are you ready to make Trump pay for not negotiating to help health care and keeping the House closed?
Do like I did and donate to #AftynBehn. Running in the Tennessee 7th Congressional district against a Trump selected R on Dec 2. Republicans won the last race by 21 points in 2024, but now...?
Do like I did and donate to #AftynBehn. Running in the Tennessee 7th Congressional district against a Trump selected R on Dec 2. Republicans won the last race by 21 points in 2024, but now...?
Among so much like trying to withhold SNAP, a poorly trained force that abducts based on their skin color, the military killing people on the high seas, and more there is a lot to track.
Trump also pardons an embezzler, racist, and serial abuser Cade Cothren. www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Trump also pardons an embezzler, racist, and serial abuser Cade Cothren. www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Trump pardons former Tennessee House speaker and his aide, who were convicted on federal corruption charges
Glen Casada, a Republican, was sentenced to 36 months in prison after being convicted on 17 charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
www.nbcnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Among so much like trying to withhold SNAP, a poorly trained force that abducts based on their skin color, the military killing people on the high seas, and more there is a lot to track.
Trump also pardons an embezzler, racist, and serial abuser Cade Cothren. www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Trump also pardons an embezzler, racist, and serial abuser Cade Cothren. www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Wonderful news in Oregon. Full SNAP benefits are on. apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsr...
Post - Newsroom
apps.oregon.gov
November 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Wonderful news in Oregon. Full SNAP benefits are on. apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsr...
Went to a downtown touristy shop Hello From Portland to buy actual Portland apparel. Found a slightly overpriced sweatshirt saying Portland Oregon that I can now wear while traveling.
I asked about business and they said October sales were really good. Ha!
I asked about business and they said October sales were really good. Ha!
November 4, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Went to a downtown touristy shop Hello From Portland to buy actual Portland apparel. Found a slightly overpriced sweatshirt saying Portland Oregon that I can now wear while traveling.
I asked about business and they said October sales were really good. Ha!
I asked about business and they said October sales were really good. Ha!
Excellent column encouraging Ds to build a big tent. As Mamdani likes to say "If you agree with me on 9 out of 12 issues, vote for me. 12 out of 12, see a psychiatrist." Ds can't keep using purity tests to kick people out.
Pictured is one telling paragraph of many.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
Pictured is one telling paragraph of many.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
November 2, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Excellent column encouraging Ds to build a big tent. As Mamdani likes to say "If you agree with me on 9 out of 12 issues, vote for me. 12 out of 12, see a psychiatrist." Ds can't keep using purity tests to kick people out.
Pictured is one telling paragraph of many.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
Pictured is one telling paragraph of many.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o...
On Facebook so many Trump supporters react with the laughing emoji on posts describing the importance of getting SNAP out to people.
No wonder polls show that the plurality of voters blame Republicans for the shutdown.
No wonder polls show that the plurality of voters blame Republicans for the shutdown.
November 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
On Facebook so many Trump supporters react with the laughing emoji on posts describing the importance of getting SNAP out to people.
No wonder polls show that the plurality of voters blame Republicans for the shutdown.
No wonder polls show that the plurality of voters blame Republicans for the shutdown.
I'm embarrassed that I first learned about The Tulsa Race Massacre and the Freedom House of Pittsburgh (the first EMT service) from tv shows: Watchmen and The Pitt respectively.
Anyone who says Americans get enough black history doesn't actually know their history.
Anyone who says Americans get enough black history doesn't actually know their history.
October 15, 2025 at 5:04 AM
I'm embarrassed that I first learned about The Tulsa Race Massacre and the Freedom House of Pittsburgh (the first EMT service) from tv shows: Watchmen and The Pitt respectively.
Anyone who says Americans get enough black history doesn't actually know their history.
Anyone who says Americans get enough black history doesn't actually know their history.
Amazing that the Trump administration will broker a deal with Hamas and Netanyahu, but refuses to have a serious conversation with Democrats to talk health care and end the shut down.
October 13, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Amazing that the Trump administration will broker a deal with Hamas and Netanyahu, but refuses to have a serious conversation with Democrats to talk health care and end the shut down.
Reposted by James Barta
From Evans' The Coming of the Third Reich "[The Nazis disruptions gave] pretext for banning concerts and operas on the grounds that they might give rise to public disorder. The disorder was fermented by the Nazis themselves, [an] illustration of the dialectic that drove the seizure of power onward."
October 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
From Evans' The Coming of the Third Reich "[The Nazis disruptions gave] pretext for banning concerts and operas on the grounds that they might give rise to public disorder. The disorder was fermented by the Nazis themselves, [an] illustration of the dialectic that drove the seizure of power onward."
Happened to come by the ICE protest. There are so many right-wing bloggers saying the proper things for the other aspiring right wing journalists.
When they moved away from the ICE doors, the vast majority of the crowd followed them.
When they moved away from the ICE doors, the vast majority of the crowd followed them.
October 7, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Happened to come by the ICE protest. There are so many right-wing bloggers saying the proper things for the other aspiring right wing journalists.
When they moved away from the ICE doors, the vast majority of the crowd followed them.
When they moved away from the ICE doors, the vast majority of the crowd followed them.
Oh my #warravagedportland is looking lovely tonight
October 3, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Oh my #warravagedportland is looking lovely tonight
Rode again on the I-205 trail. Far fewer tents only about 20 with +6 along the Springwater trail. A lot better than previous visits, although there were what like two bike chop shops. That was new.
Maybe the federal troops could pick up some pockets of garbage I found.
Maybe the federal troops could pick up some pockets of garbage I found.
September 28, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Rode again on the I-205 trail. Far fewer tents only about 20 with +6 along the Springwater trail. A lot better than previous visits, although there were what like two bike chop shops. That was new.
Maybe the federal troops could pick up some pockets of garbage I found.
Maybe the federal troops could pick up some pockets of garbage I found.
Oh my. Looks like I'll be renewing my Hulu/Disney account Tuesday night!
We'll see!
As we 'punish', we must also reward good actions.
We'll see!
As we 'punish', we must also reward good actions.
September 22, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Oh my. Looks like I'll be renewing my Hulu/Disney account Tuesday night!
We'll see!
As we 'punish', we must also reward good actions.
We'll see!
As we 'punish', we must also reward good actions.
This is a very helpful post. Please take a look.
As a member of the OnPoint Credit Union I will be giving them a call to stop advertising on KATU or we can take our accounts elsewhere.
As a member of the OnPoint Credit Union I will be giving them a call to stop advertising on KATU or we can take our accounts elsewhere.
If you’re in Portland and pissed off about the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel, here’s a good guide as to what you can do.
Our local Sinclair station is KATU, and the post includes a list of last night’s advertisers. www.bojack2.com/2025/09/acti...
Our local Sinclair station is KATU, and the post includes a list of last night’s advertisers. www.bojack2.com/2025/09/acti...
Acting locally about Kimmel
I'm interrupting my current blog hiatus (which has been quite positive; I'll write about it soon) for what I consider a public service. Any...
www.bojack2.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This is a very helpful post. Please take a look.
As a member of the OnPoint Credit Union I will be giving them a call to stop advertising on KATU or we can take our accounts elsewhere.
As a member of the OnPoint Credit Union I will be giving them a call to stop advertising on KATU or we can take our accounts elsewhere.
Just canceled my Hulu/Disney bundle. I'm a huge Marvel and such fan. But I can't send money to people who can't stand up to an administration, especially this one, who can't take a joke.
September 19, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Just canceled my Hulu/Disney bundle. I'm a huge Marvel and such fan. But I can't send money to people who can't stand up to an administration, especially this one, who can't take a joke.
1) Killing people for their political beliefs no matter how abhorrent their beliefs is wrong, and
2) Charlie Kirk had some abhorrent political beliefs.
Both statements are true, but the political left MUST emphasize the first point for many reasons. One of these? Fascism grows among social chaos.
2) Charlie Kirk had some abhorrent political beliefs.
Both statements are true, but the political left MUST emphasize the first point for many reasons. One of these? Fascism grows among social chaos.
September 12, 2025 at 3:36 PM
1) Killing people for their political beliefs no matter how abhorrent their beliefs is wrong, and
2) Charlie Kirk had some abhorrent political beliefs.
Both statements are true, but the political left MUST emphasize the first point for many reasons. One of these? Fascism grows among social chaos.
2) Charlie Kirk had some abhorrent political beliefs.
Both statements are true, but the political left MUST emphasize the first point for many reasons. One of these? Fascism grows among social chaos.
The absolute safest place to be from a disease is to NOT take a vaccine and be surrounded by who DO take it. Every vaccine application has a tiny bit of risk.
So if everyone but you takes it, you are the safest.
But ask yourself - are you that greedy a jerk and think that little of others? Hmm?
So if everyone but you takes it, you are the safest.
But ask yourself - are you that greedy a jerk and think that little of others? Hmm?
September 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The absolute safest place to be from a disease is to NOT take a vaccine and be surrounded by who DO take it. Every vaccine application has a tiny bit of risk.
So if everyone but you takes it, you are the safest.
But ask yourself - are you that greedy a jerk and think that little of others? Hmm?
So if everyone but you takes it, you are the safest.
But ask yourself - are you that greedy a jerk and think that little of others? Hmm?
That saying any lawyer could indict a ham sandwich? Trump lawyers are trying to indict people for throwing a sandwich as a felony and learning they can't do such dumb stuff.
DC Grand Jury refuses to indict “sandwich man” with a felony www.nytimes.com/2025/08/27/u...
Prosecutors Fail to Secure Indictment Against Man Who Threw Sandwich at Federal Agent
www.nytimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
That saying any lawyer could indict a ham sandwich? Trump lawyers are trying to indict people for throwing a sandwich as a felony and learning they can't do such dumb stuff.
Missed this when first published, but this wow. Makes me want to ween off Facebook even more. It truly is turning into evil Twitter.
ProPublica identified 95 Facebook pages that regularly post made-up headlines designed to draw engagement — and, often, stoke political divisions.
The pages, most of which are managed by people overseas, have a total of more than 7.7M followers.
(Published Feb.)
The pages, most of which are managed by people overseas, have a total of more than 7.7M followers.
(Published Feb.)
As Facebook Abandons Fact-Checking, It’s Also Offering Bonuses for Viral Content
Meta decided to stop working with U.S. fact-checkers at the same time as it’s revamping a program to pay bonuses to creators with high engagement numbers, potentially pouring accelerant on the kind of...
www.propublica.org
August 20, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Missed this when first published, but this wow. Makes me want to ween off Facebook even more. It truly is turning into evil Twitter.
The deal Trump likely worked out with Putin is to get a cease fire before next year's US midterms - and then attack Ukraine again right after our elections.
Trump wanted the cease fire now and Putin wants to wait so he only has to stop shelling for a few months.
A guess, but it fits what we know.
Trump wanted the cease fire now and Putin wants to wait so he only has to stop shelling for a few months.
A guess, but it fits what we know.
August 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The deal Trump likely worked out with Putin is to get a cease fire before next year's US midterms - and then attack Ukraine again right after our elections.
Trump wanted the cease fire now and Putin wants to wait so he only has to stop shelling for a few months.
A guess, but it fits what we know.
Trump wanted the cease fire now and Putin wants to wait so he only has to stop shelling for a few months.
A guess, but it fits what we know.
I guess this means I should eat out more often? www.nytimes.com/article/best...
The 25 Best Restaurants in Portland, Ore., Right Now
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 5:54 AM
I guess this means I should eat out more often? www.nytimes.com/article/best...