50+ Messages / Page

  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 30, 2022 at 7:41 PM

Pelosi is reading poems

As the Supreme Court shreds our rights, the Democratic Speaker of the House took solace in poetry praising settler colonialism.       Dear John, The Supreme Court’s latest opinion undermines not only environmental regulation, but even the government’s very capacity to…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 28, 2022 at 10:05 PM

It’s worse than you think

Outraged over the Dobbs decision? Strap in—and hold accountable the Democrats who enabled it.       Dear John, Friday’s announcement of the Supreme Court’s opinion in the Dobbs case was a jurisprudential earthquake. While we had a chance to see it coming due to the pr…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 20, 2022 at 7:20 PM

What Juneteenth celebrates...and what it doesn’t

Today’s holiday is an important celebration that—like slavery in the United States—remains widely misconstrued.       Dear John, Today, the United States celebrates our latest holiday to gain federal recognition: Juneteenth. We share today’s celebration of Black libe…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 18, 2022 at 9:20 PM

Spilling tea

We joined Status Coup and Briahna Joy Gray this week to share some reflections on our race, and the path forward for the progressive movement.       Dear John, We learned yesterday that the San Francisco Board of Elections apparently won’t certify the results of last …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 16, 2022 at 10:57 PM

It's official

With the final votes tallied, we ended up just over 500 votes out of the general election.       Dear John, I’m sorry to report that—despite our best efforts—we were unable to emerge from the jungle primary and proceed to the general election. The final results from t…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 15, 2022 at 6:41 AM

Not what I signed up for

Character assassination was bad enough. Death threats are beyond the pale.       Dear John, The latest results announced from the Board of Elections place us only 587 votes behind the 2nd place finish that would place us in the general election. With 186,473 ballots h…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 12, 2022 at 3:59 PM

Closing the gap

Since last week’s primary election, we’ve continued closing the gap.       Dear John, As ballots continue to be counted from last week’s primary election, we’ve continued closing the gap between second and third place. We finished election night seemingly down 4,000 v…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 9, 2022 at 10:48 PM

Been here before

While Tuesday’s results left us standing in third place in the jungle primary, thousands of ballots have yet to be counted.       Dear John, The results of Tuesday’s election were more than a little disappointing to me. While we widely beat both of the other Democrats…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 7, 2022 at 3:45 PM

The moment of truth

With only 15% of eligible California voters having voted during this year’s early voting period, we encourage every San Franciscan to cast a ballot today.       Dear John, Voter turnout in the United States is notoriously low as a general rule. But even by our country…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 5, 2022 at 4:17 PM

A few reasons we’re grateful

We’re giving thanks for all the support we’ve received as we bear down on the jungle primary in just 2 days!       Dear John, As we bear down on the jungle primary in just two days, we’re moved to share gratitude for all of our supporters—especially the many volunteer…
  Marianne Williamson · [email protected]
June 3, 2022 at 7:00 PM

why I support Shahid Buttar

Nancy Pelosi’s leadership is a perpetuation of what has become a corrupt system in Washington, and we will not drive the car out of the ditch by looking to the same people who drove us into it.       Dear John, This is a sad and chaotic time in America, and we are challeng…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
June 2, 2022 at 8:51 PM

Endorsement alert!

We’re grateful for the endorsement of the San Francisco Bayview, a national Black newspaper.       Dear John, We’re excited to share a recent endorsement with you, as well as some recent and upcoming media appearances. Can you help us extend this momentum and accelera…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 31, 2022 at 7:00 PM

East coast news media shames San Francisco’s

This weekend’s stories about Paul Pelosi frustrated us, but led to a surprising chance to discuss Nancy’s corruption with the New York Post!       Dear John, We’re glad whenever journalists cover the excesses of powerful figures. But this weekend’s stories about Paul …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 30, 2022 at 11:40 PM

Memorial Day isn’t a day to “celebrate”

Memorial Day offers a poignant annual reminder of the costs of militarism, not only to veterans who never made it home, but also those who survived, their families, and the communities deprived of resources hoarded by the bipartisan military-industrial co       Dear Jo…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 26, 2022 at 7:20 PM

Beyond mass shootings

It’s been two years since George Floyd was murdered. What can we learn from this week’s tragic events?       Dear John, Yesterday was the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. It was also the day after our nation’s latest mass shoo…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 25, 2022 at 6:10 PM

Under 200 votes!?

Yesterday's tragic events remind us all why we need change so desperately.       Dear John, Yesterday, the future took several steps backwards in Texas. We write to observe some patterns that you won't hear about from most news sources. The latest mass shooting left 2…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 24, 2022 at 8:45 PM

When hypocrisy meets ignorance

Today, progressive Jessica Cisneros is up for election in Texas, where she confronts forces including Nancy Pelosi's support for anti-choice, conservative Democrat Henry Cuellar       Dear John, Today, the future of U.S. politics faces a crucial test in Texas, where t…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 21, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Creatively calling out corruption

As the jungle primary continues through June 7, we’re working to simulate the debate that Pelosi continues to duck.       Dear John, This week, Congress approved another $40 billion of weapons purchases. That’s twice the amount it would have taken to end homeless acro…
  Matt Gonzalez · [email protected]
May 19, 2022 at 9:01 PM

Endorsement alert!

It’s time for San Franciscans to elect a person who truly represents us in Washington, someone who exemplifies our values. I’m proud to support Shahid, and invite you to do the same.       Dear John, At a time Democrats in Congress need to reassert progressive priorities…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 18, 2022 at 9:21 PM

Victories worth celebrating

Last night’s primary results from around the country offered plenty of news worth celebrating!       Dear John, We were excited to watch election returns come in last night, as progressive candidates won key victories in races across the country while some of the most…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 17, 2022 at 1:59 AM

Hypocrisy

Today, Nancy Pelosi claimed that Democrats "will continue our work to lower costs for working families," as if she hadn't frozen the minimum wage since 2009 while repeatedly filling her pockets through targeted tax breaks.       Dear John, Today, Nancy Pelosi claimed …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 16, 2022 at 12:06 AM

Living through an era of darkness

Ever feel like our nation is descending from one crisis into another?       Dear John, Coming home yesterday to learn about an act of vicious, pre-meditated racial terrorism in Buffalo, NY left me in mourning—not only for the nearly dozen victims killed in the attack, …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 14, 2022 at 1:45 AM

Happy Friday the 13th!

Friday the 13th brings to mind the horror that awaits the future if we don’t end the corporate corruption of Washington soon.       Dear John, Between the climate crisis, mounting medical debt sweeping the country, and attacks on fundamental rights from state legislatu…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 12, 2022 at 2:21 AM

Not the first time Pentagon dollars have been used to kill a reporter

When Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was assassinated by Israel, it wasn’t the first time a reporter died in the line of duty. They deserve solidarity.       Dear John, The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution articulates a vital protection for journalism tha…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 10, 2022 at 9:22 PM

Speaking truth to power at Pelosi’s house

We’re taking action at Nancy Pelosi’s house this afternoon to call out her hypocrisy and complicity in right-wing attacks on reproductive rights.       Dear John, Over the past week, millions of Americans have taken to the streets to defend the rights of women, girls, no…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 10, 2022 at 12:04 AM

Grassroots voices exposing corruption

The first San Francisco broadcast or print outlet to cover the federal election in one month hosted a powerful intergenerational discussion this weekend.       Dear John, Over the past week, millions of Americans have taken to the streets to defend the rights of women, g…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 8, 2022 at 11:59 PM

Mothers Day stands for something

The first San Francisco broadcast or print outlet to cover the federal election in one month hosted a powerful discussion last night.       Dear John, Whether your mother's still in your life, or has instead already moved beyond this one, we wish you a healthy and insigh…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 4, 2022 at 7:43 PM

We proposed to end judicial life tenure for exactly this reason

Our discussion with Katie Halper alongside journalist Amy Littlefield and WA-06 congressional candidate Rebecca Parsons addressed Pelosi’s hypocrisy on Roe.       Dear John, Yesterday, both Nancy Pelosi and her daughter Christine (who the press has outrageously named as …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
May 3, 2022 at 7:38 PM

When law undermines justice

The leaked Supreme Court opinion has forced observers to acknowledge the assault on our rights that we have worked for years to expose.       Trigger warning: This email will address the Supreme Court's attacks on the rights of women, girls, non-binary, and trans folks. De…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 29, 2022 at 7:41 PM

Why Congress answers to Wall Street before Main Street

After decades of open corruption, Congress has finally started discussing reforms to limit conflicts of interest. The proposals are all inadequate.       Dear John, Have you noticed the performance of Nancy Pelosi’s stock portfolio? Stock traders certainly have—because s…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 28, 2022 at 8:00 PM

Healthcare is a human right. Demand it!

Washington’s bipartisan commitment to the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries is driving Americans to early graves by the hundreds of thousands. We must finally force universal healthcare on Congress.       Dear John, My neighborhood is the site of a groundbre…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 26, 2022 at 10:30 PM

Susan Sarandon on ending the Pelosi dynasty

I’m writing to invite you to join me, Susan Sarandon, in doing our part together to force a course correction—before the future is forced to pay an incalculable price.       Dear John, I’m tired of the nonsense from Washington. In the midst of a global pandemic that has …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 20, 2022 at 9:31 PM

Let’s *finally* end the racist war on drugs

We posted a video explaining the intersections between militarism and the war on drugs, noting in particular the groundbreaking revelations of the late journalist Gary Webb.       Dear John, April 20 is an annual holiday in many circles, particularly here in my neig…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 9, 2022 at 1:56 PM

Congress is years late, and trillions short

This week, Congress finally held a hearing on congressional insider trading. Absent from the discussion—and pending reform proposals—are any provisions for remedies, while loopholes abound.       Dear John, This past Thursday, the House Committee on Administration h…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 7, 2022 at 11:08 PM

A milestone for race, gender, and judicial independence

Today, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson joined the Supreme Court. Her confirmation is historically important for reasons beyond her race and gender.       Dear John, We’re excited today by the Senate’s confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to a seat on the U.S.…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 6, 2022 at 1:51 AM

6 questions no one in Congress is asking on insider trading

This week, Congress will finally hold a hearing on congressional insider trading. We’re grateful to our supporters for helping force the controversy when Washington didn’t want to discuss it.       Dear John, We’ve all been outraged by the corporate corruption of Co…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
April 1, 2022 at 1:56 AM

Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this!

Don’t miss the last chance to publicly support our campaign before the June 7 primary! The corruption in Washington won’t uproot itself. Join us to be part of the solution!       Dear John, Are you concerned about the future? Delaying medical treatment due to cost? …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
March 30, 2022 at 8:54 PM

Send a class warrior for the 99% to Washington

We’ve watched wealth and income disparities in the United States grow worse with every passing year, and absurdly accelerate since the pandemic. We’d like—with your support—to reverse that trend.       Dear John, Are you tired of watching oligarchs in Congress fill …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
March 29, 2022 at 10:00 PM

Food shortages, gas price spikes

Increases in the prices of everything from gasoline to food have left too many families struggling. We feel that challenge acutely, and hope to help in Washington by removing an architect of recurring tax breaks for the wealthy largely responsible for fre       Dear Jo…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
March 27, 2022 at 11:42 PM

KBJ confronts America’s racism on full display

Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson calmly faced the unapologetic racism of GOP Senators in her confirmation hearings. We’ve suggested how to fix the broken nominations process, while facing similar demagoguery from Democrats.       Dear John, Last week, our country was fo…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
March 23, 2022 at 12:28 AM

High theater in Washington

The Senate confirmation hearings of Judge Kentanji Brown Jackson included craven attacks from GOP Senators. A conservative columnist described one of them as the “meritless to the point of demagoguery.”       Dear John, This week’s Senate confirmation hearings for J…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
March 21, 2022 at 1:56 AM

Forcing change on a system that concedes nothing without a demand

We posted a new video today that we think you’ll appreciate—and invite you to share.       Dear John, We just posted a video explaining my theory of change, and history of winning struggles for human rights. Can you share the video today? We’re working hard to get …
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
March 15, 2022 at 10:16 PM

A crucial court hearing

This week, we welcome you to join us via zoom for a crucial hearing in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on St. Patrick’s Day.       Dear John, We originally expected to focus our message today on a long overdue congressional hearing that h…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
March 12, 2022 at 10:44 PM

A coalition to end the Pelosi dynasty

This week, we welcomed the support of Eric Curry, a grassroots activist, direct action organizer, and native San Franciscan who felt called to run to replace Pelosi before endorsing our campaign.       Dear John, It’s always exciting to welcome new allies to our cam…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
February 28, 2022 at 11:01 PM

Just 6 hours left

We’re grateful for all the momentum we’ve gained this month, and continue accelerating as we fight a political battle here in San Francisco to stop yet another a war abroad.       Dear John, As Washington continues to promote a potential war (this time with a nuclear…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
February 27, 2022 at 8:25 PM

A story suppressed for years

While confronting an embodiment of the corporate establishment and its continuing corruption, we have been forced to respond to disinformation from across the political spectrum.       Dear John, Two years ago, I became the only Democrat to have ever faced Nancy Pelo…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
February 25, 2022 at 3:18 AM

Before the Pentagon drags us into yet another war....

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has alarmed observers around the world. But the U.S. and NATO lost any legitimacy to intervene long ago.       Dear John, Today’s invasion of Ukraine by Russia has sparked alarm around the world. Anytime civilians are forced to endure v…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
February 24, 2022 at 2:17 AM

News media, or propaganda?

When journalists who cover politics silence immigrant candidates to instead focus their articles on hypothetical future candidates drawn from the ranks of white, wealthy inheritors of private fortunes, what does that suggest about our democracy?       Dear John, Our c…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
February 20, 2022 at 9:17 PM

Washington is stealing from starving people

The Biden administration seizing $7 billion from Afghanistan’s central bank was an act of profound cowardice and corruption.       Dear John, Last August, as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took power, Washington seized $7 billion in assets from Afg…
  Shahid Buttar · [email protected]
February 10, 2022 at 11:46 PM

Waging war on the Democratic Party’s corruption

This week, Business Insider and SF Gate each published profiles of our 2022 campaign, and our continuing efforts to expose Pelosi’s wide-ranging corruption and offer San Francisco a more sincere voice to represent our city in Congress. Business Insider pa       Dear Jo…