Jonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
I don't think I'm going to get in to this #EdMarkey town hall in #MaldenMA today. #MAPoli #politics #USPol
EDIT: Made it in!
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Made it in!
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
I'll be live posting through this Ed Markey town hall. I'll try to hashtag everything: #EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
There were a few MAGA Nazis out in front of the high school yelling crazy shit about penises in women's sports and aliens raping and killing people, you know, the usual. No photo because they aren't worth it.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
They're currently playing "You are my sunshine", I'm pretty sure it's the version from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou", and now I'm thinking about the fact that I'd rather be watching that wonderful movie again than sitting in this crowd.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
There is a huge auditorium full of people at this town hall and I don't see a single person besides me wearing a mask. Not cool.
Oh, wait, there's one other mask!
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli #CovidIsNotOver
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
By the way, "You are my sunshine" was released in 1939, only seven years before Ed Markey was born (1946). This is why we can't have nice things.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
A bunch of state and local electeds just came out of the wings from backstage and were seated in front, so I assume we're about to start.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Now they're playing a video of Markey posturing to news cameras about not being allowed to enter DOGE occupied buildings, speaking at protests, etc. Not why I'm here. I want to know what he's DOING, not what he's saying.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Ok, the video finished, everybody started clapping, we thought Markey was going to come out onto the stage, and then… nope.
Now the mayor of Malden just came out to introduce Markey. He's thanking Markey for the difference he has made in his hometown.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
National Anthem sung, somebody else whose name I missed is speaking now, a lot of puffing up Markey and talking about what an experienced leader he is. Again: I don't care about this. I want to know what Markey is doing, and I want to hear it from him. That's why I'm here.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47
There are 1,500 people here in the main auditorium and two overflow rooms, Markey says. Full house.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Mar 8 at 7:26pmWeb
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Markey says we're here today on the 250th anniversary of the start of the American revolution.
"We did not want a king."
Talking about the "Muskocracy".
Now he's introducing all of the other electeds who are here. He's got a good memory for this stuff, and he's strong and solid. Nothing at all like Biden at that awful debate.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Markey talking about healthcare programs, education programs, other government programs that have made people's lives better in this country that "we took for granted until January 20, 2025" and that Trump and Musk want to eliminate.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
"I was the first in my family to go to college but I wasn't the smartest… We know the unfairness that was built into our society" before the advances that Trump and Musk want to undo.
Now he's talking about what Trump and Musk are going to cut to pay for $2 trillion in tax cuts.
Still not talking about what he's going to do about it.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Good golly, Ed, I don't want to hear about how things were 50 years ago, I want to hear what you're doing to prevent us from going back there.
"I want to let you know upfront they Donald Trump is bringing out the Malden in me."
Good line.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Ok now he just brought out three "experts" to talk about what's going on.
I don't want to hear from experts, I want to hear from Markey.
Maybe there are people here in the audience who are learning something from this, but I'm certainly not, and I doubt most of your are either, so I'm going to stop posting until they say something interesting and new.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Five word summary of the first expert speaker's ten minutes: we need to protect Medicaid. Gee, thanks, what a revelation. *sigh* I think coming here was probably a waste of time.
Next up: education.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
I am feeling cheated here. The point of a town hall with an elected official is for the official to answer questions from their constituents. I'm not here to listen to speeches, I'm here to see people challenging Markey about what he's doing and to see how he responds to those challenges.
This is a campaign rally, not a town hall. This is bullshit.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Ok, they're doing questions now, and they are indeed doing only prescreened questions.
I'm sure they're all going to be softballs.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
First question: checks and balances, from an AP History teacher.
Congress has the power of the purse.
The courts so far are defending checks and balances.
We don't know how this is going to play out.
I do know this… We're going to have to litigate.
So far it's tenuously holding.
But we also need to fight back in Congress and block block block. That's why I'm voting against every one of a Trump's things.
We're also going to need an uprising.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Second question: what are you going to do to protect the social safety net programs that my family depends on?
No good answer given, except perhaps that the state legislature will work to find funding to make up for any gaps created by cuts at the federal level.
Markey says that the cuts will affect everyone, red and blue states. I guess he's saying therefore the cuts won't be bad? That's a stupid answer.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Oh, I see, he's saying we need to reach out to Republicans in Congress and find a few who are willing to protect safety net programs because their states will be impacted too.
Yeah, good luck with that.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Next question: how are the jobs of federal workers going to be protected?
Musk is doing stupid shit.
I feel a special obligation to protect veterans.
We are not going to allow them to dismantle a system that was put in place to etc.
Great, tell us HOW you're going to keep them from dismantling those systems. HOW?
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Next question: what can be done to support Ukraine. This gets a standing ovation. The person asking the question calls Trump an Oval Office bully.
Markey says Putin is a dictator, Russia invaded Ukraine not the reverse, and what Trump and Vance are doing is absolutely irresponsible.
What we're going to do is block any cuts in aid to Ukraine.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
When Musk gives that salute, it's a permission slip for people in our country to say and do things that we have spent generations rooting out from our country.
It's wrong and it goes against our country values.
I will be there on the front lines in the Senate protecting funding for Ukraine.
(No specifics about how.)
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Last question: what can we do if our electeds are already on our side?
You have friends. You have to use the social media to spread the word and let people know how they're going to be hurt.
Our job is to spread this revolutionary idea, which is being led by Massachusetts right now. [Name-checks Michelle Wu's testimony]
The more you talk to your friends all over the country, the more of a difference it makes.
Ok, I'll give him credit, this is good.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
They lied, one more question. Person asking works in the green energy field, runs a small business. Ask their grants are frozen. How are they getting away with that? How are they stealing this funding?
How can we protect this important climate saving work?
Trump asked the fossil fuel companies for a billion dollars, said he would kill all the green energy programs if they paid up, they paid up so now he's doing it.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
He's giving a stump speech about what's wrong, not saying how he's going to fix it.
People just started yelling from the audience what he's going to do about it. Lots of yelling from the audience.
The courts are going to be used to fight back.
Markey says he was at the EPA last week.
Markey says he's going to do everything he can. No specifics.
Litigate, legislate, organize, and fight.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Ok, it's over.
I didn't learn anything useful from this town hall.
I'm disappointed.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #mapoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Need to drive home now, will post more when I get there.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #mapoli
Show threadikuoMar 8
@jik Thank you again for posting this thread. I'm sorry it wasn't a better experience. Very disappointing that they didn't allow more time and an open mic for questions.
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
On the way out of the auditorium I told someone on Markey's staff that I came to the "town hall" (ftr, 2/3 of the time spent on speeches and no open mic is not a town hall) to hear what Markey was going to DO, not to hear how bad things are.
He said I should call the office and tell them that and it would be tallied and summarized to Markey.
I said I don't want Markey to be tallying public opinion, I want him to be LEADING.
Why do they not understand this?
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
Here is what I think: Markey still does not understand, or at least is not willing to admit in public to understanding, that Trump and Musk are using an extra-Constitutional strategy and therefore fighting back within the Constitutional system is not going to work.
In this I am certain he is joined by many other Democrats in Congress.
I walked out of this "town hall" less hopeful than I was walking into it.
#EdMarkey #politics #USPol #MAPoli
Show threadBlake C. StaceyMar 8
@jik It was light on specifics, that's for sure.
Show threadikuoMar 8
@jik Sounds like lots of people were as frustrated as you with the lack of real answers!
Show threadPaul_IPv6Mar 8

@jik

yes, good to say this. waiting for elected officials to "save" us isn't going to work. working together and vocally holding elected officials to step up is one of the things we'll need to do.

sunlight isn't just the best disinfectant. it's the best leverage we have.

Show threadKellyAnn Romanych (she/her)Mar 8
@jik my rep Judy Chu said something similar at our recent telephone townhall. There are two R in California that have huge pops that will be affected by Medicaid cuts. Here's a sample of what info I've pulled together to get specifics out and to support other advocates https://mastodon.social/@kellyromanych/114113918212162232
Show threadikuoMar 8
@jik Hm. He didn't vote against Marco Rubio...
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
@ikuo1000 I guess his tune has changed since then.
Show threadEllenJSMar 8
@jik
No mic for people to walk up to and ask a question?
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
@EllenJS They're calling up specific people based on questions they submitted in advance when they registered for the event.
Show threadEllenJSMar 8
@jik
I don’t know whether to react with 😢 or 😡
Show threadDavid CroyleMar 8
@jik That sort of phony political theater is one of the things I hate most about modern American politicians, and the dems. Trust me when I say that I know that the Republicans are vastly worse in every way, but It still sits very badly with me.
Show threadJessamynMar 8
@jik Is there going to be time for Q&A, it might be good to be like "Listen, I've been on ALL THE SHOWS talking about how I got fired from a mission critical job and it was bullshit and dangerous for the government to do this. Please let me know you're doing at least as much as me." I mean I love Markey but come on.
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
@jessamyn I'd love to, but there are a thousand people here, there is not going to be time for more than a few questions, and I'm near the back. I very much doubt I'm going to get to ask a question.
Show threadEllenJSMar 8

@jik
You doubted you were going to get into the event too.

@jessamyn

Show threadJoseph ElfeltMar 8

@jik Suggestion for anyone at a politician's 'townhall'.

Early in the event standup and interrupt. Explain that the event was advertised as a 'townhall' and the common meaning of that term was that the politician would answer questions from their constituents. Then ask for a show of hands for how many people came here expecting the politician to answer questions from the audience. Put the screws to them to answer questions. #Resist

Show threadBakersRelayMar 8
@mappingsupport @jik And be firm but polite. Do not let them goad you into helping them to shut down the meeting.
Show threadJoseph ElfeltMar 8
@BakerRL75 @jik Years ago I called for a show of hands at a public meeting. This can be a powerful tool.
Show threadCiggy Bringer of SmokeMar 8
@jik i love and appreciate you doing this! This is reporting, 100%.
Show threadlibramoonMar 9

@jik

are said constituents insisting on having their concerns directly addressed?

Show threadPaul_IPv6Mar 8

@jik

bet one beer that the phrase "the children are our future" will pop out in the education spiel.

Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
@paul_ipv6 They didn't use those words but the sentiment was definitely there.
Show threadPaul_IPv6Mar 8

@jik

sigh...

sure be nice if more than half dozen Dems like Bernie were actually out talking about action plans.

Show threadChris Gervais 🎸🥁💻Mar 8
@jik Where is this being held? Is it streamed?
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
@chrisgervais Malden High School, don't know if it's streaming, kind of doubt it
Show threadEllenJSMar 8
@jik
This all sounds very scripted 😕
Is there supposed to be a Q & A time?
Show threadJonathan Kamens 86 47Mar 8
@EllenJS Yes but with 1,000 people in the room and only an hour and a half scheduled for the event and we're already halfway through that time and they haven't taken any questions yet, I kind of doubt they're going to take many, and I suspect the ones they take will be prescreened.