T. Craig M.
@tcm01.bsky.social
Teacher, retired Dec. 2025. Gay. Rock, soul, classical, jazz, bluegrass. S-F, classics, history, government. Christian left. Football. SF Giants. Progressive patriot.
On my mind: the Epstein files. The discharge petition for an ACA extension vote. Walked rain free this afternoon. A message to all friends--the flooding is elsewhere. Tua got benched. My to-read list keeps lengthening. Still enjoying Christmas decor. Imagining retirement projects. That is all.
December 17, 2025 at 11:37 PM
On my mind: the Epstein files. The discharge petition for an ACA extension vote. Walked rain free this afternoon. A message to all friends--the flooding is elsewhere. Tua got benched. My to-read list keeps lengthening. Still enjoying Christmas decor. Imagining retirement projects. That is all.
Not a shred of human decency in the orange one, not a trace of of kindness. He's a disease and it's symptoms are slander, corruption, and baseless pride. #remove47
December 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Not a shred of human decency in the orange one, not a trace of of kindness. He's a disease and it's symptoms are slander, corruption, and baseless pride. #remove47
I just updated my occasional blog about my retirement: rockonaswamp.blogspot.com
Rock on a Swamp
rockonaswamp.blogspot.com
December 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I just updated my occasional blog about my retirement: rockonaswamp.blogspot.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:40 PM
One of many reasons I have taught history.
December 11, 2025 at 7:43 PM
One of many reasons I have taught history.
The orange despot has delivered unhinged rants before. But now, in the wake of rants and assorted absurdities and overt racism and word salad, it seems as if he's genuinely damaged. Dementia? Encroaching senility? A psychological deficit? Whatever is wrong, he should be removed. Now. #removetrump
December 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The orange despot has delivered unhinged rants before. But now, in the wake of rants and assorted absurdities and overt racism and word salad, it seems as if he's genuinely damaged. Dementia? Encroaching senility? A psychological deficit? Whatever is wrong, he should be removed. Now. #removetrump
It's been raining for a couple of days and will continue for several more. I go about my business anyway, which I suppose makes me a citizen of the region. We've been here almost 10 months and increasingly it feels like home. #Olympia #EvergreenState #PNW
December 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
It's been raining for a couple of days and will continue for several more. I go about my business anyway, which I suppose makes me a citizen of the region. We've been here almost 10 months and increasingly it feels like home. #Olympia #EvergreenState #PNW
A Saturday: walked at Grass Lake Park mostly in drizzle in my hooded rain jacket. Then, Christmas shopping and my oh my it was crowded and busy. Not like 25 years ago, but still. Malls without record or book stores don't interest me much. Soup is in the slow cooker and already smells wonderful.
December 6, 2025 at 11:38 PM
A Saturday: walked at Grass Lake Park mostly in drizzle in my hooded rain jacket. Then, Christmas shopping and my oh my it was crowded and busy. Not like 25 years ago, but still. Malls without record or book stores don't interest me much. Soup is in the slow cooker and already smells wonderful.
From Thanksmas, a made-up holiday for closest friends and family, almost three years ago. We had our own traditions including a wind-up toy at every place setting, both turkey and a beef dish, two kinds of gravy. My lifelong friends who always hosted are no longer able. Missing all who gathered.
December 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
From Thanksmas, a made-up holiday for closest friends and family, almost three years ago. We had our own traditions including a wind-up toy at every place setting, both turkey and a beef dish, two kinds of gravy. My lifelong friends who always hosted are no longer able. Missing all who gathered.
Rest in peace, Steve Cropper. Great guitarist for Booker T and the MGs and others, fine producer, a legend. He played on most of those brilliant Stax/Volt hits.
December 4, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Rest in peace, Steve Cropper. Great guitarist for Booker T and the MGs and others, fine producer, a legend. He played on most of those brilliant Stax/Volt hits.
Listen to Mr. Douglass, please.
December 2, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Listen to Mr. Douglass, please.
Some, not all, of what used to be on my office bulletin board. Only common theme: people who did work I like or love. How many can you name?
December 1, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Some, not all, of what used to be on my office bulletin board. Only common theme: people who did work I like or love. How many can you name?
Posting about horrible things Trump has done or said every day would be both possible and enervating. I long for the day when he'll be gone, fascism will be forced to retreat, and I can focus more fully on what brings me joy. For instance: China Mountain Zhang, a terrific novel by Maureen McHugh.
November 30, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Posting about horrible things Trump has done or said every day would be both possible and enervating. I long for the day when he'll be gone, fascism will be forced to retreat, and I can focus more fully on what brings me joy. For instance: China Mountain Zhang, a terrific novel by Maureen McHugh.
Thanksgiving for Mom and me featured a turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes, biscuits (because carbs must be tripled), green beans, cranberry sauce with whole berries, and homemade pecan pie, plus two football games. So it was a light and simplified version this time but still delightful.
November 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Thanksgiving for Mom and me featured a turkey breast, dressing, mashed potatoes, biscuits (because carbs must be tripled), green beans, cranberry sauce with whole berries, and homemade pecan pie, plus two football games. So it was a light and simplified version this time but still delightful.
Reposted by T. Craig M.
If you told me 15 years ago to one day see a President of the United States post this image of himself on social media, I would have declared you insane.
Now, I declare the President insane.
Now, I declare the President insane.
November 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
If you told me 15 years ago to one day see a President of the United States post this image of himself on social media, I would have declared you insane.
Now, I declare the President insane.
Now, I declare the President insane.
I just posted "Could the House Change Hands?" on my occasional blog. It's an attempt to analyze rather than speculate. This short read can be found at rockonaswamp.blogspot.com
Rock on a Swamp
rockonaswamp.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I just posted "Could the House Change Hands?" on my occasional blog. It's an attempt to analyze rather than speculate. This short read can be found at rockonaswamp.blogspot.com
Few people in the history of politics and government have ever been as wrong as any typical Stephen Miller statement. None has been more wrong.
November 23, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Few people in the history of politics and government have ever been as wrong as any typical Stephen Miller statement. None has been more wrong.
"I suspect we would be wise to avoid declaring what God will or will not allow." --a character in Jack McDevitt's novel The Hercules Text
November 21, 2025 at 7:26 PM
"I suspect we would be wise to avoid declaring what God will or will not allow." --a character in Jack McDevitt's novel The Hercules Text
Just enjoyed a walk at Rainier Vista Park a few miles from my house. No Vista today--clouds mixed with sun and the mountain collects clouds like Trump gathers authoritarian dipshits. This pleasant suburban park will get another visit on a clear day.
November 20, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Just enjoyed a walk at Rainier Vista Park a few miles from my house. No Vista today--clouds mixed with sun and the mountain collects clouds like Trump gathers authoritarian dipshits. This pleasant suburban park will get another visit on a clear day.
Current possibilities: Trump will sign the bill and in about a month we'll see files released. If they are heavily redacted, that will be almost as bad for him as if they were untouched. Or, he'll veto the bill because consistency is for the little people. Then lots of the GOP will be mad at him.
November 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Current possibilities: Trump will sign the bill and in about a month we'll see files released. If they are heavily redacted, that will be almost as bad for him as if they were untouched. Or, he'll veto the bill because consistency is for the little people. Then lots of the GOP will be mad at him.
Senate prospects for an Epstein file release vote: not clear. GOP leadership there has not stated support. But today's 427-1 House vote will probably have an impact. The obstruction may appear at a later stage--and I still expect to see one.
November 18, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Senate prospects for an Epstein file release vote: not clear. GOP leadership there has not stated support. But today's 427-1 House vote will probably have an impact. The obstruction may appear at a later stage--and I still expect to see one.
No satirist could have invented this presidency. That's a job best taken on by an accomplished horror novelist.
November 18, 2025 at 4:24 PM
No satirist could have invented this presidency. That's a job best taken on by an accomplished horror novelist.
The Dolphins survived lousy decision making and prevailed in Madrid over the Commanders largely because Jayden Daniels did not play. No corners have been turned. Kafka continues to write this season's script and soon McDaniels will turn into a huge insect.
November 16, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The Dolphins survived lousy decision making and prevailed in Madrid over the Commanders largely because Jayden Daniels did not play. No corners have been turned. Kafka continues to write this season's script and soon McDaniels will turn into a huge insect.
I'm in the last month of my teaching career, about to retire. Do I have any regrets? Yes--that money thing. But still happy about the path I've been on.
November 16, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I'm in the last month of my teaching career, about to retire. Do I have any regrets? Yes--that money thing. But still happy about the path I've been on.
I'm tracking selected red state polling on approval of the president right now. When and if Texas and (less likely) Florida dip to about 40%, the orange one will be in serious trouble. Also watching key purple states. The principle: once the erosion of power begins, it has a momentum all its own.
November 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I'm tracking selected red state polling on approval of the president right now. When and if Texas and (less likely) Florida dip to about 40%, the orange one will be in serious trouble. Also watching key purple states. The principle: once the erosion of power begins, it has a momentum all its own.