Nick 𐃥
@adjectivalnoun.bsky.social
(He/Any)
General engineer. No, more general than that. Angry we aren’t caring for each other more, trying to fix it.
General engineer. No, more general than that. Angry we aren’t caring for each other more, trying to fix it.
Pinned
Nick 𐃥
@adjectivalnoun.bsky.social
· Oct 26
Things to know about getting from one place to another outside of a car in America:
1. You have no right to do that.
2. If you do it anyway, your fellow citizens will remind you of (1) by helpfully threatening to kill you.
1. You have no right to do that.
2. If you do it anyway, your fellow citizens will remind you of (1) by helpfully threatening to kill you.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
Some US soldiers dropped Ace of Spades cards to mark kills in Vietnam. It's a move that got picked up by some white supremacist accelerationists, and now by ICE. They are dropping death cards when they disappear people and building concentration camps. We need to be very plain about the severity.
February 4, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Some US soldiers dropped Ace of Spades cards to mark kills in Vietnam. It's a move that got picked up by some white supremacist accelerationists, and now by ICE. They are dropping death cards when they disappear people and building concentration camps. We need to be very plain about the severity.
Sure seems like the US oligarchy is aligned on wanting the general public to know less about the world outside the US.
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Sure seems like the US oligarchy is aligned on wanting the general public to know less about the world outside the US.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
In 2011 I had a well-sourced story on medical students doing unauthorized gynecological exams on unconscious patients without consent and we didn't publish it at a major women's mag because my boss, whose husband was a new doctor, said "He told me that doesn't happen."
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
February 5, 2026 at 12:58 AM
In 2011 I had a well-sourced story on medical students doing unauthorized gynecological exams on unconscious patients without consent and we didn't publish it at a major women's mag because my boss, whose husband was a new doctor, said "He told me that doesn't happen."
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
I think one thing people outside Minnesota don't understand is that after Good and Pretti were killed by feds while observing, the most normal people you could imagine have made peace with the fact that they could be next, and they are still out there because they say it's the right thing to do.
“If I am killed doing this, throw my body at the White House, martyr the shit out of me & raise hell. Do not be sad. Do not think I would do anything differently. I would do it over & over again — this is too important to sit down & shut up and not do anything.” www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Pursued by federal agents, suburban ICE observers remain resolved
After a frightening pursuit by federal agents, suburban ICE observers say fear hasn’t stopped them from protecting their communities.
www.mprnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I think one thing people outside Minnesota don't understand is that after Good and Pretti were killed by feds while observing, the most normal people you could imagine have made peace with the fact that they could be next, and they are still out there because they say it's the right thing to do.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
It is my birthday today, and nothing would make me happier than if you’d donate to KIND, which provides pro bono representation to children in immigration court:
supportkind.org/get-involved...
supportkind.org/get-involved...
There is no sight that more efficiently puts the lie to immigration “court” than the common sight of children “representing themselves.” Children too small to climb into the chair, children in pajamas who don’t know where they are, children not yet old enough to speak.
Three-year-old child forced to serve as her own attorney in Tucson immigration court
More than a dozen undocumented minors were forced to make their case in front of an immigration judge as the Trump administration ramps up removal proceedings.
coppercourier.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:05 PM
It is my birthday today, and nothing would make me happier than if you’d donate to KIND, which provides pro bono representation to children in immigration court:
supportkind.org/get-involved...
supportkind.org/get-involved...
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
The behavior of our big beautiful billionaires over the past several decades is psychologically what I can only describe as "Crying out for consequences." They can't stop themselves and deep down they need to be stopped. They need it as much as we do
February 4, 2026 at 5:01 PM
The behavior of our big beautiful billionaires over the past several decades is psychologically what I can only describe as "Crying out for consequences." They can't stop themselves and deep down they need to be stopped. They need it as much as we do
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
The characteristic that seems to unite attention-hungry billionaires is that they have everything and are still deeply miserable and empty, and when they coordinate it is to find ways to make this everyone else's problem.
February 4, 2026 at 5:07 PM
The characteristic that seems to unite attention-hungry billionaires is that they have everything and are still deeply miserable and empty, and when they coordinate it is to find ways to make this everyone else's problem.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
Feels like a moment to remind everyone that when you know it’s time to fight but the targets aren’t accessible, you need to restrain/redirect the urge rather than just choose a target that‘s handy.
January 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Feels like a moment to remind everyone that when you know it’s time to fight but the targets aren’t accessible, you need to restrain/redirect the urge rather than just choose a target that‘s handy.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
The only tool ICE has is force. They cannot penalize legal activity through the courts and their efforts to do so are destroying the DOJ.
This is unreal. An AUSA talking like that in open court is about as close as you can come to a total breakdown. Never heard of anything like it.
February 3, 2026 at 9:06 PM
The only tool ICE has is force. They cannot penalize legal activity through the courts and their efforts to do so are destroying the DOJ.
Part of the tactics conflict at the moment is between people doing anarchist direct action to prevent abductions and that‘s the focus, and people preventing abductions as part of a liberal democratic civil rights campaign to win public opinion.
February 4, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Part of the tactics conflict at the moment is between people doing anarchist direct action to prevent abductions and that‘s the focus, and people preventing abductions as part of a liberal democratic civil rights campaign to win public opinion.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
Part of what’s breaking my brain today is I’ve got friends fleeing the country, friends doing grocery runs for hunted neighbors, friends pretending nothing is wrong, and all of them are working on their taxes.
February 3, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Part of what’s breaking my brain today is I’ve got friends fleeing the country, friends doing grocery runs for hunted neighbors, friends pretending nothing is wrong, and all of them are working on their taxes.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
okay but hijacking this post to make an entirely unrelated argument that happens to be my bugaboo: if the last 10 years have taught us anything, it should be that "private law" (corporate, securities) is "public law." who controls corporations and the discretion they have is a public law problem
Just a reminder for law professors working in the space of constitutional law, election law, and the law of democracy, Georgia State University's soon-to-be-announced Center for Constitutional Law, Practice and Democracy is looking for a lateral to join our growing public law program!
🚨🚨 Georgia State's Constitutional Law program is growing!🚨🚨
Thanks to a very exciting development, we're looking for someone to join the College of Law's public law faculty, including @espinsegall.bsky.social, @andrewwillinger.bsky.social, Neil Kinkopf, and me.
facultycareers.gsu.edu/postings/6611
Thanks to a very exciting development, we're looking for someone to join the College of Law's public law faculty, including @espinsegall.bsky.social, @andrewwillinger.bsky.social, Neil Kinkopf, and me.
facultycareers.gsu.edu/postings/6611
February 3, 2026 at 4:14 PM
okay but hijacking this post to make an entirely unrelated argument that happens to be my bugaboo: if the last 10 years have taught us anything, it should be that "private law" (corporate, securities) is "public law." who controls corporations and the discretion they have is a public law problem
Oh my god this is entirely believable. Neoimperialist military adventures *do* save American lives as a first order effect, because invasions are safer for American soldiers than being at home subject to traffic violence every day.
Statistically, you're probably more likely to die driving to the protest than getting killed at one.
I heard a statistic a few decades ago that the Gulf War saved American lives, because fewer soldiers died there than otherwise would have in traffic accidents.
www.baltimoresun.com/1991/03/02/d...
I heard a statistic a few decades ago that the Gulf War saved American lives, because fewer soldiers died there than otherwise would have in traffic accidents.
www.baltimoresun.com/1991/03/02/d...
Death toll of troops expected to be lower in ’91 despite war WAR IN THE GULF
Drunken driving is apparently more deadly for U.S. soldiers than even the Persian Gulf war, according to Pentagon figures. More than 1,500 service members died last fiscal year, perhaps half in aut…
www.baltimoresun.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Oh my god this is entirely believable. Neoimperialist military adventures *do* save American lives as a first order effect, because invasions are safer for American soldiers than being at home subject to traffic violence every day.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
does anyone want to be kind and gentle in a world that rewards cruelty with me later
February 2, 2026 at 9:50 PM
does anyone want to be kind and gentle in a world that rewards cruelty with me later
“I do what I always dream about” (breaking up peoples’ families) “but there’s always a BUT in this F life” (my family getting broken up???)
February 3, 2026 at 7:43 AM
“I do what I always dream about” (breaking up peoples’ families) “but there’s always a BUT in this F life” (my family getting broken up???)
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
For >10 years I’ve been on an admissions committee for a prominent science journalism fellowship.
We always have around 150 applications from around the world to review for 6 spots.
This year we only had 32 applications. And several we can’t review because they’re visa restricted now.
We always have around 150 applications from around the world to review for 6 spots.
This year we only had 32 applications. And several we can’t review because they’re visa restricted now.
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
For >10 years I’ve been on an admissions committee for a prominent science journalism fellowship.
We always have around 150 applications from around the world to review for 6 spots.
This year we only had 32 applications. And several we can’t review because they’re visa restricted now.
We always have around 150 applications from around the world to review for 6 spots.
This year we only had 32 applications. And several we can’t review because they’re visa restricted now.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
addition that in the US “people who abduct (alleged) non-citizens” sounds like slave catchers to me
This idea that there are people whose existence in the US is a crime is OLD
It was wrong then, has been wrong all these years, and it’s still wrong today
This idea that there are people whose existence in the US is a crime is OLD
It was wrong then, has been wrong all these years, and it’s still wrong today
This line that the right-wing is committing itself to - ICE is nothing like the Gestapo, because Jews were European citizens and immigrants today are not - is so misleading. Jews were stripped of citizenship under Reich Laws, just as immigrants today are having legal status arbitrarily rescinded.
February 2, 2026 at 7:20 PM
addition that in the US “people who abduct (alleged) non-citizens” sounds like slave catchers to me
This idea that there are people whose existence in the US is a crime is OLD
It was wrong then, has been wrong all these years, and it’s still wrong today
This idea that there are people whose existence in the US is a crime is OLD
It was wrong then, has been wrong all these years, and it’s still wrong today
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
Yes, they did and they are. And note here that Epstein says, “Brexit, just the beginning.” It’s all part of the same piece.
February 2, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Yes, they did and they are. And note here that Epstein says, “Brexit, just the beginning.” It’s all part of the same piece.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
Okay! This has already inspired a bunch of DMs, so I made a page on the website. If you have 50,000+ Skymiles and would be willing to book flights to get someone home, please fill this out.
Donate Your Skymiles — Stand With Minnesota
Donate your Delta Skymiles to get people home from Texas
www.standwithminnesota.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Okay! This has already inspired a bunch of DMs, so I made a page on the website. If you have 50,000+ Skymiles and would be willing to book flights to get someone home, please fill this out.
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
there are a lot of reasons to want schumer out. but even if this is not a major issue for you, claiming that your role as leader during a fascist putsch is to preserve a policy favored by the fascist and opposed by your party's voters is disqualifying. schumer cannot continue to lead the democrats
Video of his remarks where he says, verbatim, that one of his jobs as leader is to funnel more aid to Israel
75% of Democratic voters oppose sending Israel more military aid, as do 66% of independents and 60% of Americans overall according to recent polling
75% of Democratic voters oppose sending Israel more military aid, as do 66% of independents and 60% of Americans overall according to recent polling
February 2, 2026 at 6:31 AM
there are a lot of reasons to want schumer out. but even if this is not a major issue for you, claiming that your role as leader during a fascist putsch is to preserve a policy favored by the fascist and opposed by your party's voters is disqualifying. schumer cannot continue to lead the democrats
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
Doesn't seem like this should be his job
February 1, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Doesn't seem like this should be his job
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
I was extremely naive in my twenties and early thirties, took people very much at their word when it came to values, and absolutely destroyed my mental health (and my career) thinking I could publicly demand accountability and survive it whole.
(1/?)
(1/?)
the Epstein files make it very clear why the MeToo backlash was so extreme and why so much of elite society preferred Donald Trump ruling us like a king to the barest hint of accountability
February 2, 2026 at 1:06 AM
I was extremely naive in my twenties and early thirties, took people very much at their word when it came to values, and absolutely destroyed my mental health (and my career) thinking I could publicly demand accountability and survive it whole.
(1/?)
(1/?)
Reposted by Nick 𐃥
the Epstein files make it very clear why the MeToo backlash was so extreme and why so much of elite society preferred Donald Trump ruling us like a king to the barest hint of accountability
February 1, 2026 at 9:27 PM
the Epstein files make it very clear why the MeToo backlash was so extreme and why so much of elite society preferred Donald Trump ruling us like a king to the barest hint of accountability
Cops too are aligned with the feds in trying to provoke people to violent self defense, and it is really remarkable that a national informal agreement on nonviolent resistance is holding.
4 federal agents pull over an elderly US citizen for the suspected crime of being brown, break her car window, throw her to the ground, then drive off after they find her US Passport in her purse. The Salem Police, when called, say there’s nothing they can do. www.salemreporter.com/2026/01/31/u...
U.S. citizen injured by federal agents in Salem who demanded to see “papers,” union says - Salem Reporter
A home care worker and union worker was pulled from her car and injured by federal agents Thursday according to a statement by SEIU 503. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the repor...
www.salemreporter.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Cops too are aligned with the feds in trying to provoke people to violent self defense, and it is really remarkable that a national informal agreement on nonviolent resistance is holding.