T. Craig M.
@tcm01.bsky.social
Teacher. Gay. Rock, soul, classical, jazz, bluegrass. S-F, classics, history, government. Christian left. Football. SF Giants. Progressive patriot.
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.
Reposted by T. Craig M.
The Epstein story gets a something that is tearing at the heart of the electorate: elite impunity. The idea that wealthy and powerful people can do terrible things *at scale* and face no consequences for them. Whatever political party actually stops it could rule the country for a generation.
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The Epstein story gets a something that is tearing at the heart of the electorate: elite impunity. The idea that wealthy and powerful people can do terrible things *at scale* and face no consequences for them. Whatever political party actually stops it could rule the country for a generation.
Rep. Grijalva has been sworn in. May the Epstein file, budget resolution, and other votes follow. GOP holds 219 seats, Democrats 213, with 3 vacancies. A few moderate Republicans with backbones and the shoddy fabric starts to unravel. On Epstein, quite possible.
November 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Rep. Grijalva has been sworn in. May the Epstein file, budget resolution, and other votes follow. GOP holds 219 seats, Democrats 213, with 3 vacancies. A few moderate Republicans with backbones and the shoddy fabric starts to unravel. On Epstein, quite possible.
From this afternoon's outing, a view of Olympia and Budd Inlet from Overlook Point Park in Tumwater. Frame is odd to keep some houses out of sight.
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 PM
From this afternoon's outing, a view of Olympia and Budd Inlet from Overlook Point Park in Tumwater. Frame is odd to keep some houses out of sight.
Time for new Democratic leadership in the Senate. They settled for too little--again. #OustSchumer
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Time for new Democratic leadership in the Senate. They settled for too little--again. #OustSchumer
Speaker Mike Johnson, since you aren't using the House of Representatives, could you let Minority Leader Jeffries borrow it just long enough to swear in Rep. Grijalva, vote to release the Epstein files, and impeach the president and assorted Cabinet officers? #SwearHerIn #MikeJohnson #sedition
November 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Speaker Mike Johnson, since you aren't using the House of Representatives, could you let Minority Leader Jeffries borrow it just long enough to swear in Rep. Grijalva, vote to release the Epstein files, and impeach the president and assorted Cabinet officers? #SwearHerIn #MikeJohnson #sedition
From today's walk at the Hawk's Prairie Reclaimed Water Ponds in Lacey. The bright green you see is duckweed, growing enthusiastically in the ponds. It's a natural filter of several water contaminants. Ducks and other wildlife were present in abundance and native trees and shrubs lined the walkways.
November 8, 2025 at 12:17 AM
From today's walk at the Hawk's Prairie Reclaimed Water Ponds in Lacey. The bright green you see is duckweed, growing enthusiastically in the ponds. It's a natural filter of several water contaminants. Ducks and other wildlife were present in abundance and native trees and shrubs lined the walkways.
Wondering who is currently at the vanguard of pillaging our democracy. Clear answer used to be Trump. Now in contention: a few of his Cabinet officers, Speaker Johnson, and several justices of the Supreme Court. Feel free to weigh in.
November 6, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Wondering who is currently at the vanguard of pillaging our democracy. Clear answer used to be Trump. Now in contention: a few of his Cabinet officers, Speaker Johnson, and several justices of the Supreme Court. Feel free to weigh in.
Feeling politically cheerful for a change. A slam dunk election nationally, and a clear up-yours to the orange boor. Let's celebrate today and press on every day until he and his regime are hobbled or removed. (Strongly prefer removed.) #election25 #voteblue
November 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Feeling politically cheerful for a change. A slam dunk election nationally, and a clear up-yours to the orange boor. Let's celebrate today and press on every day until he and his regime are hobbled or removed. (Strongly prefer removed.) #election25 #voteblue
It's election day. Washington is voting on a constitutional amendment; Olympia has a bunch of local offices up for grabs plus Prop. 1 about a living wage. Mom and I dropped off our ballots last week. "Off year" elections are misnamed, and democracy matters regardless of scale. #vote #Olympia
November 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
From today's walk on a favorite section of the Chehalis Western Trail. Fall here is lovely and reminds me of how badly we need the authoritarian creepy freaks out of DC. #remove47
November 2, 2025 at 2:49 AM
From today's walk on a favorite section of the Chehalis Western Trail. Fall here is lovely and reminds me of how badly we need the authoritarian creepy freaks out of DC. #remove47
Hey, I know this isn't as important as our political crisis, and isn't beautiful like a nature pic from one of my walks, but the world would seem a slightly better place to me if the Blue Jays could beat the Dodgers in the Series. It's the little things. #goBlueJays
November 1, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Hey, I know this isn't as important as our political crisis, and isn't beautiful like a nature pic from one of my walks, but the world would seem a slightly better place to me if the Blue Jays could beat the Dodgers in the Series. It's the little things. #goBlueJays
Our mammoth failure of a president has directed the Pentagon to test nuclear weapons, violating a general moratorium that has lasted since 1992. Why? To keep up with Russian and Chinese testing. The most recent Russian test was in 1990. The most recent Chinese test was in 1996. #remove47
October 30, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Our mammoth failure of a president has directed the Pentagon to test nuclear weapons, violating a general moratorium that has lasted since 1992. Why? To keep up with Russian and Chinese testing. The most recent Russian test was in 1990. The most recent Chinese test was in 1996. #remove47
We won't forget what happened on Jan. 6. We won't forget the false ICE detentions and deaths, the constant lies, the corruption, the appointment of fools to cabinet positions, the self-puffery. And we won't forget that he reinstalled a Confederate statue. Memory is the first step towards justice.
October 29, 2025 at 7:48 PM
We won't forget what happened on Jan. 6. We won't forget the false ICE detentions and deaths, the constant lies, the corruption, the appointment of fools to cabinet positions, the self-puffery. And we won't forget that he reinstalled a Confederate statue. Memory is the first step towards justice.
Yesterday was rainy so my walk was in a shopping mall. Remarkable how few of the stores sold anything I cared about. Some good people watching opps, though, and the aroma of cinnamon buns. I can enjoy that without eating any. Buns or people, to be clear.
October 27, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Yesterday was rainy so my walk was in a shopping mall. Remarkable how few of the stores sold anything I cared about. Some good people watching opps, though, and the aroma of cinnamon buns. I can enjoy that without eating any. Buns or people, to be clear.