John Raftery
@johnraftery.bsky.social
I coach, mentor and advise leaders. Our new startup serving Massachusetts is Hope & Joy Family Services. VC/ CEO 🇮🇪 in 🇺🇸 “ I cannot be pessimistic, I’m alive.”
Cambridge.
Cambridge.
Reposted by John Raftery
ICE sprays large canister of pepper spray directly into family car—hitting 1 year old baby.
"They were simply shopping at Sam's Club," said man who took video.
"ICE agents drove by and sprayed pepper spray directly inside—where their baby and 16 year old sister sat."
Cicero, Illinois
"They were simply shopping at Sam's Club," said man who took video.
"ICE agents drove by and sprayed pepper spray directly inside—where their baby and 16 year old sister sat."
Cicero, Illinois
November 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This is sensible risk management by UK Intelligence.
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:19 PM
This is sensible risk management by UK Intelligence.
Reposted by John Raftery
15. GOP voters often make choices that turn them into hostages. Admittedly, there wasn’t a lot of reason for them to reconsider that behavior, but now there’s none at all. Trump was walking the path toward self-immolation. Nine Democrats saved him from himself.
November 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
15. GOP voters often make choices that turn them into hostages. Admittedly, there wasn’t a lot of reason for them to reconsider that behavior, but now there’s none at all. Trump was walking the path toward self-immolation. Nine Democrats saved him from himself.
Reposted by John Raftery
5. *The Democrats traded their power for an IOU*. Their power was the filibuster. The IOU is a vote on Obamacare subsidies. Not a promise to renew them, just a promise to hold a vote – in January! There’s nothing saying Senate Majority Leader John Thune will honor the IOU.
November 11, 2025 at 1:53 PM
5. *The Democrats traded their power for an IOU*. Their power was the filibuster. The IOU is a vote on Obamacare subsidies. Not a promise to renew them, just a promise to hold a vote – in January! There’s nothing saying Senate Majority Leader John Thune will honor the IOU.
Reposted by John Raftery
2. *Eight Democrats betrayed the Democratic Party* over the weekend in deciding to vote with the Republicans to reopen the government – eight Democrats in the US Senate under Chuck Schumer’s leadership. None of the House Democrats cracked while under Hakeem Jeffries’ leadership. They stood firm.
November 11, 2025 at 1:53 PM
2. *Eight Democrats betrayed the Democratic Party* over the weekend in deciding to vote with the Republicans to reopen the government – eight Democrats in the US Senate under Chuck Schumer’s leadership. None of the House Democrats cracked while under Hakeem Jeffries’ leadership. They stood firm.
Reposted by John Raftery
So he’s saying all the tariff money we took in is gone and we won’t be able to pay it back. There was always a possibility he could lose this lawsuit and have to refund the tariff money. We didn’t prepare for that possibility? He’s running the govt like he ran his casinos.
November 11, 2025 at 11:38 AM
So he’s saying all the tariff money we took in is gone and we won’t be able to pay it back. There was always a possibility he could lose this lawsuit and have to refund the tariff money. We didn’t prepare for that possibility? He’s running the govt like he ran his casinos.
Reposted by John Raftery
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
November 10, 2025 at 10:19 PM
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
Reposted by John Raftery
Speaker Johnson has literally said he's "not promising anyone anything."
For once, I believe him.
For once, I believe him.
November 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Speaker Johnson has literally said he's "not promising anyone anything."
For once, I believe him.
For once, I believe him.
Reposted by John Raftery
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Reposted by John Raftery
I get the impression, like the religious right in USA, he agrees with what Israel are doing.
To attend meetings with a regime that has war crime arrest warrants issued against them, in illegally occupied territories...and then promoting it on official dept. channels was a very poor decision.
To attend meetings with a regime that has war crime arrest warrants issued against them, in illegally occupied territories...and then promoting it on official dept. channels was a very poor decision.
November 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I get the impression, like the religious right in USA, he agrees with what Israel are doing.
To attend meetings with a regime that has war crime arrest warrants issued against them, in illegally occupied territories...and then promoting it on official dept. channels was a very poor decision.
To attend meetings with a regime that has war crime arrest warrants issued against them, in illegally occupied territories...and then promoting it on official dept. channels was a very poor decision.
Reposted by John Raftery
As the DUP backed brexit wreaks economic carnage in the UK driving up income taxes, the DUP refusing to respect the democratically elected majority in the NI Assembly and instructing Givan to step aside, just made the border poll even closer.
The people of NI deserve better.
2/2
The people of NI deserve better.
2/2
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
As the DUP backed brexit wreaks economic carnage in the UK driving up income taxes, the DUP refusing to respect the democratically elected majority in the NI Assembly and instructing Givan to step aside, just made the border poll even closer.
The people of NI deserve better.
2/2
The people of NI deserve better.
2/2
Reposted by John Raftery
The DUP just missed a golden opportunity to show the people of NI that you are capable of working together with others in public office.
The petty insults and divisive, sectarian bluster used earlier to defend an ill-advised visit to Israel just reduced the amount of border poll "don't knows".
1/2
The petty insults and divisive, sectarian bluster used earlier to defend an ill-advised visit to Israel just reduced the amount of border poll "don't knows".
1/2
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The DUP just missed a golden opportunity to show the people of NI that you are capable of working together with others in public office.
The petty insults and divisive, sectarian bluster used earlier to defend an ill-advised visit to Israel just reduced the amount of border poll "don't knows".
1/2
The petty insults and divisive, sectarian bluster used earlier to defend an ill-advised visit to Israel just reduced the amount of border poll "don't knows".
1/2
Reposted by John Raftery
NEW: Governor Maura Healey said SNAP benefits in Mass are being fully paid out, and that people should “go out and buy the food you need” despite what President Trump says. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/m...
Healey to Mass. SNAP recipients: ‘Forget the noise’ from Washington, buy groceries - The Boston Globe
Governor Maura Healey on Monday said that a federal program that helps millions of Americans buy groceries is being fully paid out, and that people should “go out and buy the food you need.”
www.bostonglobe.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM
NEW: Governor Maura Healey said SNAP benefits in Mass are being fully paid out, and that people should “go out and buy the food you need” despite what President Trump says. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/10/m...
Reposted by John Raftery
It is not difficult to understand Trump's shifting positions. Even when he was still cognizant, Trump's decisions were impulsive. Nowadays he is nodding off during WH meetings, hardly aware of the world. Vought, Rubio, Miller, Hegseth, perhaps a few more, are taking turns in the driver's seat.
November 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM
It is not difficult to understand Trump's shifting positions. Even when he was still cognizant, Trump's decisions were impulsive. Nowadays he is nodding off during WH meetings, hardly aware of the world. Vought, Rubio, Miller, Hegseth, perhaps a few more, are taking turns in the driver's seat.
Reposted by John Raftery
It's bizarre for a president who brags about all the wars he’s ended to suggest going “guns-a-blazing” into Nigeria. Or, potentially, into Venezuela: Trump has now assembled the largest U.S. naval armada in the Caribbean since 1962, and he is blustering about toppling Maduro. wapo.st/49bKyew
Opinion | Trump’s incoherent foreign policy defies explanation
Many MAGA loyalists don’t bat an eye as Trump mediates conflicts while also saber-rattling.
wapo.st
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It's bizarre for a president who brags about all the wars he’s ended to suggest going “guns-a-blazing” into Nigeria. Or, potentially, into Venezuela: Trump has now assembled the largest U.S. naval armada in the Caribbean since 1962, and he is blustering about toppling Maduro. wapo.st/49bKyew
Reposted by John Raftery
Bookmark this to repost when Trump announces Maxwell's pardon (🚨TRIGGER Warning🚨:
Your reminder: Ghislaine Maxwell was NOT a victim, and she recruited and pimped children during almost the entire decade that she and Epstein were close friends with Trump.
@marciej.bsky.social
www.wonkette.com/p/ghislaine-...
@marciej.bsky.social
www.wonkette.com/p/ghislaine-...
Ghislaine Maxwell Was A Child Sex Trafficker, Not A Victim!
Your reminder and TRIGGER WARNING.
www.wonkette.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Bookmark this to repost when Trump announces Maxwell's pardon (🚨TRIGGER Warning🚨:
Reposted by John Raftery
"Maxwell has received custom meals personally delivered to her cell, after-hours time in a private exercise area, access to a service puppy, and private meetings with visitors arranged by the warden, complete with snacks. Visitors were allowed to bring computers..."
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
Democrats reveal whistleblower details of Ghislaine Maxwell prison ‘luxuries’
In a letter to the president, House Democrats say Maxwell’s treatment as she prepares a clemency request makes the convicted sex offender look like a “guest at a Trump hotel.”
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:26 PM
"Maxwell has received custom meals personally delivered to her cell, after-hours time in a private exercise area, access to a service puppy, and private meetings with visitors arranged by the warden, complete with snacks. Visitors were allowed to bring computers..."
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
Reposted by John Raftery
Plaques commemorating Black WWII soldiers fighting against Nazi Germany have been removed from a U.S. military cemetery in the Netherlands —Newsweek
November 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Plaques commemorating Black WWII soldiers fighting against Nazi Germany have been removed from a U.S. military cemetery in the Netherlands —Newsweek
Reposted by John Raftery
“The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
“The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by John Raftery
November 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
“The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
“The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by John Raftery
I had forgotten how insane his lengthy speech was. Transcript here:
www.npr.org/2021/02/10/9...
www.npr.org/2021/02/10/9...
Read Trump's Jan. 6 Speech, A Key Part Of Impeachment Trial
The former president's remarks are being used by Democrats hoping to convict him for incitement of insurrection — and are being defended by his lawyers in the Senate proceedings.
www.npr.org
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I had forgotten how insane his lengthy speech was. Transcript here:
www.npr.org/2021/02/10/9...
www.npr.org/2021/02/10/9...
Reposted by John Raftery
In his speech that day, he said calming things like this.
November 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
In his speech that day, he said calming things like this.
Reposted by John Raftery
The Jan 6 "stop the steal" protests happened because Trump encouraged them. He told his followers, "be there, will be wild." In his speech that day at the Ellipse he said, "We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."
November 9, 2025 at 8:53 PM
The Jan 6 "stop the steal" protests happened because Trump encouraged them. He told his followers, "be there, will be wild." In his speech that day at the Ellipse he said, "We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."
Reposted by John Raftery
November 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM