The Moda Center debacle is especially interesting today. It highlights the realities of living in a world in need of unlimited climate resiliency investments as the wealthy escape paying for any of it. A recipe for losing stuff we love. It starts with the forests, but homes, food, sports all go too.
Thank you to everyone who supported me on this journey and to everyone who showed up last night. youtu.be/W414yhDcbJg?...
Brent Hennrich Speech August 4th, 2026 with Southwest Washington Democrats
YouTube video by Brent Hennrich (D) for Washington
youtu.be
On a private call, Todd Blanche said his goal was to make the "Dobbs decision permanent in every single state." This isn’t just a confirmation vote anymore—it’s a roll-call vote on which Senators endorse BANNING abortion in ALL 50 states. I’m voting NO.
1. Last week, we revealed that the New York Post published a fake cover story claiming "thousands" of 9/11 families were trying to ban Mamdani from the 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero. Instead of admitting its error, the Post quietly edited the article, adding even less credible info.
THIS THURSDAY (8/6) at Committee of the Whole, we'll continue two conversations from the previous meeting. On the Zenith-ISQ Franchise Transfer, the staff presentation is done, so we'll start with testimony, then go into Councilor discussion/consideration. You can sign up to testify: 1/2
Consent to franchise transfer from Zenith Energy Terminals Holdings LLC to ISQ Springer Holdings, LLC (amend Ordinance 188554)
portland.gov
Zenith is trying to bully the City into rushing and rubber stamping what is an important decision instead of exercising their authority under the charter to review staff work. The City Attorneys clarified last week that council can deny, approve, or approve *with conditions*
You can submit testimony on this item or sign up for real-time testimony (in-person or remotely). Testimony link: www.portland.gov/council-cler... You can send an email to councilors here: actionnetwork.org/letters/voic... You can submit written testimony here: www.portland.gov/council-cler...
Register for testimony or submit written testimony to Council
Complete this form to register to provide verbal testimony on an agenda item during Council and committee meetings, or to submit written testimony on an item.
portland.gov
Importantly, there are a bunch of documents referenced in the City's ordinance that are not available to the public. We have no idea *why* city staff are recommending approval of this transfer. How can the public participate if we can't even have the basic information. This is very fishy!
Thank you to all Portlanders who testified today on the Moda Center term sheet. We heard a clear message: given our current affordability crisis, budget deficit, and recent service and job cuts, Portlanders expect transparency, stronger terms, and measurable public benefits.
An actually underrated potential positive for Dems in light of Abdul’s victory is that it gives traditionally centrist or otherwise poor Dems on Palestine on an easy out for polarizing against AIPAC and pro-Israel politics— they’re trying to cost Dems the Senate.
El-Sayed: "Once a government agency like ICE is told it has impunity to do the worst things and violate the highest law of the land, which is the Constitution itself, I don't think you can reform or retrain. I think we need to start from scratch ... I think we need to abolish it."
What do Abdul El-Sayed, Donavan McKinney, Brad Lander, Melat Kiros, Analilia Mejia, Darializa Avila Chevalier, Adam Hamway, and Claire Valdez all have in common?! All progressives who won AND all of them were on my show in lead up to election. Road to Congress runs through Dean Obeidallah show! 😀
Easily duplicated. Keep talking about Health care Affordable housing Real wages Education Child care Stop corporate greed
Qasim Rashid, Esq.@qasimrashid.com · 10h agoLast night, 41-year-old Dr. Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed won the Democratic primary for US Senate in Michigan. What he overcame is not just politically significant. It is historic. And we must understand why so we can duplicate it nationwide. My latest: www.qasimrashid.com/p/dr-abdul-e...
If AIPAC's commitment to arming a rogue state isn't enough for you, I cannot emphasize enough that this organization is just a slush fund for GOP donors to influence Dem races. Their donor base is mostly conservatives who want Republicans to win.
Andrew Solender@andrewsolender.bsky.social · 17h agoAIPAC: "Our members remain determined to ensure that voters reject Dr. El-Sayed and his radical anti-Israel agenda in November."
Reup: Bc journalists simply are NOT reading the court filings closely enough to understand how bad the misconduct in the Davey Hearn case may be. What Did Jeanine Pirro Know and When Did She Know It? emptywheel.net/2026/08/05/w...
What Did Jeanine Pirro Know and When Did She Know It? - emptywheel
In a bid to get the indictment against him dismissed with prejudice, Davey Hearn reveals that DOJ misrepresented the circumstances of a "before" picture proving he didn't damage the reflecting pool.
emptywheel.net
if you're reading all these articles as they come out and assuming the story is "these models are escaping containment and causing danger" and not "this is a PR campaign by companies desperate to build hype" I think you are very silly.
Alex Hanna@alexhanna.bsky.social · 9h agoIt keeps happening... It'd be great if these companies could spend a little bit more time on network security and a little less time vibe coding.
AIPAC Couldn't Buy the Michigan Primary. What's Next for Democrats and their Relationship With Israel? thelefthook.substack.com/p/aipac-coul...
Moda term sheet. Today, I filed Morillo 1, an amendment that will require a comprehensive public analysis of every proposed funding source, its tradeoffs, and its public benefit before any final Council vote on the Moda Center agreement. www.portland.gov/sites/defaul...
portland.gov
the testimony about how we need public money to go into private hands so then the private sector can give to philanthropic organizations / non-profits was actually the clearest explanation of the rot of neoliberalism I've ever heard. The government should just fund public services & employ people.
Did some modeling at the dais to show you what would happens if we pass my amendment: we’d generate free cash flow from the current encumbrances of Moda fees net of debt service on a $120MM bond issuance. No PCEF $, no general fund obligation and reduced public contribution by 2/3rds
Mitch Green@councilorgreen.bsky.social · 14h agoWe’re hearing testimony on the Moda term sheet today. I have filed an amendment that seeks to do two broad things: 1. empower the Joint Authority to limit expenditure public funds in the public interest with transparency and accountability 2. Reduce City’s commitment from $400M -> $120MM
FWIW, both of VDARE’s founders were on the masthead of the National Review in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Peter Brimelow was also a staffer for Senator Orrin Hatch. This white nationalist thread has been present in the conservative movement for a long time. Screenshot is from 1997.
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 14h agoSCHIFF: You told my staff you stood by your article in white nationalist website VDARE where you wrote, 'Muslim immigrants & their kids seem prone to terrorism' C: I wrote that article in support of Trump's travel ban S: Do you stand by it? C: I stand by that article S: That's all I need to know
1. the whole "disappointing night" thing is pure cope. El-Sayed beat the establishment candidate despite being outspent 10:1, that's an earthquake 2. primary polls are just not great and everyone needs to spend the next week going really, really hard for Peggy Flanagan
oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/08/04/h...
How Drazan’s consulting firm pocketed nearly $100K from her nonprofit with little oversight • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The situation offers insight into how one of Oregon’s most successful recent Republican politicians handled her finances ahead of a campaign.
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
It’s actually monumental AF. We all know what I’m talking about. Don’t let them try to change the narrative. They don’t want us talking about it that way. They don’t want you to talk about how AIPAC and moderates lost. Big. It wasn’t in “commie NYC”. It was in the “Moderate Midwest”.
I really do think that councilors who vote through a deal that doesn’t require private investment will be haunted by that decision. You will never stop having to politically answer for it in the world of austerity we’re in.
Portland DSA@portlanddsa.bsky.social · 2d agoOn Wednesday, Aug. 5, City Council will consider a "term sheet" for the Moda Center negotiations. This is an opportunity for you to testify to the City Council about how you feel about the Moda Center issue and what the City should demand in exchange for public money.
WOAH. Blazers leaked emails show they refused to respond to city emails asking basic questions, weeks before any “first-class” claim was mentioned, contradicting Dewayne Hankins claim that that claim “chilled negotiations” They were not negotiating in good faith since the beginning.
@wrightkatu.bsky.social · yesterdayNEW: Internal emails obtained by KATU show Portland Trail Blazers leaders debated whether to respond to the City of Portland's questions on key pieces of a proposed Moda Center deal, with one executive saying the city's requests felt like "a trap”. katu.com/news/investi...
Cat Alyst 🏳️⚧️🇨🇦 (they/them)@catalystmeow.bsky.social · yesterdayThis is important to note! Republicans scheduled their Medicare cuts for January 2027. They want to say, “Look! The Democrats took back the House and cut your Medicare.” If you know someone on Medicare, expose the Republicans' dirty trick. #USDemocracy #MomSky #RepublicanMedicareCuts
Did you see how Apple, Amazon Walmart and other big companies are refunding the billions of dollars they got back from the federal tariff settlement to their customers, who ultimately bore the cost of higher prices? Yea, me neither.
His advocacy saved my life. Diagnosed with HIV 1983. He helped to create HARRY medications that saved my life.
