Tidbits-Nov.13 -Reader Comments: Nov 4: The Winner–the People, the Loser-Donald Trump; Socialist Takes Power, Not First Time in a U.S. City; World Economy’s Center of Gravity Shifts; Peace Is/Peace Is Not Campaign; How Can Unions Defend Worker Power?

Reader Comments: Nov 4 Elections - The Winner-The People, The Loser- Donald Trump; Socialist Takes Power, Not the First Time in a U.S. City; World Economy’s Center of Gravity Shifts; Peace is/Peace is Not Campaign; How Can Unions Defend Worker Power

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Tidbits - Reader Comments, Resources, Announcements, AND cartoons - Nov. 13, 2025 | Portside



Do you hear that? The sleeping giant of America is up and roaring.

Robert Reich

Benjamin Slyngstad
November 6, 2025
Slyngstad Cartoons 
 




 

The Winner  --  Cartoon and Commentary by Nick Anderson

 

 

 

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Democrats are angry—and understandably so. After weeks of standing firm, some in their party ultimately agreed to end the government shutdown without securing an extension of the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies. On the surface, it looks like a cave-in: Republicans get to declare victory, the government reopens, and millions of Americans—including me—are left staring down steep health-insurance premium hikes with little relief in sight


Nick Anderson
November 11, 2025
Pen Strokes
 




 

Re: Democrats Caved in the Shutdown Fight. Unions Let Them.
 

At this point the Democrats deserve everything that happens going forward. There is no point in fighting for 40 days to give up and get nothing. They had momentum, people were listening and siding with the Democrats, they had a real opportunity here and they traded it for 30 pieces of silver for themselves.

Robert Laite
Posted on Portside's Facebook page
 




 

Re: A Socialist Takes Power—in the United States!

 


The ruins of downtown Milwaukee in 1960 after decades of socialist rule.

Cap'n Steve

     =====

Wasn't Bernie mayor of Burlington many years ago?

Mark Gallagher
Posted on Portside's Facebook page
 




 

Re: The Real Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
 

Here’s the real fraud and waste, just ask Tim Scott the Senator from FL who was found guilty of fraud and fined a HUGE amount.  The coding issue is actual.  Doctors try to code as closely as possible for the patient but insurance won’t approve the treatment as needed unless the doctor codes up.

Bill Audette
Posted on Portside's Facebook page
 




 

GOP Message  --  Cartoon by Rob Rogers

 

 


Rob Rogers
November 7, 2025
TinyView
 




 

Penny for His Thoughts  --  Cartoon by Jack Ohman

 

 


Jack Ohman
November 12, 2025
Jack Ohman's You Betcha!
 




 

Re: The World Economy’s Centre of Gravity Shifts to Asia
 

This essay views more favorably a recent article in Portside, the rise of the Global South, recognizing the imperfections of regimes in BRICS and/or SCO or groupings in Latin America. But what they share in common is their experience with US/European domination.

“There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear;” New International Realities 

Harry Targ




 

Re: The Multipolarism of Fools
 

This is nothing more than a defense of NATO  and the entrenched imperialist financial and monopoly establishment presented as a critique of BRICS, but describing that formation as NATO would.

In other words, this piece is hardly progressive or pro-socialist, and the fact that you are foisting it on your readers says a lot about you.

John Woodford

     =====

If you want a single ruler of the world – Hegemon USA – then you should join John Feffer. If you want a global Multipluralism then join BRICS – and support that many other countries become members there too. Does Feffer really mean that the president of USA – for example Trump – has a better democratic legitimation than – for example – the presidents of South Africa or India? How many people in USA dominate this country in a kind of plutocracy? There are other ways for democracy in the world than that of the western world. For example: The Chinese Communist Party has around 100 Mill. members. (100.000.000) They decide who is nominated for president…

Dieter Sauerwald
(A German unionist)




 

Will to Cower  --  Cartoon and Commentary by Jen Sorensen

 




This would be about the recent vote by eight Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown without any concessions from the GOP. One of the better takes I’ve read about this is a post by Marcy Wheeler, who makes the case that the cave should have been at least postponed a while longer. 

One thing that is clear: the Democratic base, and I suspect many swing voters, respond positively to candidates who possess a certain amount of confidence and clarity about their beliefs. Mushy, mealy-mouthed triangulation doesn’t work! 

To support this work and receive my weekly newsletter with background on each cartoon, please consider joining the Sorensen Subscription Service! Also on Patreon.


Jen Sorensen
November 12, 2025
https://jensorensen.com/
 




 

“Peace is / Peace is Not” Campaign  -(Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - WILPF US Section)

 


 

Exposing the Administration’s Dangerous Framing

In 2025, “peace” has been reduced to a political buzzword. President Trump aspires to be seen as a peacemaker—boasting about ending wars—yet his administration continues enabling and waging aggressive military campaigns in Gaza, Iran, and beyond, while repressing dissent at home. Despite this, countries such as Israel and Pakistan have stated their intentions to nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

This dangerous framing narrows peace to mean a pause in fighting or a shift in military power, ignoring the deeper truth that peace requires justice, dignity, and human security. WILPF US’s Peace is / Peace is Not campaign challenges the Administration’s militarized definition of peace, and reclaims the definition of peace to reflect:

  • Human rights and dignity
  • Disarmament and nonviolence
  • Social, economic and environmental justice
  • Sustainable well-being for all

“Peace is not a slogan you can weaponize. Peace is justice, dignity, and freedom for all people. When the Administration wages war abroad, represses dissent at home, and violates human rights, that is not peace—it is violence by another name. WILPF US will not let peace be redefined by those who profit from war,” said Linda Low, Executive Director, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom US.

Through a series of national actions and educational campaigns, WILPF US will expose what peace is not—militarism, repression, inequality—and uplift what peace is: justice, freedom to speak, climate and environmental protection, and human dignity.

Calls to Action

The Peace is / Peace is Not campaign spotlights key areas where U.S. policies undermine true peace and invite communities nationwide to take action:

  • Peace is justice for Gaza and the people of Palestine. Peace is NOT US weapons and military aid to Israel.
    Take action: Join BDS campaigns, attend protests, support humanitarian and mutual aid networks in Gaza and Palestine, and name the “war” a genocide.
  • Peace is treating immigrants and migrants with dignity. Peace is NOT terrorizing communities with ICE raids.
    Take action: Host Know Your Rights workshops, accompany neighbors to hearings, film and share ICE encounters, and support immigrant-owned businesses.
  • Peace is protecting free speech. Peace is NOT arresting students for activism.
    Take action: Defend students’ rights by documenting ICE presence on campuses, protecting records, and building networks with student activist groups.
  • Peace is dialogue. Peace is NOT restoring a Department of War.
    Take action: Contact your Representatives and Senators to oppose the Department of War Restoration Act. Ask them to co-sponsor the Department of Peacebuilding Act instead.
  • Peace is affirming all identities. Peace is NOT erasing trans lives from federal protections.
    Take action: Support local trans-led organizations, challenge transphobia, and monitor harmful legislation.
  • Peace is honoring climate commitments. Peace is NOT environmental destruction through war.
    Take action: Use WILPF’s “Military Poisons” resource, organize anti-war actions, and educate your community on militarism’s ecological toll.


Participate in the Peace is / Peace is Not campaign through:

  • A nationwide social media + poster campaign
  • Local media outreach and ally mobilization
  • Advocacy for a Department of Peacebuilding
  • Peace Crane Drop

Bring the campaign to life in your community with ready-to-use tools and graphics available to you at the links below: 


Download Center

Campaign Guide  |  Download (.pdf)
Media Release Template  |  Download (.docx)  Download (.pdf)
Social Media Copy  |  Download (.docx) Download (.pdf)
Backgrounder for Partners  |  Download (.pdf)
Images for Social Media  |  Google Drive (.jpg) | Download All (.zip)
Videos for Social Media  |  Google Drive (.mov) | Download All (.zip)
Flyers  |  Google Drive (.jpg) | Download All (.zip)
Posters and Lawn Signs | Google Drive (.jpg) | Download All (.zip)

All documents  |  Download (.zip 100 mb)


Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

WILPF US Section 
PO Box 13075
Des Moines, IA 50310

Tel: 617-266-0999




 

Webinar - How Can Unions Defend Worker Power Against Trump 2.0?  - November 18  (Haymarket Books, Labor Notes and The American Prospect)

 



Tuesday, November 18

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CST

Online, YouTube

Register here

Join Haymarket Books, Labor Notes, and the American Prospect for a discussion of how to build labor's power in the Trump era.

With an emboldened Trump in the White House for a second term, the ground has shifted dramatically for unions. The labor movement, like many institutions, is scrambling to devise strategies to build power—or even just survive—during these challenging times.

This authoritarian consolidation of power is testing unions. What can unions do to survive in the second Trump presidency? What tactics and strategies can help organize more new members and best survive an all-out assault on labor and other rights?

***Register through Ticket Tailor to receive a link to the live-streamed video on the day of the event. This event will also be recorded and captioning will be provided.***

Speakers:

Brandon Mancilla, UAW Region 9A Director
Diamonte Brown, President, Baltimore Teachers Union
Jackson Potter, VP, Chicago Teachers Union

This event is sponsored by Haymarket Books, Labor Notes, and the American Prospect. While all of our events are freely available, we ask that those who are able make a solidarity donation in support of our important publishing and programming work.