I generally agree. I'm fine with starting out with the high-consensus mandate from the people: End the Iran War, End the Tariffs, reverse Medicaid cuts.

That's a place to start, sure. But that's not progress. That's repairing only some of the major damage this Republican administration has done.

After that? Bring Medicare For All to a vote and force Republicans to block it or Trump to veto it.

Keep doing it over and over and loudly tell The People through these next two years who is responsible for impeding progress, and that in order to effect change and progress, to Primary out the DINOs and to give Democrats a supermajority and the White House in 2028.

The fundraising claims I'm seeing peddled are dubious.

We were just learning this year back in July and August that the DNC itself was being massively outspent and in debt, its fundraising records horrible.

Moreover whoever is in a leadership role will naturally be big fundraisers. That's not really exclusive to Schumer; it's more exclusive to the position. He's literally one of the least-popular US Senators in the country. I'm pretty sure Van Hollen could do just as well in all reality. The Senate Majority PAC would basically exist in his absence. Leaving aside the fact that he can still fund-raise as a US Senator, even if not in a leadership role, if it really is about him.

I wouldn't count chickens yet. A lot of people said there was no chance Biden would step down too.

Eargasm premium earplugs. For concerts and loud practice sessions or just popping in running loud tools, they are a must and generally preserve fidelity well. Hearing loss and tinnitus are real bummers. Trust me.

Good to know, thanks! My default is just using Kobalt out of cost and convenience. In my opinion best bang for buck. For premium tools I'll consider Bosch (apparently another great reputation as a company) and now Makita.

It likely does not require Congressional approval, but the movement is drafting contingency-plans for in case litigation in front of maga courts pushes it that way anyway.

McConnell was actually effective for Republicans in his prime. This guy... Well you know what I take that back. He is another Mitch, if Mitch was a spy guised as a Dem. Schumer has been quite effective for the GOP.

I remember Corporate AIPAC dems raking Sanders over the coals in 2016 for his time in government and accomplishments, but Schumer is approaching half a century in elected offices and really has shit to show for it save for revealing FEC reports with AIPAC and Private Equity all over.

At least Sanders was the Amendment King and actually pushed for a consistent vision through persuasion.

Honestly there's a lot I've had fun with lately in a lot of realms from gardening to running and teaching my kids! Been going to more local concerts with family and friends, finding community. My family has a band and we're getting pretty decent for amateurs, maybe ready to do a show later next year. At least it's fun anyway! Back to playing guitar, learning vocals by necessity, and laying tracks in Cubase again after not messing with it in almost 2 decades. Very helpful therapy.

With great election news brings a big sigh of relief (will savor this through the holidays and back to offline activism next year). Now if only I had more time and energy to do all the things I want to accomplish lol

For (B) I still don't quite get it because, for example, Pelosi is a lame duck retiring anyway come January. What did she have to lose by voting Yes for posterity, especially when substantively it would've led to nothing happened given the Senate vote threshold?

Pretty obvious how badly this looks -- I mean Hegseth is pretty universally unliked.

You'll bounce back in no time! It's very helpful to know you've achieved it before, and how to get there. Part of what's hard about something like running is you don't know what to expect if you've never been at that level before. Of course age will play a factor which you need to be realistic about, but that's still a fairly marginal factor over a decade.

Thank you for reminding me of that. That's not even to mention just how much Private Equity like Blackstone has bankrolled him.

I assume they're looking for matching formality, which I'd probably try to go with, "Gentlepeople/persons of the audience,"

Kind People,

Esteemiest of Humans,