Dale's Avatar

Dale

@dalepoak

Husband, dad, grandpa. Former House Approps Committee & OMB staff. Former Republican. Now retired and cranky. Posting on politics and Maine. https://substack.com/@daleoak?r=9q4gn&utm_medium=ios πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ†˜ πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦

746
Followers
330
Following
2,230
Posts
25.09.2024
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by Dale @dalepoak

Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking (Live at Isle of Wight Festival 2024)
Simple Minds - Alive and Kicking (Live at Isle of Wight Festival 2024) YouTube video by Simple Minds

Forgive us, we only have simple minds.

But we are…

03.03.2026 00:36 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Bombing Iran Is Easy. What Comes Next Is Not. It comes down to a straightforward question: What’s the plan to translate military force into political change?

@markhertling.bsky.social asks the critical questions.

β€œThe easiest question in war is, β€œCan we hit it?” The question that determines outcomes is, β€œWhat happens after we hit it? What happens the next day? What happens the year after?”

01.03.2026 02:16 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Those are the nanobots trying to escape.

27.02.2026 18:28 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Death’s Head Putin projected on the Russian embassy to remind the Russians that we won’t forget who is responsible for the war in Ukraine.
Courtesy of
@benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org.

25.02.2026 04:26 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

So small

25.02.2026 03:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Oh ffs

24.02.2026 22:40 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Situation: On the Fourth Anniversary of Russia’s Full-Scale War A meditation.

Today is the 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine. It’s also the 401st day of Trump’s 2nd term. He promised to end the war in 24 hours. We’re still waiting. He needs to understand that peace will not come based on giving the aggressor, Russia, whatever it wants. Π‘Π»Π°Π²Π° Π£ΠΊΡ€Π°Ρ—Π½Ρ–!

24.02.2026 22:40 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Grandpa needs help.

24.02.2026 00:29 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

That this case was pursued at all is a travesty.

24.02.2026 00:24 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Imagine if we focused instead on slowing the growth of our $38.7 trillion national debt and the interest payments that come with it.

24.02.2026 00:14 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
At the Spot Where Alex Pretti Was Killed β€œAny righteous person would have done the same.”

At the Spot Where Alex Pretti Was Killed.

@samsteindc.bsky.social with powerful a powerful reflection on our visit to the Alex Pretti memorial site in Minneapolis. www.thebulwark.com/p/alex-prett...

23.02.2026 14:38 πŸ‘ 178 πŸ” 33 πŸ’¬ 7 πŸ“Œ 1

Sounds like a coffee table book. The perfect Christmas gift for that fascist in your life.

20.02.2026 19:35 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Darn it. Already spent mine.

20.02.2026 17:46 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Why I Sued to Have a Jan. 6 Memorial Installed in Congress This is about more than a plaque, it’s about our national memory.

The case for installing the @thejan6plaque.bsky.social by Officer Daniel Hodges. Speaker Johnson, display the plaque.

#j6

open.substack.com/pub/ofthebra...

20.02.2026 12:52 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

I would say that Emmer is displaying a type of intellectual disconnect, but that would require Emmer to have an intellect.

17.02.2026 16:22 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Today I’m going to the White House. When I reach security, I’ll be asked if I have an appointment. I’ll say β€œI can’t have an appointment every time.” I should still be able to get in, right? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ

17.02.2026 15:04 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Principles First with Brittany Martinez
Principles First with Brittany Martinez YouTube video by #DogShirtTV

Did you catch our Executive Director @brittanymartinez.bsky.social on #DogShirtTV yesterday? It was an awesome interview. Check it out.

youtu.be/T6jrkJjRXTs?...

17.02.2026 14:22 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Garfield fans stand united!

16.02.2026 23:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

But was it better than Star Trek TNG??

16.02.2026 23:53 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks. I thought it was interesting that DOJ’s own manual emphasized β€œforce is an essential element.” Seems like it shouldn’t be too much to expect DHS agents to comprehend relevant DOJ guidelines…

16.02.2026 18:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

18 U.S.C. 111 was a key statute for prosecuting January 6 rioters, where there was no question force was involved. Since Trump believes those people are worthy of pardons, then I’m sure ICE protesters who peacefully film will also get a pardon, especially since they haven’t violated any law... πŸ™„

16.02.2026 16:45 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

According to the *archived* DOJ Criminal Resource Manual, β€œforce is an essential element of the crime” under 18 U.S.C. 111. Clearly the person filming is not using force. I don’t know if there’s an updated version that gives the Trump admin more latitude to go after protesters.

16.02.2026 16:45 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Trump tells soldiers to vote GOP in campaign-style rally at Fort Bragg Army policy prohibits partisan displays, and most service members refrained from cheering.

"You have to vote for us.”

14.02.2026 16:04 πŸ‘ 967 πŸ” 269 πŸ’¬ 95 πŸ“Œ 130
Video thumbnail

Kristi Noem: "When it gets to Election Day, we've been proactive to make sure we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country."

14.02.2026 14:51 πŸ‘ 12274 πŸ” 5181 πŸ’¬ 3720 πŸ“Œ 2981
Preview
The SAVE Act and the Myth of a Voter Fraud Crisis Congress proposes sweeping documentation barriers to combat a form of fraud Americans are more likely to experience as a lightning strike than at a polling place.

β€œA political movement that insists on solving a problem the data cannot substantiate is not engaged in neutral reform. It is redefining the electorate through procedural filtration…[&] structural barriers…the issue is not fraud prevention but power allocation.”

open.substack.com/pub/theratio...

14.02.2026 17:56 πŸ‘ 751 πŸ” 282 πŸ’¬ 24 πŸ“Œ 3

*big

13.02.2026 21:58 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Tribal council, repeat after me:
Oonga bunga loonga munga.

This is our MUNGA moment. Don’t waste it.

Show your bug MUNGA energy.

13.02.2026 21:22 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Senator McCain is worn out from rolling over so much.

13.02.2026 16:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Seems like a good topic for a question at a future congressional budget hearing.

13.02.2026 16:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Just don’t forget to bring your heartburn meds.

13.02.2026 13:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0