Published on Portside (https://portside.org/)

Tidbits-May 28- Reader Comments: Vigilante Slush Fund; Readers Debate 2024 Democratic “Autopsy”; Israeli Occupation Extended; Stephen Colbert; Boots Riley; Comics and War; NYC Restaurants Offer $26 World Cup Specials; Brockovich AI Data Center Maps

https://portside.org/2026-05-28/tidbits-may-28-reader-comments-vigilante-slush-fund-readers-debate-2024-democratic
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Labor Solidarity and Immigrant Rights - Detroit - June 30  (Michigan Labor History Society)
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For Those Who Didn't Riot on January 6  --  Cartoon by Mike Luckovich



Mike Luckovich
May 27, 2026
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 




 

Absolutely nothing! Say it again!  --  Cartoon by Lalo Alcaraz

 


Lalo Alcaraz
May 22, 2026
https://www.pocho.com/
 




 

Re: ‘Almost Worthless’: Progressives Rip 2024 Autopsy the DNC Didn’t Want You To See
 

Just criticism of the 2024 Democratic Presidential election campaign post mortem by the Democratic National Committee includes:
1) Biden's fateful decision to seek reelection in the face of his obvious mental decline
2) Biden and Harris' uncritical support for the Gaza genocide
3) focus on messaging and capitulation of rural America voters,
4) lack of transparency and process as Harris was chosen to succeed Biden as the party's candidate

Jim Hannley
Posted on Portside's Facebook page

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Is this an example of "uncritical support for the Gaza genocide"? "President Biden and I are working to end this war, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination."

Geoffrey Jacques
Posted on Portside's Facebook page

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Geoffrey Jacques: your statement is well taken and proves they were not uncritical. However, it proved insufficient in the face of Israeli crimes and young democrats' concerns.

Jim Hannley
Posted on Portside's Facebook page

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Jim Hannley: I think one reason this (and other, similar, statements and acts on her part) were insufficient is because too many people were more invested in their own self-righteousness than they were in hearing what she had to say or in watching what she was doing. Plus, there wasn't a sense of urgency about the need to keep Trump out of office.

Geoffrey Jacques
Posted on Portside's Facebook page

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Geoffrey Jacques: she couldn’t even call it a genocide. Her loss is on her and the DNC

Anthony Sanchez Jr.
Posted on Portside's Facebook page

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Anthony Sanchez Jr.:  A lot of people couldn't call it genocide back then, maybe because they wanted it to stop, or to stop it, before it became one. Besides, she had, at the time at least, two conflicting constituencies whose interests she had to consider. A lot of people thought that there was nothing she could have done to recover support in the Arab-Muslim-Palestinian communities, and they were right. The leaders of at least two majority Arab-Muslim-Palestinian towns in Michigan were already in Trump's pocket, and were given lucrative appointments from the administration after the election for their efforts on Trump-MAGA's behalf. On the other hand, I get it that the Jewish constituency was of no importance whatsoever to a lot of people, but there are over four dozen congressional districts with adult Jewish populations of 50,000 and above, and all regularly voted Democratic but one or two. And while some people might have thought that throwing those CDs under the bus was okay (as long as VP Harris used the word, "genocide"), she was more interested in winning the election than in being rhetorically righteous.

Geoffrey Jacques
Posted on Portside's Facebook page

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There is no mention of how the DNC establishment cut Be4nie off at the knees.

Margaret Lewis Human




 

Payday for the Terrorists  --  Cartoon by Chris Britt

 



Chris Britt
May 20, 2026
Facebook
 




 

Was Your Flag Pole Damaged  --  Cartoon by Dennis Goris

 



Dennis Goris
May 20, 2026
Dennis Goris | Cartoons
 




 

Re: ‘Buffer Zone’ Is Media’s Euphemism for Israeli Occupation
 

Mainstream media consistently muddy Israeli expansionism in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon through a combination of abstruse language and linguistic balms like “buffer zone” and “security zone.” That doesn’t ensure that the western populace will continue to allow their government to go on underwriting such crimes, but obscuring occupation with euphemisms makes it harder for readers to see that that’s what’s happening.

The Palestine Project
Posted on Portside's Facebook page




 

Free Market Fascism...  --  Cartoon by Jack Ohman

 



Jack Ohman
May 19, 2026
Jack Ohman's You Betcha!
 




 

Re: Five Reasons Stephen Colbert Is One of the Most Important Satirists in American History
 

I actually have found Jimmy Kimmel to be more progressive than Colbert.

Nora Lapin




 

Re: How Comics Taught Us How To Love and Hate War for Nearly a Century
 

WW2 era comics were anti-Axis to the max, but portrayal of enemies was crude, grotesque and racist. That carried over into the Korea War period until the late 60s. The erosion of anticommunism could be seen in the disappearance of Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese villains, due to the antiwar movement's growing cultural influence among comics readers.

Ethan Young
Posted on Portside's Facebook page
 




 

Re: Boots Riley: ’Theft Is Not Outside of Capitalism, It’s What It Was Built On

(posting on Portside Culture)
 

If Boots belonged to the Working Class Studies Association, he'd see that it is NOT impossible to unionize workers who work remotely!
https://workingclassassn.org/

Please pass the info on!

L A Kurth




 

Hundreds of NYC Restaurants and Bars Will Offer $26 Specials in Honor of the World Cup
 

Soccer fans are clearly encouraged to explore NYC's dining scene during this summer's festivities

by Gerrish Lopez

May 27 2026
Time Out

 


New York City is turning the world’s biggest sporting event into a massive five-borough celebration. To coincide with the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in partnership with the New York City Tourism + Conventions bureau, has launched a series of initiatives designed to encourage soccer fans—both visiting and local—to explore the city. From the NYC Neighborhood Passport and huge fan zones to a special calendar of World Cup events, NYC is rolling out the red carpet for fans. And for hungry fans, new dining initiative is set to make everyone a winner.

Dubbed the "Five Borough Winners Special," the program will see hundreds of local bars, restaurants and cafes offering $26 dining deals. Kicking off on Thursday, June 11 through the final on Sunday, July 19, the program makes it easy to try amazing local food at an affordable price point. With many matches held nearby at MetLife Stadium, the specials are a budget-friendly incentive for fans to explore NYC’s world-class food scene.

"In New York City, you do not need an expensive ticket to be part of the World Cup," Mayor Mamdani said, emphasizing that small businesses will offer some of the best seats in the house. Nearly 600 establishments have already enrolled, including Staten Island's Kills Boro Brewing Company, Harlem's Red Rooster, Rockefeller Center's Naro, Jackson Heights' Armondo’s, Little Neck's La Baraka and Prospect Heights' Morgan’s. The $26 specials will take various creative forms, including multi-course prix fixe menus, food-and-drink pairings or exclusive beverage deals.

To add to the tournament excitement, you can participate in the “Welcome World Rewards” program. By checking in at participating small businesses, you can earn points to unlock exclusive merchandise, fan experiences and even a chance to win tickets to the World Cup Final on July 19. Furthermore, participating spots will distribute limited-edition, 24-ounce commemorative reusable cups with select purchases. Featuring distinct designs for each of the five boroughs, you can collect all five and share their cross-borough culinary journeys on social media.

Whether catching a match at a bar in the Bronx, a restaurant in Queens or a cafe in Brooklyn, the Five Borough Winners Special guarantees that everyone can savor the global spirit of the game. The full list of Five Borough Winners Special participants will be listed on the city's website. More World Cup events and specials can be found at nynjfwc26.com/destination.




 

Brockovich AI Data Center Reporting

 



Erin Brockovich has launched a new interactive map and website tracking data centers across the United States — and Americans are flooding it with complaints.

Within the first week alone, the platform received 1,690 resident complaints, with more than 1,800 reports submitted from 47 states soon after going live.

People are raising concerns about:
• Massive water consumption putting pressure on local resources
• Utility costs increasing for surrounding neighborhoods
• Loud 24/7 noise from cooling systems and backup generators
• Potential pollution tied to e-waste and PFAS chemicals

This is the same Erin Brockovich who helped secure a historic $333 million settlement against PG&E after contaminated drinking water devastated a California community in the 1990s.

The new map tracks existing, proposed, and under-construction AI data centers, while allowing residents to upload photos, locations, and firsthand reports.

As AI infrastructure rapidly expands nationwide, many communities are beginning to question the environmental and financial price that comes with it.


AI Data Centers & Our Communities
An initiative by Erin  ·  Environmental Advocate


 

To view map, click here and scroll down
 


Brockovich Data Center Reporting
 




 

Labor Solidarity and Immigrant Rights - Detroit - June 30  (Michigan Labor History Society)

 



Former UAW Vice President and organizer Cindy Estrada will address labor rights and immigrant workers at the 2026 annual meeting of the Michigan Labor History Society, Tuesday, June 30, at UAW Region 1.  Business meeting and nomination and election of officers at 4:30 p.m.  Program at 6 p.m.  Free parking, food, admission.  See you there!
 

Source URL: https://portside.org/2026-05-28/tidbits-may-28-reader-comments-vigilante-slush-fund-readers-debate-2024-democratic