<![CDATA[Democracy on Hospice (DOH!): PIP]]>https://www.democracyonhospice.com/s/pip-performance-improvement-planhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Vvyr!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faf6b8a67-f037-4663-9f60-232bc785f9ac_1080x1080.pngDemocracy on Hospice (DOH!): PIPhttps://www.democracyonhospice.com/s/pip-performance-improvement-planSubstackWed, 20 May 2026 22:40:32 GMT<![CDATA[How to Hurt Apple's Board When You Can't Leave the Ecosystem]]>https://www.democracyonhospice.com/p/how-to-hurt-apples-board-when-youhttps://www.democracyonhospice.com/p/how-to-hurt-apples-board-when-youWed, 28 Jan 2026 03:15:54 GMT2026.01.27

Just like my parents, Tim Cook chose Trump over me.

Read the Gizmodo article: https://gizmodo.com/tim-cook-attends-white-house-screening-of-melania-movie-prompts-calls-for-apple-boycott-2000714041

I’m a long-time Apple person. Not the sort who ever needed advertisey-dorkwear like Apple t-shirts or stickers or a quirky personal email address cleverly incorporating some “look at me and my premium computer products taste and stuff.” Nope. None of that.

But just short of that? I AM the F*KING APPLE ECOSYSTEM. Two MacBooks (one docked, one for porch and recliner and bed and transit and sofa and babysitting during chemo). iPad. iPhone 16 Pro Max. AirPods Max. HomePod.

I sold my house (really). And started a business (sort of). I might have a problem. But you see my point.


Apple Notes. Apple TV (running out of unboycot-worthy streaming services). Apple Music (Fuck Spotify). iCloud Pro family plan. 48,524 photos synced (only 3,913 of Moby).

YOU FUH-CKERS.

APPLE:

I am your ecosystem.

Yesterday I saw this here post from a like-minded internet stranger and thought: Yeah. Me too.

Dear wise like-minded internet stranger: I see you.

Macintosh Classic II in the early 90s. Every computer since. Every phone since. Thirty-plus years of loyalty. And now? Looking at Android alternatives because @fooemery can’t stomach what Tim Cook hath become.

Back to Tim Cook

Saturday night, January 25, 2026. Hours after ICE agents slaughtered Alex Pretti—a 37-year-old VA ICU nurse, unarmed, recording on his phone, Tim Cook (aka Tim Apple) was at the White House eating commemorative popcorn at a private screening of Melania. Continuing his insistence on appeasing this monster at every opportunity.

A law-abiding American citizen exercising his First and Second Amendment1 rights was executed by federal agents in Minneapolis.

And Tim Cook thought that was a perfectly fine day to go orange up his tonsils at the White House.

Here’s what happened that day:

Alex Pretti’s last act on earth was stepping between a federal agent and a woman that agent had just violently shoved to the ground. He had his phone out. He was recording. His hands went up. They pepper-sprayed him twice in the face, dragged him down, discovered he had a legally carried firearm in a holster, and shot him multiple times while he was already incapacitated on the ground.
Within hours, Trump, Stephen Miller, and DHS were calling him a “domestic terrorist” who “tried to assassinate law enforcement.” The video shows they were lying. All of them. About all of it.

Within minutes/hours, Trump, JD Vance, Stephen Miller, and DHS called Alex Pretti a “domestic terrorist” who “tried to assassinate law enforcement.” All lies.

Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse at the VA hospital. He spent his career saving the lives of veterans. His ex girlfriends and former students and recent colleagues all sing his praises. This man was basically a freakin’ angel.

And federal agents killed him for legally recording them on video and legally carrying a firearm ON HIS BACK. 2

And my boy Tim Apple attended a Melania viewing that same night.

And Then There’s Tim Apple’s MLK Problem

Tim’s Twitter bio features a Martin Luther King Jr. quotation: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

For realz.

Quick! Nobody better tell Hegseth and them about Timmy’s PRONOUNS.

What was Tim Cook doing for others? On Saturday, Tim Cook was eating popcorn and singing along with the Melania Waltz (or some shit) while the administration executed more citizens.

And then there’s the year of the grovel. See below for detail if you’re interested.3


Tim Apple (as Trump calls him sometimes, oops, not cognitively impaired at all Iceland Iceland Iceland).

Trump Whisperer. Systematic capitulator in exchange for tariff exemptions.

Iceland Iceland Iceland oops I mean I want to grab GREENLAND by the pussy. That’s what I meant. Then Canada, and Cuba, and Mexico.

My Ecosystem Trap

So why not just leave? Switch to Android, Samsung, whatever?

Because leaving Apple when I’m in this deep? Costs thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours. And probably involves being really unpleasant to anyone who has to deal with me during my attempted accomplishment of such a feat.

Yikes. I can’t leave velly easily. Some of you probably can’t either. And Apple knows it.

So here’s what we do instead.

We make staying on Apple’s board so professionally uncomfortable that the board members either force change or resign.

Because here’s what most people don’t know: Apple’s board is seven people who have OTHER jobs. Other reputations. Other places where they’re hilariously vulnerable to pressure.

Next Up: Part 2 - Meet the Seven People Who Could Fix This (But Won’t)

You gonna love this cast of characters.4

Part 2 drops soon: Who they are, where they work, what they said they believe, and exactly how to make those other jobs really uncomfortable.

You can’t easily leave the ecosystem.

But you can make folks wish they’d stayed home from the popcorn party.

[Subscribe to get Part 2]

[Or don’t and maybe the algorithm gets the info to you]

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A Year of the Grovel

  • January 2025: Personal $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration

  • Multiple Mar-a-Lago dinners 2025

  • August 2025: Presented Trump with a 24-karat gold plaque mounted on a gold stand. It still sits on Trump’s desk.

  • Announced $500-600 billion in “investments”—which turned out to be money Apple was already spending, repackaged for Trump to brag about

  • Apple donated to Trump’s $400 million (and climbing) ballroom project

  • Meetings with Trump in Japan, Davos, everywhere Daddy Trump went

4

🧬 The Guy Trying to Cure Death (while enabling an administration that kills citizens). He runs Google’s life-extension project. Yup.

👔 Two People Who Work at Chevron. One of them is the Lead Independent Director. Chevron has a Human Rights Policy. It’s on their website. They signed it themselves. Or maybe it was autopen. But whoomp! there it is.

🎯 The Woman Running Target’s Board. You know, Target. The company that’s already getting boycotted and probably checking under their cars for bombs cat poop every morning. She’s the Lead Independent Director. Kind of like a career equivalent of juggling chainsaws on a tightrope.

💰 The Guy on JPMorgan’s Board. JPMorgan publishes a 153-page report about respecting human rights. Every year. He sits on that board AND Apple’s board. Simultaneously. With a straight face.

👩‍💼 The Woman Who Runs a Nonprofit Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.
While also sitting on Apple’s board defending Tim Cook’s cooperation with the “grab ‘em by the pussy” regime. The cognitive dissonance must be exhausting.

👴 The 75-Year-Old Former Defense Contractor. Apple’s board has a mandatory retirement age of 75. He got a special exception to stay. So he uses his one wish on “Please let me keep defending Tim Cook“ ?

Here’s another bitchen thing: They all wrote their own accountability standards.

IBM’s “Business Conduct Guidelines.” JPMorgan’s Sustainability Report. Chevron’s Human Rights Policy. Target’s community values commitments.

They published them. They signed them. They’re proud of them.

And now we’re going to read them back to these folks, very slowly, while making prolonged eye contact. [Logistics of reading while making eye contact tbd. Metaphorical.]

]]><![CDATA[Hey MAGA Senators: Federal Agents Just Killed a Legal Gun Owner]]>https://www.democracyonhospice.com/p/hey-maga-senators-federal-agentshttps://www.democracyonhospice.com/p/hey-maga-senators-federal-agentsSun, 25 Jan 2026 05:04:20 GMT2026.01.24

For years, you’ve told us you’re Second Amendment warriors. You’ve railed against the ATF. You’ve warned about federal tyranny. You’ve sworn you’d stand between gun owners and government overreach.

So where the hell are you now?

Yesterday, Border Patrol agents executed Alex Pretti—a 37-year-old American citizen with a valid carry permit and no criminal record. He was tackled, disarmed, and shot multiple times while on the ground.

And you’re silent.

Let’s Be Crystal Clear About What Happened

Alex Pretti had a Sig Sauer P320—the SAME gun federal agents carry. He had a legal permit. Minnesota allows open carry with a permit. He wasn’t brandishing it. Video shows his phone in his hand, not his gun.

Federal agents killed him anyway.

Then DHS trotted out the same playbook you pretend to hate: “He had ammunition, so he was a threat.” By that logic, every legal carrier in America is fair game.

This is EXACTLY the federal overreach you campaign against. Except now it’s YOUR team doing it.

The Hypocrisy Is Stunning

You lose your minds when the ATF proposes pistol brace rules. You scream about red flag laws. You swear “from my cold dead hands.”

But when federal agents literally pry a gun from a legal owner’s cold dead hands? Crickets.

Why? Because he was at a protest you don’t like? Because he probably didn’t vote for Trump?

If the Second Amendment only applies to people who agree with you politically, then you don’t actually believe in the Second Amendment. You believe in armed partisanship.

Your Voters Are Watching

You think your gun-owning constituents are too dumb to see the contradiction? Let me spell it out for them:

Their Senator believes federal agents should be able to kill legal gun owners—as long as those gun owners are doing something the government doesn’t like.

That’s not a Second Amendment position. That’s a jackboot position.

Every single gun owner in your state should be asking: “If I’m legally carrying at a protest, a traffic stop, or anywhere else my Senator disagrees with, can federal agents execute me too?”

Senators Who Need to Answer NOW

These senators have built entire careers on “gun rights” and “opposing federal tyranny.” Time to put up or shut TF up:

OKLAHOMA - The “Don’t Tread On Me” State That’s Apparently Fine With All Kinds of Treading:

  • Sen. Markwayne Mullin: 202-224-4721

  • Sen. James Lankford: 202-224-5754

TEXAS - “Come And Take It” Senators Who Just Watched Agents Take It:

  • Sen. Ted Cruz: 202-224-5922

  • Sen. John Cornyn: 202-224-2934

The “Constitution In My Pocket” Crew:

  • Sen. Josh Hawley (MO): 202-224-6154

  • Sen. Tom Cotton (AR): 202-224-2353

  • Sen. Rick Scott (FL): 202-224-5274

  • Sen. Marco Rubio (FL): Just resigned, replaced by Ashley Moody

  • Sen. Tommy Tuberville (AL): 202-224-4124

  • Sen. Katie Britt (AL): 202-224-5744

  • Sen. Bill Hagerty (TN): 202-224-4944

  • Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN): 202-224-3344

  • Sen. Roger Marshall (KS): 202-224-4774

  • Sen. Eric Schmitt (MO): 202-224-5721

Bonus - The Guy Who Wanted To Fight A Union Leader Over Disrespect:

  • Sen. Markwayne Mullin (OK): 202-224-4721 - Seriously, call this one twice.

What To Say (Don’t Be Too Polite)

“I’m a gun owner and voter. Federal agents just killed Alex Pretti for legally carrying with a valid permit. I need to know if [senator’s name] thinks legal gun ownership justifies execution by federal agents. I need a yes or no answer. Does the Second Amendment apply to everyone, or just to people who vote the right way?”

Then add:

“Because if my senator won’t defend a legal gun owner from federal agents, I’ll find someone in the primary who will. Your 2A credibility is on the line.”

The Actual Principle You Claim to Believe

You want to stop terrorists? Great.
You want secure borders? Fine.
You want law and order? Whatevs.


But you don’t get to kill legal gun owners for possessing firearms.

That’s the line. If you won’t draw it, you’re a fraud. Your Gadsden flag stickers are worthless. Your NRA endorsements are theater. Your “constitutional conservative” brand is bullshit.

This Is Your Legacy Moment

When federal agents killed a legal gun owner and you said nothing, your voters will remember.

When your 2026 primary opponent runs ads showing Alex Pretti bleeding out while you stayed silent, don’t cry about unfairness.

When gun rights groups ask for your endorsement and someone brings up the time you let a permitted carrier get executed without saying a word, don’t act surprised.

You had a choice: Defend gun rights for everyone, or defend them only when politically convenient.

Choose wisely. The calls are being counted.

Make them answer. They work for YOU, not Trump, not DHS, not their “team.”

If they dodge, primary them. If they defend the killing, primary them. If they hide, primary them.

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]]><![CDATA[When Legal Gun Owners Are Killed By Federal Agents]]>https://www.democracyonhospice.com/p/when-legal-gun-owners-are-killedhttps://www.democracyonhospice.com/p/when-legal-gun-owners-are-killedSun, 25 Jan 2026 04:57:41 GMT2026.01.24



Today, Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse from Minneapolis. He was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record. He had a valid permit to carry. He wasn’t a threat—he was recording federal agents with his phone when they pepper-sprayed a woman.

Videos show what happened next: agents tackled Pretti to the ground. Within seconds, he was shot multiple times. The gun DHS later photographed wasn’t visible in his hands during the confrontation. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus president says evidence suggests Pretti was disarmed before agents fired the fatal shots.

Thanks for reading Democracy on Hospice (DOH!)! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is the third federal shooting in Minneapolis in 17 days.

This Is Your Issue Too

If you support the Second Amendment, Alex Pretti’s death should alarm you. This isn’t about immigration policy or protests—it’s about whether legal gun owners can be killed by federal agents for having a firearm, even when it’s not drawn or visible.

Pretti carried the same Sig Sauer P320 that federal agents carry. He had the legal right to possess it. Minnesota allows open carry with a valid permit. Yet federal officials claim his mere possession of ammunition made him a threat worthy of deadly force.

Where does this stop? If lawful carry equals justification for lethal force, every permitted gun owner becomes a potential target during any federal law enforcement encounter.

Republican Senators: This Is Your Moment

For years, you’ve campaigned on defending Second Amendment rights. You’ve promised to stand against government overreach. Alex Pretti’s family—and millions of legal gun owners—are watching to see if those promises were real.

We’re not asking you to investigate (though you should). We’re not asking you to hold hearings (though you should). We’re asking you to say, on the record, that legal gun ownership does not justify summary execution by federal agents.

Take Action Now

Call these Republican senators—especially if they’re from your state or up for reelection in 2026. Be respectful but firm. Use this script or your own words:

“I’m calling about the Alex Pretti shooting. I’m a gun owner and voter, and I need to know whether [Senator’s name] believes legal gun ownership justifies lethal force by federal agents. This isn’t about immigration—it’s about whether Americans can be killed for exercising their Second Amendment rights. I need a clear statement that lawful carry does not equal a death sentence.”

Key Senators to Contact (DC Office Numbers):

Up for reelection in 2026:

  • Sen. Susan Collins (ME): 202-224-2523

  • Sen. Joni Ernst (IA): 202-224-3254 (not seeking reelection)

  • Sen. Thom Tillis (NC): 202-224-6342 (retiring)

Strong 2A records:

  • Sen. Rand Paul (KY): 202-224-4343

  • Sen. Mike Lee (UT): 202-224-5444

  • Sen. Ted Cruz (TX): 202-224-5922

  • Sen. John Barrasso (WY): 202-224-6441

  • Sen. Cynthia Lummis (WY): 202-224-3424 (not seeking reelection)

Leadership positions:

  • Sen. John Thune (Senate Majority Leader - SD): 202-224-2321

  • Sen. John Cornyn (Senate Majority Whip - TX): 202-224-2934

Western/Libertarian constituencies:

  • Sen. Dan Sullivan (AK): 202-224-3004

  • Sen. James Risch (ID): 202-224-2752

Why This Matters Beyond Partisanship

Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse who cared for veterans. His family says he was upset about Trump’s immigration crackdown. He likely wasn’t your typical Republican voter.

That’s exactly why this matters.

If we only defend gun rights for people who vote like us, think like us, or protest like us, then we don’t actually believe in gun rights—we believe in tribalism. The Second Amendment doesn’t ask about your voter registration. It doesn’t care whether you support the current president.

Legal gun ownership is legal gun ownership. Federal agents shouldn’t be able to kill citizens for exercising constitutional rights, period.

Make the calls. Demand answers. Alex Pretti’s death can’t be normalized.

For more information and to submit video evidence: Hennepin County DA’s website has set up a portal for the investigation.

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