June 12, 2025

City of Spokane plans review after anti-ICE protest response

Source: KREM News

SPOKANE, Wash — Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown addressed the city's response to anti-ICE protests, defending the actions taken by law enforcement and reiterating the city's commitment to peaceful protest and public safety. The protest led to the deployment of tactical police teams, the arrest of 30 people, and a temporary curfew in downtown Spokane.

(snip)

Mayor Brown also noted that many of the protesters understood the likelihood of arrest when engaging in civil disobedience. The city is planning a full after-action review to evaluate its response and identify any necessary changes moving forward.

Read more: https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/mayor-lisa-brown-defends-spokane-response-ice-protest-review/293-dfa77bc3-8e75-4c85-8aa6-1414fdbdb132

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Spokane mayor Lisa Brown is a long-time Democrat, so it will be interesting how this plays out. Spokane is a blue dot in otherwise ruby-red eastern Washington State.

November 11, 2023

Has anyone had a colonoscopy at UC Irvine lately?

I read a Forbes article from a few years ago (an interview with Dr. Samarasena) that they were researching doing a less restrictive preparatory diet and I'm wondering what that's like and whether it would be worth the additional inconvenience to go there for mine?

August 15, 2023

Trump's campaign dilemma

Trump bills himself as "smart" in business because he cheats (i.e. refuses to pay the agreed amount, lies -- or at least inconsistently represents -- property values and financial transactions) and leverages loopholes. But his explanation for why Biden won in 2020 is that Biden cheated which, if there were any way it were true, means Trump was beaten at his own game.

I think Biden's campaign can leverage this, especially via the Dark Bandon meme: Joe Biden didn't cheat, but (Dark Brandon) if he did, he cheated better than Trump -- and didn't get caught!

November 12, 2022

Democrats' messaging failure on inflation

Inflation was the perfect topic for Republicans to run on; it's a gift from the universe to the opposition party, especially when it occurs world-wide. There is little to nothing the party in power can do to eliminate it once it ramps up because A) Congress is responsible for fiscal policy and rarely gets contentious things done quickly, and B) even if Congress broke records in getting legislation passed, it still takes time to go into effect and impact the economy. When inflation is world-wide, the situation is even worse: any effective measures to reduce inflation would strengthen the dollar (since other currencies are weakening with their own inflation) and negatively impact American exports.

Fighting inflation when it is world-wide as now is a political loser. Ignoring inflation -- a forefront, daily issue for many voters -- is also a political loser. When this situation occurs, Democrats need to respond with measures to support Americans most negatively impacted and simple explanations that cutting inflation will mean fewer jobs, and that's not the answer our country needs.

October 18, 2022

Where is 2022's "Daisy" spot?

The DNC needs to be blaring a short, emotionally powerful spot about several situations in which a woman might want an abortion and now not be able to get it in many states, like:

* discovering her partner cheating
* domestic violence
* treatment for cancer
* risky pregnancy with other kids to support

I imagine it ending with a pregnacy test and timer counting down, and the words "Republicans have already taken this choice from many American women. Take it back: choose Democrats."

July 25, 2022

No quieren nuestra cultura aqui en los Estados Unidos

This is based on a poll showing 59% of Republicans feel that increased diversity in America would "weaken American customs and values."

I envision a Democratic Party-aligned ad showing a crowd of Latino Americans at a meal or family gathering, when an ad for a Republican comes on the TV, perhaps during a soccer game. Someone says "Él sabe cómo debe ser," to which someone else replies, reprovingly, "No quieren nuestra cultura aquí en los Estados Unidos," followed up by an explanation of the poll results and impacts, and how Democrats are including Latino people and priorities.

Now, my Spanish may be rusty or non-idiomatic -- I certainly don't insist on this exact phrasing -- but we Democrats need to be present in Latino-consumed media, meeting Latino-Americans in the language they speak as the full American citizen they are. Actions to support Latino individuals and communities are important, but we must not forget to share our message of inclusion in the language of their culture.

June 25, 2022

If Thomas wants to overturn Obergefell

California, New York, Oregon, and Washington (and any others that are willing -- Illinois, maybe?) should pass a change to their marriage laws so they don't recognize any marriages from states that don't recognize same-sex marriages.

May 29, 2022

Can Pres. Biden play hardball on Roe?

As Commander in Chief of the US armed forces, can President Biden declare that state laws criminalizing or penalizing abortions are contrary to the needs of the US military and, therefore, all military bases located in such states must be immediately relocated to states supporting full rights for military members? Ditto with other federal agencies like NASA?

May 5, 2022

Gloves off: Rs want to literally burn women at the stake

I mean, why is Alito citing Matthew Hale who -- historical fact! -- ordered women to be burned for witchcraft unless he wants America headed down the same road. Republicans aren't even saying "I agree with the conclusion but, gee, that English guy was a bit extreme"...no, the Republican response is "I can't believe someone violated the sacred confidentiality of the SCOTUS! Unbelievable!"

September 4, 2021

California should pass a "vigilante" anti-gun law

Roe vs. Wade is the right-wing's Constitutional obstacle; the closest equivalent I can find on the left is liability for gun violence. If California passes a law in the same template as Texas, except targeting those who "aid and abet" gun-wielding murderers, it will put the Supreme Court under a lot more pressure, or at least make the hypocrisy more blatant.