TheFriendlyCurmudgeon
factsmatter5319.bsky.social
TheFriendlyCurmudgeon
@factsmatter5319.bsky.social
Independent voter. Facts matter. End the Electoral College. Retired. Grandfather of girls and boys. Believe in equality of ALL humanity.
Christian Nationalism, fascism, and oligarchy, if left unchecked, will destroy the U.S.A.
Reposted by TheFriendlyCurmudgeon
🖋️ “Oppose USDA's Unauthorized Demand for SNAP Recipient Data” hit 1,000 signers!

💬 Text SIGN PRENGP to 50409
Oppose USDA's Unauthorized Demand for SNAP Recipient Data
Text SIGN PRENGP to 50409 — The USDA is threatening to withhold food assistance from states unless they surrender complete SNAP recipient data, including names and immigration status. This demand exceeds the agency's statutory authority and contradicts what Congress authorized and funded. I urge you to intervene immediately to protect both the integrity of the SNAP program and the privacy rights of millions of Americans. SNAP currently serves one in eight Americans, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families. The administration's ultimatum is clear: surrender private constituent data or vulnerable people lose access to food. This is not a legitimate fraud prevention measure. It is an unauthorized expansion of executive power that weaponizes a critical nutrition program. Congress established SNAP to address food insecurity, not to create a surveillance database. The program operates through federal funding distributed to states, which administer benefits according to federal eligibility standards. Nothing in the authorizing legislation permits the USDA to condition funding on the collection and transfer of detailed personal information beyond what is necessary to verify eligibility and prevent fraud. States already report required data on program participation and outcomes. This demand places states in an impossible position: comply with an unlawful directive and violate their residents' privacy, or refuse and watch families go hungry. Neither option is acceptable. The consequences extend beyond immediate food insecurity. Families may disenroll from SNAP out of fear, even if they are legally eligible, leading to increased hunger and its associated health costs. I ask you to take immediate action to clarify congressional intent. Issue a public statement affirming that SNAP funding must flow to states without conditions beyond those Congress established. Demand that the USDA rescind this unauthorized data collection requirement. If necessary, introduce or support legislation that explicitly prohibits conditioning nutrition assistance on data demands that exceed statutory requirements. Millions of your constituents depend on SNAP for basic nutrition. They deserve both food security and privacy protection.
resist.bot
December 4, 2025 at 1:56 AM
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PRO TIP: If you're going to lash out at reporters for questioning your stamina, don't fall asleep mid-rant.
December 4, 2025 at 2:01 AM
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These are good moments to remember that the CEOs of all the biggest companies in America are happy to go to White House dinners and slap this guy’s back. They do not care about this. Remember this, years from now, when they want you to forget.
Trump: "It’s a hellhole right now. And those Somalians should be out of here. They've destroyed our country. And all they do is complain, complain, complain. You have her. She’s always talking about the Constitution provides me with – go back to your own country and figure out your constitution."
December 4, 2025 at 12:13 AM
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All corporate CEOs should understand: If you agree to attend an event at the White House, you are very likely to be filmed nodding appreciatively at a delusional racist rant. If you're ok with that, go. If not, you probably should stay away.
December 3, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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Agents in Key Largo, Florida ripped this woman wearing medical scrubs out of her car as she screamed she is a US citizen. Agents cuffed her and put her in one of their cars.

She was eventually let go, per David Goodhue of the Miami Herald, who also took this footage:
December 3, 2025 at 5:20 PM
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Jacob Frey: "If we are now at the point where the federal govt is deploying agents on legal American citizens with a goal of uprooting people who have formed lives here, have families here, started businesses here, definitively made Minneapolis a better place, everybody should be speaking out."
December 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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MAGA's King
Trump dozes while Marco Rubio speaks to him directly next to him. Just insane optics.
December 2, 2025 at 8:43 PM
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NEW: After the DOJ and DHS released contradictory statements about the motives of their unprecedented hunt for state voter data, top election officials gave the Trump administration until Dec. 1 to offer an explanation. Their response? Crickets.
Trump Administration Snubs States Asking Why the DOJ Wants Their Voter Data
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:43 PM
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A reminder that the largest demographic of Americans on food aid are white MAGA voters. By far. No other demographic is even a close second.

This is the Trump regime’s cruelty to distract from its own failures by punishing those who didn’t vote for him.
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM
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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.
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
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Senator Rand Paul remains principled and clear eyed on this set of issues.
November 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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Exhibit 926 in criminal contempt proceedings. Noem’s declaration is due Friday to Judge Boasberg.
KARL: Did you know about the judge's order when you issued your order for the planes to continue?

KRISTI NOEM: This is an activist judge. We comply with all federal orders that are lawful and binding.
November 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
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“In nearly all of the examples Judge Ellis cited in her 200-plus page opinion, she says the Department of Homeland Security narrative contradicts the reality of what can be seen on agents' body-worn cameras.”

abc7chicago.com/post/ice-chi...
Federal agents engaged in widespread misrepresentations to justify use of force: Judge
The ABC7 I-Team is taking a closer look at a trove of videos ordered released by a federal judge in her explanation of the preliminary injunction she issued earlier this month restricting use of force...
abc7chicago.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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🖋️ “Stop Trump’s Escalation Toward an Unauthorized War in Venezuela” hit 2,000 signers!

💬 Text SIGN PGPZJY to 50409
Stop Trump’s Escalation Toward an Unauthorized War in Venezuela
Text SIGN PGPZJY to 50409 — I am writing with deep concern about the Trump regime's rapid escalation toward a potentially catastrophic and unauthorized military conflict with Venezuela. Yesterday, President Trump declared on social media that “THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA” is “CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” a sweeping assertion of power far beyond any lawful authority. The Venezuelan government denounced this as a “colonialist threat,” and they are correct to view it as a violation of international law and national sovereignty. This declaration is not happening in isolation. It follows months of U.S. military buildup in the region, covert CIA operations authorized by the president, and a series of lethal strikes on alleged drug boats—at least 21 actions resulting in at least 83 deaths since September. Now the president is telling U.S. service members that “very soon” land operations will begin. That is a de facto announcement of a ground invasion without congressional approval. The Trump regime's moves have already caused immediate disruption. Venezuela has now suspended all migrant deportation flights in response to Trump’s announcement. The FAA has issued a warning about a “worsening security situation” and “heightened military activity.” Commercial airlines have paused operations; Venezuela has revoked operating rights for six major international airlines. And in the midst of all this, the U.S. Department of Defense refuses comment while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is already under scrutiny for allegedly issuing illegal kill orders in the September 2 boat strike. This pattern is unmistakable: the administration is manufacturing a crisis to justify a conflict. Trump’s accusations that President Nicolás Maduro is a drug trafficker—charges Maduro denies—mirror the kind of pretext-building we have seen before in other misguided wars. And the assembled U.S. firepower far exceeds what would be needed for narrow counter-narcotics operations. The American people see through this. Polling shows that 70% oppose military action against Venezuela. Congress cannot allow the president to unilaterally declare foreign airspace “closed,” launch land operations, or escalate into war without authorization. You must act immediately. I urge you to: 1. Publicly reject any unauthorized military action against Venezuela, including land operations. 2. Hold emergency hearings on the administration’s actions in Venezuelan airspace and maritime zones. 3. Demand full transparency from the Department of Defense and CIA regarding operations already under way. 4. Reassert Congress’s exclusive authority to authorize war under Article I of the Constitution. 5. Ensure protections for migrants whose deportation flights were abruptly suspended due to this unilateral escalation. The United States cannot stumble into yet another unnecessary, unlawful conflict—especially one being driven by political weakness rather than national security. Congress must put a stop to this before it spirals into a regional war. Please act with urgency.
resist.bot
November 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
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Go Chuck!
November 30, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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🚨I think it’s important to remember that the guy now verbally abusing female reporters and calling them “stupid “ among other names, when they ask perfectly valid questions, is the same guy who asked his advisors if they could “ look into “ human injections of disinfectant. 😳

April 23, 2020
November 30, 2025 at 2:07 AM
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A critical step for an authoritarian regime.
The White House just launched a "Media Bias" tracker to supposedly monitor fake news. It's really a hit list of reporters & outlets covering issues in ways Trump & the admin dislike. Flagrant attack on independent thought, freedom of the press & free speech. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
White House launches website to excoriate media for ‘biased’ stories
Trump administration lists reporting it objects to in latest escalation of attacks on US journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:59 PM
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Stop. Having. These. Liars.
On. Your. Shows. Every. Sunday.

bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Number of states where average gas prices are below $2:

Zero.

Number of states where average gas prices are anywhere NEAR $2:

Zero.
HASSETT: Gas prices dropped below $2 a gallon in a lot of places

CORDES: Gas prices on average are still at $3 a galloon

HASSETT: For a few states they got below $2
November 30, 2025 at 7:14 PM
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Has a single reporter asked anyone on Team Trump about why it's OK to bomb little boats that "might" have drugs on them while pardoning one of the biggest drug dealers we've managed to convict?
Maybe I missed it, but has even one Republican in Congress spoken out against Trump’s corrupt pardon of a guy convicted of helping funnel more than 500 tons of cocaine into the U.S.?
November 30, 2025 at 9:03 PM
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CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1965: 20-1

CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1

CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1

Trickle-down economics was always a sham.

Nothing has ever trickled down.
November 29, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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National public health “leadership” (hi RFK Jr 🙄) keeps poisoning public health with lies.

Vaccines prevent needless childhood deaths.

No baby in America should be dying of whooping cough — not when we have safe, effective vaccines literally ready to go.

This is a national tragedy
Third unvaccinated Kentucky baby dies of whooping cough • Kentucky Lantern
A third unvaccinated infant in Kentucky has died of pertussis as public health officials urge Kentuckians to get vaccinated against the disease.
kentuckylantern.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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November 29, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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Mike Johnson, whose claim to fame is a ridiculous selfie with Kid Rock, is furious that we’re pushing to force a vote on extending tax credits. You know what to do:
Tell Congress: Support discharge petition to force vote on ACA tax credits
Contact Congress today!
actionnetwork.org
November 29, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Reposted by TheFriendlyCurmudgeon
Flu and Covid-19 can sideline your plans. Put respiratory illness vaccines on the to-do list for you and your family.

Book your appointment today: gov.bc.ca/GetVaccinated
November 28, 2025 at 11:43 PM
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ICE fascists:
•Detained Indigenous American actor Elaine Miles, claiming her "papers look fake"
•Arrested wife of Navy Vet AT HER Green card Interview
•Arrested & kidnapped Brazilian immigrant & mother of Leavitt's nephew
•Arrested, kidnapped,& deported to Honduras a 19-year-old student here legally
November 29, 2025 at 10:12 PM