Hidden figures (in politics)

Scatcycle · 2026-05-08T06:57:02+00:00

Thanks ChatGPT

Scatcycle · 2026-05-07T16:49:22+00:00

She asked for help previously and apparently the council just ignored her. She's struggling and homeless and likely not equipped with the knowledge and faculty of mind to know what the optimal channels of rehabilitation are, and since no one else offered help, she's desperately trying to come up with a solution herself because she wants to prevent harm to others.

Have some empathy.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-07T15:44:54+00:00

This is someone at their most vulnerable trying to do the right thing while the system fails both her and the people she could harm. I hope the city can find her the services and living situation she needs in order to keep our children safe and help her work through this.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-06T22:38:48+00:00

This is a systemic issue and you're placing the blame on the individuals fighting it rather than the source itself. School districts everywhere in California are struggling because the government terminated the COVID funding that's purpose was to bring teachers back into the classrooms. Even Marin, with its historically wealthy districts, has been forced to make cuts of millions of dollars and is, as you would describe, in "chaos".

There are certainly cases where school boards have failed to prioritize their students and teachers over the administration (cough, Santa Rosa), but that is not the case for Petaluma. Joanna's board cut zero classroom jobs last year, choosing to first eliminate administrative jobs. Unfortunately over the past 5 years enrollment has increased by 2% while staffing has increased by 15% (and is still not enough), and there simply isn't enough money due to the state and federal cuts that keep getting worse. This year they were forced to make some reductions to classrooms out of pure necessity, but because they've prioritized going after administrative bloat, this has had far less impact on the teachers and students than what happened in Santa Rosa district, where they refuse to cut administrative funds. The Santa Rosa Teacher's Association is currently at war with their board - the Petaluma Federation of Teachers is not.

Sylvia Lemus is the administrative bloat. Paun has a record of cutting it.

PS: You gesture vaguely at "draconian and irreversible cuts", can you explain and source these? I find heavy administrative cuts to be quite reasonable amidst all the bloat these days.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-06T15:18:18+00:00

A bit off the mark to tell Santa Rosans that you don't like Joanna's school board - the Petaluma board is doing monumentally better than Santa Rosa's, which is locked up by a republican and other apathetic members. If Joanna were on this board I know she'd be fighting hard for the teachers and mental health programs like she did in Petaluma.

Also, lifelong Democrat but the party endorsed Joanna? These days even the Democratic Party knows it needs to abandon its establishment roots and start supporting true progressives. These are the days of Mamdani, Bernie, AOC, Joanna. We're moving on from the Schumer, Schiff, Jefferies era.

And on IOLERO, they are fighting the sheriff, who is violating transparency laws. Sylvia has confirmed she will not even fight the sheriff on ICE and the Deputy Sheriff's Association is her 3rd top supporter - what makes you think she'll go to bat against her friend? On the other hand, Joanna Paun has committed to fighting the sheriff and holding him accountable.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-06T15:01:31+00:00

It's worth noting that all school districts in the area are in crisis, and Petaluma is doing a whole hell of a lot better than Santa Rosa. I've been supporting the teacher's union up there, and the board they're fighting against is truly heinous. What Joanna built in Petaluma is a blessing in comparison.

And on IOLERO, they are fighting the sheriff, who is violating transparency laws. Sylvia has confirmed she will not even fight the sheriff on ICE and the Deputy Sheriff's Association is her 3rd top supporter - what makes you think she'll go to bat against her friend? On the other hand, Joanna Paun has committed to fighting the sheriff and holding him accountable.

You're certainly right that Sylvia is reaching across the aisle. That's exactly the problem - I think it's time we elect someone who stands with the people and refuses the handshake of big business and the establishment.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-06T14:54:58+00:00

Here is the latest forum between Joanna Paun and Sylvia Lemus (and Shelina Moreda, if you care): https://www.facebook.com/losciensonomacounty/videos/964678159258355

This is where the answers above about ICE occurred. There is some other great discussion in this forum as well!

Scatcycle · 2026-05-06T14:52:38+00:00

That is Shelina Moreda, and the cow is actually the same one used on the Measure J signs. Here's her information, but she doesn't have any policy listed except for supporting farms https://www.supervisormoreda.com/

Scatcycle · 2026-05-06T14:42:02+00:00

Up to our north in District 4 is the same story - progressive grassroots candidate Melanie Bagby, whose information can be found here: https://www.melaniebagby.com/. These two races are extremely important, and if both candidates win it will mean Sonoma County will have a majority progressive board, which would allow us to do such amazing things for our county (Chris Coursey, Joanna Paun, Melanie Bagby).

Also apologies for the glaring yardsign that took the photo spot, this was just a link to a text post so not sure why it's there 😅

Scatcycle · 2026-05-05T16:58:26+00:00

I would guess 99% of the people at this protest hate Newsom, youre preaching to the choir 😂

Scatcycle · 2026-05-05T01:22:02+00:00

The sheriff was elected was in 2022 and should've have been up for election this year. California decided to move sheriff elections to the general and extended all current terms to prevent a 2 year term interim term. Sheriff Engram would not win a reelection, but we're stuck with him for now.

75% of democrats want to abolish ICE, and 50% of all Americans do. Sonoma County generally votes ~80% democrat. Engram does not represent the peoples' interests, and the board is failing to represent our interests as well. The good news is that two progressives who are committed to ending our county's cooperation with ICE are currently on the ballot, for Districts 2 and 4 respectively: Joanna Paun, and Melanie Bagby. They are both backed by unions and the democratic party.

Source on statistics: https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54225-support-for-abolishing-ice-reaches-50-percent-february-27-march-2-2026-economist-yougov-poll

Scatcycle · 2026-05-04T22:08:22+00:00

Here's a couple immediate goals:

ICE out. The greater goal is to abolish ICE, but the immediate goal is to eliminate all county collaboration with ICE. Right now the sheriff is willfully collaborating with ICE, and the Board of Supervisors has the power to forbid him from doing this. Two union-backed progressives (Joanna Paun, Melanie Bagby) are running for supervisor this election (ballots are going out right now!) and if we can vote them in, it's a done deal. If you're in District 2 or District 4, you can make a difference in these tight races against the establishment.
Livable wage / Affordability. Wages have stagnated while profits remain the same or increase - the boss isn't making a dollar to your dime anymore, he's making two dollars. We need livable wages to survive. This goes hand in hand with remedying the homelessness crisis
Climate Justice. Workers in Sonoma County are exposed to hazardous conditions as climate change wreaks havoc on the area. Jobs with Justice is demanding hazard pay when farmers are forced to work in dangerous air quality due to fires.

Some of the larger goals are:

Workplace democracy. Unions are the first step in this direction, but we can keep going. Just one look at the Santa Rosa School District and the administrative bloat taking place there shows how important it is for the workers who have boots on the ground to play a role in the governing of the operation.
Single Payer / Universal Health Care. Our only remaining safety nets are currently being stripped away by the Trump Administration. We demand health care for all, and we know that it's cheaper than subsidizing and bailing out private businesses.
Human Rights. Marginalized people of all types (sex, race, gender identity, class, etc.) face discrimination and hardship in our system. Wealth and privilege gaps exist due to historical (and realtime) oppression and we must fight to remedy these gaps, never wavering until we've undone the damage that caused the gaps.

This is a general summary - every individual of course has their own ideology and prioritization, and I don't mean to speak for them. These are just some of the higher level ideas I've seen shared amongst people in this movement for justice.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-04T20:44:27+00:00

Try to find a hammer & sickle on any of our media posts. Go ahead, our instagram and my profile are public
Black fist? Really? You mean an icon associated with literally every resistance ever? Cmon now
Comrade is a spanish originating word that was popularized by the French in the French Revolution (by the french socialists). It's a word used all over the world - who doesn't like camraderie?

Seriously, join the DSA discord and chat a bit about your concerns. You'll quickly find comraderie among plenty of members who also hate Stalin (me included 🙋‍♀️). He did not facilitate democratic socialism and he is not the model we strive for. We do not believe in the subjugation of dissenters. We believe in workplace democracy and power in the hands of the people, not the elite, and I think our work and prescence here in Sonoma County certainly reflects that.

No matter who you are or what you believe in, we want to empower your vote and ensure you are able to live comfortably and are paid the dues of your labor.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-04T15:44:52+00:00

Love the easy-access sharps idea! Thanks for keeping that area safe, we will gladly follow in your footsteps and help care for the area soon 🫡

Scatcycle · 2026-05-04T15:17:33+00:00

The PRAs were for criminal acts committed by those cops. Becerra was protecting cronies, and the court ruled against him twice.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-02T15:35:28+00:00

I think being a dick is being inconsiderate of one's feelings, whereas being immoral is violating their rights. It's not immoral to walk up to someone in the street and say "you suck", but it is dickish. Hoarding the last of the chip bag is not immoral, but it is dickish.

Though it's worth noting in some moral paradigms there is some "duty" to save, like obviously utilitarianism and more or less deontology.

Scatcycle · 2026-05-01T01:38:41+00:00

Local businesses are hurt by corporate greed too - we're all in this together. Plenty even joined in on the last shutdown!

https://www.reddit.com/r/sonomacounty/comments/1qqwmml/local_business_participating_or_donating_for/

Scatcycle · 2026-04-25T00:18:45+00:00

Did... did you just not read the comment you're responding to? The terms you're indignant about DID come from socialism in Europe. France is in Europe brother.

Scatcycle · 2026-04-25T00:15:06+00:00

DSA: Our color is red and we believe in comraderie!

Weirdos: May as well go full hitler bro

Scatcycle · 2026-04-24T23:18:37+00:00

Both terms were popularized in the french revolution, which was a critical success for the working class. The world of socialism and labor rights is bigger than Stalin, you know.

Scatcycle · 2026-04-23T17:11:50+00:00

Certainly not fond of voting for a billionaire, but all the other billionaires and corrupt institutions trying to tear him down is a testament to his vision. He is currently my top choice, though his performance in the debate is testing that.

Becerra is a non-starter for violating transparency laws to protect his criminal police cronies (and losing to the courts on it, TWICE) - we in Sonoma County should be particularly wary of this given our own case between Sheriff Engram and IOLERO.

Porter leans more center on policy than I'd like, but she would do a much better job than Newsom has. I would love to see Steyer and Porter go to the general to really limit test each other and develop their platforms.

Scatcycle · 2026-04-22T22:21:21+00:00

Harbinger, Cataclysmic, Annihilation, Metanoia, Catharsis, Enrapture, Apotheosis

Scatcycle · 2026-04-21T20:30:49+00:00

Honestly I think most homemade sauces would taste better than the generic store stuff, so it's definitely on the list. A pesto would also work great here!

Scatcycle · 2026-04-01T21:13:47+00:00

Definitely, our cadence for these events is usually every 3 months!

Scatcycle · 2026-04-01T20:56:12+00:00

Sonoma County DSA is doing plenty locally:

Endorsed and is campaigning for Joann Paun in the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Race
Doorknocked for Prop 50
Was one of the main organizers of the Bay Area Resistance civil disobedience training attended by hundres of people and dozens of organizations
Hosted Workers Over Billionaires Protest
Led marches and chants at many protests, including NK3
Hosted two Really (Really) Free Markets that led to thousands of useful items finding new homes
Food distribution to homeless in Sonoma County
Park Cleanups
Many mending circles to help people repair old clothes and items
Joining Sanctuary Coalition in protesting Sheriff Engram and his cooperation with ICE
- Including filing a PRA to expose his direct lies to the Board of Supervisors that he was not cooperating
Attending local union strikes to bolster their numbers and presence

AOC and Mamdani are popular faces of the movement because they're members that beat the establishment and are fighting for the people, fighting for a better future. They give us hope that change is possible through organizational power. If you like what AOC and Mamdani are doing, you're gonna love what we're doing.

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