Aaron Huertas
@aaronhuertas.bsky.social
Carpenter and woodworker. Democracy and unions liker. Building and fixing things: capehenlopencarpentry.com. Writing and editing: aaronhuertas.com.
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
the bushes were people 😂
February 9, 2026 at 2:26 AM
the bushes were people 😂
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
One of these days, people will look back on these sports betting ads like we do on the ads for patent medicines featuring cocaine.
February 9, 2026 at 12:31 AM
One of these days, people will look back on these sports betting ads like we do on the ads for patent medicines featuring cocaine.
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
This is kind of an aside / relevant to Bad Bunny's Americas shout out... but the seven continent model we're taught in the US isn't universal. Some countries teach a six or even five continent model. The six-continent model (which unites North and South America) is common in Latin America
Continent - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:53 AM
This is kind of an aside / relevant to Bad Bunny's Americas shout out... but the seven continent model we're taught in the US isn't universal. Some countries teach a six or even five continent model. The six-continent model (which unites North and South America) is common in Latin America
The expansive definition of "America" with the U.S. flag among many other nations was really nice. Good on him. Trying to find something unique and unifying to say at a Superbowl is very tough.
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
The expansive definition of "America" with the U.S. flag among many other nations was really nice. Good on him. Trying to find something unique and unifying to say at a Superbowl is very tough.
It's the big game. We need Chaotic Neutral Bunny.
February 9, 2026 at 1:25 AM
It's the big game. We need Chaotic Neutral Bunny.
Glad they’ve got Green Day here to keep older audience members engaged.
February 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Glad they’ve got Green Day here to keep older audience members engaged.
five minutes into watching an Olympic sport: wow all these people are superhuman
twenty minutes into watching an Olympic sport: mmm kind of a stiff landing there, gonna lose at least a point, might have cost you the silver there
twenty minutes into watching an Olympic sport: mmm kind of a stiff landing there, gonna lose at least a point, might have cost you the silver there
February 8, 2026 at 8:22 PM
five minutes into watching an Olympic sport: wow all these people are superhuman
twenty minutes into watching an Olympic sport: mmm kind of a stiff landing there, gonna lose at least a point, might have cost you the silver there
twenty minutes into watching an Olympic sport: mmm kind of a stiff landing there, gonna lose at least a point, might have cost you the silver there
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
I owe you an apology, Amber Glenn. I wasn't really familiar with your Magic: The Gathering Game.
February 8, 2026 at 7:45 PM
I owe you an apology, Amber Glenn. I wasn't really familiar with your Magic: The Gathering Game.
Pardon the source and not an endorsement, obviously, but wanted to share this apology from
Valeria Chomsky about Noam’s ties to Epstein. As she notes, he had a stroke and is not able to communicate.
www.aaronmate.net/p/noam-choms...
Valeria Chomsky about Noam’s ties to Epstein. As she notes, he had a stroke and is not able to communicate.
www.aaronmate.net/p/noam-choms...
Noam Chomsky's wife responds to Epstein controversy
"Noam’s overly trusting nature, in this specific case, led to severe poor judgment on both our parts... we express our unrestricted solidarity with the victims."
www.aaronmate.net
February 8, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Pardon the source and not an endorsement, obviously, but wanted to share this apology from
Valeria Chomsky about Noam’s ties to Epstein. As she notes, he had a stroke and is not able to communicate.
www.aaronmate.net/p/noam-choms...
Valeria Chomsky about Noam’s ties to Epstein. As she notes, he had a stroke and is not able to communicate.
www.aaronmate.net/p/noam-choms...
Two fourth walls? That’s gonna be a change order.
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
MY KIDS: so why are there muppets in the AUDIENCE
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
February 8, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Two fourth walls? That’s gonna be a change order.
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
"For years, a cottage industry of political observers has contorted itself to obscure and occlude the obvious. That regardless of what others see in him, Trump’s entire political career...cannot be understood outside the context of his bitter, deep-seated racism." (gift link)
Opinion | This Is Just Who Trump Is
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:49 PM
"For years, a cottage industry of political observers has contorted itself to obscure and occlude the obvious. That regardless of what others see in him, Trump’s entire political career...cannot be understood outside the context of his bitter, deep-seated racism." (gift link)
Mutually assured gerrymandering is the only way to get Republicans to the table on redistricting reform AND that could lead to incumbents fighting across party lines to keep their gerrymanders. Still a least-worst alternative to a world where only one party gerrymanders.
February 7, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Mutually assured gerrymandering is the only way to get Republicans to the table on redistricting reform AND that could lead to incumbents fighting across party lines to keep their gerrymanders. Still a least-worst alternative to a world where only one party gerrymanders.
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
I stand with County Executive Calvin Ball as he signs emergency legislation today prohibiting privately owned buildings from being used as ICE detention centers.
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Howard County chose dignity, accountability, and its people. Tune into our event now:
bit.ly/4a2VtHw
Redirecting...
bit.ly
February 7, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I'm sorry the guy changing the rules on the fly is named what
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
Vice President JD Vance gets roundly booed at the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics. "Those are a lot of boos for him, whistling jeering," says the presenter. US athletes receive a warm welcome from fans, though.
February 6, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Vice President JD Vance gets roundly booed at the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics. "Those are a lot of boos for him, whistling jeering," says the presenter. US athletes receive a warm welcome from fans, though.
Reposted by Aaron Huertas
so, some personal news
Was this very mid-2000s emo person press-ganged into ICE servitude?
February 6, 2026 at 4:33 AM
so, some personal news
Even Sanders keeps invoking imaginary reasonable Republicans instead of just attacking the R brand. One of the biggest asymmetries in party rhetoric.
Donald Trump is withholding billions of dollars in New York infrastructure unless he gets Penn Station and Dulles Airport named after him.
This is not only brazenly corrupt. It is sick, twisted and egomaniacal. The time is long overdue for sane Republicans to stand up to Trump.
This is not only brazenly corrupt. It is sick, twisted and egomaniacal. The time is long overdue for sane Republicans to stand up to Trump.
February 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Even Sanders keeps invoking imaginary reasonable Republicans instead of just attacking the R brand. One of the biggest asymmetries in party rhetoric.
Tempting to say that Democratic members of Congress still mucking around on Twitter are clueless but I think it’s more that they don’t prioritize communications strategy enough to do any collective action to move, data and operative expertise be damned.
Trump job approval rating by news platform
🟢 Twitter/X: +9
🔴 Facebook: -7
🔴 Cable TV: -10
🔴 Podcasts/YouTube: -14
🔴 Local TV: -17
🔴 Instagram: -21
🔴 Broadcast TV: -28
🔴 TikTok: -28
🔴 Newspapers/news sites: -33
🔴 Reddit: -40
www.theargumentmag.com/p/twitter-is...
🟢 Twitter/X: +9
🔴 Facebook: -7
🔴 Cable TV: -10
🔴 Podcasts/YouTube: -14
🔴 Local TV: -17
🔴 Instagram: -21
🔴 Broadcast TV: -28
🔴 TikTok: -28
🔴 Newspapers/news sites: -33
🔴 Reddit: -40
www.theargumentmag.com/p/twitter-is...
February 6, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Tempting to say that Democratic members of Congress still mucking around on Twitter are clueless but I think it’s more that they don’t prioritize communications strategy enough to do any collective action to move, data and operative expertise be damned.
You definitely want to take unsolicited political advice from the people who wrote this headline.
very weird “I am Spartacus” thing happening right now with the worst people on earth
February 5, 2026 at 4:54 PM
You definitely want to take unsolicited political advice from the people who wrote this headline.
In 2020, there were a number of democracy defense actions that seamlessly moved from get-out-the-vote to dance parties at polling locations to observation outside election administration offices where ballots were processed.
People who like democracy vastly outnumber fascists in this country.
People who like democracy vastly outnumber fascists in this country.
as i keep saying, the things to do to secure elections are to volunteer to work the polls or to serve as an observer, & to pressure your *state representatives* to take steps to further secure voting locations and ballots. you should also learn about how election administration works in your area.
February 5, 2026 at 2:15 PM
In 2020, there were a number of democracy defense actions that seamlessly moved from get-out-the-vote to dance parties at polling locations to observation outside election administration offices where ballots were processed.
People who like democracy vastly outnumber fascists in this country.
People who like democracy vastly outnumber fascists in this country.
I also tend toward this view based on past experience and the feds’ lack of manpower.
A lot of voter suppression tactics are met with counter-mobilization and also suppress some R-leaning groups, reducing their impact. They remain illegal and immoral but thankfully they are also often ineffective.
A lot of voter suppression tactics are met with counter-mobilization and also suppress some R-leaning groups, reducing their impact. They remain illegal and immoral but thankfully they are also often ineffective.
My expectation for this is they'll make a big show of rolling out the goon squad outside a handful of locations, the states will seek and likely get emergency injunctions, and meanwhile the whole spectacle will only motivate way more people to show up and vote in defiance than are scared away.
I understand folks are scared but I want you to think about the mechanics of this.
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
There are more polling places (>100k) than ICE and CBP agents combined, so they can only pick a few districts to try to intimidate.
Now what happens when cell phone footage of that goes online in the early morning?
February 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I also tend toward this view based on past experience and the feds’ lack of manpower.
A lot of voter suppression tactics are met with counter-mobilization and also suppress some R-leaning groups, reducing their impact. They remain illegal and immoral but thankfully they are also often ineffective.
A lot of voter suppression tactics are met with counter-mobilization and also suppress some R-leaning groups, reducing their impact. They remain illegal and immoral but thankfully they are also often ineffective.
Regardless of intra-coalition ideology, the class of '18 House members had a ton of workhorses who came in from outside traditional political careers and want to get stuff done in government.
y’all know I was skeptical but Spanberger has been great. Her people have been great. Had a meeting earlier today with some of her folks and they’re saying exciting things about employee rights and enforcement.
very happy so far.
very happy so far.
NEW: Abigail Spanberger this afternoon ordered that all state agencies leave ICE's 287(g) program.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
This means that the state police (and some other agencies) will no longer be empowered to detain and arrest people for ICE.
Big, big move by the governor within weeks of coming into office.
February 5, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Regardless of intra-coalition ideology, the class of '18 House members had a ton of workhorses who came in from outside traditional political careers and want to get stuff done in government.
Actual content analysis! One loves to see it. So much media discourse is missing this most basic element and if you've ever done a content analysis it's hard not to notice the absence when folks are debating specific outlets and shows.
New from @ymriofficial.bsky.social : Is Rogan really turning on Trump? Ehh...
Rogan is now more critical of Trump. But his overall framing of immigration is still negative. Fundamentally he is a pushover, and this benefits rightwing guests.
youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com/p/is-joe-rog...
Rogan is now more critical of Trump. But his overall framing of immigration is still negative. Fundamentally he is a pushover, and this benefits rightwing guests.
youngmenresearchinitiative.substack.com/p/is-joe-rog...
February 5, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Actual content analysis! One loves to see it. So much media discourse is missing this most basic element and if you've ever done a content analysis it's hard not to notice the absence when folks are debating specific outlets and shows.
Core political tension for Democrats here. If you get a deal, you own it and now your rhetoric about how Republicans are doing anti-democratic authoritarianism remains true, but doesn't seem as sincere since you keep making deals with them. 1/2
Schumer & Jeffries lay out the Democratic demands for a DHS funding deal in a letter to the top Republican leaders
February 5, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Core political tension for Democrats here. If you get a deal, you own it and now your rhetoric about how Republicans are doing anti-democratic authoritarianism remains true, but doesn't seem as sincere since you keep making deals with them. 1/2
Wyden to CIA: bruh
February 4, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Wyden to CIA: bruh
Non-doomerist Supreme Court ruling for the midterms, though obviously one hopes this leads to some redistricting reform once the public trials and Truth and Reconciliation commissions are up and running.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has cleared the way for California to use its new congressional map for this year’s midterm election. Voters approved it as a Democratic counterresponse to Texas’ new map, which could help Republicans win five more U.S. House seats
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
February 4, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Non-doomerist Supreme Court ruling for the midterms, though obviously one hopes this leads to some redistricting reform once the public trials and Truth and Reconciliation commissions are up and running.