practicingdemocracy1
@pd1ljw.bsky.social
My record of "practicing democracy" as our USA begins its slide into authoritarianism. When we practice, we learn & get better. Defending public education (Snyder #2). Chicago, IL. Join the sequence: practicingdemocracy# @pd#yourinitials
Pinned
practicingdemocracy1
@pd1ljw.bsky.social
· Mar 21
Updating what it means to practice democracy, with a focus on actions--actions speak louder than words.
Reposted by practicingdemocracy1
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
#HandsOff
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
#HandsOff
April 5, 2025 at 11:12 PM
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
#HandsOff
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
#HandsOff
NYT writes: “Many forms of speech and dissent remain vibrant in the United States. But the president has tried to dull them.” That greatly blunts the truth. Dull writing from the NYT about a president “dulling“ our democracy. Lulling us to sleep. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | In Trump’s America, Are We Losing Our Democracy?
Donald Trump has wielded power as no previous president has.
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
NYT writes: “Many forms of speech and dissent remain vibrant in the United States. But the president has tried to dull them.” That greatly blunts the truth. Dull writing from the NYT about a president “dulling“ our democracy. Lulling us to sleep. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Some things can’t wait for the courts. Eating is one of them.
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11...
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11...
As SNAP benefits are cut off, Chicagoans who rely on assistance line up at food pantries on South and West sides: ‘I’m surviving. I’m not living’
Even with the news of funding potentially resuming, there were still feelings of anxiety and distrust in the community.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Some things can’t wait for the courts. Eating is one of them.
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11...
chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/11...
The NYTimes is writing about the obvious to anybody paying attention: “The president has stretched the limits of his powers to help those at the heart of his agenda, not the many in greatest need.” It should wield its weight more often.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
Food Stamp Cuts Expose Trump’s Strategy to Use Shutdown to Advance Agenda
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
The NYTimes is writing about the obvious to anybody paying attention: “The president has stretched the limits of his powers to help those at the heart of his agenda, not the many in greatest need.” It should wield its weight more often.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/u...
Reposted by practicingdemocracy1
The President wants to use the military to crack down on Americans who are exercising their 1st Amendment rights to oppose him. I can’t think of a better reason to insist on exercising those rights.
October 29, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The President wants to use the military to crack down on Americans who are exercising their 1st Amendment rights to oppose him. I can’t think of a better reason to insist on exercising those rights.
What’s up in my Chicago neighborhood tonight: Volunteers like myself make whistle kits (whistles with info about rights under the law) against the backdrop of an American dream mural at Taquizas Valdez on Irving Park Rd. It was a full house, standing room only. The Burrito Valdez was delicious.
October 30, 2025 at 1:38 AM
What’s up in my Chicago neighborhood tonight: Volunteers like myself make whistle kits (whistles with info about rights under the law) against the backdrop of an American dream mural at Taquizas Valdez on Irving Park Rd. It was a full house, standing room only. The Burrito Valdez was delicious.
ICE agents are roughing up citizens in my neighborhood & throwing teargas because citizens are getting in their way. I'm going to a Whistlemania event to connect locally, help put together whistle kits, & support the restaurant (Latino businesses are hurting). blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/26/f...
Feds Tear Gas Northwest Side Street, Disrupting Halloween Parade For Kids
Two neighbors, including a 70-year-old man, were arrested after allegedly interfering in the arrest of another man by immigration agents, neighbors said. Agents also threw a woman, 67, to the ground.
blockclubchicago.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:22 PM
ICE agents are roughing up citizens in my neighborhood & throwing teargas because citizens are getting in their way. I'm going to a Whistlemania event to connect locally, help put together whistle kits, & support the restaurant (Latino businesses are hurting). blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/26/f...
"We rule on facts, not on supposition or conjecture, and certainly not on fabrication or propaganda." One judge slaps down book censorship in Dept of Defense schools. Another calls out colleagues' "factual contortions that indulged Trump’s dictatorial whims." open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Undaunted
Two judges’ inspirational rulings
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
"We rule on facts, not on supposition or conjecture, and certainly not on fabrication or propaganda." One judge slaps down book censorship in Dept of Defense schools. Another calls out colleagues' "factual contortions that indulged Trump’s dictatorial whims." open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
HCR’s themes: Trump continues to celebrate criminality & says “f*ck you” to America’s Cattle Ranchers, already having f*cked soybean farmers. Plus: Long list of company names funding the destruction of East Wing to build a ballroom in honor of their greed & myopia. open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
October 23, 2025
Julia Ainsley and Didi Martinez of NBC News reported today that Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s rush to get new recruits onto the street has meant they have pushed into their training program mo...
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
HCR’s themes: Trump continues to celebrate criminality & says “f*ck you” to America’s Cattle Ranchers, already having f*cked soybean farmers. Plus: Long list of company names funding the destruction of East Wing to build a ballroom in honor of their greed & myopia. open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Did you see this ad? It’s really great. In the words of Ronald Reagan… We saw it watching Toronto play Seattle. Toronto is now the in World Series so another chance to see it, maybe. Thank you, Canada! apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump says he's ending trade talks with Canada over TV ads
President Donald Trump is complaining again about Canada because of recent television ads protesting U.S. tariffs, which he calls “egregious behavior” aimed at influencing U.S. court decisions.
apnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Did you see this ad? It’s really great. In the words of Ronald Reagan… We saw it watching Toronto play Seattle. Toronto is now the in World Series so another chance to see it, maybe. Thank you, Canada! apnews.com/article/trum...
Nazi Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino will now have a 5-hour deposition with the court, increased from 2 hours by the judge. He’s leading the lawlessness of the immigration crackdown in Chicago. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Judge allows further questioning of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino as he's hit with new tear gas claims
Judge Sara Ellis earlier this month forbade agents from using gas and other “riot control” weapons without warning, but attorneys claim the feds are "simply ignoring" her order.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Nazi Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino will now have a 5-hour deposition with the court, increased from 2 hours by the judge. He’s leading the lawlessness of the immigration crackdown in Chicago. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
US Border Patrol led by Nazi Gregory Bovino is intentionally whipping up Chicago residents’ animosity in the Pilsen neighborhood. Ignoring court orders to restrain fed aggressiveness, as Supreme Court considers shadow docket appeal to deploy National Guard here. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Federal agents detain high school student in Little Village, deploy tear gas in faceoff with protesters
Feds wearing military-style camouflage gear and gas masks were seen tear-gassing and pepper-spraying protesters during the confrontation near the Little Village Discount Mall.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:01 PM
US Border Patrol led by Nazi Gregory Bovino is intentionally whipping up Chicago residents’ animosity in the Pilsen neighborhood. Ignoring court orders to restrain fed aggressiveness, as Supreme Court considers shadow docket appeal to deploy National Guard here. chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Companies make big $$$ off Trump’s police state. Handel’s Ice Cream, Reliance Relocation Services. Boycott!
PepperBall is owned by ClearLight Partners, which also owns Handel’s Ice Cream, men’s apparel Paul Fredrick & automotive leather Katzkin Leather
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
PepperBall is owned by ClearLight Partners, which also owns Handel’s Ice Cream, men’s apparel Paul Fredrick & automotive leather Katzkin Leather
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
Chicago-Area Companies Raked In Millions From Feds As Operation Midway Blitz Intensified
One Chicago-based company was awarded more than $7 million to relocate ICE employees while a suburban weapons manufacturer was paid nearly $1.5 million in two weeks to supply pepper balls and air-powe...
blockclubchicago.org
October 24, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Companies make big $$$ off Trump’s police state. Handel’s Ice Cream, Reliance Relocation Services. Boycott!
PepperBall is owned by ClearLight Partners, which also owns Handel’s Ice Cream, men’s apparel Paul Fredrick & automotive leather Katzkin Leather
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
PepperBall is owned by ClearLight Partners, which also owns Handel’s Ice Cream, men’s apparel Paul Fredrick & automotive leather Katzkin Leather
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/23/c...
Please sign this petition If you haven’t already. Help reunite a family that has been divided and persecuted by Trump’s police state. The National Immigration Law Center is behind this effort. Thank you.
act.nilc.org/page/89721/p...
act.nilc.org/page/89721/p...
Sign Our Petition: Free the Merlos Family
Sign our petition to demand the immediate release of Jackie, Carlos, and Juana Merlos. Help bring this family back together.
act.nilc.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Please sign this petition If you haven’t already. Help reunite a family that has been divided and persecuted by Trump’s police state. The National Immigration Law Center is behind this effort. Thank you.
act.nilc.org/page/89721/p...
act.nilc.org/page/89721/p...
Happy patriots at Chicago’s NO KINGS march on Oct 18, 2025. We were leaving the park for the streets after a defiant and unifying speech by Governor Pritzker. The crowd ROARED in response to him. 250,000 strong according to BlockClub Chicago (pls consider donating for their pro-democracy reporting).
October 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Happy patriots at Chicago’s NO KINGS march on Oct 18, 2025. We were leaving the park for the streets after a defiant and unifying speech by Governor Pritzker. The crowd ROARED in response to him. 250,000 strong according to BlockClub Chicago (pls consider donating for their pro-democracy reporting).
Reposted by practicingdemocracy1
I made my signs today for the NO KINGS march in Chicago!
October 17, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I made my signs today for the NO KINGS march in Chicago!
Poster board was completely sold out at Target in my Chicago neighborhood as of 2 pm Thursday, 2 days before No Kings march. Hope that's a good sign!
October 17, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Poster board was completely sold out at Target in my Chicago neighborhood as of 2 pm Thursday, 2 days before No Kings march. Hope that's a good sign!
I'm attending No Kings's event, “NO KINGS in Chicago” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
NO KINGS in Chicago · No Kings
**In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.**
Here in Chicago we know how to rise up, fight back, and support each other. It is more important than ever that we do that together on October 18t...
www.mobilize.us
October 14, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I'm attending No Kings's event, “NO KINGS in Chicago” - sign up now to join me! www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
I signed this petition of the National Immigration Law Center on behalf of a mother and her young children that ICE and Customs Border Patrol disappeared. It's the least I can do. act.nilc.org/page/88106/p...
Sign Our Petition: Free the Merlos Family
Sign our petition to demand the immediate release of Jackie, Carlos, and Juana Merlos. Help bring this family back together.
act.nilc.org
September 23, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I signed this petition of the National Immigration Law Center on behalf of a mother and her young children that ICE and Customs Border Patrol disappeared. It's the least I can do. act.nilc.org/page/88106/p...
I signed up--something different to do next Tuesday night instead of watching HBO MAX, which I watch every night. mobilize.us/s/4UFCQr
Frontline in the Fight: Why Fascists Fear Teachers - A Conversation w/ Randi Weingarten · Indivisible
Across history, authoritarian regimes have feared educators—because teaching truth and critical thinking empowers students and communities to resist oppression. Today, public education is under attack...
mobilize.us
September 23, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I signed up--something different to do next Tuesday night instead of watching HBO MAX, which I watch every night. mobilize.us/s/4UFCQr
The Contrarian lifts up the intelligent and inspiring voices of public leaders who remain true to American values & beliefs (e.g., as defined by our Constitution). It keeps me grounded as crazier & crazier stuff happens, and for that, I am grateful.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Undaunted
In Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro gets it right
open.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Contrarian lifts up the intelligent and inspiring voices of public leaders who remain true to American values & beliefs (e.g., as defined by our Constitution). It keeps me grounded as crazier & crazier stuff happens, and for that, I am grateful.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
I canceled my subscription to @chicagotribune.com effective 9/22. I wrote in a ltr to the editor (not published), "You seem to think the bullies make sense." I cannot support a news outlet that sides with bullies. I will increase my contribution to the Chicago Suntimes for this kind of reporting.
Nearly 50 instructors from colleges across Illinois are named in an online database dubbed “Professor Watchlist” that was created by a group affiliated with slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk to unmask “radical professors,” WBEZ found. trib.al/UjFOTf8
Illinois professors face threats after landing on Charlie Kirk group watchlist
An online database compiled by a group affiliated with slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk identifies close to 50 Illinois college instructors it labels "radical professors."
trib.al
September 19, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I canceled my subscription to @chicagotribune.com effective 9/22. I wrote in a ltr to the editor (not published), "You seem to think the bullies make sense." I cannot support a news outlet that sides with bullies. I will increase my contribution to the Chicago Suntimes for this kind of reporting.
Thank you for your voice, @govpritzker.illinois.gov. I will attend the "rapid response" meeting in northwest Chicago on Sunday and No Kings Day II on Oct. 18. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Be Loud — For America
By Governor JB Pritzker
open.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thank you for your voice, @govpritzker.illinois.gov. I will attend the "rapid response" meeting in northwest Chicago on Sunday and No Kings Day II on Oct. 18. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...