Notices by Heidi Li Feldman (heidilifeldman@mastodon.social)

For the record: Heidi Says, where I’m now putting slightly longer-form thoughts is not a newsletter and certainly not “a substack.” It’s a blog. Hosted by #Ghost, @index. Link to the the blog in my profile.

Gaetz withdrawing his name merely opens the door for an equally awful nominee less hated by Republican Senators.

Part of my new practices in response to the 2024 elections - sustained writing on a new blog. Latest post: https://heidi-says.ghost.io/more-planning-less-commentary/

@heidilifeldman It will, unfortunately, be very difficult to force most of the nominees equally or more awful than Gaetz, to withdraw from consideration. Not saying it shouldn’t be tried. But I fear that a tacit defense of the rest of the nominees is going to be, well at least she, he, they aren’t as despicable as Gaetz. A new low low bar. 2/

The only way to prevent Trump nominees from being confirmed by the Senate is to force them to withdraw their nominations before any committee votes. No Republican Senator will publicly, formally vote against any of them. 1/

Excellent analysis of why OF COURSE the Senate Republicas will vote to confirm Gaetz. (Applies to any other Trump-backed Cabinet nominee as well). https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/11/matt-gaetz-attorney-general-senate-confirmation-donald-trump.html @Dahlialith

My tolerance for deceit and cowardice has gone to almost zero.

Democratic state attorneys general will be vital to protecting immigrants and others from Trump regime actions. #Nevada A.G. #AaronFord heads the Democratic Association of Attorneys General. https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/11/20/ford-and-other-democratic-ags-vow-to-form-a-line-of-defense-against-trump/

It is an utter waste of time for elected Democrats to be making nice with Trump or his proposed cabinet members. Instead…. 1/

Democratic electeds should be getting themselves onto social platforms less vulnerable to interference from tech bros, large and small. Maybe Bluesky, definitely Mastodon. 4/

We need Democratic electeds to be sharing ideas for local and state action to protect Americans from the Trump regime. They should be making concrete plans. Also…. 3/

Elected Democrats should be conferring with each other, strengthening and establishing regular channels of communication both interstate and intrastate. 2/

“Holy hell, these two have the memories of concussed goldfish.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/wonkette/p/suckers-make-up-with-fascist

Remember how Donald kept saying he had never heard of Project 2025? Well, his pick for FCC chair wrote the section on the FCC. https://www.ksfr.org/npr-news/2024-11-17/trump-taps-fccs-brendan-carr-to-lead-the-agency

I'll despair when I'm dead.

Very important column from Will Bunch. Highly recommend. https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/trump-cabinet-gaetz-rfk-gabbard-20241117.html?id=GlcsMNuxeRajN&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=gift_link&utm_medium=referral

“… The reality-based community — from Maureen Dowd to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to America’s fireside von Hindenburg in President Joe Biden — are all treating … Trump like another president, when he is busy turning his unreality into our new reality, and ruling as a dictator.” https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/trump-cabinet-gaetz-rfk-gabbard-20241117.html?id=GlcsMNuxeRajN&utm_source=social&utm_campaign=gift_link&utm_medium=referral

“[T]rump is not selecting his Cabinet as much as he is creating his own reality, and daring our broken institutions like Congress, the Democratic Party and the mainstream media to point out these picks are buck naked as they parade criminally down Fifth Avenue on horseback. …” 1/2

Hello all. I’m hearing from people all over the U.S. in response to the thread that starts here, https://mastodon.social/@heidilifeldman/113495959991743487. Looks like I’ll be creating a group chat on Signal where people can connect with other to organize in-person meetups. If you want to host or attend, contact me on Signal (how to in the thread) and I’ll add you.

I think I would try to host a Santa Fe Mastodon meeting once a month. Maybe others in other parts of the U.S. could try something similar. I could create an online sign up sheet for people around the country to register that they are hosting such meetings, and maybe eventually the hosts would meet or hold a regional gathering. 7/