Agreed. Progressives can win if the Democratic Party remembers "to engage with the disaffected potential voters who will be essential to a robust governing coalition." Which is why it's so frustrating that the Maine Democratic Party ignores me or brushes me off every time I raise the issue of gun reform (not the only issue I vote on). Get with the program, Maine Democrats. #Politics #Democrats #Democracy #Progressive #US #USpol #Midterms https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/progressive-insurgency-democratic-party-midterms/

Here's hoping Francesca Hong wins tomorrow. #Politics #Democrats #Democracy #Wisconsin #Progressive #US #USpol https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/us/politics/progressive-left-dsa-ground-game.html?unlocked_article_code=1.4VA.OR_I.Wlqeh6r06yzZ&smid=url-share

What a lovely interior. These, as my wife will tell you, are my colors. Our home would have considerably more books, but other than that, this renovation is gorgeous. I like minimalism. #Home #House #InteriorDesign #Vancouver #Canada #Minimalism https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/realestate/a-narrow-vancouver-house-leans-into-minimalism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.31A.VSi-.ej3DmVyN2qtV&smid=url-share

Maine Democrats in a nutshell. This evening, I attended a Volunteer Kickoff Zoom Call to discuss plans for the upcoming statewide campaign. Lots of passion for addressing climate change, passing Medicare for All, and so on. I brought up gun reform. A lot of people gave me a thumbs-up, but one fellow from rural, northernmost Maine was vehemently opposed. What a pity that some folks are so backward on that one issue. #Politics #Democrats #Democracy #Maine #Midterms #US #USpol #Progressive

I wish his margin of victory had been larger, but that he won at all with the entire establishment working against him, and in a purple state, is impressive. #Politics #Democracy #Democrats #Michigan #Senate #AbdulElSayed #US #USpol https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/05/michigan-senate-primary-results-abdul-el-sayed

In the off-chance that anyone over the age of 12 doesn't already know: A letter of promises to a senator is not a legally binding document. #Politics #Democracy #Law #Justice #AttorneyGeneral #ToddBlanche #US #USpol https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/08/04/us/trump-news-blanche

Michigan Democrats, please vote for Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on Tuesday. We need more progressives in the U.S. Senate. #Politics #Democrats #Democracy #Michigan #Senate #Midterms #Progressive #US #USpol https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/02/michigan-primary-democrats

Imagine thinking that any of this is crazy. Now, if only the Democratic Socialists of America would champion gun reform legislation, I just might become a member. #Politics #Democrats #Democracy #DSA #DemocraticSocialism #US #USpol #Progressive https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/02/democratic-socialists-america-platform/91092595007/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

I don't know how one can possibly rank films that are this different, but there are some great documentaries here. I'm not going to rank or compare them, but I encourage you to see "The Gleaners and I" and "Grey Gardens" if you haven't already. #Film #Cinema #Movies #Culture #Entertainment #Documentary https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-documentaries-of-all-time-ranked/the-gleaners-and-i-2000-2/

"I want to say, in all seriousness, that a great deal of harm is being done in the modern world by the belief in the virtuousness of work, and that the road to happiness and prosperity lies in an organized diminution of work."

-- Bertrand Russell, "In Praise of Idleness"

#Work #Philosophy #Leisure #Progressive

A washitsu (traditional Japanese-style room) is gorgeous, don't you think? #Japan #InteriorDesign #Architecture #Japanese #Home #Interior

The US will try anything but gun control

The New York Times's loss is the New York Times's readers' gain. CBS can have him. #Politics #Journalism #CBS #News #Conservatives #NYT #NewYorkTimes #US #USpol https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/business/media/60-minutes-ross-douthat.html?unlocked_article_code=1.1VA.t2w_.FAw6sgrEhJ5t&smid=url-share

They tell me that Mainers love them guns [sic] because of a proud tradition of hunting, self-reliance, and rural practicality. In Norway, Maine, a practical, self-reliant type shot his wife because he thought she was an intruder. #Maine #Rural #Guns #US #USpol #GetRidOfTheStupidThings https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-man-accused-shooting-wife-claiming-she-was-intruder/73273504

That face. #Caturday #Cats #CatsOfMastodon

A bronze helmet of Corinthian type. Herodotus references this helmet as an element of the Greek hoplites' gear. Numerous Corinthian helmets were discovered within the sanctuary at Olympia, offered as dedications to Zeus. The perforations along the rim served as attachment points for a interior lining.

Dating 6th century BC. On display at Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.

📷️ me

#archaeology

Every "journalist" who appears at these shindigs should be ashamed of themselves. #Politics #Democracy #Journalism #WHCD #US #USpol https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/25/trump-forced-to-play-good-sport-at-correspondents-dinner-but-it-couldnt-last?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

Democrats are at a huge financial disadvantage in the upcoming U.S. Senate race. Which makes it all the more perplexing that officials in the Maine Democratic Party have ignored every polite message I've sent them over the past year. Every. Single. One.

I hate to tell you this, but Susan Collins's team has answered every email in that time. That's not a reason to support her and the GOP. I'm just saying. #Politics #Democrats #Democracy #Senate #Maine #Midterms #US #USpol https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/us/politics/collins-jackson-maine-senate-fundraising.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0VA.HLRx.ncsc-DMAr_Ew&smid=url-share

I have to say that I'm liking Troy Jackson more and more for Maine's upcoming Senate race. While I still wish we had more progressive people of color in Maine who would run for federal seats, I believe him: He's done what he says he's done, and clearly is there for the people. One of the great things about progressive values is that they're helping everyone.

https://www.pressherald.com/voter-guide/candidates/troy-jackson/

This line about a right-wing character in Charles Baxter's novel "Blood Test" is as good a description of the MAGA crowd as I've ever read:

"If you were to ask him where Italy is located on the globe, he wouldn't know but would despise you for asking."

#Politics #Democracy #MAGA #US #USpol #Books #Bookstodon