Category: Abuse

A Multi-Post

A few things I’ve run across while doing other things. We’re having freezing rain until noon, though it’s mostly not slick out. Still cloudy. Yesterday it was heaven, but today, Ollie is sad about no sun. There are fewer visitors to the trees and lawn for him to watch and play with!

Here’s one about Dems getting in the middle of DOGE. It sounds collegial, but the plan, of course, is oversight. They have no majority, but they can tell us what’s happening.

Why a Florida Democrat joined the DOGE caucus that’s looking to cut federal spending

Updated December 5, 202411:45 AM ET 

Heard on Morning Edition By Steve Inskeep

A new GOP-led congressional caucus that supports President-elect Donald Trump’s push to cut trillions in federal spending has welcomed a Democrat.

This week, Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida joined the Department of Government Efficiency caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Democrat to do so.

The caucus would partner with DOGE, the unofficial advisory body led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy tasked with regulating government spending.

Moskowitz, who represents a “middle of the road” Florida district that includes Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale, said joining doesn’t mean he fully shares Trump’s agenda. <snip>

====================================

This is just a quickie mental health break video.

===============================================================

This I saw this morning, and it’s really heartening to see Kansas businesses organizing on behalf of customers! Here’s hoping businesses organizing for people becomes a thing.

More than 100 pharmacies in Kansas to temporarily close in protest of PBM practices

by: Jeremiah Cook Posted: Feb 3, 2025 / 07:24 AM CST Updated: Feb 3, 2025 / 09:34 AM CST

KSNF/KODE — More than 100 Sunflower State pharmacies will close shop next week—to help send a message to lawmakers.

Wolkar Drug president and pharmacist Brian Caswell says on Wednesday, February 5, roughly 100 stores in 56 Kansas counties will close—including Wolkar Drug in Baxter Springs.

Roughly 400 people from those stores will be headed to Topeka—hoping to make a change in healthcare laws.

Caswell says pharmacy benefit managers—or PBM’s—have had a big, and negative, impact on the healthcare industry.

Caswell tells us PBM’s act as the middlemen between insurance companies and pharmacies—and can cause higher deductibles and even dictate what medications are covered, based on what makes them more money.

“PBM’s have been around for, like, well over 40 years, and they’ve slowly kind of changed the industry altogether and taken over. With the success of money and power, they’ve actually created a healthcare industry that’s just unsustainable right now,” said Brian Caswell, Wolkar Drug president & pharmacist. (snip-MORE)

From yesterday:

It’s not only handwringing about what’s happening, it’s reportage of how what’s happening is being fought on We The People’s behalf.

Mary Trump Live: Two Weeks of Chaos by Mary L Trump

Donald’s Power Grab, Elon Musk’s Treasury Takeover, and the Future of Democracy Read on Substack

Two weeks into Donald’s second term, while a demented old man plays emperor, Elon Musk—who has no authority, no votes, no confirmation—has effectively taken control of the U.S. Treasury.

Four years ago, in the lead-up to the 2020 election, I and many others warned that American democracy was on a knife’s edge. I also said that if Donald ever returned to power, it would mark the end of the American experiment. I desperately wanted to be wrong.

But here we are.

Tariff War: Chaos with Mexico and Canada

Donald’s 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, scheduled to take effect at 12:01 AM Tuesday, have been paused for 30 days after frantic negotiations.

Here’s what Mexico conceded:

  • 10,000 National Guard troops deployed to Mexico’s northern border to combat fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.
  • The U.S. pledged to help Mexico curb weapons trafficking.

And here’s what Canada conceded:

  • A $1.3 billion border security plan was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
  • Donald agreed to a 30-day pause to explore a broader economic deal.

This wasn’t a bluff. The tariffs were scheduled to happen tonight. Economists sounded the alarm, and the U.S. stock market opened nearly 450 points down over fears of rising prices and a trade war.

Donald, however, thrives in uncertainty. He emphasized that the tariff pause is conditional, stating that tariffs will proceed if a final deal isn’t reached within 30 days.

After speaking with Trudeau, Donald posted:

“Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure northern border and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like fentanyl that have been pouring into our country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans while destroying their families and communities. Canada will implement their $1.3 billion border plan, reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology, and personnel. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and will be backing it with $200 million.”

Sure, Donald.

Of course, data shows minimal fentanyl smuggling at the northern border, but who needs facts when you can manufacture a crisis?

Elon Musk’s Hostile Takeover of USAID and the Treasury

Elon Musk—who holds no official government position—is shutting down USAID (United States Agency for International Development), an organization that has provided humanitarian assistance since the Kennedy administration.

Musk hates USAID, though it’s unclear why. Maybe because it helps starving children, funds education for war-torn Ukraine, or provides foreign aid that limits China and Russia’s influence.

Regardless, Marco Rubio—who, as Secretary of State, apparently has enough free time—was appointed as acting director of USAID.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been named the acting administrator of the US Agency for International Development.” — CBS News

Yes, you read that correctly. The guy running the State Department now has a side gig managing foreign aid.

The reason for this? Donald’s administration is trying to dismantle USAID by placing it under the State Department’s direct control. Rubio has long criticized the agency for its “lack of responsiveness” to the State Department’s directives. Now, he’s in charge of gutting it.

But Democrats are fighting back.

Representative Jamie Raskin didn’t mince words:

“They have removed all evaluations from the USAID website. They have shut down, immediately, as of right now, all evaluations of USAID efforts across the world. This has nothing to do with evaluation—this is about termination and obliteration of the major foreign aid programs of the United States of America.”

Raskin also pointed out that USAID’s total budget is less than $40 billion, while the Pentagon budget is $900 billion—the very budget that defense contractor Elon Musk profits from.

The impact of USAID’s collapse is already being felt:

  • Emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt were exempted, but programs for refugees, HIV/AIDS treatment, and war-torn regions like Ukraine and Syria are now at risk.
  • In Zimbabwe, a U.S.-funded HIV program credited with saving millions of lives faces collapse—a death sentence for many patients.
  • China will step in to fill the vacuum, expanding its influence in Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific.

Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) has responded by placing a hold on all of Donald’s State Department nominees, saying the move is illegal. His hold will force Republicans to spend valuable Senate time on confirmations, slowing Donald’s ability to install loyalists.

It’s a start.

(snip-More, or listen at the page)

Some TizzyEnt clips. They are mostly short with the longest a few seconds over 5 minutes.

Literally Watching Again In Real Time, Peace & Justice History For 2/2

February 2, 1779
Anthony Benezet and John Woolman, both prominent Quakers (Society of Friends), urged refusal to pay taxes used for arming against Indians in Pennsylvania. Since William Penn established the state two generations earlier, the Friends had dealt with the Indian tribes nonviolently, and had been treated likewise by the native Americans. Benezet and the Quakers were also early and consistent opponents of slavery.

More about Anthony Benezet 
February 2, 1848
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed in the Mexican city of the same name, ending the Mexican War. In 1845 Congress had voted to annex Texas, and President James K. Polk sent General Zachary Taylor and troops to patrol the border, newly defined by Congress as the Rio Grande, though it previously had been the Nueces River.
Following an encounter between Mexican and U.S. troops, Polk called for Congress to declare war on Mexico. General Winfield Scott and troops eventually seized Mexico City.The treaty’s provisions called for Mexico to cede 55% of its territory (present-day California, Nevada and Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona,
and portions of New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado), and to recognize the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas, in exchange for fifteen million dollars in compensation for war-related damage to Mexican property. According to the treaty, U.S. citizenship was offered to any Mexicans living in the 500,000 sq miles (1.3 million sq km) of new U.S. territory.

Land ceded to the U.S. after the Mexican War.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 
February 2, 1931
The first of well over 400,000 Mexican-Americans from across the country, some of them citizens and many of them U.S. residents for as long as 40 years, were “repatriated” as Los Angeles Chicanos were forcibly deported to Mexico.
More on those deported, Los Repatriados
February 2, 1932
The Conference on the Reduction and Limitation of Arms, the world’s first disarmament meeting, opened in Geneva, Switzerland. Sponsored by the League of Nations, and attended by delegates from 60 nations, no agreement was reached. The U.S. delegation called for the abolition of all offensive weapons as the basis for negotiations but found little support.
February 2, 1966 
The first burning of Australian military conscription papers as a protest against the Vietnam War occurred in Sydney, Australia.
February 2, 1970

Bertrand Russell later in life
Bertrand Russell, mathematician, Nobel laureate in literature and philosopher of peace, died in Penryndeudreaeth, Merioneth, in Wales at age 97.

Bertrand Russell at age 10
“Patriots always talk of dying for their country but never of killing for their country.”
— Bertrand Russell  
More of Russell’s wisdom 
February 2, 1980
Reports surfaced that the FBI had conducted a sting operation targeting members of Congress. In what became known as ”Abscam,” members suspected of taking bribes were invited to meetings with FBI agents posing as Arab businessmen, offering $50,000 and $100,000 payments for special legislation.
Audio and video recordings of the meetings were made surreptitiously. Six members of the house were convicted of accepting bribes. Another member of the House and one senator were targeted but took no money.
 
FBI agents in Abscam sting operation
Actual FBI videotape of one attempted scam 
February 2, 1989

Soviet participation in the war in Afghanistan ended as Red Army troops withdrew from the capital city of Kabul. They left behind many of their arms for use by Afghan government forces. They were driven out principally by the insurgent mujahadin, armed through covert U.S. funding.
Read more 
“Charlie Wilson’s War” movie trailer 
February 2, 1990
South African President F.W. De Klerk unbanned (lifted the legal prohibition on) opposition parties: the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan-Africanist Congress and the South African Communist party were officially considered legal. He also announced the lifting of restrictions on the UDF, COSATU and thirty-three other anti-apartheid organizations, as well as the release of all political prisoners and the suspension of the death penalty. This was the result of his negotiations with the imprisoned Nelson Mandela, a leader of the ANC.
The ecstatic reaction to De Klerk’s beginning the end of apartheid on BBC video 

Yes, I believe it is worthwhile to challenge hate speech.

And this is a blog well worth following, though I don’t read there often enough.

https://happinessbetweentails.com/2025/01/23/metoo-a-plea-bad-pharma-by-pam-lazos-and-abraham-johns-md/?page_id=449703

Peace & Justice History for 1/31

January 31, 1865
The U.S. House of Representatives passed (119-56) the 13th constitutional amendment which abolished slavery, and sent it to the states for ratification (three-quarters of the states would do so by the end of the year). The Kentucky legislature didn’t vote to ratify until 1976. Mississippi’s legislature finally ratified it in 1995 but failed to submit the paperwork to the federal government until 2013.
Text of the amendment: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
More about the 13th Amendment 
January 31, 1876

Sitting Bull: One of several chiefs who refused to comply.
The U.S. government ordered that all Native Americans had to move to reservations by this date or be declared hostile. Most Sioux did not even hear of the ultimatum until after the deadline.  
January 31, 1945

Eddie Slovik
Private Eddie Slovik became the first American soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion, and the only one who suffered such a fate during World War II.Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered Slovik’s execution be carried out, he said, to avoid further desertions in the late stages of the war.

Eisenhower
January 31, 1950 
U.S. President Harry S. Truman publicly announced his decision to support the development of the hydrogen (fusion) bomb, a weapon theorized to be hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic (fission) bombs dropped on Japan at the end of World War II.
January 31, 1971
The Winter Soldier Hearings began in a Howard Johnson’s motel in Detroit. Sponsored by Vietnam Veterans Against the War, the three days of hearings were an attempt by soldiers who had served in Vietnam to inform the public of the realities of U.S. conduct in the war.
The veterans testified that the My Lai massacre was not an isolated incident, and that some American troops had committed atrocities.
Among those who spoke about aspects of their service in Vietnam was John Kerry, a former Navy lieutenant and future senator and presidential candidate. More than 100 veterans testified to sometimes brutal acts. Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield later entered the transcript of the Winter Soldier hearings into the Congressional Record but, otherwise, the proceedings captured little attention.

The term “winter soldier” is a play on words of Thomas Paine in 1776. He spoke of the “sunshine patriot and summertime soldiers” who deserted at Valley Forge because the going was rough.
Winter Soldier film watch the trailer (appox 4 minutes) 
watch the entire movie (1:35)
VVAW/Winter Soldier Organization 
January 31, 1993
300,000 Berliners rallied to protest attacks on immigrants, and against racism and renewed support for Nazism on the 60th anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. During the previous year there had been 2,285 racially motivated attacks, including 77 against Jewish sites, and the death of two young Turkish girls in an arson attack.

https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistoryjanuary.htm#january31

ICE Says ‘Sorry’ After Detaining US Citizens for Speaking Spanish: Report

https://www.latintimes.com/ice-says-sorry-after-detaining-us-citizens-speaking-spanish-report-573967

So it has come to this in the US, if you are not white and speaking english you must carry your papers like Nazi Germany?  Seriously in the land of the free.  I guess it is only free if you are white males?  I wonder what they do it they hear people speaking French from Canada, arrest them and start an international issues? Hugs

They were not allowed to clarify their status until they were already in custody, according to Telemundo Puerto Rico.

Despite the apology, the family was allegedly left stranded and had to arrange their own transportation home.

They also advise keeping documents secure and on hand.

================================================================

“My sister, in English, explained that not only are they American citizens, but that they are from Puerto Rico, they were born in Puerto Rico”

 / 
 
ice work
A Puerto Rican family, all U.S. citizens, was wrongfully detained by ICE in Milwaukee after speaking Spanish.
 

A Puerto Rican family, including a toddler, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Milwaukee after being overheard speaking Spanish; this incident is the latest in a surge of racial profiling concerns amid Trump’s immigration crackdown.

The family, all U.S. citizens, were transported to a detention center before officials acknowledged their mistake and issued an apology.

The mother, grandmother, and young child had been shopping when authorities approached and detained them. They were not allowed to clarify their status until they were already in custody, according to Telemundo Puerto Rico.

“My sister, in English, explained that not only are they American citizens, but that they are from Puerto Rico. They were born in Puerto Rico,” a family member told host Milly Méndez while remaining anonymous due to fears surrounding the situation.

Upon presenting official documents, the officials reportedly softened their stance. “I’m so sorry,” one officer said, according to the family’s account. Despite the apology, the family was allegedly left stranded and had to arrange their own transportation home.

 

Instagram users reacted to Méndez’s post with frustration.

Instagram
Instagram

“At what store? Why didn’t he give that information here? So you’re shopping with a Birth Certificate on top of it?!… What is that!” One user questioned.

Another expressed disappointment in the political climate, commenting, “Thank you… What a shame that the people keep voting for colors and not values… it’s going to get worse.”

The situation gained traction after journalist Adrian Carrasquillo discussed the case on X, writing, “Another PUERTO RICAN family detained, a man tells Telemundo his sister, mother-in-law, & a child were taken by ICE in Milwaukee & driven to [a] facility where his sister explained that they’re US CITIZENS. ICE response to this flagrant violation? ‘Sorry.'”

Attorneys nationwide are now speaking out to educate immigrants and Black Indigenous People of Color about their rights when confronted by ICE, including the right to remain silent, the right to legal representation, and the ability to refuse entry without a warrant. They also advise keeping documents secure and on hand.

Hopium PM in the AM

(Because I live in a later time zone than many readers here.)

Hopium PM – Court Blocks Trump’s Dangerous Power Grab, New Reuters Poll Shows Trump Taking A Hit, Keep Making Calls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Simon Rosenberg

Kennedy and Gabbard Hearings Tomorrow, Patel Thursday Read on Substack

Good evening peeps. A federal judge has blocked Trump’s outrageous suspension/cancelling of Congressionally mandated funding for programs of all kinds across all 50 states. From the Washington Post:

A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from imposing a sweeping pause on trillions of dollars in federal spending, capping a frenetic day of disruption to government programs that fund schools, provide housing and ensure low-income Americans have access to healthcare.

The order prevented the new restrictions from taking effect until at least Feb. 3, buying time for a coalition of public-health advocates, nonprofits and businesses — represented by the left-leaning group Democracy Forward — to proceed with a case that may test Trump’s claims of expansive power over the nation’s fiscal trajectory.

The decision arrived amid a wave of chaos and confusion in Washington, where few appeared to understand the scope and intention of a White House memo that had directed agencies to “temporarily pause” the disbursement of key federal funds. Even before it could officially take effect at 5 p.m., thousands of government services — many dedicated primarily to Americans’ health, safety and well-being — appeared to be at risk of interruption or shutdown, at least temporarily.

The NYTimes has a good backgrounder on “impoundment” – Trump’s attempt just to cancel government programs he doesn’t care for and “impound” the money (gift article). I also found this article by Russell Berman in the Atlantic helpful in understanding where we are.

Yes, in the first few weeks of Trump’s Presidency we are already facing one of the gravest Constitutional crises in America history as Trump is attempting to seize a level of control over our government no President has ever had.

If there was an upside to this dark day Democrats across the country at all levels of government loudly rose up against the latest acts of our Mad Orange Wannabe King. It appeared to have woken us from our collective slumber, as the threat Trump clearly represents became impossible to ignore. Can we compete with Trump, contest his out of control Administration, score some wins in the coming days?

First, a new Reuters poll suggests Trump has already overreached, as his approval rating has already taken a 9 point hit:

  • Jan 21 – 47% approve, 39% disapprove (+8)
  • Jan 28 – 45% approve, 46% disapprove (-1)

We will see if these results are replicated in other polls but this one sure shows that Trump is struggling out of the gate. Note below how unpopular many of his early actions/proposals are (but also note the broad public support for “downsizing the federal government”): (snip-MORE; go see it! It’s free and you don’t have to log in.)

Some News Stories About FL’s Legislators Fighting the Gov. We’ll See If The Law Wins…

Florida lawmakers rebuke DeSantis, convene own immigration special session

Gray Rohrer Ana Goñi-Lessan USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida

Florida Republicans defy DeSantis to push their own immigration bill

By  STEPHANY MATAT and KATE PAYNE Updated 5:28 PM CST, January 27, 2025

A ‘blatant lie’: Fight escalates between DeSantis, Florida Legislature over immigration

Republican legislative leaders on Monday accused DeSantis of lying about their bill to beef up enforcement of immigration laws.

Gray Rohrer USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida

Republican legislative leaders on Monday accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of “not reading” and lying about their bill to beef up enforcement of immigration laws.

After Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez rejected his immigration proposals earlier in the day and put forward one of their own, DeSantis slammed their plan as “weak” and claimed they were “gutting” his proposal to require all law enforcement officials in the state to work with federal immigration enforcement officials. (snip-this was the newest update at 8 PM when I set this up. There could be more by now!)

More Resources.

I think we need a category for “Resources.” Anyway, our friend and fellow blogger Annie Asks You gave a couple of resources for us to pass along and use to help our neighbors, earlier in a comment on another blog. I put together a Substack about it, so here it is. It’s short.

Some Useful Resources by Alison Redford

We all can do all we can, and these can help. Read on Substack

These sites have information people need so they are prepared in case authorities believe they have reason to question or detain you. The sites are run by experts, with clear advice for preparation and dealing with authorities. -A.

Know Your Rights

ICE and CBP might not respect our rights, but they cannot take away our POWER. Use these resources to learn about your rights and express them in case you have an encounter with an immigration official. (snip)

The National Immigration Law Center

Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Are Arrested or Detained by Immigration

Jan 15, 2025 This Know Your Rights resource provides general information on what to do if you are stopped, arrested, or detained by immigration or other law enforcement. Originally published in December 2015. (snip)

===================================

Thanks for doing whatever you can do!