@dshaynes
@dshaynes.bsky.social
Former university president and professor. Juris Doctorate. Former State Ombudsman and legislative staffer. USAF Veteran. Editor of ruralinsights.org and Whispers, Rumors and Noise weekly column at Rural Insights
“The breakdown of political culture in our day is not a function of having forgotten how to agree with each other but of our having forgotten how todisagree constructively.” Yuval Levin.
September 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
“The breakdown of political culture in our day is not a function of having forgotten how to agree with each other but of our having forgotten how todisagree constructively.” Yuval Levin.
“No right was deemed by the fathers of the government more sacred than the right of speech. It was in their eyes, as in the eyes of all thoughtful men, the great moral renovator of society and government.” Frederick Douglas
September 20, 2025 at 3:19 AM
“No right was deemed by the fathers of the government more sacred than the right of speech. It was in their eyes, as in the eyes of all thoughtful men, the great moral renovator of society and government.” Frederick Douglas
4.4 million Veterans live in rural America. Many are older. Many rely on Medicaid.
July 31, 2025 at 1:48 AM
4.4 million Veterans live in rural America. Many are older. Many rely on Medicaid.
“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” Winston Churchill
April 27, 2025 at 1:40 AM
“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” Winston Churchill
Reposted by @dshaynes
BREAKING: I just offered an amendment on the floor to give Veterans fired in the Trump-Musk layoffs their jobs back.
Every single Republican blocked it.
Shame on them for betraying our heroes.
Every single Republican blocked it.
Shame on them for betraying our heroes.
March 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
BREAKING: I just offered an amendment on the floor to give Veterans fired in the Trump-Musk layoffs their jobs back.
Every single Republican blocked it.
Shame on them for betraying our heroes.
Every single Republican blocked it.
Shame on them for betraying our heroes.
Reposted by @dshaynes
Is this true?
Musk’s status as a “special government employee” limits him to 130 days in the executive branch. However, despite working daily—documented by his own X posts—they claim he only works one day a week, effectively stretching his limit to 130 weeks. This needs to be brought to Congress—please share.
March 2, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Is this true?
Veterans make up almost one third of federal workforce.
February 27, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Veterans make up almost one third of federal workforce.
Close to 25% of Congress is 70 years old or older. Time to think about age limits for Congress just like there are age minimums?
December 22, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Close to 25% of Congress is 70 years old or older. Time to think about age limits for Congress just like there are age minimums?
“according to Pew polling, 79% of Americans support age limits for politicians in Washington. That is a striking, overwhelming number in today’s polarized environment. Seventy-nine percent of Americans don’t agree on anything.”
December 18, 2024 at 4:38 AM
“according to Pew polling, 79% of Americans support age limits for politicians in Washington. That is a striking, overwhelming number in today’s polarized environment. Seventy-nine percent of Americans don’t agree on anything.”
Privatization of USPS will most negatively rural residents and small businesses.
December 17, 2024 at 6:50 PM
Privatization of USPS will most negatively rural residents and small businesses.
340+ million people worldwide are facing acute hunger. Growing each year. 10% increase this year !
December 16, 2024 at 3:17 PM
340+ million people worldwide are facing acute hunger. Growing each year. 10% increase this year !
Is it time for age limits in U.S. Congress? We already have age minimums. Thoughts?
December 14, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Is it time for age limits in U.S. Congress? We already have age minimums. Thoughts?
Dec 12 is known as National Poinsettia Day in the USA. This day
was set aside to honor the death of Joel Poinsettia, the first US Ambassador
to Mexico who introduced this bright and festive plant to the USA in the
1800s. Ambassador Poinsettia was a physician, botanist, politician and
a diplomate
was set aside to honor the death of Joel Poinsettia, the first US Ambassador
to Mexico who introduced this bright and festive plant to the USA in the
1800s. Ambassador Poinsettia was a physician, botanist, politician and
a diplomate
December 12, 2024 at 5:39 PM
Dec 12 is known as National Poinsettia Day in the USA. This day
was set aside to honor the death of Joel Poinsettia, the first US Ambassador
to Mexico who introduced this bright and festive plant to the USA in the
1800s. Ambassador Poinsettia was a physician, botanist, politician and
a diplomate
was set aside to honor the death of Joel Poinsettia, the first US Ambassador
to Mexico who introduced this bright and festive plant to the USA in the
1800s. Ambassador Poinsettia was a physician, botanist, politician and
a diplomate
Alert to campaigns at all levels. Digital is the new doorknocking.
December 12, 2024 at 3:54 PM
Alert to campaigns at all levels. Digital is the new doorknocking.
Get ready for the price of avocados to skyrocket if those tariffs get put in place early in the next Administration. 90% of those Avacados come from Mexico.
December 12, 2024 at 3:12 AM
Get ready for the price of avocados to skyrocket if those tariffs get put in place early in the next Administration. 90% of those Avacados come from Mexico.
BREAKING: A panel of three judges on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled that the federal government holds the authority to deport foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally, even if local authorities object.
December 4, 2024 at 3:09 PM
BREAKING: A panel of three judges on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously ruled that the federal government holds the authority to deport foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally, even if local authorities object.
The author of the chapter on Head Start in Project 2025 has been nominated to be the next Director of OMB. That could spell big trouble for the 40 million children served by this important program. The President Elect’s nominated heads of the new gov’t efficiency agency agree with eliminating it.
December 3, 2024 at 1:24 AM
The author of the chapter on Head Start in Project 2025 has been nominated to be the next Director of OMB. That could spell big trouble for the 40 million children served by this important program. The President Elect’s nominated heads of the new gov’t efficiency agency agree with eliminating it.
Time for discussion of age limits in Congress just like there are minimums? Make room for new talent and new idea? There are currently eight US Senators over the age of 80. Additionally, 54 Senators are 65 or older—of 100 senators. Make any difference?
November 29, 2024 at 6:58 PM
Time for discussion of age limits in Congress just like there are minimums? Make room for new talent and new idea? There are currently eight US Senators over the age of 80. Additionally, 54 Senators are 65 or older—of 100 senators. Make any difference?
Reposted by @dshaynes
RFKj's history with heroin and his anti-vaccine ideology are not surprising but EXTREMELY scary and disappointing. This person will be in charge of our public health system. We TRULY live in the Twilight Zone. Kakistocracy, anyone? ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM at its finest!
RFK Jr. Says Heroin Made Him a Top-of-Class Student in Resurfaced Clip: 'It Worked for Me'
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that using heroin as a student improved his academic performance in a resurfaced interview that has made waves on social media
people.com
November 29, 2024 at 3:46 PM
RFKj's history with heroin and his anti-vaccine ideology are not surprising but EXTREMELY scary and disappointing. This person will be in charge of our public health system. We TRULY live in the Twilight Zone. Kakistocracy, anyone? ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM at its finest!
Would like to understand more as to how the government will know who has a criminal conviction and who does not before they are deported or sent to a detention camp. What if they have a job here in U.S., no criminal conviction but are undocumented?
November 29, 2024 at 5:32 PM
Would like to understand more as to how the government will know who has a criminal conviction and who does not before they are deported or sent to a detention camp. What if they have a job here in U.S., no criminal conviction but are undocumented?
Morning thought-mass deportations is nuts.
November 29, 2024 at 3:25 PM
Morning thought-mass deportations is nuts.