@tedsmall.bsky.social
Former political consultant, lawyer seeking a better way, underling to several dogs and cats, aspiring furniture maker, enjoy fly fishing, UF and UMaine alum.
Reposted
In 1775 a lot of people were unhappy with the King but they weren’t necessarily ready to commit treason. That changed when the King’s troops started shooting their neighbors, stealing food, and raping women.
January 25, 2026 at 3:18 AM
In 1775 a lot of people were unhappy with the King but they weren’t necessarily ready to commit treason. That changed when the King’s troops started shooting their neighbors, stealing food, and raping women.
Midwesterners don't give a sh_t about it being extremely cold outside. Impressive.
January 26, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Midwesterners don't give a sh_t about it being extremely cold outside. Impressive.
Someone teach these Democratic politicians how to speak. Why do they always have to say "let me be clear," or "let me say this clearly"? Just say what you want to say. It's far more effective.
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Maine Secretary of State
Shenna Bellows to Admin:
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"Let me say this very clearly for President Trump and Attorney General Bondi: Maine will never turn over our voter rolls as a ransom payment to get ICE out of our state."
#MEpolitics #ShennaBellows
Maine Secretary of State
Shenna Bellows to Admin:
==================
"Let me say this very clearly for President Trump and Attorney General Bondi: Maine will never turn over our voter rolls as a ransom payment to get ICE out of our state."
#MEpolitics #ShennaBellows
We will not be held ransom by the Trump administration. Our voter rolls and the privacy of the people of Maine is not for sale.
January 26, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Someone teach these Democratic politicians how to speak. Why do they always have to say "let me be clear," or "let me say this clearly"? Just say what you want to say. It's far more effective.
Reposted
If only we had Democratic leadership.
AND IMPEACH AND REMOVE.
We need to clamor for that even if the votes aren't there—yet.
We need to clamor for that even if the votes aren't there—yet.
January 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM
If only we had Democratic leadership.
Reposted
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
January 24, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
Reposted
The NRA’s awfully quiet for a bunch of guys who’ve had lots to say in the past
January 24, 2026 at 8:07 PM
The NRA’s awfully quiet for a bunch of guys who’ve had lots to say in the past
Reposted
Saying the quiet part out loud
Fox News: "I've gotten my hands that AG Bondi said she sent to Gov. Tim Walz. It is strongly worded. The AG calls for the governor to support the men and women of ICE, to repeal the state's sanctuary policies, and to allow the DOJ to access state voter rolls."
January 24, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Saying the quiet part out loud
Reposted
The gun was removed by agents from his waistband - he was never pointing it at them. He was already disarmed when they fired "defensive shots," killing the man. They then fired several shots at his lifeless body.
January 24, 2026 at 7:34 PM
The gun was removed by agents from his waistband - he was never pointing it at them. He was already disarmed when they fired "defensive shots," killing the man. They then fired several shots at his lifeless body.
Reposted
CW: EXTREME VIOLENCE
I've synced up videos from both perspectives about as well as I can
Audio from both is included
They are both slowed down to ~.5x, zoomed in, and have their colors enhanced
The captions are from the pink lady's video on the left
I've synced up videos from both perspectives about as well as I can
Audio from both is included
They are both slowed down to ~.5x, zoomed in, and have their colors enhanced
The captions are from the pink lady's video on the left
January 24, 2026 at 7:14 PM
CW: EXTREME VIOLENCE
I've synced up videos from both perspectives about as well as I can
Audio from both is included
They are both slowed down to ~.5x, zoomed in, and have their colors enhanced
The captions are from the pink lady's video on the left
I've synced up videos from both perspectives about as well as I can
Audio from both is included
They are both slowed down to ~.5x, zoomed in, and have their colors enhanced
The captions are from the pink lady's video on the left
Reposted
Reposted
Congress needs to do its job.
Now.
Before it's too late.
Now.
Before it's too late.
January 24, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Congress needs to do its job.
Now.
Before it's too late.
Now.
Before it's too late.
Reposted
Treat the US government and ICE claims like you'd treat a Russian government claim after they've shot down an airliner or bombed a hospital. America 2026.
January 24, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Treat the US government and ICE claims like you'd treat a Russian government claim after they've shot down an airliner or bombed a hospital. America 2026.
Reposted
Republicans: everyone must be able to carry any gun at all times,
up to and including high powered rifles, to protect themselves against tyranny
also Republicans, without batting an eye: carrying a gun is unquestionable justification for federal agents to shoot you dead in the street
up to and including high powered rifles, to protect themselves against tyranny
also Republicans, without batting an eye: carrying a gun is unquestionable justification for federal agents to shoot you dead in the street
January 24, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Republicans: everyone must be able to carry any gun at all times,
up to and including high powered rifles, to protect themselves against tyranny
also Republicans, without batting an eye: carrying a gun is unquestionable justification for federal agents to shoot you dead in the street
up to and including high powered rifles, to protect themselves against tyranny
also Republicans, without batting an eye: carrying a gun is unquestionable justification for federal agents to shoot you dead in the street
Reposted
At this point maybe Canada should just sever all ties with the United States and close our border with them completely.
January 24, 2026 at 5:38 PM
At this point maybe Canada should just sever all ties with the United States and close our border with them completely.
Reposted
"I'm pretty militant about this. We got a crackpot president, he's trying to build a Praetorian Guard, federal thugs, and it's time for states to step up."
@timmiller.bsky.social talks to @murphymike.bsky.social on the Bulwark Podcast.
@timmiller.bsky.social talks to @murphymike.bsky.social on the Bulwark Podcast.
January 24, 2026 at 5:50 PM
"I'm pretty militant about this. We got a crackpot president, he's trying to build a Praetorian Guard, federal thugs, and it's time for states to step up."
@timmiller.bsky.social talks to @murphymike.bsky.social on the Bulwark Podcast.
@timmiller.bsky.social talks to @murphymike.bsky.social on the Bulwark Podcast.
Reposted
If, in the time of Trump, a Democrat has to worry about shoring up the left "base", then that's not a "base." The base votes with you no matter what; that's why it's a base.
Trying to think of a Democrat who could appeal to the center and the very left base. I can’t think of anyone.
January 23, 2026 at 4:07 AM
If, in the time of Trump, a Democrat has to worry about shoring up the left "base", then that's not a "base." The base votes with you no matter what; that's why it's a base.
Reposted
"I stayed home and let Vance and ICE run the country because I'm pissed that we're not at EU vacation-pay standards"
Dem ‘28 bumpersticker:
“Lesser of 2 evils and a mediocre roadblock to nihilism.”
Less evil is indeed the US benchmark for a party that still doesn’t even have paid vacation as an idea in 2026 (EU mandated 4 weeks paid vacation in 1992).
“Lesser of 2 evils and a mediocre roadblock to nihilism.”
Less evil is indeed the US benchmark for a party that still doesn’t even have paid vacation as an idea in 2026 (EU mandated 4 weeks paid vacation in 1992).
January 23, 2026 at 4:13 AM
"I stayed home and let Vance and ICE run the country because I'm pissed that we're not at EU vacation-pay standards"
Amen.
I don't know if Warren would run, and she wouldn't get through a primary. But the field itself is a signal to the public; the debates, the money, the ads. The pro-democracy group - and the only party that can represent it, the Dems - need to be serious and ice-cold about winning.
Why are we pretending she would make it through a primary tho?
January 23, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Amen.
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The Democratic voter who needs to be excited, rather than disciplined and focused, is why Trump has twice come into office with full control of the WH and Congress.
Yes, heaven forbid that the Democratic Party ever again nominate a candidate that Democratic voters are actually excited about. We learned our lesson in 1972, right? The party, its consultants and wealthiest donors must decide and the voters will just have to suck it up.
January 23, 2026 at 4:24 AM
The Democratic voter who needs to be excited, rather than disciplined and focused, is why Trump has twice come into office with full control of the WH and Congress.
Politicians need to stop saying "let's be clear" before saying what they actually want to say. Just say it. That's the clearest way to do it.
January 23, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Politicians need to stop saying "let's be clear" before saying what they actually want to say. Just say it. That's the clearest way to do it.
Yeah. "Demanding answers" oughtta do it. Or, maybe have a daily press briefing and get these things in front of the press every ay.
Looks like Senator Blumenthal's office worked with the whistleblowers, and has already put out a letter to the Trump admin demanding answers.
Congress MUST act. This is a five alarm fire for our basic rights under the law. bsky.app/profile/blum...
Congress MUST act. This is a five alarm fire for our basic rights under the law. bsky.app/profile/blum...
I’m demanding Sec. Noem provide an explanation for this abhorrent policy & that my Republican colleagues hold hearings & join me in demanding the Trump Admin answer for this lawlessness. 6
January 22, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Yeah. "Demanding answers" oughtta do it. Or, maybe have a daily press briefing and get these things in front of the press every ay.
Reposted
This judge should haul Bovino in every time one of his goons violates the order.
January 21, 2026 at 9:27 PM
This judge should haul Bovino in every time one of his goons violates the order.
Reposted
They kidnapped a five year old child
January 22, 2026 at 1:40 AM
They kidnapped a five year old child
Reposted
And then they forcibly detained him. A boy. The vast majority of the American people are gonna make it super clear that this is not what America will be. No fucking way.👇
January 21, 2026 at 8:15 PM
And then they forcibly detained him. A boy. The vast majority of the American people are gonna make it super clear that this is not what America will be. No fucking way.👇