Morning, Kitties. Border Patrol vehicles have appeared at a Florida early voting location, lawmakers are warning that Russia is spreading election disinformation, and families relying on food assistance are having their benefits stolen while Congress debates whether protecting their money is worth the expense. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has rejected an administration request involving transgender prisoners’ medical care, federal employees are fighting to protect their private records, and Pete Hegseth’s staff reportedly managed to break one of Eisenhower’s historic military globes.
Apparently the government has enough technology to monitor our movements, enough lawyers to argue about our rights, and enough money to fund another political circus. But moving a fucking globe without destroying it? That’s apparently where American military superiority draws the line.
Daily Shit Show Highlights
Border Patrol Vehicles Appear at Florida Early Voting Site, Prompting FBI Complaint
Two Border Patrol vehicles reportedly appeared at a Tallahassee early voting location for approximately ten minutes, prompting the county elections supervisor to file an FBI complaint over potential voter intimidation. Their presence alone does not establish unlawful interference, but voters should not have to wonder why federal immigration vehicles are visiting the fucking polling place.
Russia Reportedly Targets Democratic Candidates With Election Disinformation
Reuters reports that Democratic intelligence leaders warned of Russian misinformation targeting candidates including James Talarico and Jon Ossoff, with AI generated political content among the concerns. No alteration of actual votes was established, but apparently foreign influence operations have discovered that American political advertising wasn’t already enough of a fucking nightmare.
ProPublica Exposes Millions in Stolen Food Benefits While Congress Delays Security Fixes
ProPublica reports an estimated $470 million in electronic SNAP benefit theft during 2025, while federal lawmakers have not funded a nationwide upgrade to more secure chip cards. Families lose grocery money, scammers profit, and the government apparently considers protecting food assistance an unaffordable fucking luxury.
Supreme Court Refuses to Immediately End Medical Protections for Transgender Federal Prisoners
The Supreme Court denied the administration’s emergency request to implement restrictions on transgender prisoners’ medical care, leaving existing protections in place while litigation continues. Only Thomas and Alito publicly favored granting the request, because apparently even basic medical treatment requires a fucking Supreme Court field trip.
Federal Workers Win Another Privacy Fight Over DOGE Access to Personnel Records
Democracy Defenders Fund reports another legal victory in litigation over DOGE access to sensitive federal employee information. The dispute concerns who may lawfully access personnel records, because apparently government cybersecurity becomes optional when someone important wants to browse the fucking database.
Education Department Civil Rights Enforcement Faces Questions Over Thousands of Student Complaints
ProPublica’s investigation examines how changes to the Education Department’s civil rights office disrupted investigations involving discrimination, disability access, and sexual harassment. Apparently protecting students requires endless paperwork, but dismantling the people who investigate complaints comes with express fucking service.
Court Records Challenge Ohio Campaign Advertisement Attacking Amy Acton’s Childhood Abuse Account
Dayton 24/7 Now reports that court records support important elements of Amy Acton’s account of childhood abuse, contradicting claims made in an advertisement featuring her estranged mother. Turning a survivor’s childhood trauma into campaign ammunition is not a punchline, and the people producing political ads should be prepared to answer for their factual claims.
Hegseth’s Staff Reportedly Breaks Eisenhower’s Historic Military Globe
The Washington Post reports that Hegseth’s staff damaged a historic globe associated with General Dwight Eisenhower while moving it to the defense secretary’s office. The Pentagon says the damage was accidental and repairs are underway, but apparently the War Department’s first casualty was a fucking geography lesson.
FEMA Disaster Funding Decisions Face New Scrutiny
Politico examines federal disaster funding decisions and their implications for states seeking emergency assistance. Disaster response is supposed to address public need, not become another exercise in political theater while communities wait for help.
Campaign Spending Questions Grow as Senate Republicans Borrow $20 Million
Politico reports that the National Republican Senatorial Committee arranged $20 million in borrowing as the midterms approach. Political committees may borrow money under applicable rules, but the financing illustrates just how expensive the American election circus has become.
Closing Kitty Thoughts
Today’s headlines tell an uncomfortable story about priorities.
Federal vehicles are appearing at polling locations. Intelligence officials are warning about foreign disinformation. Families are losing food assistance to criminals while basic payment security upgrades remain unresolved. Students are waiting for civil rights investigations, and government employees are fighting over access to their personal information.
These are different stories with different legal questions. But they all involve institutions whose decisions have consequences for people who do not have lobbyists, expensive attorneys, or a private jet waiting outside.
And then there is Pete Hegseth’s globe.
Dwight Eisenhower helped direct Allied operations during World War II using maps and geographic intelligence. Decades later, a globe associated with his military leadership reportedly could not survive a trip across the Pentagon.
Sometimes satire writes itself. Other times somebody drops a priceless historical artifact and hands Kitty the fucking punchline.
Protect the evidence. Question the claims. Respect survivors. Keep the receipts.
Claws out. Hissssssss.
Featured Resisters and Resources
- ProPublica School Civil Rights Investigations Database helps readers examine federal civil rights enforcement at U.S. schools and colleges. Published alongside reporting by Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen on October 22, 2026, the searchable table uses Education Department records obtained following a ProPublica lawsuit.
- Point of Pride supports transgender and nonbinary people through practical assistance programs and educational resources.
What We Are Watching Today
- 8:59 AM EDT
Senate Pro Forma Session - 10:15 AM EDT
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) Speaks at Endorsement Announcement - 11:00 AM EDT
Governor Candidate Jocelyn Benson (D-MI) Campaigns with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) - 1:05 PM EDT
VP Vance Campaigns for Republican Candidates in Nebraska - 2:00 PM EDT
Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) Holds Press Conference - 2:00 PM EDT
Sen. Candidate Troy Jackson (D-ME) Campaigns with Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) - 5:30 PM EDT
U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI) Holds Campaign Rally in Detroit - 7:30 PM EDT
President Trump Delivers Remarks at Sioux City, Iowa Rally - 2:30 PM | Wisconsin, 8th Congressional District: Rick Crosson (D) vs. Tony Wied (R). Rebroadcast 8 PM. Watch on WFRV+
- 6 PM | New Jersey, 2nd Congressional District: Zack Mullock (D) vs. Jeff Van Drew (R). Watch on YouTube
- 6 PM | New Hampshire Governor: Cinde Warmington (D) vs. Kelly Ayotte (R). Forum recorded today, broadcasts October 23. Event details
- 7 PM | Connecticut Governor: Ned Lamont (D) vs. Ryan Fazio (R). Watch on WFSB+
- 7 PM | Indiana Secretary of State: Beau Bayh (D) vs. Max Engling (R). Watch on FOX59/CBS4
- 7 PM | Kentucky, 6th Congressional District: Zach Dembo (D) vs. Ralph Alvarado (R). Watch on FOX56 or YouTube
- 7 PM | New York, 22nd Congressional District: John Mannion (D) vs. Kailee Buller (R). Watch on WSYR+
- 8 PM | Texas, Harris County Judge: Letitia Plummer (D) vs. Orlando Sanchez (R). Watch on Houston Public Media
Today’s Call to Action
1. Read Today’s Resistance Survival Guides
- RSG #369: How to Recognize Voter Intimidation, Protect Your Rights, and Report Problems at the Polls
2. Sign these Petitions and Send These Pre Written Letters
- Tell USDA: Animal Welfare Isn’t Optional
- Sign the petition: Stop Israel’s violent West Bank occupation NOW!
- Tell Congress: Stop Trump from privatizing Social Security
- https://fonsflacko.substack.com/p/judge-certifies-class-action-lawsuit
- Stop Trump’s New Assault on Struggling Arctic Polar Bears
- Sign the petition: The Trump administration needs to side with Ukraine, not with Russia.
- Stand Up for Voting Rights
- Tell Congress: Investigate Trump’s suspicious oil trades
- Tell Congress: Investigate Trump’s Big Pharma profits
- Tell Congress to advance a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United and restoring the power to put meaningful limits on political spending.
- Add your name now to tell RFK Jr.: Keep toxic chemicals out of kids’ food!
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
- 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.
- 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.”
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.
