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Author Archives: Michael Bersin

Wasting all that money

22 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abortion, Amendment 3, anti-choice, bigots, campaign finance, mail, mailer, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, No on 3, PAC, right wingnuts, Stop the Ban, women's health care

Vote “NO” on Amendment 3.

The anti-choice, anti-trans bigots, anti-women’s health care PAC pushing Amendment 3 on the November ballot sent a slick mail piece to our houshold. It arrived in today’s mail:

We’ve already voted. We voted “NO” on Amendment 3.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Next (August 3, 2026)

Campaign Finance: bring a nuke to the fight (September 4, 2026)

Campaign Finance: there’s plenty more (September 24, 2022)

Campaign Finance: even more (September 28, 2026)

Campaign Finance: be under no illusion (September 30, 2026)

Campaign Finance: an emphatic “NO” (October 2, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “…and they shall sow the public right of way and all the empty lots across the land with their yard signs…” (October 4, 2026)

Campaign Finance: that about sums it up (October 5, 2026)

Campaign Finance: keep it coming in (October 7, 2026)

Campaign Finance: all that right wingnut money, just to vilify a tiny minority (October 9, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “…It’s the only way to be sure.” (October 14, 2026)

Campaign Finance: no quarter (October 14, 2026)

Campaign Finance: keeping it up (October 15, 2026)

The current temperature out there (October 16, 2026)

Campaign Finance: you’re next (October 16, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “We will not go back” (October 16, 2026)

Campaign Finance: Solidarity (October 19, 2026)

Campaign Finance: all-in for the anti-choice propagandists (October 20, 2026)

Vote “NO” on Amendment 3.

Campaign Finance: considering the source – just passing through

22 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, House Republican Campaign Committee, HRCC, Missourians for Justice, PACs, right wingnuts, Voters for Integrity

Earlier today at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C264404 10/22/2026 Missourians for Justice House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc PO Box 1313 Jefferson City MO 65102 10/22/2026 $750,000.00

It trickles down (how ironic):

C264401 10/22/2026 Voters for Integrity Missourians for Justice PO Box 21714 St Louis MO 63109 10/22/2026 $30,000.00

[emphasis added]

Previously:

Campaign Finance: neither, considering the source (October 22, 2026)

For the birds, mostly

22 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

birds, Black-capped Chickadee, Melanerpes carolinus, missouri, Parus atricapillus, Parus bicolor, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Squirrel!, Tufted Titmouse

This morning in west central Missouri.

Red-bellied Woodpecker.
Melanerpes carolinus.
Canon 5D III, Tamron 150-600 mm.
f 6.3, 1/50, ISO 800, 600 mm.

Seed hog:

Black-capped Chickadee. Parus atricapillus.
Canon 5D III, Tamron 150-600 mm,
f 6.3, 1/125, ISO 800, 428 mm.

Flitty little dude.

Tufted Titmouse. Parus bicolor.
Canon 5D III, Tamron 150-600.
f 6.3, 1/125, ISO 800, 428 mm.

Industriously cracking that seed open…

Tufted Titmouse. Parus bicolor.
Canon 5D III, Tamron 150-600.
f 6.3, 1/125, ISO 800, 428 mm.

At least they know what they’re doing. Unlike humanity.

Campaign Finance: neither, considering the source

22 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, Citizens for Better Government, House Republican Campaign Committee, HRCC, Missourians for Justice, PACs, right wingnuts

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission from the House Republican Campaign Committee [HRCC] for PACs with fantastical names having no bearing on objective reality:

C264404 10/22/2026 Missourians for Justice House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc PO Box 1313 Jefferson City MO 65102 10/22/2026 $750,000.00

C264364 10/22/2026 Citizens for a Better Government House Republican Campaign Committee, Inc PO Box 1313 Jefferson City MO 65102 10/21/2026 $750,000.00

[emphasis added]

They have all the money they need, not nearly the money that they want.

Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum – October 21, 2026

22 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th Congressional District, 54th Legislative District, 57th Legislative District, Brandon Phelps, candidate forum, Jordan Herrera, Mark Alford, Michael Walbom, missouri, Taigan Plummer, Warrensburg, Warrensburg Chamberof Commerce

Last night the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce hosted a candidate forum. The structured format, with time restrictions, allowed candidates to answer submitted questions on a variety of issues. The issues addressed included amendments on the ballot (abortion [again], the initiative process, the ‘sovereign wealth’ bait and switch, the ‘Constitutional Sheriff’ scam) and the right wingnut congressional gerrymandering in Proposition A. Other issues included state funding for k-12 and higher education, access to health care, rural hospitals, and economic development.

Jordan Herrera (D), the Democratic Party candidate in the 4th Congressional spoke first.

Not surprisingly, Mark Alford (r) didn’t bother to show up.

Johnson County Clerk Diane Thompson spoke and the amendments and issues on the ballot:

The candidates in the 54th Legislative District spoke and took identical questions, in turn:

At times Brandon Phelps’ answers on the amendment questions on the General Election ballot were incomprehensible. That’s not a surprise. His track record from the August ballot was abysmal.

From August:

….Brandon Phelps (r), the rubber-stamp incumbent in the district, voted to place both amendments [4 & 5] on the ballot. Last Tuesday the voters in the district and across the state disagreed – vehemently. Maybe he should have listened….

From October 2025:

…But when I vote please don’t make the assumption that I only voted based on my ideas and I did it without any other input…

Says the rubber stamp.

Michael Walbom, the Democratic Party candidate in the 57th Legislative District spoke and answered questions:

His opponent did not show up.

The candidate forum was sparsely attended. It was livestreamed for those who could not attend.

Some candidates took the opportunity to speak with attendees after the formal question and answer session.

Jordan Herrera (D).

After the candidate forum:

Campaign Finance: there’s still work to be done

22 Thursday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, gerrymandering, HB 1, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, People not Politicians, Proposition A, Redistricting

Vote. “NO” on Proposition A.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the group fighting mid-decade congressional right wingnut initiated gerrymandering on the November ballot:

C253606 10/22/2026 People Not Politicians The Fairness Project 2300 18th St. NW, #21337, Washington DC 20009 10/21/2026 $180,000.00

Yep.

Show no quarter, expect none.

Vote “NO” on Proposition A.

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)

Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)

What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)

Tears in the rain (September 4, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r): “…unclean hands…” (September 7, 2026)

Justice Brett Kavanaugh – SCOTUS: “Yeah, no.” (September 8, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court order to Denny Hoskins (r): “…show cause…” (September 9, 2026)

Missed it by that much (September 9, 2026)

Salus populi suprema lex esto (September 10, 2026)

Stupid is as stupid does (September 10, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (September 10, 2026)

So sad (September 10, 2026)

Judicial contempt has a way of making one focus (September 11, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and friends whiff at the U.S. Supreme Court (September 25, 2026)

A paragraph for Missouri history (September 25, 2026)

Being obtusely wrong still makes you wrong, Denny (September 26, 2026)

Denny’s Dirty Ball (September 28, 2026)

What color is the sky in Denny’s (r) world? (0ctober 3, 2026)

We Get Mail – “NO” on Proposition A (October 5, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “NO” on Proposition A (October 10, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “NO” on Proposition A – with emphasis (October 15, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “YES” on Amendment 6, “NO” on Proposition A

21 Wednesday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, gerrymandering, HB 1, mail, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, PACs, Proposition A, Protect Freedom and Democracy, Redistricting, Stop the Ban

“YES” on Amendment 6, the rest are tricks.

“NO” on Proposition A.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission in support of the initiative to preserve and expand Missouri voters’ voices and to oppose the right wingnut gerrymandering of Missouri congressional districts:

C264301 10/21/2026 Protect Freedom and Democracy Stop the Ban PO Box 2187 St Louis MO 63158 10/19/2026 $250,000.00

[emphasis added]

Protect Freedom and Democracy – Active
MECID: C264301
620 E Armour Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64109
[….]
Supported/Opposed Ballot Measure
Measure Election Date Subject Political Subdivision Support/Oppose

HB1 Veto Referendum [Proposition A] 11/3/2026 Repeal the congressional redistricting map passed in HB 1 Statewide Oppose

Amendment 6 11/3/2026 Protect citizen initiative process Statewide Support

Amendment 6

[….]

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

– expand the initiative and referendum petition process by making it a fundamental right;
– allow courts to revise ballot summaries through lawsuits;
– prohibit the legislature from weakening initiative or referendum powers;
– prohibit the legislature from changing or repealing laws enacted through the initiative process, or passing laws similar to those rejected by referendum, – without approval from at least 80% of both chambers; and
– preserve existing majority vote and signature requirements for initiative and referendum petitions?

State and local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.

Fair Ballot Language:

A “yes” vote will prohibit the people’s elected representatives from directly amending or changing any law enacted through the initiative process; require that any modifications to laws enacted through the initiative process be referred to the people by a vote of at least 80% of each chamber of the General Assembly; restrict the legislature from passing laws that limit the ability to pursue initiatives and referenda; maintain the current signature requirements of five percent of the individual legal voters in each of two-thirds of Missouri’s congressional districts for proposing a law; maintain the current signature requirement of eight percent of individual legal voters in each of two-thirds of Missouri’s congressional districts for proposing a constitutional amendment; and maintain the current requirement that a simple statewide majority of votes cast on a measure by individual legal voters is sufficient to enact any law or constitutional amendment.

[….]

It is a plan.

Vote ‘YES’ on Amendment 6.

“YES” on Amendment 6, the rest are tricks.

“NO” on Proposition A.

Two weeks

20 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

election, GOTV, vote, WTF?

I’ve already voted.

The constant independently funded attack ads, the continuous outrages perpetrated from the far right and the Trump administration, the cuts to healthcare for the neediest among us – set to kick in after the midterm election, the brutality directed at immigrants, the unbridled corruption and grift, the bigotry directed to minorities, LGBTQIA+, people who are “others”, the outrages, one after another, in the world – the deaths from dismantling USAID, the crimes directed at destroying Ukraine, the lack of empathy, the unrelenting evil – this is all overwhelming.

It’s hell now, it’s going to get worse over the next two weeks (and probably more).

These constant assaults on humanity are partly designed to instill “learned helplessness”.

Do what you can, but at the barest minimum you must vote.

After the election, in the best outcome, it will not be over. We cannot let this happen ever again. There can be no “let bygones be bygones”. There must be accountability. Otherwise, we do this all over again.

The last two years have stripped away any notion I had of shared interest with the 30% or so of Americans who worship Donald Trump.

I get physically ill watching the now blizzard of local and national news interviews with Trump/MAGA supporters illustrating their unwavering cult membership. WTF is wrong with these people? WTF is wrong with our media? WTF is wrong with America?

Nevertheless, I persist.

Indivisible ❌👑 @indivisible.org

Two weeks from right now, we will all be watching the election results come in.

But our goal isn’t just to win the midterms in 14 days — we’re also preparing for months of organizing to protect the results, stop Trump’s election sabotage, and ensure the winners are sworn in next year.
[….]
6:42 PM · Oct 20, 2026

Campaign Finance: all-in for the anti-choice propagandists

20 Tuesday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abortion, Amendment 3, campaign finance, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, No on 3, Stop the Ban, women's health care

Vote “NO” on Amendment 3.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the anti-choice, anti-trans bigots, anti-women’s health care PAC pushing Amendment 3 on the November ballot:

C253648 10/20/2026 Her Health, Her Future PAC Her Health Her Future Missouri 1254 Devonworth Drive Town and Country MO 63017 10/19/2026 $500,000.00

[emphasis added]

The bullshit they’re paying for:

“…Ban Transgender Surgeries for Minors…”

It doesn’t happen. Bigots.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: Next (August 3, 2026)

Campaign Finance: bring a nuke to the fight (September 4, 2026)

Campaign Finance: there’s plenty more (September 24, 2022)

Campaign Finance: even more (September 28, 2026)

Campaign Finance: be under no illusion (September 30, 2026)

Campaign Finance: an emphatic “NO” (October 2, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “…and they shall sow the public right of way and all the empty lots across the land with their yard signs…” (October 4, 2026)

Campaign Finance: that about sums it up (October 5, 2026)

Campaign Finance: keep it coming in (October 7, 2026)

Campaign Finance: all that right wingnut money, just to vilify a tiny minority (October 9, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “…It’s the only way to be sure.” (October 14, 2026)

Campaign Finance: no quarter (October 14, 2026)

Campaign Finance: keeping it up (October 15, 2026)

The current temperature out there (October 16, 2026)

Campaign Finance: you’re next (October 16, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “We will not go back” (October 16, 2026)

Campaign Finance: Solidarity (October 19, 2026)

“It’s time to ovary-act”

Vote “NO” on Amendment 3.

Trump Sycophant: “Preznit giv me turkee”

19 Monday Oct 2026

Posted by Michael Bersin in Eric Schmitt, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bribe jet, Eric Schmitt, Fascist pig, Kansas, right wingnut, sycophant, Trump sycophant

Eric Schmitt (r) can’t help himself.

Senator Eric Schmitt (r) [2025 file photo].

Today, in Kansas:

Wait, isn’t that the bribe jet in the background?

VC-25B Bridge aircraft arrives at Joint Base Andrews, begins commissioning flights. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo) [edited for size]

Why yes, it appears so.

Preznit Giv Me Turkee (November 28, 2019) [November 2003]

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