Category: 2026 Election

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Meet Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

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Meet Dr. Abdul El-Sayed 

Meet Dr. Abdul El-Sayed 

By William Jones

 

From Public Health Official to Candidate  Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has carved out a career that has moved in and out of medicine, public health, and politics. Now at 41, the handsome and articulate Michigan doctor and former public health practitioner is center stage in a pivotal moment in U. S. politics. El-Sayed has defeated a popular moderate Democratic challenger in the primary, and will face former U.S. Representative, Mike Rogers, a Republican, in the November. general election. El-Sayed’s progressive message is being tested in one of the nation’s most closely watched swing states. Personally he is already facing bigoted slurs from the political right. Islamophobia, is alive and well, in the good ‘ol US of A. The vehement attacks by the GOP, have some Democrats worried that El-Sayed may cost them their dream of taking back both the House and the Senate in November.

Michigan Roots and a Public-Service Path  Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed was born October 31, 1984, in Rochester Hills, a suburb of Detroit, MI.  His parents were Egyptian immigrants. His mother, Fatten Elkomy, a nurse practitioner, his father, Mohamed, was a PhD candidate at Wayne State University. After his parents divorce, Abdul was raised by his father and his stepmother, Jackie, both engineers.  El-Sayed grew up going to public schools where he was socially active and played sports. According to his campaign bio his family was deeply connected to public service. After high school, Abdul, went on to study at the University of Michigan, graduating with high honors in biology and political science.

Family Life  Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is married to Dr. Sarah Jukaku, a psychiatrist. They met at the University of Michigan and married in 2006 and have shared the last 20 years together. The couple have two beautiful and talented daughters. He jokingly refers to himself as “girl dad.”

Impressive Credentials  After graduation from the University of Michigan he was accepted to Columbia University’s Medical School. In his second year at Columbia he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and attended Oxford where he received a Doctorate in Public Health. When his time at Oxford was finished he returned to Columbia and completed his medical training. As time passed, he grew more interested in how communities are affected by sickness and disease, rather than the individual response. This change in perspective led him into epidemiology, public health policy, and government.

Building a Career in Public Health    El-Sayed garnered nation wide recognition when he was named Executive Director of the Detroit Health Department at the youthful age of 30. His activities focused on improving health initiatives, the environment’s threat to health, and the intervention of health programs for children and families. While Executive Director of the Detroit Health Department he learned that the health of the community is much more than doctors and hospitals. He soon came to understand how conditions in the home, family income, clean water and air, are all factors that affect the overall health of the community. Dr. El-Sayed left the Detroit Health Department in February of 2017. During his tenure he was designated ‘Public Official of the Year’ by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and ‘Policy Innovator’ by the Carnegie Council.

Keeping Busy    After leaving the Detroit Health Department Dr. El-Sayed launched an unsuccessful campaign for Governor of Michigan in 2018, finishing second in the Democratic primary, losing to powerhouse and future governor, Gretchen Whitmer. After his primary loss he refocused; writing several books on public health,  hosting the podcast America Dissected, and serving as the director of Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services from 2023 until 2025. The themes from his first campaign remained largely unchanged as he persisted in his call for a bigger government role in health care and economic security for all.

A Senate Campaign Built From the Ground Up  Dr. El-Sayed had decided to run for the U.S. Senate in April 2025 when Democratic Sen. Gary Peters announced that he would not seek re-election and then immediately threw his support behind centrist Democrat, Haley Stevens, the U.S. Rep. from Michigan’s 11th District.  Dr. El-Sayed’s campaign had started out small but with Peter’s decision not to run for re-election, Dr. El-Sayed began an  aggressive campaign against the “establishment” and went on an all out statewide push for the nomination. El-Sayed visited 110 cities, held over 500 events, and developed a volunteer network of more than 12,000. He campaigned on a progressive platform of Medicare for All, economic affordability, campaign-finance reform; and notably, loud and clear opposition to the seemingly unlimited U.S. military aid to Israel. Dr. El-Sayed is identified with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is identified as a moderate. Reuters described the battle as one for the party’s “ideological direction.”

The General Election Test   Winning the primary gave El-Sayed an opportunity, but it also means that he now faces a far greater challenge. There’s still plenty of political room left in Michigan, and Republican Mike Rogers has solid national support, and a huge bank balance as he readies for the general election. Now El-Sayed must win over voters who are unlikely to be in the progressive camp who might not see their everyday concerns addressed by his ideas. Cost of health care, wages, housing, and government trust are likely to continue to be key topics with voters. He will also continue to be a figure of interest in Israeli politics here in the United States as the Muslim voice against the genocide in Gaza.

Building Bridges  El-Sayed immediately after his victory went to work to show party unity; assuring the public that after the  contentious primary campaign the Democrats were united against Trump and his billionaire allies; understanding that all of the voters who had supported Stevens now had to be shown his was a winning candidacy. The AP reported that El-Sayed spoke by phone with former President Barack Obama and hoped he would campaign with him. The defeated Stevens embraced El-Sayed in her concession speech and encouraged all Democrats, Independents, and disillusioned Republicans to support him. The action was a clear sign that the Democrats want to show a united front to the Republicans and their massive financial war chest. As for the Republicans they are already declaring the good doctor to be everything from a “communist” to a “9-11 advocate.”

A Career Reaching Its Biggest Test   As you can see it’s been no straight trajectory to the top of the political ranks for Dr. El-Sayed. His backers find a man who understands that policy decisions impact the lives of ordinary families and who won’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Some prognosticators think his progressive views in a multi-racial battleground state may not be what is needed. The next stage of the campaign will be influenced by these opposing perspectives. November will reveal the direction this country is headed. The Senate race is wide open. It is likely to be a barometer for what we can expect in 2028.

References: The internet

Photo from Dr. Abdul El-Sayed’s Facebook website

The Rigged Game

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The Rigged Game

The Rigged Game

Editor: The Jan-Feb 2026 edition of Mother Jones published a scathing indictment of the sitting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, and the actions that have directly led to the “corrupt and abusive Trump reign”. What follows are direct quotes (with large parts of the article left out because of copyright issues) from that brilliant article by Pema Levy and Ari Berman. All items within parentheses are added by this writer for clarification. Please subscribe to Mother Jones and support its 50 years of fearless journalism; it’s definitely worth the money. Call 1-800-438-6656 for subscription information. Sign up for newsletters at motherjones.com/daily-news-D.S. Mitchell, aka “Calamity”.

Excerpts from “Blame John Roberts for Everything”

By Pema Levy and Ari Berman

 

“Today, as the Robert’s court rewrites the Constitution in the image of Trumpian autocracy, it’s become clear that Robert’s promise (when he was testifying to the Senate at his confirmation hearing) to be a neutral umpire was a lie. We are watching a rigged game, and Roberts set it up.”

“Twenty years ago, John Roberts promised (the Senate, the country and the media) that as chief justice of the Supreme Court, he would be like an umpire, calling balls and strikes. The delusion was so powerful that for two decades the media defaulted to portraying him as a moderate institutionalist.”

“The Robert’s court has spent Trump’s second term not applying the law so much as clearing it out of his (Trump’s) way. In a matter of months, the court’s 6-3 GOP aligned majority has permitted a long list of lawless actions, including firing independent agency commissioners, using racial profiling in immigration sweeps, disappearing immigrants to authoritarian and war-torn nations, and defying Congress’ power of the purse.”

(This didn’t start yesterday,) “Robert’s has been embedding white-dominant authoritarianism into the country’s source code for two decades. It is impossible to imagine today’s crisis without the Robert’s court having first undermined the foundations of our democracy.”

“(Representative) Democracies are built on the right to vote and choose representatives. The United States finally recognized this right for all people with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (and 1982).”

“As chief justice (Robert’s) has helped craft a string of rulings knee-capping (the Voting Rights Act of 1965 & 1982) laws, starting with his 2013 Shelby County v Holder. The decision overruled Congress and freed states with histories of discrimination to change their voting rules, spurring the creation of 115 voter suppression laws in more than 30 states. Many were inspired by Trump’s election lies.”

“After oral arguments in a Louisiana redistricting case, observers expect Roberts and the GOP justices to declare that the districts drawn to preserve representation for voters of color are either unconstitutional or subject to insurmountable barriers. It’s a decision that would turn the 14th and 15th Amendments-passed during Reconstruction to give formerly enslaved people citizenship and equal rights-on their heads, and turbocharge Trump’s gerrymandering push.”

“Such redrawn (gerrymandered) maps could shift up to 19 eats to the GOP in 2026 and runs the threat of creating a permanent GOP control of Congress.”

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I Resolve to Resist in 2026

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I Resolve to Resist in 2026…

I Resolve to Resist in 2026…

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

  1. I resolve to resist everyday until the horrible orange haired old man is out of office and out of our hair.
  2. I resolve to stand against racism in all forms – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  3. I resolve to stand up against sexism and stand up for feminism – I resolve to resist everyday.
  4. I resolve to never forget January 6th – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  5. I resolve to never forget the Epstein files and who they name – I resolve to resist everyday.
  6. I resolve to stand firm against fascism – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  7. I resolve to never wear a MAGA cap or anything else associated with the Trump menace – I resolve to resist everyday.
  8. I resolve to protect the rights of my LBGTQ brothers and sisters – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  9. I resolve to wear something pearl for Kamala everyday until she is in the Oval Office – I resolve to resist everyday.
  10. I resolve to never call Donald Trump “president” – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  11. I resolve to never call The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts or anything else “The Donald” renames to inflate his already supersize ego, Trump anything – I resolve to resist everyday.
  12. I resolve to maintain that it’s the Gulf of Mexico – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  13. I resolve to call out Trump lemmings for voting a narcissistic, child molesting, rapist, convicted felon into the highest office in our country – I resolve to resist everyday.
  14. I resolve to be an actual follower of the teachings of Christ, not a blatant hypocrite – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  15. I resolve to give a center finger salute to the Trump Towers and Hotels – I resolve to resist everyday.
  16. I resolve to ignore the hype and not hyperventilate at the mention of MAGA madness – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  17. I resolve to use actual common sense, not right wing foolishness – I resolve to resist everyday.
  18. I resolve to campaign against all Republicans in every election – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  19. I resolve to object to tariffs that don’t help build our economy – I resolve to resist everyday.
  20. I resolve to support former Presidents Obama and Biden in all they do – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  21. I resolve to never call Melania “first lady” – she is the complete opposite of a lady; I resolve to resist everyday.
  22. I resolve to write to my political representatives and other government officials to resist the Trump-Vance administration – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  23. I resolve to advocate for and donate to liberal causes – I resolve to resist everyday.
  24. I resolve to protect children, animals, and the environment – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.
  25. I resolve to fight for impeachment and a 25th Amendment unfit declaration – I resolve to resist everyday.
  26. I resolve to vote blue – my 2026 resolutions will make a positive difference in our nation.

An OMG Christmas Newsletter

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An OMG Christmas Newsletter

 

 

An OMG Christmas Newsletter

By D.S. Mitchell

 

Too Many Days

I know all years, except for Leap Year, have 365 days.  So, why does 2025 feel like it’s got 750 days? Never mind; I figured it out on my own. Donald J. Trump’s in office and it feels like every ‘friggen day has somehow been virtually stretched and twisted until it feels like two.

How Much Bullshit is Too Much?

My memories of Trump’s first term are foggy at  best, but I think Trump wanted to takeover Greenland during his first administration and he continued the rhetoric into his second term. While deflecting the fallout from suggesting that we should make Canada the 51st state, I think  that’s when Trump started  demanding Google and all the map makers change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Just meaningless distractions? I’m not so sure. The ramblings of a demented old man? I’m sure it’s some of that, but certainly not all of it.

Heritage Foundation

None of it makes sense; unless you believe in Project 2025. The deeper we move into Trump’s Alice in Wonderland world the more chaotic…the more numbing. Trump has signed more than 220 Executive Orders since retaking the White House, surpassing all previous records and raising major concerns about the abuse of presidential power. The Robert’s Supreme Court seems more than willing to grant Trump’s every wish. Is there no conscience? No justice? No honor? No fairness? Apparently, not. There seems to be no limit on the Heritage Foundation’s love affair with the Robert’s court and its willingness to drag us back to 1950, or 1850. A time when women bore children, lots of them, a time when a woman had no rights except those allowed by her father or her husband. A time when white children were sold into indentured servitude, when blacks were slaves. A time when none of us want to go back to unless you are white, male, and wealthy.

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How to be a Feminine Feminist

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How to be a Feminine Feminist

How to be a Feminine Feminist

Editor: I love it.

 

By Cate Rees-Hessel

 

I have always been both a girly girl and staunch feminist – a true Elle Woods, from Legally Blonde fame. Below are a few ways to embrace your inner princess without sacrificing your feminist being:

  1. Wear something pearl everyday for Kamala, the woman who should be President.
  2. Read anything written by Gloria Steinem while getting a pedicure.
  3. Suggest a showing of “Legally Blonde” at your local library (next year is the 25th anniversary…).
  4. Invite friends over to watch the “Barbie” movie and everybody wear pink.
  5. Show your Ken some affection and I don’t mean the doll.
  6. Run for office wearing pretty dresses and, if you can walk in them, a pair of Prada pumps.
  7. Always look your best – when you feel confident you are taken seriously.
  8. Remain well groomed at all times.
  9. Encourage other ladies – call each other beautiful, sexy, and sisters.
  10. Know beauty comes from within.
  11. Recognize beauty comes in all shapes, colors, sizes, ages, and ethnicities.
  12. Don’t go after someone else’s significant other – if you can’t keep a love interest, ask yourself why.
  13. A blush and quiet giggle are okay if followed by an intelligent wisecrack.
  14. Never belch or pass gas in public – you don’t have to be rude to sit at the boys table.
  15. Turn the boys table into the women’s table with your intelligence and wit.
  16. If the guys don’t give you a seat at the table, follow the wisdom of the immortal Shirley Chisolm and bring a folding chair (mine is pink).
  17. Nail biters most often don’t win – keep them groomed.
  18. Take a bubble bath while reading law journals.
  19. Remember Adam and Eve both disobeyed God, not just Eve. As a favorite comic of mine would say, “Where’s the dude?”
  20. Channel Geraldine Ferraro.
  21. Watch “Clueless” in celebration of its 30th anniversary – “as if” Trump actually won the election. “My bad” NOT, because I didn’t vote for “The Donald” – I proudly voted Harris-Walz.
  22. Volunteer for a female candidate’s campaign, as long as they’re not a Trump supporter.
  23. Host a tea for a feminist organization, serving cucumber cream cheese sandwiches and lemon scones on floral china.
  24. Never let them see you sweat – hide your tears from those that mean you harm.
  25. Watch a WNBA game.
  26. Join NOW and campaign for girls and women in sports – go to bat for them.
  27. Be a Ms. even if you’re a Miss or a Mrs.
  28. Stand up for yourself and other women – it’s all about internal sisterhood.
  29. God gave us emotions – they are normal. Don’t be afraid to show them, but don’t let anyone use them against you.
  30. Buy some bad ass lipstick and earrings.
  31. Accessorize and put your pretty game face on.
  32. Dance like everyone is watching.
  33. Drink a mocha latte.
  34. Get a facial or do one at home.
  35. Go to a thrift store for some retail therapy and look for some vintage issues of MS magazine, Vogue, Elle, and Glamour, then do a reading swap with friends.
  36. Read “Whiskey in a Teacup” by Reese Witherspoon.
  37. Have a Reese Witherspoon movie marathon and include both “Legally Blonde’s.
  38. Watch reruns of “That Girl” because Marlo Thomas is an empowered feminist.
  39. Watch reruns of “Murder She Wrote” because J.B. Fletcher was a well-dressed, well-mannered bad ass.
  40. Campaign for Kamala Harris to take her rightful place in the Oval Office in 2028.

 

 

Politics, A Dirty Affair

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Politics, a Dirty Affair

Politics, a Dirty Affair

D. S. Mitchell

The Bloggisphere

Writing for Calamity News and Politics gives me a platform to discuss headline events and political policy. It also provides me a place to vent,  fume, and stomp my feet. If somebody doesn’t like the drum I’m beating, they are fully able, and encouraged to move on; to a site that better satisfies their social view of the world.

My Son

“Don’t get so wound up, it’s just politics”, my son recently told me.  Well, whether I’m saying it to my son, or to a potential reader, or to a neighbor, that is the wrong attitude. In the end, politics is policy, and policy effects everything in our lives. The schools, the hospitals, the parks, the highways, the airports, the waterways, international trade, health care, military defense and social justice.  Nearly every part of our daily life is effected in someway by the policies that our elected officials enact in Washington, D.C., or our state capitols. Got it?

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