Michael Bailey

@michaelbailey.bsky.social

Probably furious

I was reminded yesterday of an incredible quote from my favorite author: Fear is a strange soil. It grows obedience like corn, which grow in straight lines to make weeding easier. But sometimes it grows the potatoes of defiance, which flourish underground. GNU Terry.

Call their bluff. Let them end the filibuster and pass all of the awful legislation they want to and Americans will really get mad. Or let them suffer under filibuster until they come to the table and negotiate.

If and when we ever get back to a government lead by the people and not buy oligarchs, I hope there is a swift and meaningful rush to shore up our institutions to resist attacks from the inside. The “let’s take the temperature down“ narrative of leftists and Democrats just allowed them to be cooked.

Celebrating making things more expensive for Americans while doing nothing to address, Rising costs in rent, food, healthcare, or other basic necessities is insane. You didn’t make American goods cheaper. You just reduced cheaper alternatives for Americans.

I don’t understand why releasing the files makes any material difference. There is literally no one who believes he is innocent. It doesn’t change a single thing that we’ve known about him for more than a decade. Why the theater?

I get the sentiment but the “this bombing of Iran is unconstitutional” narrative isn’t a winner. Why would this be more illegal than U.S. bombing Yemen (which we’ve done plenty) or any other strikes? We haven’t declared war since WWII.