24 Monday Mar 2025
Posted in media criticism, meta
Covie @covie93.bsky.social
Shout out to Jeffrey Goldberg for reporting on this now instead of waiting two years to put it in a book.
German Nazi Swastika Flag, National Museum of American History. Catalog number 1977.0788.03, 29 in x 49 in; 73.66 cm x 124.46 cm.
Previously:
But, but her emails… (March 24, 2025)
Unfuckingbelievable (March 24, 2025)
27 Friday Dec 2024
Posted in meta
Tags
2024. Definitely a mixed bag.
1. Crystal Quade (D) for Governor (July 25, 2023)
House Minority Floor Leader Crystal Quade (D) [2023 file photo].
From 2023. Crystal Quade’s (D) video announcement of her candidacy for Missouri Governor. Apparently, this post consistently showed up at or near the top in search results.
2. Jeanette Cass (D) in the 4th Congressional District (January 18, 2024)
Again, apparently, interest reflected in search results.
3. Are you ready for some football? (May 18, 2024)
Not all commencement speeches are filled with wisdom or good advice.
4. Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 1, 2024 – Same Planet, Different Worlds (June 2, 2024)
One view, inside.
Peace and love inside. Bigots and hate outside and, eventually, across the street.
5. Poor, poor pitiful me (January 29, 2024)
Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].
The republican cult of the victim and a parking spot.
6. “Oh, the usual. I bowl. Drive around. The occasional acid flashback.” (August 26, 2024)
Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].
Eric Schmitt (r). The usual.
7. Small Town Main Street Family Values (May 9, 2024)
It’s a grifting cult.
8. Thumb up, as inappropriate (August 29, 2024)
Mark Alford (r) [2024 file photo].
Mark Alford (r), whataboutism, and IOKIYAR*.
9. Josh Hawley (r) phones it in…again (February 15, 2024)
The third senator from Virginia offers thoughts and prayers has just a few words on gun violence.
10. LGBTQIA+ Townhall Meeting – Kansas City, Missouri – December 8, 2024 (December 9, 2024)
The LGBTQIA+ community in Kansas City, Missouri is preparing and organizing for the coming darkness.
11. Why? Just, why? (February 14, 2024)
Gun violence in America. Again.
12. Total Solar Eclipse – Russellville, Arkansas – April 8, 2024 (April 9, 2024)
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
F 8.0, 1/125, ISO 200, 400 mm.
A road trip, seven years in planning.
13. Tragedy, then quickly, to Farce (December 4, 2024)
Billy Long (r) [2022 file photo].
The future and end of the IRS.
14. It has begun (November 7, 2024)
Donald Trump (r) and history, repeating.
15. Trolling is a 21st Century Art Form (March 13, 2024)
The Ivy League vision of a flatbed truck. [2018 file photo]
Josh Hawley (r). The usual drivel.
16. A debate about debates – Josh Hawley (r) and Lucas Kunce (D) at the Missouri State Fair Governor’s Ham Breakfast – August 15, 2024 (August 15, 2024)
After eight years we finally get new file photos. And that too-small pearl snap button shirt? What was he thinking?
17. This morning in Jefferson City, Missouri – delivering the signed petitions (May 3, 2024)
Inside the receiving room.
The signed petitions for the initiative to restore women’s reproductive and abortion rights in Missouri – delivered to the Secretary of State’s office in Jefferson City.
18. In our town (June 26, 2024)
It’s a grifting cult. Everywhere.
19. All Politics is Local – Suzy Latare (March 3, 2024)
Suzy Latare
Now elected and making a difference.
20. The Stenographer develops a crush (October 17, 2015)
Media criticism. Nine years ago. Yes, we have archives (column on the left). Some posts are timeless.
* it’s okay if you’re a republican
Previously:
The year in pictures – 2024 (December 25, 2024)
The year in pictures – 2024 – part 2 (December 25, 2024)
The year in pictures – 2024 – part 3 (December 26, 2024)
26 Thursday Dec 2024
Posted in meta
Tags
2024. Yeah, no.
Here’s a retrospective of what we tried to cover this past year.
September
You can spot a messianic cult by the shrine they erect to the grifter they worship (September 7, 2024)
Questions (September 15, 2024)
“Josh Hawley is a Fraud and a Coward”
4202 pmurt
Ray James (D) [2024 file photo].
Campaign Finance: no time to waste (September 26, 2024)
October
“Felon 2024”
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
Canon 5D III, Tamron 150-600 mm.
F 6.3, 1.6 sec, ISO 2000, 500 mm.
Crystal Quade (D) – University of Missouri Homecoming Parade – Columbia, Missouri – October 19, 2024 (October 19, 2024)
Even more economic anxiety (October 26, 2024)
Democrats – University of Central Missouri Homecoming Parade – Warrensburg, Missouri – October 26, 2024 (October 27, 2024)
November
Your papers (November 10, 2024)
“Do Not Obey in Advance.” (2024)
Posterboard. Permanent marker. 22 x 28.
I “restart communications” with Donald Trump (r) (November 18, 2024)
“RESIST” (2024)
Posterboard. Permanent marker. 22 x 28.
“They’ll try to bury us.”
(2024)
Posterboard. Permanent marker. 22 x 28.
4th in a series of 2024 protest signs.
Faraday bag.
December
The City of Fountain Sisters, Kansas City House of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Justice Horn – LGBTQIA+ Townhall Meeting – Kansas City, Missouri – December 8, 2024 (December 10, 2024)
Arden Pearson – LGBTQIA+ Townhall Meeting – Kansas City, Missouri – December 8, 2024 (December 12, 2024)
Representative-elect Wick Thomas (D) – LGBTQIA+ Townhall Meeting – Kansas City, Missouri – December 8, 2024 (December 12, 2024)
Ash nazg durbatulûk,
ash nazg gimbatul,
Ash nazg thrakatulûk
agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
That was 2024. Prepare yourself for 2025.
Previously:
The year in pictures – 2024 (December 25, 2024)
The year in pictures – 2024 – part 2 (December 25, 2024)
25 Wednesday Dec 2024
Posted in meta
Tags
2024. Yeah, no.
Here’s a retrospective of what we tried to cover this past year.
May
Wheeling boxes of signed petitions into the building.
This morning in Jefferson City, Missouri – delivering the signed petitions (May 3, 2024)
This morning in Jefferson City, Missouri – rally for abortion rights at the Capitol (May 3, 2024)
Small Town Main Street Family Values (May 9, 2024)
Canon 5D III, 1.8 50 mm (“nifty fifty”)
F 1.8, 20 seconds, ISO 400, 50 mm.
Unprocessed.
Aurora Borealis – Missouri (May 11, 2024)
Everyday people (May 11, 2024)
June
Take it across the street and off private property.
Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 1, 2024 – Same Planet, Different Worlds (June 2, 2024)
Roevember is coming (June 24, 2024)
In our town (June 26, 2024)
July
Rotten Banana Republic (July 15, 2024)
Eric Stevens (D) [2024 file photo].
Eric Stevens (D) – 54th Legislative District – Johnson County Democrats (July 18, 2024)
August
The last piece – with a twist (August 5, 2024)
Josh Hawley (r) [2024 file photo].
A debate about debates – Josh Hawley (r) and Lucas Kunce (D) at the Missouri State Fair Governor’s Ham Breakfast – August 15, 2024 (August 15, 2024)
Mark Alford (r) [2024 file photo].
The ridiculous hat is back (August 15, 2024)
“Madam President”
Campaign swag is here (August 27, 2024)
It’s time (August 29, 2024)
Previously:
The year in pictures – 2024 (December 25, 2024)
25 Wednesday Dec 2024
Posted in meta
Tags
2024. Yeah, no.
Here’s a retrospective of what we tried to cover this past year.
January
Gaslighting as a way of life (January 5, 2024)
Dark-eyed Junco, Junco hyemalis.
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
F 5.6, 1/640, ISO 400, 400 mm.
Single digit diner – still serving (January 15, 2024)
Jeanette Cass (D).
Jeanette Cass (D) in the 4th Congressional District (January 18, 2024)
February
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom – volunteer training, petition signing, rally – Kansas City, Missouri – February 6, 2024 (February 6, 2024)
Campaign Finance: definitely a global impact (February 16, 2024)
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
NiSi Neutral Density Filter ND100000(5.0) 16.6 stops UV/IR Cut
F. 5.6, 1/3200, ISO 100, 400 mm.
Behold, the Sun (February 23, 2024)
March
Canon 5D III, Tamron 150-600 mm, 1.4x.
F 9.0, 1/500, ISO 800, 840 mm.
How High the Moon (March 19, 2024)
Eric Stevens (D).
In the 54th Legislative District (March 24, 2024)
Ray James (D) [2024 file photo].
In the 31st Senate District (March 24, 2024)
Canon 5D III, Tamron 150-600 mm, 1.4x.
SolarLite Film/Silver-Black Polymer Film (580-630 nm)
F 11.0, 1/60, ISO 400, 840 mm.
Everybody talks about the weather, nobody does anything about it (March 28, 2024)
April
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
F 8.0, 1/5000, ISO 200, 400 mm.
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
F 8.0, 1/320, ISO 200, 400 mm.
Total Solar Eclipse – Russellville, Arkansas – April 8, 2024 (April 9, 2024)
Canon 5D III, 2.8 70-200 mm, 2x III.
F 8.0, 1/1000, ISO 200, 400 mm.
The One (April 11, 2024)
Signing the petition in Lexington, Missouri (April 23, 2024)
Celebrating Earth Day – Warrensburg, Missouri – April 27, 2024 (April 28, 2024)
Signing the Petition in Raymore, Missouri (April 28, 2024)
Elad Gross (D).
Cass County Democrats – Back to Blue – Belton, Missouri – April 27, 2024 (April 29, 2024)
29 Friday Nov 2024
Posted in meta, social media
Tags
Bluesky Social, information, Media, media criticism, meta, social media, we are aware of all internet traditions
There have been a few Meta discussions on Bluesky Social:
Jess Piper @piperformissouri.bsky.social
I’ve been organizing in rural areas since the first Trump administration. Rural Dems can make the difference in races at the top of the ticket.Republicans have all of the electorate they’re ever going to have. Organize to turn out 5% to 10% more Dems in rural spaces. Watch what happens…
November 29, 2024 at 7:46 AM
Jess Piper (D) [2023 file photo].
I replied:
Michael Bersin @michaelbersin.bsky.social
When corporate media bought out local newspapers they cut the costs that provided local content. The irony of a news organization cutting back content shouldn’t escape us. Across the nation there’s been a massive reduction in the local paper capitol press covering the state legislature.
November 29, 2024 at 8:48 AM
Michael Bersin @michaelbersin.bsky.social
As a result, there’s no local accountability for what the local legislator does in the legislative session. At best the now skeletal local paper prints a weekly self-serving propaganda piece authored by the right wing nut leadership under the legislator’s name.
November 29, 2024 at 8:51 AM
Michael Bersin @michaelbersin.bsky.social
This self-replicating echo chamber doesn’t serve anyone locally. When “You did what?” is removed from the constituent conversation all we’re left with is legislative dogma which only serves the powerful few. The ones, who as one candidate put it, “strip our communities for parts.”
November 29, 2024 at 8:55 AM
Apparently, nature does not abhor a vacuum.
Show Me Progress LLC was founded in August 2007 in association with the Fifty State Blog Project. The blog operated on the Soapblox platform from 2007 to October 2015 with over 10,500 posts in that period.
We cover government and politics in Missouri and the region.
From August 1, 2007 to October 1, 2015 we had 493,874 users, 884,497 sessions, and 1,737,838 page views. Not bad, eh, for an enterprise held together with spit, baling wire and duct tape? That was on the Soapblox platform.
Our current stats on WordPress, since 2015: Views 964,656; Visitors 667,304; Posts 16,747; Comments 12,583 [The posts and comments include those in the Soapblox era which were migrated over with the assistance of Belarus software engineers (we’re not joking – that’s what actually happened).]
As far as we can tell, there aren’t many, if any, survivors from the Fifty State Blog Project era, other than us.
We’re a “Z-list” blog. Our term for our relative place in progressive Blogtopia (yes, Skippy coined the phrase!).
Support in the information landscape for non-corporate progressive outlets is a continuing discussion, especially compared to the “wingnut welfare” on the right. The point being, there is none.
There are “A-list” progressive blogs with substantial readership and great reputations. Balloon Juice; Crooks and Liars; Digby; First Draft; Lawyers, Guns & Money; No More Mister Nice Blog; and The Great Orange Satan, just to name a few.
The thing is, there’s no centralized control nor coordinated messaging. These and many other blogs are self-supporting sources of solid and vetted information. There are no billionaires throwing cash their way. That should tell you something.
A discussion started yesterday on Bluesky:
Pam Spaulding @pamspaulding.bsky.social
Back in the early 2000s, you know, when OG bloggers / citizen journalists were trailblazing, that’s when the left could have invested in alt media. Regardless of how popular, influential & necessary we were told our blogs were, there was no investment. So they fell 20 years behind the right. [….]
November 28, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Pam Spaulding @pamspaulding.bsky.social
And then OG bloggers saw the right developing its network. Back during early Netroots Nations, the right held a companion conference (RightOnline?). I was invited to one by a conservative colleague (remember, pre-MAGA), many of them were supported — and later became part of the current ecosystem.
November 28, 2024 at 7:13 PM
Pam Spaulding @pamspaulding.bsky.social
Playing catch up is a lot harder than visionary planning long-term. They missed the boat in the early 2000s to get a foothold. Obviously it can be done but as you said, the landscape is more challenging now. It was wide open back in the day.
November 28, 2024 at 8:56 PM
There we are.
Read and support your local progressive newsblog. The Democracy you save may be your own.
17 Sunday Nov 2024
If you are inclined to express your dissent in public, you might find yourself at a demonstration at some time within the next few weeks and months. There will probably be plenty of opportunities. For the time being.
“Do Not Obey in Advance.” [Timothy Snyder] (2024)
Posterboard. Permanent marker. 22 x 28.
I’ve learned a few things about making a protest sign in over twenty years of participating in public demonstrations. Your mileage may vary.
1. A short phrase will do. There’s a lot of visual distraction at a demonstration. Signs with extensive text don’t get read and aren’t understood by passersby.
2. Stick figure lettering can’t be read from any distance. Block letters, 4 inches high, 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick are quite readable.
3. Posterboard is inexpensive. Use permanent ink. Water soluble inks just make a mess. Foamboard can work nicely on a windy day.
4. Universally understood graphics work. However, they leave less room for text.
5. Contrast and simplicity make for a readable sign.
Making a sign:
Materials and tools.
Rulers, pencils, permanent ink markers, posterboard and foamboard (approximately 22 x 28).
Text and layout.
Try out text and layout in your word processing program. Adjust fonts, try contrasting colors. Leave sufficient space on the edges so that your handhold doesn’t obscure the text.
Mockup. Finding the center.
Pencil layout.
Measure layout from your small mockup, drawing guidelines lightly in pencil, then the text (4 x 1/2 or 3/4), also in pencil.
Outline in permanent marker.
Black works well.
Fill in permanent marker, outline in silver metallic.
Fill in a solid color. Without fill the letters will read similarly to stick figures. Outline in another color and/or silver makes the letters appear more substantial.
Contrast.
Contrasting colors and underlining can help indicate word groupings within crowded text.
Examples from the past:
“Make America Great Again” – in Russian.
“Faux News channel, fascist groupies” – protest sign, circa 2003- 2004.
A bit too wordy:
“Propaganda is not designed to fool the critical thinker, but only to give moral cowards an excuse not to think at all” – protest sign, circa 2003- 2004.
Graphic:
“Trans Liberation Now”
Short message:
“You will never have the comfort of my silence”
“Black Lives Matter”
Stick figures are difficult to read at any distance:
“…It’s human rights”
“White silence is compliance”
“We’ll be less Activist if you be less Shit”
Great art:
We are the granddaughters of the witches you were never able to burn” [2020 file photo]
There’s no one way to do this. Just do it.
See you in the streets.
07 Thursday Nov 2024
Posted in meta
Tags
#resist, accountability, clown, clowns, disinformation, Fascism, gaslighting, meta, Obey our Fascist overlords, Resist, voters, voting
Old media, if not anything else, can turn on a dime.
The gaslighting hasn’t infiltrated everywhere just yet. This morning.
Mika Brezinski: “Was Joe Biden’s presidency a failure.”
Eugene Robinson: “No.”
The Democratic Party doesn’t have to figure out anything, nor change its core beliefs.
Look in the mirror. American voters faced an important test on Tuesday. Too many of them failed, by commission and omission.
They deserve what they’re going to get.
Far too many others, our most vulnerable, don’t.
#Resist
20 Sunday Oct 2024
Posted in meta
Tags
Attorney General, Columbia, Elad Gross, homecoming, meta, missouri, parade, University of Missouri
The University of Missouri held its annual homecoming parade in Columbia yesterday morning.
Elad Gross (D), the Democratic Party candidate for Attorney General:
Meta. There are logistics (also scheduling) involved at this point in the campaign in getting a candidate from one side of the state and a trailer and volunteers from the other side of the state for an early morning line-up and 8:00 a.m. start for a homecoming parade in the center of the state.
It involves leaving at 2:30 a.m.
4:30 a.m., first staging area, in Columbia.
5:30 a.m., second staging area, in Columbia.
Setting the hitch on the Eladmobile.
At the assigned parade line-up position.
Progress in setting up the trailer:
Ready to roll out:
During the lengthy period from line-up, final float construction and set-up, and the start of the parade, candidates and parade volunteers can and do utilize the time to visit and stand for group photos:
At the start of the parade:
Elad Gross (D) and Liberty Belle (D).
Previously:
Crystal Quade (D) – University of Missouri Homecoming Parade – Columbia, Missouri – October 19, 2024 (October 19, 2024)
Mark Osmack (D) – University of Missouri Homecoming Parade – Columbia, Missouri – October 19, 2024 (October 20, 2024)
Jeanette Cass (D) – University of Missouri Homecoming Parade – Columbia, Missouri – October 19, 2024 (October 20, 2024)
Lucas Kunce (D) – University of Missouri Homecoming Parade – Columbia, Missouri – October 19, 2024 (October 20, 2024)
15 Sunday Sep 2024
Posted in meta, Uncategorized
Tags
Last night I rode on the Johnson County Democratic Party entry in the Holden, Missouri Street Fair parade. I have a passing familiarity over the years with the town a shortish drive from the county seat on 58 Highway. During the 2008 Obama campaign I walked the town door-to-door for a literature drop.
“Holden, Missouri is a small town in western Johnson County with a static population of a little over 2000 people…” The 2000 Census reported a population of 2,210. The 2010 Census reported a population of 2,252. That’s the definition of static.
By observation Holden doesn’t appear to be a wealthy town, but neither does it appear to be destitute in comparison to others. There’s a modernish high school and middle school complex on the south side of town. The four acre site of the 1928 school in town, buildings still standing, though boarded up (with some broken windows), has apparently been sold for development or salvage or both.
Generally, homes in Holden are nicely-kept, some, like all communities, showing more personal prosperity than others.
Which brings us to the question. Why Donald Trump (r)?
A veteran, by his cap, exhibited his sustained displeasure to Democrats:
I wanted to ask, would you pose for a photo with a grin and a thumb up at a gravestone at national military cemetery? Or vote for someone who did?
As the Johnson County Democratic Party entry proceeded along the parade route we were greeted with blank stares from a significant number, as if those observers were looking through us, enthusiastic MAGA adherents perfectly happy to show us their hats or their opinions, friendly waves from neighbors waving back to folks on the parade entry, just to be neighborly, applause and cheers from Democratic supporters happy to see us there, and one shout of “Baby killers!”
Welcome to out-state Missouri.
These are images similar to those in the previous post about yesterday’s Holden Street Fair parade – with a wider field of view for the most part.
There is not a monolithic view of the world in Holden, Missouri. On the parade route, downtown:
There is no monolithic view of the world anywhere in America.
A vendor, along the parade route, also downtown:
A question. What is the significance of the “Q” on the tee-shirt? “I don’t always ride through Lawrence, Kansas, but when I do it smells like smoke.” Celebrating murder and terrorism appears to be a thing.
Another nicely-kept house:
The lawn statue on the lower right appears to be a soldier carrying a comrade. Again, I wanted to ask, would you pose for a photo with a grin and a thumb up at a gravestone at national military cemetery? Or vote for someone who did?
If you believe?:
If not the first two, then what?
Previously:
Street Fair Parade – Holden, Missouri – September 14, 2024 (September 14, 2024)