Sunday, October 04, 2026

Message Samples using Villain Sandwich

Audience: likely Democrats in MI-10

Script 1: Healthcare should be affordable and accessible to every Michigander. MAGA Republicans voted to make the super-rich even richer while our health insurance premiums doubled. Fight back! Register at Votizer.org and elect Democrat Christina Hines who will stand for working families, not billionaires.

Script 2: Healthcare should be affordable and accessible to every Michigander. MAGA Republicans slashed Medicaid to give more money to the 1%, putting coverage at risk for 750,000 Michiganders including kids and seniors! Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrat Christina Hines who will stand for us, not billionaires.

Script 3: We all deserve basic food and healthcare. MAGA Republicans gave $4 trillion in tax breaks to the super-rich while slashing Medicaid and food benefits for Michigan families. Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrat Christina Hines who will help everyday people.

Script 4: Everyday items like gas, clothes or laundry detergent shouldn't break the bank. Trump promised to lower prices but everything's more expensive. Fight back! Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrat Christina Hines who will actually work to bring our costs down.

Script 5: Trump promised to deport violent criminals. But his ICE goons are ripping honest, hard-working people from their families and murdering US citizens. You can stop this! Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrat Christina Hines who will defend our rights and stand up for innocent people.

Script 6: Trump promised to put America first. But he's bombing Iran while at home we're struggling to pay for gas, groceries and rent. You can stop this! Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrat Christina Hines who will put working families first.

Audience: Likely Democrats in CO-03

Script 1: Healthcare should be affordable and accessible to every Coloradan. MAGA Republicans voted to make the super-rich even richer while our health insurance premiums doubled. Fight back! Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrat Dwayne Romero who stands for working families, not billionaires.

Script 2: All Coloradans need nearby healthcare. But MAGA Republicans voted to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich while slashing Medicaid, putting nine CO hospitals at risk of closing. Fight back! Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrat Dwayne Romero who will fight for working families, not billionaires.

Audience: Likely Democrats in NY-04

Script 1: We all deserve affordable food and healthcare, yet Republicans voted to cut Medicaid and SNAP to give more money to billionaires. Fight back! Register at Voterizer.org and vote for Democrat Laura Gillen. She will fight for US, not the 1%.

Script 2: Trump and Republicans promised to deport violent criminals. But ICE goons are ripping honest people from their families, detaining kids and killing US citizens. You can stop this! Register at Voterizer.org and vote for Democrat Laura Gillen. She will protect our rights and stand up for innocent people.

Script 3: Trump and Republicans promised to bring prices down. Now everything costs more and they want us to pay for his ballroom while we struggle to buy groceries and rent! Fight back! Register at Voterizer.org and vote for Democrat Laura Gillen. She will fight to make life affordable for working Long Islanders.

Script 4: Trump and Republicans promised to bring prices down and keep the US out of foreign wars. Now we're at war with Iran and gas prices are through the roof. Fight back! Register at Voterizer.org and vote for Democrat Laura Gillen. She will put Long Island families first.
For reference, in political messaging circles, Anat Shenker-Osorio's "villain-victim-hero" framework is often informally called a villain sandwich and typically follows this pattern:

 These scripts are crafted by the wonderful Field Team 6 [https://fieldteam6.org/], who says:
"...We plug every topic into the research-backed 3Vs formula that comes from messaging guru Anat Shenker-Osorio in which you:

  • State a shared Value: Most Americans agree abortion should be safe and legal. 
  • Name a Villain who is an obstacle to this value: Republicans want to ban abortion nationwide. 
  • State a call to action that includes a Vision for the future: You can stop this! Register at Voterizer.org and elect Democrats who will protect our freedom to choose.
This creates a "villain sandwich" that has been proven to be the most effective form of political messaging that we know of."

Comment: 
Value → Villain → Vision (plus call to action) 

 Example:
  • Value: Abortion should be safe and legal. 
  • Villain: Republicans want to ban abortion nationwide. 
  • Vision/Action: Register and elect Democrats to protect freedom to choose.
That corresponds closely to the broader political communications framework often associated with Anat Shenker-Osorio, where messages are built around shared values, a clear antagonist causing or threatening harm, and a positive collective action that resolves the problem.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

October 2026+ Free CLE

 

October 2026 Free CLE.

October 1:
October 6:
* 2026 Annual Update - No Fault. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
* 2026 Annual Update - Labor Law. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
October 7:
* The Psychology of Persuasion in Negotiation. By Alta Pro Lawyers Risk Purchasing Group.
October 8:
* 2026 Annual Update - Medical Malpractice. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
* 2026 Annual Update - Product Liability. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
October 13:
* 2026 Annual Update - Damages. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
* 2026 Annual Update - Evidence. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
October 14:
October 15:
* 2026 Annual Update - Municipal Liability. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
* A Mediator's View: Best Practices "Dos and Don'ts". By Washington State Bar Association.
October 20:
* 2026 Annual Update - Insurance Law. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
* 2026 Annual Update - Disclosure. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
October 21:
October 22:
* Affordable Care Act Retrenchment. By Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
* 2026 Annual Update - Ethics. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
October 26:
October 27:
* Tribal Court Protection Orders. By Washington State Bar Association.
October 28:
* Legal and Ethical Issues of Medical AI. By Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
October 29:
* So, You Want to Do Pro Bono - 2026. By Washington State Bar Association.

November 2026 Free CLE.

November 4:
* No Lien Left Behind: Identifying and Navigating ERISA Liens. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
November 5:
November 11:
* The Information Power and Its Discontents. By Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
November 12:
November 17:
November 18:
* Dealing With Difficulties During Negotiation. By Alta Pro Lawyers Risk Purchasing Group.
November 19:
* Allocation of Responsibility for Construction Defects. By Pete Fowler Construction Services.
* Finance Law Fundamentals. By LexisNexis.
* Advanced Appellate Advocacy Seminar. By Cleveland State University Law.
November 23:
* The ROI of AI: Ethics, Economics & Everyday Practice. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.

December 2026 Free CLE.

December 3:
December 8:
December 9:
* Settle Down: Ethics in Mediation. By New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
December 10:
December 16:
December 17:

January 2027 Free CLE.

January 28:
January 21:


On-Demand Free CLE.

Bloomberg:

Clifford Law Office:

Lawpay:

LEAP Legal Software:

Peter Fowler Construction Services:

The Knowledge Group:

(I'm adding to this "On-Demand" list gradually. LMK if there's any particular topic, speaker or provider you'd like added. - REW)

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Debunking Speech and Debate Clause attack

The Speech and Debate Clause does not give senators a free pass to commit crimes. It protects legislative acts, not legislators themselves.
A senator cannot be questioned or prosecuted for protected legislative activity such as speeches on the Senate floor, voting, or committee work. But that protection does not extend to conduct outside the legislative process. The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that criminal investigations may proceed so long as they do not intrude into protected legislative acts. Gravel v. United States is one of the key cases establishing that distinction.
So if there is suspicion that a sitting senator committed bribery, tax fraud, obstruction of justice, or even the crime of sedition, the Speech and Debate Clause is not a constitutional shield against investigation.
What it prevents is using the senator's protected legislative work itself as the basis for questioning or prosecution. It does not prevent law enforcement from investigating evidence of criminal conduct that falls outside the legislative sphere. In short, the Constitution protects Congress from intimidation by the other branches of government. It does not immunize members of Congress from criminal law, including investigation of alleged sedition.

Saturday, September 26, 2026

"Makers v. Takers" Debunked - with special note on immigrants

To the argument:
 
"If a socialist society is going to work as intended, then mathematically you need more makers than takers to sustain society. If you have open borders and allow unfettered immigration. Then you invite more takers than makers. Point is you might be able to pull off a socialist society, but you have to have tightly controlled closed borders. So which is it that you want?" 


 I replied:

The problem with this argument is that it starts with something that sounds mathematical but actually isn't.

You do not need more "makers" than "takers." You need enough total economic output to support total consumption. One farmer can feed hundreds of people. One engineer can create software used by millions. One worker with modern machinery can produce what dozens once did. Productivity matters, not some simplistic head count.

By this logic, every child, retiree, student, disabled person, stay at home parent, and temporarily unemployed worker is a "taker." Yet societies somehow stagger onward despite the shocking burden of kindergarteners.

The second flaw is assuming immigrants automatically belong in the taker category. That's not mathematics. That's an assumption. An immigrant doctor, nurse, electrician, carpenter, entrepreneur, or software developer is obviously a producer. Whether immigration is a net benefit or cost depends on employment, skills, age, and integration, not on the fact that someone crossed a border.

Also, social democracies do not live or die based on whether borders are open or closed. They succeed or fail based on productivity, employment, demographics, tax revenue, and economic growth. Immigration can create challenges, but it can also help address worker shortages and aging populations.

So the question isn't "Do you want a welfare state or immigration?" The question is "Are the people entering the country contributing more than they consume?" Some do. Some don't. Just like the people already here.

The whole "makers versus takers" framework is less economics and more comic book writing. Real economies are full of people moving back and forth between those categories throughout their lives. We start out as takers, spend decades as makers, and hopefully retire before some guy on Facebook decides Grandma is a parasite because she stopped coding software at 78.

Sunday, September 13, 2026

On Rumors That Katie Wilson Rents A One-Bedromm

Oh gather round, ye lords of lawn and cement, Who measure civic worth by mortgage spent. For how could any renter dare to steer A city where the condos scrape the pier?

How could one lead without a modern kitchen, Four beds, five baths, and which in The back has a sauna, in the front a garage, Plus a den and a craft room for découpage?

What horror… what collapse of social order… Leaders who don’t leap wealth’s tall border! A one‑bed flat? A century‑old abode? How could they grasp the sacred homeowner code:

That only those with million‑dollar homes Can hear the city’s true enlightened tones. For renters, as we know, are far too poor To understand what “Seattle life” is for.

Nothing shakes the classist soul quite so As proof you don’t need a mortgage to know How cities breathe, how people try, How to live with no hope to buy.

So tremble, nobles! Tremble at the sight: A leader who doesn’t own her home outright.

Oh, the horror. A renter. In charge. A renter. Who understands.

Imagine.

Monday, August 31, 2026

September 2026+ Free CLE

 Dear Friends and Colleagues, As we head into September and everyone settles back into their post‑summer routines, I’m glad to share this month’s lineup of Free CLE Webinars. They’re ready for you to explore, use, and pass along to your networks. Every listing is free to attend, though credit approval varies by jurisdiction. If your state isn’t listed, you may still be able to self‑apply depending on local rules.

If you spot a new program I should add, I’d love to hear about it. The calendar is a living resource, updated throughout the month at http://4freeCLE.blogspot.com.

Here’s to a strong start to fall and another month of accessible learning.

Friday, August 21, 2026

Navy Renames Aircraft Carriers!

BREAKING NEWS: The Navy announced today it is renaming all 13 of its aircraft carriers after Donald Trump:

Thursday, August 20, 2026

August 24: Tools To Increase Voter Turnout, hosted by 34th Dems and Field Team 6

logos of 34th Dems and Field Team 6

On Monday August 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM Pacific, the 34th District Democrats partnering with Field Team 6 invite you to a Zoom session on real, practical steps to increase voter turnout across our nation.


You’ll get solid numbers on how time and effort put into voter registration now, months before an election, has shown measurable results. We all want our contributions in time and money used effectively!


We’ll cover how to join or organize local postcarding efforts to help likely allies become registered voters. We will connect you with existing postcarding groups and provide resources if you'd like to start one of your own.


You’ll also learn how to participate in text based voter registration outreach from home. This is not "begging for money" texting; You’re not asking for anything! Instead, you’re offering help to people who want to register but haven’t gotten around to it yet. It’s simple, friendly, and the statistics provided show it's effective.


You’ll learn how voterizer.org helps anyone register in any state, no matter where they live. It’s a simple tool that removes confusion and makes the registration process straightforward and accessible through a QR code.


And there’s more. You’ll walk away not just with information, but with concrete actions you can take immediately to help preserve and promote democratic participation. No prior experience needed - just curiosity, goodwill, and maybe a beverage.


Register now:

https://tinyurl.com/34dem20260824




event registration QR code

Friday, August 14, 2026

Debunk: Steaming the Ford Class

Retrofitting a Ford-class aircraft carrier to use steam catapults and hydraulic plane elevators - as Trump wants - would be an engineering freak show because the ship was never designed to support those systems. The Ford class was built around electromagnetic catapults and advanced weapons elevators, and those choices shape the entire internal architecture. Steam catapults need massive boilers, long steam plumbing runs, reservoirs, and venting systems. None of that infrastructure exists on a Ford-class ship. Installing it would mean tearing open major sections of the hull, rerouting power systems, and redesigning structural supports that were never meant to carry the weight or vibration of steam machinery.

Hydraulic elevators pose the same problem. They require large fluid tanks, pumps, and extensive piping networks. The Ford class uses electromagnetic elevators, which rely on completely different power, control, and structural pathways. The ship simply does not have the space, the load-bearing design, or the internal routing to support hydraulic systems. Converting to them would require ripping out decks, bulkheads, and machinery spaces and replacing them with older technology that the ship was never engineered to accommodate.

In short, the Ford class is built around modern systems, and trying to retrofit older ones would be a full-scale reconstruction project. You would spend more time undoing the original design than installing the new one.

It would be like taking an F35, removing the jet turbine, and bolting in a 1940s piston engine. Technically possible in the same way that technically you could teach a cat to drive a bus. You would have to rebuild everything around it, nothing would work right, and the end result would be loud, dangerous, and deeply confused.