Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
@brianwilcox.bsky.social
Retired professor, former Senate staffer (Bradley), enthusiastic guitarist and bass player. More interested in policy than politics.
Californian who's lived in Texas, Ohio, Virginia, DC, Nebraska, and Porto Alegre (Brazil) but returned home.
Californian who's lived in Texas, Ohio, Virginia, DC, Nebraska, and Porto Alegre (Brazil) but returned home.
Pinned
No one let go of anyone's hand.
During the Bolsonaro regime in Brazil, resistors adopted this phrase to remind all that we need to stand together, and especially with those targeted by the regime.
That's the assignment now.
During the Bolsonaro regime in Brazil, resistors adopted this phrase to remind all that we need to stand together, and especially with those targeted by the regime.
That's the assignment now.
Bone Spurs Donny says what????????
Trump: "If we die, we must die and we as men we die without complaining."
November 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Bone Spurs Donny says what????????
White House aides are referring to the Dem Senate "Cave Caucus" as "losers" and pussies."
Can't disagree. Nice work, @kaine.senate.gov and colleagues.
Can't disagree. Nice work, @kaine.senate.gov and colleagues.
November 11, 2025 at 3:49 AM
White House aides are referring to the Dem Senate "Cave Caucus" as "losers" and pussies."
Can't disagree. Nice work, @kaine.senate.gov and colleagues.
Can't disagree. Nice work, @kaine.senate.gov and colleagues.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
It’s the same old same old. Republicans do a tantrum and break the dishes. The Democrats clean it up. It’s an abusive relationship.
November 10, 2025 at 11:35 PM
It’s the same old same old. Republicans do a tantrum and break the dishes. The Democrats clean it up. It’s an abusive relationship.
Not to mention what happens when people are completely uninsured. We all pick up the costs of uncompensated emergency care for the uninsured in the form of higher medical costs and higher insurance costs.
Republicans know this. They just don't care. Demagoguery, pure and simple.
Republicans know this. They just don't care. Demagoguery, pure and simple.
We've been hearing this tired Reagan-era talking point for 45 years: "I don't want to pay for some undeserving stranger's insurance!"
You already are, bro. That's how private insurance works, too--you just pay a lot more and get a lot less with the private version.
You already are, bro. That's how private insurance works, too--you just pay a lot more and get a lot less with the private version.
Comer: "This is a fake economy. You can't have 1/3 of America receiving some type of free government healthcare and then have another 1/3 that's getting a subsidized rate. That falls on the final 1/3 that's having to pay increased premiums."
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Not to mention what happens when people are completely uninsured. We all pick up the costs of uncompensated emergency care for the uninsured in the form of higher medical costs and higher insurance costs.
Republicans know this. They just don't care. Demagoguery, pure and simple.
Republicans know this. They just don't care. Demagoguery, pure and simple.
We are a banana republic.
BREAKING:
Trump has just issued pardons to dozens of conservatives who tried to overturn the 2020 election results, including: Mark Meadows, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeffrey Clark, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, Boris Epshteyn, and more — per pardon attorney Ed Martin.
Trump has just issued pardons to dozens of conservatives who tried to overturn the 2020 election results, including: Mark Meadows, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeffrey Clark, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman, Boris Epshteyn, and more — per pardon attorney Ed Martin.
November 10, 2025 at 5:35 AM
We are a banana republic.
Eight Senate Democrats are playing Tic-Tac-Toe while Republicans are playing checkers. There are no chess players in the US Senate.
We have the politicians we deserve, and they are idiots.
We have the politicians we deserve, and they are idiots.
November 10, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Eight Senate Democrats are playing Tic-Tac-Toe while Republicans are playing checkers. There are no chess players in the US Senate.
We have the politicians we deserve, and they are idiots.
We have the politicians we deserve, and they are idiots.
The centrist Dems are about to get royally f**ked by the Republicans.
Later, we constituents shall do the f••king.
Later, we constituents shall do the f••king.
The fate of perhaps 1/3 of the ACA could conceivably now rest in the hands of Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson & John Cornyn.
We're living in the most surreal timeline.
We're living in the most surreal timeline.
oh the senate
November 10, 2025 at 2:26 AM
The centrist Dems are about to get royally f**ked by the Republicans.
Later, we constituents shall do the f••king.
Later, we constituents shall do the f••king.
Do these Dem senators realize that by caving now they take full ownership of a pointless but painful shutdown?
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Do these Dem senators realize that by caving now they take full ownership of a pointless but painful shutdown?
Which of these traitors is going to vote for cloture then later vote against the bill, then wave their hands and shout "I voted against it!!!" when the bill passes?
NEW: It appears Senate Dems have enough votes for cloture with Jacky Rosen flipping to a yes vote. Rand Paul voted no. Kaine, Rosen, Fetterman, Shaheen, Hassen, King, Durbin, Cortez-Masto are the dems yes votes.
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Which of these traitors is going to vote for cloture then later vote against the bill, then wave their hands and shout "I voted against it!!!" when the bill passes?
Thank you, Senator Schiff!
Now, please, call some of your confused colleagues.
Now, please, call some of your confused colleagues.
I refuse to support a funding bill that fails to address the Republican health care crisis.
And make health insurance affordable.
The American people clearly understand the stakes and the urgency. We must too.
I'm voting no.
And make health insurance affordable.
The American people clearly understand the stakes and the urgency. We must too.
I'm voting no.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Thank you, Senator Schiff!
Now, please, call some of your confused colleagues.
Now, please, call some of your confused colleagues.
A YES vote from any Dem senator disqualifies them from ANY support of any sort in the future.
Vote yes and be prepared to be retired by your voters.
Vote yes and be prepared to be retired by your voters.
If you need confirmation Senate Democrats are fucking this whole thing up here you go. Excellent way to destroy the enthusiasm with huge Dem wins throughout the country up and down the ballot that were not even one week ago.
November 9, 2025 at 11:57 PM
A YES vote from any Dem senator disqualifies them from ANY support of any sort in the future.
Vote yes and be prepared to be retired by your voters.
Vote yes and be prepared to be retired by your voters.
The Crucifixion, courtesy of Joyce Carol Oates.
November 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The Crucifixion, courtesy of Joyce Carol Oates.
People don't seem to understand that what Trump and the Republicans have done to the ACA and Medicaid is disrupting the entire health care marketplace.
ALL health insurance premiums will rise. Not just ACA rates, but Medicare, private and employer-supported plans...all of them.
The GOP broke it.
ALL health insurance premiums will rise. Not just ACA rates, but Medicare, private and employer-supported plans...all of them.
The GOP broke it.
“I am probably going to become a late-stage cancer patient who’s uninsured..I have fought this so hard. I want to live”
Sunni Montgomery’s health insurance jumped from $541/mo to $1,758/mo
90% of Americans will see premiums soar
But MAGA Republicans shut down the government instead of fixing it
Sunni Montgomery’s health insurance jumped from $541/mo to $1,758/mo
90% of Americans will see premiums soar
But MAGA Republicans shut down the government instead of fixing it
November 9, 2025 at 5:04 PM
People don't seem to understand that what Trump and the Republicans have done to the ACA and Medicaid is disrupting the entire health care marketplace.
ALL health insurance premiums will rise. Not just ACA rates, but Medicare, private and employer-supported plans...all of them.
The GOP broke it.
ALL health insurance premiums will rise. Not just ACA rates, but Medicare, private and employer-supported plans...all of them.
The GOP broke it.
Translation: "Our utter incompetence, our unwillingness to even enter into negotiations about funding the government, is going to screw over millions of Americans."
Sean Duffy: "We have a number of people who want to get home for the holidays, they want to see their family. Listen, many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane."
November 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Translation: "Our utter incompetence, our unwillingness to even enter into negotiations about funding the government, is going to screw over millions of Americans."
Must read (gift article)
The "You are all terrorists" line comes from what a prison guard said to the inmates.
But one could read it as a damning statement about all of America. We let this happen. Our elected leaders made this possible.
The "You are all terrorists" line comes from what a prison guard said to the inmates.
But one could read it as a damning statement about all of America. We let this happen. Our elected leaders made this possible.
‘You Are All Terrorists’: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Must read (gift article)
The "You are all terrorists" line comes from what a prison guard said to the inmates.
But one could read it as a damning statement about all of America. We let this happen. Our elected leaders made this possible.
The "You are all terrorists" line comes from what a prison guard said to the inmates.
But one could read it as a damning statement about all of America. We let this happen. Our elected leaders made this possible.
This is so, so, so good! No, it's not about Mamdani. It's about the New York Times and our failed media ecosystem. And it 🎯
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This is so, so, so good! No, it's not about Mamdani. It's about the New York Times and our failed media ecosystem. And it 🎯
Coming soon: Republican Soup Kitchens and Trumpville camps for the out of work.
WATCH: Long lines outside a Cleveland food bank after the Trump administration cut off SNAP funding during the shutdown.
November 9, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Coming soon: Republican Soup Kitchens and Trumpville camps for the out of work.
Make Bankers Richer Yet!
November 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Make Bankers Richer Yet!
Amazing!
Instead of tackling high housing costs, Trump and Republicans want to put "homeowners" in a position where they will never own their home. Instead, people will be paying a mortgage until they die.
But banks and mortgage companies will get RICH.
Instead of tackling high housing costs, Trump and Republicans want to put "homeowners" in a position where they will never own their home. Instead, people will be paying a mortgage until they die.
But banks and mortgage companies will get RICH.
Trump and his cronies are now pushing 50-year mortgages.
Buckle up. This is going to make the 2008 mortgage crisis look like the good old days.
Buckle up. This is going to make the 2008 mortgage crisis look like the good old days.
November 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Amazing!
Instead of tackling high housing costs, Trump and Republicans want to put "homeowners" in a position where they will never own their home. Instead, people will be paying a mortgage until they die.
But banks and mortgage companies will get RICH.
Instead of tackling high housing costs, Trump and Republicans want to put "homeowners" in a position where they will never own their home. Instead, people will be paying a mortgage until they die.
But banks and mortgage companies will get RICH.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
I know many of us have feeling about the role institutions like the Times has played in legitimizing the anti-intellectualism and spurious attacks that put our campuses at risk before Trump, but also, I think I’m glad for whatever motivated this
How Is Trump Changing Colleges and Universities? Tell Us.
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I know many of us have feeling about the role institutions like the Times has played in legitimizing the anti-intellectualism and spurious attacks that put our campuses at risk before Trump, but also, I think I’m glad for whatever motivated this
It took Trump TEN YEARS to come up with:
1. We lower your taxes
2. You buy your own insurance or pay your own bills
3. We allow insurers to sell cheap junk insurance.
3. Hahahahahaha...die, suckers.
The billionaires would love this. Everyone else would be royally screwed.
1. We lower your taxes
2. You buy your own insurance or pay your own bills
3. We allow insurers to sell cheap junk insurance.
3. Hahahahahaha...die, suckers.
The billionaires would love this. Everyone else would be royally screwed.
November 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It took Trump TEN YEARS to come up with:
1. We lower your taxes
2. You buy your own insurance or pay your own bills
3. We allow insurers to sell cheap junk insurance.
3. Hahahahahaha...die, suckers.
The billionaires would love this. Everyone else would be royally screwed.
1. We lower your taxes
2. You buy your own insurance or pay your own bills
3. We allow insurers to sell cheap junk insurance.
3. Hahahahahaha...die, suckers.
The billionaires would love this. Everyone else would be royally screwed.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
Why are ICE agents being paid during the shutdown, but not air traffic controllers? 🤨
November 8, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Why are ICE agents being paid during the shutdown, but not air traffic controllers? 🤨
Guns kill.
Cleaning Woman Killed Through Door After Arriving at Wrong Home, Police Say
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Guns kill.
The only good news Trump will get today is that he won't be embarrassed by a terrible jobs report.
No jobs report today
As shutdown persists...
As shutdown persists...
November 7, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The only good news Trump will get today is that he won't be embarrassed by a terrible jobs report.
In case you're wondering how stupid Trump and Congressional Republicans are, their shutdown is hurting everyone.
I've never seen an entire political party completely unwilling to engage in negotiations over a budget. "Our way or the highway" Republicans are gonna get slaughtered in 2026.
I've never seen an entire political party completely unwilling to engage in negotiations over a budget. "Our way or the highway" Republicans are gonna get slaughtered in 2026.
"Even if the shutdown ends by next week, it will likely slow down the growth of real gross domestic product (GDP) — the broadest measure of economic output, without considering inflation — by 1.15 percentage points during the fourth quarter"
www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/e...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/05/e...
The government shutdown is now the longest - and likely the most damaging in US history | CNN Business
The ongoing government shutdown isn’t just the longest in American history. It’s likely the most damaging, too.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:52 PM
In case you're wondering how stupid Trump and Congressional Republicans are, their shutdown is hurting everyone.
I've never seen an entire political party completely unwilling to engage in negotiations over a budget. "Our way or the highway" Republicans are gonna get slaughtered in 2026.
I've never seen an entire political party completely unwilling to engage in negotiations over a budget. "Our way or the highway" Republicans are gonna get slaughtered in 2026.