Rick Varco
@rvarco.bsky.social
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa Political Director, ex-Philosophy grad student, Democrat, comic book fan, and Spot Bar regular
Reposted by Rick Varco
Reposted by Rick Varco
really key point. polls, particularly issue polls, are a WILDLY unrealistic way to measure how people actually interact with political messaging these days
November 13, 2025 at 3:48 PM
really key point. polls, particularly issue polls, are a WILDLY unrealistic way to measure how people actually interact with political messaging these days
Reposted by Rick Varco
Ken Starr signed an email to Jeffery Epstein with "hugs"
![From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Starr, Ken
8/22/2018 7:17:35 PM
jeffrey E. [jeevacation@gmail.com]
Re: Jed Rubenfeld
Importance: High
Wise counsel. The!
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 22, 2018, at 1:49 PM, jefirey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com> wrote:
I think scholarly but not too much so. no one above the law.. we began leaving a kingdom. . unlikely to give king like powers to a president. on one above the law.
I would like lunch pail joe to come away and
think, this guy is smart. I understood. lets see what he writes about the clintons. someone suggested that trump could shoot someone on fifth avenue and not lose a vote. that is true, but would make little sense for him not to suffer an immediate consequence. the allowed civil depo setting precedent for criminal process, is a lawyers outline I might think of dumbing it down, again, and suggesting that you can sue your neighbor, even if you neighbor is the president. makes little sense that the you can be indicted for assaulting him but he cannot if he assaults you.
low bar for civil higher bar for criminal. . at
some point on your book tour I might point out how disappointed you were that the clinton and betty curries' trashean story, was reopened. .
On Wed, Aug 22, 2018 at 2:08 PM, jeffrey E. < jeevacation@gmail.com> wrote:
i vote yes as it makes you relevant to today rather than merely re- reciting an old tale. :) or tail?
On Wed, Aug 22, 2018 at 12:07 PM, Starr, Ken < Can you talk? Impt.
WrOte:
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 17, 2018, at 9:18 AM, jeftrey E. -jeevacation@gmail.com› wrote:
tha
On Fri, Aug 17, 2018 at 10:14 AM, Starr, Ken
wrote:
Good morning!
Jed teaches crim law at Yale. Outspokenly strong on the need for procedural fairness in campus adjudicatory proceedings. Relevant to your friend's unhappy situation? If so, happy to make the connection.
Hugs, Ken
Sent from my iPhone
-please note](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tsveacqzpqosfuahoqgsfu4a/bafkreidq67itktllrlck6owlssjq3rsqnzc2gk7e7bbiq2dsggua3drt2y@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Ken Starr signed an email to Jeffery Epstein with "hugs"
Reposted by Rick Varco
NYT had details of Trump's engagement with Jeffrey Epstein's child sex trafficking and *hid it for him*, at the same time it was crucifying Clinton as untrustworthy due to her document retention & security.
November 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM
NYT had details of Trump's engagement with Jeffrey Epstein's child sex trafficking and *hid it for him*, at the same time it was crucifying Clinton as untrustworthy due to her document retention & security.
Reposted by Rick Varco
I worked on the high risk pools back then. They were a constantly underfunded disaster. Small groups of people with wildly volatile costs are not sustainable. Not to mention that the small percentage of people who make up most of the costs is not a fixed set of people. He’s an idiot
November 12, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I worked on the high risk pools back then. They were a constantly underfunded disaster. Small groups of people with wildly volatile costs are not sustainable. Not to mention that the small percentage of people who make up most of the costs is not a fixed set of people. He’s an idiot
Reposted by Rick Varco
Ghislaine Maxwell lied about Trump never going to Epstein's house (directly contradicted by her email correspondence with Epstein), and she was rewarded for that lie with a transfer to a cushier prison. The coverup is happening in plain sight.
November 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Ghislaine Maxwell lied about Trump never going to Epstein's house (directly contradicted by her email correspondence with Epstein), and she was rewarded for that lie with a transfer to a cushier prison. The coverup is happening in plain sight.
Reposted by Rick Varco
Trump Still Polling Well With Working-Class American Pedophiles https://theonion.com/trump-still-polling-well-with-working-class-american-pedophiles/
November 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Trump Still Polling Well With Working-Class American Pedophiles https://theonion.com/trump-still-polling-well-with-working-class-american-pedophiles/
Reposted by Rick Varco
Here's a package of stories I put together in *2010* on abolishing the filibuster. Featuring contributions from, among others, @kagrox.bsky.social, Sen. Tom Udall, and @mattyglesias.bsky.social.
The filibuster sucks for reasons that have been well understood for a long-ass time now.
The filibuster sucks for reasons that have been well understood for a long-ass time now.
Rules of enragement: The filibuster and Senate reform
grist.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Here's a package of stories I put together in *2010* on abolishing the filibuster. Featuring contributions from, among others, @kagrox.bsky.social, Sen. Tom Udall, and @mattyglesias.bsky.social.
The filibuster sucks for reasons that have been well understood for a long-ass time now.
The filibuster sucks for reasons that have been well understood for a long-ass time now.
Reposted by Rick Varco
When the Conservative Party in Korea declared martial law, the Korean Democrats knew if they didn’t send them to hell there would be no opposition afterwards. And look at them. They’re taking the ex conservative president and ensuring he never breathes free ever again.
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges reut.rs/3Xka3TD
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges
South Korea's special prosecutor on Monday indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on additional charges of abusing power and aiding an enemy state related to his short-lived imposition of martial law last year.
reut.rs
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 AM
When the Conservative Party in Korea declared martial law, the Korean Democrats knew if they didn’t send them to hell there would be no opposition afterwards. And look at them. They’re taking the ex conservative president and ensuring he never breathes free ever again.
Has been from the day it was created.
Vibes among House Democrats and activists, "The Senate is the enemy"
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Has been from the day it was created.
Reposted by Rick Varco
I know we've all got a lot on our minds and the gusher of news doesn't stop for anybody, but....
Did you see where the President of Iran announced that the drought there is so bad that if they don't get any rain in the next two months they'll run out of water and *evacuate Tehran*?
Did you see where the President of Iran announced that the drought there is so bad that if they don't get any rain in the next two months they'll run out of water and *evacuate Tehran*?
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I know we've all got a lot on our minds and the gusher of news doesn't stop for anybody, but....
Did you see where the President of Iran announced that the drought there is so bad that if they don't get any rain in the next two months they'll run out of water and *evacuate Tehran*?
Did you see where the President of Iran announced that the drought there is so bad that if they don't get any rain in the next two months they'll run out of water and *evacuate Tehran*?
Reposted by Rick Varco
Every time this stuff happens, my thought process begins to consider what kind of justice will be required in 3 years for these people.
ICE agents in Chicago violently detain a non verbal autistic man for being “non compliant”
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
November 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Every time this stuff happens, my thought process begins to consider what kind of justice will be required in 3 years for these people.
Reposted by Rick Varco
Trump Administration officials are all about Confederate monuments; can we just reopen Andersonville and put them there?
Every time this stuff happens, my thought process begins to consider what kind of justice will be required in 3 years for these people.
ICE agents in Chicago violently detain a non verbal autistic man for being “non compliant”
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
He couldn’t “comply” because of his disability…they don’t care
This is not the first time they’ve gone after a disabled person
They target the most vulnerable because it’s an easy way to meet their quota
November 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Trump Administration officials are all about Confederate monuments; can we just reopen Andersonville and put them there?
Reposted by Rick Varco
Another J6 insurrectionist pardoned by Donald Trump was arrested on other charges, this time, kidnapping and rape.
“A Summit man, who was once accused of firing a gun during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, was taken into custody last month after he was wanted for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in Utah.”
patch.com/illinois/lag...
patch.com/illinois/lag...
Fugitive Nabbed On Kidnap, Sex Assault Charges Was Accused Of Firing Gun At Capitol Riot
Banuelos was charged last year for the Jan. 6, 2021, shooting at the U.S. Capitol riot, but charges were dropped after the Trump pardons.
patch.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Another J6 insurrectionist pardoned by Donald Trump was arrested on other charges, this time, kidnapping and rape.
Reposted by Rick Varco
Across Eastern Europe, they have what are known as "lustration" laws that do exactly this for people who were in the Stasi and its various equivalents. It's a model we should be examining.
Absolutely sadistic.
A Dem Congress should pass a law banning anyone who is currently serving with ICE or CBP from future Fed employment.
The Feds should condition all future Fed grants to police depts on blanket refusals to hire ppl who were in ICE/CBP right now.
A Dem Congress should pass a law banning anyone who is currently serving with ICE or CBP from future Fed employment.
The Feds should condition all future Fed grants to police depts on blanket refusals to hire ppl who were in ICE/CBP right now.
Or Rodney Taylor, a disabled double amputee who’s been in America since he was two years old.
He was days away from receiving new prosthetic legs when ICE grabbed him
His health is declining, they won’t let him get his legs and they’ve placed him in solitary
www.disabledginger.com/p/help-rodne...
He was days away from receiving new prosthetic legs when ICE grabbed him
His health is declining, they won’t let him get his legs and they’ve placed him in solitary
www.disabledginger.com/p/help-rodne...
November 8, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Across Eastern Europe, they have what are known as "lustration" laws that do exactly this for people who were in the Stasi and its various equivalents. It's a model we should be examining.
Reposted by Rick Varco
An actually essential piece of journalism from the times:
"We interviewed 40 of the men who were imprisoned: They described being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide." 1/2
"We interviewed 40 of the men who were imprisoned: They described being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide." 1/2
‘You Are All Terrorists’: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
An actually essential piece of journalism from the times:
"We interviewed 40 of the men who were imprisoned: They described being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide." 1/2
"We interviewed 40 of the men who were imprisoned: They described being beaten, sexually assaulted by guards and driven to the brink of suicide." 1/2
Reposted by Rick Varco
"When I picked up my granddaughter from the federal agents, she had a dirty diaper, a bruise on her face, and was developing a rash. She was exhausted and cried… My heart aches knowing this could happen to others, to my kids, or even me, despite being U.S. citizens.”
November 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
"When I picked up my granddaughter from the federal agents, she had a dirty diaper, a bruise on her face, and was developing a rash. She was exhausted and cried… My heart aches knowing this could happen to others, to my kids, or even me, despite being U.S. citizens.”
Reposted by Rick Varco
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
Reposted by Rick Varco
fine. keep it shut. Trump's approval seems to drop every week this goes on. rollcall.com/2025/11/07/r...
Republicans denounce new Democratic offer to end shutdown - Roll Call
A new Senate Democratic plan for ending the partial government shutdown met with a wall of Republican resistance late Friday.
rollcall.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
fine. keep it shut. Trump's approval seems to drop every week this goes on. rollcall.com/2025/11/07/r...
Reposted by Rick Varco
A federal tax credit meant to drive down the cost of health insurance premiums for people buying their own coverage is about to expire. For some Minnesotans, the change is coming with a dramatic price tag.
With federal subsidy set to expire, some Minnesotans face eye-popping health premium increases
A federal tax credit meant to drive down the cost of health insurance premiums for people buying their own coverage is about to expire. For some Minnesotans, the change is coming with a dramatic price...
www.mprnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:39 PM
A federal tax credit meant to drive down the cost of health insurance premiums for people buying their own coverage is about to expire. For some Minnesotans, the change is coming with a dramatic price tag.
Reposted by Rick Varco
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
I love this phrasing so much.
November 7, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I love this phrasing so much.
Reposted by Rick Varco
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
November 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
Reposted by Rick Varco
Illegal impoundments are so important to Republicans that they’re insisting on language that would prevent GAO from suing.
How can you make a budget deal when one side insists on the ability to ignore that deal?
How can you make a budget deal when one side insists on the ability to ignore that deal?
November 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Illegal impoundments are so important to Republicans that they’re insisting on language that would prevent GAO from suing.
How can you make a budget deal when one side insists on the ability to ignore that deal?
How can you make a budget deal when one side insists on the ability to ignore that deal?