Reposted by Breadtangle
In the meantime, get organized.
• Get connected to the resistance:
www.fiftyfifty.one/groups
• Get trained on noncooperation:
nokings.org/rise
• Get bold for rapid response:
nokings.org/alliance
• Get engaged in politics:
pol-rev.com
• Get started:
Choosedemocracy.us
• Get connected to the resistance:
www.fiftyfifty.one/groups
• Get trained on noncooperation:
nokings.org/rise
• Get bold for rapid response:
nokings.org/alliance
• Get engaged in politics:
pol-rev.com
• Get started:
Choosedemocracy.us
November 18, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In the meantime, get organized.
• Get connected to the resistance:
www.fiftyfifty.one/groups
• Get trained on noncooperation:
nokings.org/rise
• Get bold for rapid response:
nokings.org/alliance
• Get engaged in politics:
pol-rev.com
• Get started:
Choosedemocracy.us
• Get connected to the resistance:
www.fiftyfifty.one/groups
• Get trained on noncooperation:
nokings.org/rise
• Get bold for rapid response:
nokings.org/alliance
• Get engaged in politics:
pol-rev.com
• Get started:
Choosedemocracy.us
Hey, @josh-kaplan.bsky.social this is really stellar reporting. I’m a bit concerned that you said “we’ve uncovered the first known example.” I’m wondering, can you speak to Myranda Kazos emailing you her investigative reporting on this exact issue a while ago? She’s been covering this for months.
NEW: We’ve uncovered the first known example of taxpayer money flowing from DHS to businesses controlled by Kristi Noem’s allies and friends.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
November 18, 2025 at 2:44 AM
We need and deserve a tolerant, pluralistic society, and the politics to match. It will take an adjustment to our thinking. Let's improve the public discourse and reject the low standard of arguments like Jilani's. (END) www.levernews.com/the-bible-th... @jamestalarico.bsky.social #JamesTalarico
November 16, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We need and deserve a tolerant, pluralistic society, and the politics to match. It will take an adjustment to our thinking. Let's improve the public discourse and reject the low standard of arguments like Jilani's. (END) www.levernews.com/the-bible-th... @jamestalarico.bsky.social #JamesTalarico
with a terribly impoverished version of public service from those who want their "team" to "win" over everyone else. It is genuinely American, and genuinely democratic, to govern for the needs and hopes of all voters, regardless of our differing personal beliefs... (18/more)
November 16, 2025 at 9:27 PM
with a terribly impoverished version of public service from those who want their "team" to "win" over everyone else. It is genuinely American, and genuinely democratic, to govern for the needs and hopes of all voters, regardless of our differing personal beliefs... (18/more)
This is a kind of politics we're so unused to seeing in America that we can easily be fooled by Jilani's argument. But we need people of faith, who know that a career can be informed by personal values, while protecting voters' rights to self-determination. Americans have been putting up (17/more)
November 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
This is a kind of politics we're so unused to seeing in America that we can easily be fooled by Jilani's argument. But we need people of faith, who know that a career can be informed by personal values, while protecting voters' rights to self-determination. Americans have been putting up (17/more)
the practical benefit to-- and stated wishes of-- TX voters. This is entirely consistent with Talarico's strong support for the separation of church and state, and his fervent public stance against Christian Nationalism, too: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atj0... (16/more)
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
the practical benefit to-- and stated wishes of-- TX voters. This is entirely consistent with Talarico's strong support for the separation of church and state, and his fervent public stance against Christian Nationalism, too: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atj0... (16/more)
Talarico must oppose the legalization of casinos in TX to adhere to others' interpretation of "Christian values," to avoid accusations of hypocrisy. But here is the point: whatever Talarico's private beliefs about the morality of gambling, he's making a legislative decision based on... (15/more)
November 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Talarico must oppose the legalization of casinos in TX to adhere to others' interpretation of "Christian values," to avoid accusations of hypocrisy. But here is the point: whatever Talarico's private beliefs about the morality of gambling, he's making a legislative decision based on... (15/more)
It's based on a problematic assumption that's been breaking American politics for a very long time: any person of faith must use their power to impose their beliefs upon others. In this case, even if most TX voters would welcome an influx of jobs, tourism, & money from the casino industry, (14/more)
November 16, 2025 at 8:59 PM
It's based on a problematic assumption that's been breaking American politics for a very long time: any person of faith must use their power to impose their beliefs upon others. In this case, even if most TX voters would welcome an influx of jobs, tourism, & money from the casino industry, (14/more)
When we evaluate the sincerity of a public figure's statements on their values, it makes sense to look for consistency between their words and actions. Jilani's article posits that Christian faith requires an elected official to hold the gambling industry at bay. Is that true? (13/more)
November 16, 2025 at 8:48 PM
When we evaluate the sincerity of a public figure's statements on their values, it makes sense to look for consistency between their words and actions. Jilani's article posits that Christian faith requires an elected official to hold the gambling industry at bay. Is that true? (13/more)
(That's from Talarico's office, quoted in the article.) Following this, Jilani very disingenuously pivots to the evils and harms of online sports betting, creating a vague, false impression that Talarico has somehow advocated to expand online sports betting. But back to the main problem... (12/more)
November 16, 2025 at 8:38 PM
(That's from Talarico's office, quoted in the article.) Following this, Jilani very disingenuously pivots to the evils and harms of online sports betting, creating a vague, false impression that Talarico has somehow advocated to expand online sports betting. But back to the main problem... (12/more)
that "while the Bible does not explicitly ban gambling, it speaks in harsh tones about the exploitation of the poor." Jilani cites positions from prominent Christians to bolster this. Okay, some Christians see gambling as a bad choice. Talarico "supports adults making their own choices." (11/more)
November 16, 2025 at 8:32 PM
that "while the Bible does not explicitly ban gambling, it speaks in harsh tones about the exploitation of the poor." Jilani cites positions from prominent Christians to bolster this. Okay, some Christians see gambling as a bad choice. Talarico "supports adults making their own choices." (11/more)
It comes down to interpretation of Talarico's "Christian values." Jilani says Talarico's "support for expanding legal gambling has alarmed advocates who see it as irreconcilable with his stated values," that "there has long been a tradition of Christian opposition to legal gambling," and (10/more)
November 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
It comes down to interpretation of Talarico's "Christian values." Jilani says Talarico's "support for expanding legal gambling has alarmed advocates who see it as irreconcilable with his stated values," that "there has long been a tradition of Christian opposition to legal gambling," and (10/more)
standing against casino gambling in TX. But nope. Talarico's public support for legalized casino gambling is fully consistent with the PAC funds he's received. Okay so, no hypocrisy there. Well then, what is being criticized? (9/more)
November 16, 2025 at 8:08 PM
standing against casino gambling in TX. But nope. Talarico's public support for legalized casino gambling is fully consistent with the PAC funds he's received. Okay so, no hypocrisy there. Well then, what is being criticized? (9/more)
Then Jilani references Talarico's 2023 vote in favor of proposing a TX constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling in the state. capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/h... The sequencing led me, at first, to expect to learn that Talarico had taken PAC money privately while publicly... (8/more)
November 16, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Then Jilani references Talarico's 2023 vote in favor of proposing a TX constitutional amendment to legalize casino gambling in the state. capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/h... The sequencing led me, at first, to expect to learn that Talarico had taken PAC money privately while publicly... (8/more)
Jilani's critique begins with the fact that Talarico's campaign for state House reelection received $59,000 from Texas Sands PAC, funded by Miriam Adelson, whose family owns the Las Vegas Sands casino, and who's pushing to expand TX gambling. See Politico: www.politico.com/news/2025/08... (7/more)
November 16, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Jilani's critique begins with the fact that Talarico's campaign for state House reelection received $59,000 from Texas Sands PAC, funded by Miriam Adelson, whose family owns the Las Vegas Sands casino, and who's pushing to expand TX gambling. See Politico: www.politico.com/news/2025/08... (7/more)
Talarico has spent much time advocating for a strong separation between church and state, so logically we should interrogate his policy positions more from the standpoint of what is good for the public and the economy, and less through the lens of what's consistent with his faith. (6/more)
November 16, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Talarico has spent much time advocating for a strong separation between church and state, so logically we should interrogate his policy positions more from the standpoint of what is good for the public and the economy, and less through the lens of what's consistent with his faith. (6/more)
See, for instance, Talarico's questioning of a Republican bill which would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom: www.youtube.com/watch?v=we0b... (5/more)
November 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM
See, for instance, Talarico's questioning of a Republican bill which would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom: www.youtube.com/watch?v=we0b... (5/more)
a personal moral framework that informs his values as a policy maker-- not a prescriptive framework to impose on others. Indeed, in some of his most popular footage from the TX House floor, he questions bills to impose certain interpretations of Christian values in public school classrooms. (4/more)
November 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
a personal moral framework that informs his values as a policy maker-- not a prescriptive framework to impose on others. Indeed, in some of his most popular footage from the TX House floor, he questions bills to impose certain interpretations of Christian values in public school classrooms. (4/more)
...the kind of poorly constructed critique offered in this article. Jilani's subtitle asks, "will the Democrat's gambling ties cast him out of the temple?" And so right off the bat, we have a problem. Throughout speeches, sermons, and interviews, Talarico frames his Christian faith as... (3/more)
November 16, 2025 at 6:25 PM
...the kind of poorly constructed critique offered in this article. Jilani's subtitle asks, "will the Democrat's gambling ties cast him out of the temple?" And so right off the bat, we have a problem. Throughout speeches, sermons, and interviews, Talarico frames his Christian faith as... (3/more)
I knew, when Talarico became a viral, popular speaker on the internet, there would be efforts to question his genuineness as a Christian, a seminarian, and a progressive. People rightfully want to know: is this guy for real? But I also expected... (2/more)
November 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I knew, when Talarico became a viral, popular speaker on the internet, there would be efforts to question his genuineness as a Christian, a seminarian, and a progressive. People rightfully want to know: is this guy for real? But I also expected... (2/more)