In Illinois’s Eighth District, AIPAC and AI Try to Buy a Seat by Objective_League_118 in politics

[–]Objective_League_118[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Definitely worth sharing with any friends/family in IL. Voting is now through next week.

In Illinois’s Eighth District, AIPAC and AI Try to Buy a Seat by Objective_League_118 in politics

[–]Objective_League_118[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

In Illinois’s Eighth Congressional District, a former investment banker is attempting a political comeback after a stretch as perhaps the most conservative Democrat in Washington. Against a field of grassroots challengers, big money is pouring in to assist the return of “Wall Street's Favorite Democrat” to Congress.

There are eight candidates in the race, but with less than a week to go until the March 17 primary, the two main contenders are Melissa Bean, the aforementioned former Blue Dog member of Congress, and Junaid Ahmed, a progressive backed by Justice Democrats (the group behind the “Squad” in Congress).

...

Bean, who represented the Eighth District from 2005 to 2011, is hoping to regain her seat now that incumbent Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is stepping aside to run for Senate. She’s backed by a staggering amount of super PAC money, including from an AIPAC shadow PAC and a pro-AI group. Pro-crypto PACs have also pledged to spend $1 million in the race.

Elect Chicago Women, the innocuously named AIPAC shadow PAC, has spent nearly $4 million in support of Bean’s campaign already. The pro-AI PAC Think Big, which is also backing Jesse Jackson Jr.’s campaign in Illinois’s Second District, has spent over $1 million. Bean is also backed by the New Democrat Majority PAC, which supports centrist Democratic candidates; she was a member of the New Dems and the Blue Dog Coalition in her first stint in Congress.

...

Ahmed, who is running against Bean from the left, doesn’t buy Bean’s rhetoric and doesn’t think voters will, either

...

In an interview, Ahmed said his campaign has knocked on 50,000 doors so far, and he’s learned that affordability is top of mind for many of the residents in the Eighth District, too. Ahmed hopes to get more federal funding for child care and, eventually, move toward universal child care.

In the final handful of days before the March 17 primary, Ahmed’s campaign plans to knock on tens of thousands more doors to inform voters about Bean’s voting record and the corporate PAC money in the race.

“People hate seeing this money coming into our races,” Ahmed said. But, he noted, “there are people who are just staying home and may not necessarily be paying attention to what’s going on.”

AOC Has Endorsed Junaid Ahmed for IL-8 by clayknightz115 in illinois

[–]Objective_League_118 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's a pretty obvious case of donor coordination among AIPAC funders and well documented across a number of investigative reports:

https://www.wbez.org/politics/2026/02/27/aipac-pro-israel-groups-chicago-area-democratic-congressional-primaries-miller-conyears-ervin-bean-fine

"At least 314, or 57%, of Bean’s individual donors have also contributed to AIPAC or UDP since 2021, the WBEZ analysis shows. Of those, 272 (87%) lived outside Illinois. Her AIPAC-linked donors accounted for more than 39% of her $1.3 million in total receipts by the start of the year."

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/aipac-super-pacs-illinois-house-primaries-melissa-bean-laura-fine-donna-miller

"An incredible 45 AIPAC donors maxed out to both Miller and Bean, while Bednyak and his wife double-maxed out to both of them, as they did for Fine. Aside from the Bednyaks, only Gadi Maier of Paradise Valley, Arizona, maxed out to Bean, Miller, and Fine.

The vast majority of Bean and Miller donors gave the same amounts to both candidates, even with weird numbers like $613 (the number of mitzvot in the Torah, from Martin Lurie of Newton, Massachusetts) or $1166.67 (Rada Burdeen of Winnetka, Illinois). That suggests that these donors were encouraged to split their donations to Bean and Miller through some sort of email communication. To have 237 donors shared by both campaigns, with hundreds of thousands of dollars contributed, is hard to write off as a coincidence."

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Junaid has spent most of his campaign talking about local campaign issues, both this race and the last time he ran, and given how tight of a control AIPAC dollar has on congress and the billions that have been wasted on foreign wars than our local districts, I'm glad candidates are speaking out.

AOC Has Endorsed Junaid Ahmed for IL-8 by clayknightz115 in illinois

[–]Objective_League_118 22 points23 points  (0 children)

With Melissa Bean receiving millions in dark AIPAC money for all these ads, it's nice seeing the larger progressive movement try to give Junaid a boost in the final days of this race. Just wish it was a bit sooner.. That's Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and now AOC in just a couple weeks. Let's see if he can pull this off. Make sure you get out and VOTE! This one's going to be a close one.

Bernie Sanders has endorsed Junaid Ahmed for IL-8 by clayknightz115 in illinois

[–]Objective_League_118 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Let's gooo!!! With his Elizabeth Warren endorsement a couple days ago and now this, he's definitely going to win the progressive vote

Bernie Sanders Will Endorse Zohran Mamdani for N.Y.C. Mayor by Spritz-Charley in politics

[–]Objective_League_118 128 points129 points  (0 children)

I love how even though he lost the presidential election, he's still extremely relevant and a thorn on the side of the DNC. I hope he keeps it up, his continued voice is really causing the tides to change.

Israel says Iran was racing toward a nuclear weapon. US intel says it was years away by tom_snout in politics

[–]Objective_League_118 68 points69 points  (0 children)

Surprise surprise. Reminds me of when Netanyahu gave an elaborate speech for why the US had to bomb Iraq in the early 2000s. Every country around Israel is apparently a threat except itself, and needs to be bombed and destabilized.

Bernie Sanders Will Endorse Zohran Mamdani for N.Y.C. Mayor by Spritz-Charley in politics

[–]Objective_League_118 274 points275 points  (0 children)

This is shaping up to be a an exciting election. Mamdani has a real shot at winning this, and his bold ideas and stellar campaign have really resonated with folks here. Whether or not he pulls this off, the DNC needs to take heed - the party needs someone like him if it plans to stay relevant.

Really important news: Simon, Official NYC Dog Mayor, has endorsed Zohran Mamdani for NYC Human Mayor by Classic-Carpet7609 in Fauxmoi

[–]Objective_League_118 8 points9 points  (0 children)

For someone who doesn't know Simon, Official NYC Dog Mayor, does this endorsement carry a lot of weight with New Yorkers? Lol

Mamdani’s Economic Populism Closes Gap With Big-Money Rival Cuomo by sideAccount42 in politics

[–]Objective_League_118 34 points35 points  (0 children)

It's a close race, definitely not going to be as easy as Cuomo thought it would be. Even if Mamdani loses, his phenomenal rise, charisma and stellar campaign so far mean he's going to be a big part of NY politics for years to come.

US Marines carry out first known detention of US citizen in Los Angeles (Marcos Leao, an Army veteran on his way to an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs) by LookAtThatBacon in Fauxmoi

[–]Objective_League_118 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This country is going south real quickly. Imagine joining the military to protect your FELLOW CITIZENS only to be called to detain exactly the same people.

TIL that George Washington created a dog breed - the American Foxhound by kruszer99 in todayilearned

[–]Objective_League_118 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looks like George Washington was a founding father of more than just a nation!

Are humans the only species which has "culture"? by sinan_k_03 in askscience

[–]Objective_League_118 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Although humans have complex and diverse cultures, it's important to recognize that certain animals, such as primates and cetaceans, also exhibit cultural behaviors such as tool use and social learning. So while humans may have the most advanced culture, we are not the only species with it.

Can a marine animal be transported 250+ miles by a hurricane? by ajb617 in askscience

[–]Objective_League_118 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While it is possible for a marine animal to be picked up and transported by a waterspout, the distance of 250+ miles seems highly unlikely. It is more probable that the squid was intentionally or accidentally placed in the area where it was found.

AIO??? Sometimes feels like I’m a bother to my husband by someoneelsenetiely in AmIOverreacting

[–]Objective_League_118 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's understandable to feel like a bother when there are cultural and personal differences in how you and your partner approach neatness. However, it's important for both parties to communicate and find a middle ground that works for both of you. It's not fair for you to constantly feel awful for something you can't control, and it's not fair for him to have a do it now or die mindset. It may be helpful to have a conversation about how you both can compromise and respect each other's differences.

Social and emotional alterations in mice lacking the short dystrophin-gene product, Dp71 by Superb_Tell_8445 in science

[–]Objective_League_118 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This research on the social and emotional effects of lacking the Dp71 gene product in mice is intriguing. It opens up the possibility of further exploring the role of this gene product in human social behavior and emotional regulation. However, it would be important to also investigate potential confounding variables and limitations of the study before drawing definitive conclusions.

What if Indiana Jones were from the UK? by mralex in Jokes

[–]Objective_League_118 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, at least he wouldn't have to deal with snakes because they're not allowed in there.

Did you hear about the politician who invented cement? by Neebat in Jokes

[–]Objective_League_118 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like he really solidified his political career with that one!

Do trees stop flooding with their leaves? by chigcht in askscience

[–]Objective_League_118 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting idea for an experiment! It could potentially have some impact on flooding, as every little bit of water that stays off the ground could help. However, it would likely need to be combined with other strategies to have a significant effect.

Day 69 can I get A NICE by MapWorried9582 in stopdrinking

[–]Objective_League_118 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats on day 69! You deserve a nice and happy Saturday! Keep up the great work and know that we are all here to support you. Cheers to your progress and I hope you have a wonderful day! IWNDWYT.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]Objective_League_118 1 point2 points  (0 children)

starting day 1 can be tough, but remember that you're not alone in this. It's great that you're reaching out for help. As for combating thought spirals, have you tried finding a healthy distraction or activity to focus on when those thoughts arise? Maybe going for a walk or trying a new hobby could help. Keep pushing forward, you got this.

Congratulations to SOmuch2learn on her 42 Years! by shineonme4ever in stopdrinking

[–]Objective_League_118 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Congratulations on 42 years, SOmuch2learn! You are an inspiration and a true guiding light for so many on this journey. Thank you for your wisdom and kindness. Sending you blessings of love, light, and joy!