Morning, Kitties. North Carolina voters are facing mail ballot rejections over envelope rules, an Ohio campaign has dragged a woman’s childhood sexual abuse allegations into political advertising, and a Wisconsin candidate’s financial disclosures show donor funded rent while his campaign spends tens of thousands on private planes. Meanwhile, ICE hiring practices are under scrutiny, Elon Musk’s satellite empire is back in the Ukraine war headlines, and political campaigns are apparently publishing their own embarrassing strategy notes.
With the midterms approaching, America’s political circus has fired the clowns, outsourced the ethics department, and started charging admission to the fucking emergency exits.
American Shit Show Highlights
Thousands of North Carolina Mail Ballots Face Rejection Under New Rules
Democracy Docket reports rising absentee ballot rejection rates, with new envelope requirements contributing to the problem. Apparently democracy now requires passing a fucking packaging inspection.
Ramaswamy Campaign Uses Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Estranged Mother in Attack Ad
A multimillion dollar Ohio campaign advertisement features Amy Acton’s estranged mother disputing Acton’s account of childhood sexual abuse. Apparently someone’s trauma is now considered a fucking campaign accessory.
Wisconsin Candidate’s Donor Covers Rent While Campaign Spends Thousands on Private Flights
Tom Tiffany’s campaign reported donor payments toward rent while spending more than $70,000 on private aviation. Apparently affordability is a campaign slogan, not a fucking lifestyle.
Republican Candidate Accidentally Publishes Internal Campaign Strategy
Minnesota candidate Eric Pratt’s website reportedly displayed an internal instruction about Trump’s unpopularity before it was removed. Nothing says professional campaign management like accidentally publishing the fucking cheat sheet.
Musk Reportedly Ordered Starlink Slowdown Affecting Ukraine
The Wall Street Journal reports that Musk ordered restrictions affecting Ukrainian military satellite communications, while Trump denies directing the move. Apparently modern warfare comes with a billionaire controlled fucking dimmer switch.
ICE Hiring Practices Face Scrutiny Over Officers Accused of Serious Crimes
PunchUp examines criminal allegations involving immigration officers and concerns about accelerated hiring and screening. Apparently background checks are optional when the government is desperate to fill uniforms.
Maine Campaign Advertisements Face Fact Checks Over Tax Claims
FactCheck.org challenges misleading claims in Maine political advertisements about tax policy and voting records. Campaign season is apparently when facts enter the witness protection program.
No Kings Movement Turns Attention Toward Early Voting
The 50501 Movement is encouraging election participation following nationwide demonstrations. Protest signs make headlines, but ballots are how voters formally register their choices.
Closing Kitty Thoughts
Today’s news has one particularly ugly theme: the people with the least power are being asked to navigate the most consequences.
North Carolina voters face stricter mail ballot requirements. A survivor’s deeply personal history has become campaign material. Questions about donor funded expenses are following a candidate campaigning on affordability. Military communications affecting Ukraine have reportedly been disrupted by decisions involving private satellite infrastructure.
Meanwhile, campaign advertising keeps stretching facts until they resemble something that escaped from a congressional yoga retreat.
The distinctions matter. An allegation is not a conviction. A questionable expense is not automatically corruption. A rejected ballot does not establish deliberate suppression. But none of those distinctions excuses public officials from answering legitimate questions.
And if a voter can lose a ballot over an envelope, perhaps the people running for office should be required to demonstrate that they can successfully open a fucking ethics manual.
Read the records. Check your ballot instructions. Protect survivors. Follow the money. Keep the receipts.
Claws out. Hissssssss.
EpsteinWiki: The Survivors Are Not Campaign Props
At EpsteinWiki, our independent investigations document survivor testimony, court records, and institutional failures connected to Jeffrey Epstein. The goal is evidence and accountability, not turning survivors into political entertainment.
The Ohio campaign controversy illustrates why survivor centered reporting matters. Childhood sexual abuse allegations deserve careful treatment, not campaign spectacle.
Survivors deserve dignity, independent investigations, and access to the truth.
Protect survivors. Follow the evidence. Keep the fucking receipts.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- OpenArchive builds privacy-conscious, open-source tools and education to help communities preserve valuable media evidence and retain control over their stories.
- Chicago Food Sovereignty Coalition provides or connects people with chicago food sovereignty and mutual aid coalition. The organization serves Illinois. Visit its official website for current operating hours, eligibility, locations, donation guidance, and volunteer opportunities. Availability and services can change, so confirm details directly before traveling.
What We Are Watching Today
- 6:50 AM MDT
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) Campaigns with Fmr. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) - 8:00 AM MDT
Secret Service Officials Release Workplace Violence Prevention Guide Live - 8:30 AM MDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Troy Jackson (D-ME) Holds Women’s Coalition Event - 9:30 AM MDT
Vice President Vance Speaks at Midterm Rally in Cincinnati - 9:45 AM MDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Rogers (R-MI) Launches Bus Tour - 11:20 AM MDT
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Fmr. Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) Tour Maine Manufacturing Facility - 2:30 PM MDT
Speaker Johnson and Congressional Candidate Kevin Lincoln (R-CA) Speak at Rally in Stockton, CA - 4:00 PM MDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Dan Osborn (I-NE) Hosts Town Hall in Lincoln, NE - 4:30 PM MDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Ken Paxton (R-TX) Holds Campaign Rally in Corpus Christi - 5:00 PM MDT
President Trump Speaks at Midterm Rally in Clemson, SC - 10:00 AM ET | Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District Debate: Debate Calendar
- 7:00 PM ET | Michigan Senate Debate: WXYZ YouTube
- 7:00 PM ET | Vermont Governor Debate: Vermont Public
- 8:00 PM ET | Kansas Senate Debate: FOX4 YouTube
- 8:00 PM ET | Iowa Governor Debate: Watch on YouTube
- 8:00 PM ET | Wisconsin Governor Debate: WISN YouTube
- 8:00 PM ET | Minnesota Governor Debate: FOX9 YouTube
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Denounce Ohio Republican’s Disgusting New Attack Ad
- Tell Congress: Block a new war in Yemen before it starts
- Tell Congress: Stop Big Tech’s 50-Death AI Safety Gamble
- Sign the petition to Congress: Put an end to Donald Trump’s war on clean energy.
3. Verify your voter registration status and help at least one other person check theirs
4. Save contact information for local legal aid and voting support organizations
5. Attend an Event
- Wednesday, October 21, 6:00 to 7:00 PM: No Kings: What’s Next? Election Defense | National online strategy meeting about voter turnout and preparing to protect election results.
- Thursday, October 22, 1:00 to 2:00 PM: What’s the Plan with Leah and Ezra | Weekly political briefing, live questions and grassroots resistance strategy.
- Thursday, October 22, 6:00 to 7:00 PM: No Kings: Final Preparation for Election Defense | National training on lawful, nonviolent mobilization and election results protection.
- Sunday, October 25, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM: Voices of the Vote: Voting Rights Open Mic | Virtual nationwide storytelling, poetry and personal experiences focused on voting rights.
- Wednesday, October 21, 3:30 to 5:30 PM: Virginia Congressional Voter Outreach Phone Bank | Virtual phone banking with training to support voter turnout in Virginia’s 5th District.
- Thursday, October 22, 3:30 to 5:30 PM: Ohio Senate and Congressional Phone Bank | Online voter outreach supporting Sherrod Brown and Ohio congressional candidates.
- Friday, October 23, 3:30 to 5:30 PM: Georgia Voter Outreach Phone Bank | Virtual calls to Georgia voters about early voting and the November election.
6. Contact Your Lawmakers Directly
- Release the Epstein Files: “My name is [Name], and I’m a constituent. I’m asking you to demand the release of all legally disclosable Epstein records, investigate missing documents, and protect survivor identities. Will the representative publicly support independent oversight?”
- Protect Voting Rights: “I’m calling to demand strong federal voting rights protections. Voters deserve accessible polling places, protection from intimidation, and fair elections. What is the senator doing to protect those rights before November?”
- Demand ICE Accountability: “I’m asking Congress to investigate allegations of unlawful immigration enforcement, require transparency in detention facilities, and protect due process. Will the representative support independent investigations and public reporting?”
- Protect Healthcare Access: “Please oppose legislation that would reduce access to affordable healthcare, Medicaid, or essential medical services. Families need healthcare protections, not additional barriers. What specific action will the senator take?”
- Stop Government Surveillance Abuses: “I’m concerned about government access to Americans’ personal information through commercial data brokers. Please support stronger privacy protections, meaningful warrant requirements, and oversight of surveillance contracts.”
- Protect the Right to Protest: “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Please defend First Amendment protections, demand accountability for unlawful interference with demonstrations, and oppose measures that criminalize peaceful dissent.”
- Protect Whistleblowers: “Federal employees must be able to report misconduct without retaliation. Please strengthen whistleblower protections and ensure that inspectors general can conduct independent investigations.”
- Demand Government Transparency: “The public deserves access to government records, contracts, and spending decisions. Please strengthen FOIA enforcement, reduce unjustified secrecy, and require agencies to comply with lawful disclosure obligations.”
- Protect Social Security and Medicare: “I’m asking the representative to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits, improve access to services, and ensure these programs remain adequately funded. What commitments can constituents expect?”
- Demand Congressional Oversight: “Congress has a responsibility to investigate executive branch misconduct regardless of political party. Please support meaningful oversight hearings, enforce lawful subpoenas, and make substantiated findings available to the public.”
7. Who Are We Boycotting This Week?
- Target: Boycott over the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives and demands for stronger protections against ICE enforcement.
- Home Depot: Boycott over immigration enforcement activity near stores and demands to protect workers and customers.
- Amazon: Boycott over Amazon Web Services contracts supporting immigration enforcement and surveillance.
- Whole Foods: Included in the broader Amazon boycott because Amazon owns the grocery chain.
- Starbucks: Labor boycott supporting workers seeking union contracts and improved working conditions.
- T-Mobile: Labor boycott over allegations of union busting and interference with workers’ organizing rights.
- Nabisco/Mondelēz: Labor boycott targeting certain products manufactured in Mexico amid disputes over American manufacturing jobs.
- Tesla: Consumer boycott protesting Elon Musk’s political involvement and opposition to federal workforce and government programs.
