Rich Alderson
@alderson.bsky.social
historical linguist, quondam Tolkien language maven, systems administrator, PDP-10 programmer, former computer museum curator, @alderson@mastodon.sdf.org
Reposted by Rich Alderson
The New York Times just launched a new "newsletter about the law and the courts." They are calling it "The Docket."
The Times may not care that Democracy Docket has been publishing "On the Docket" and "Daily Docket" for years, but I believe our 400,000 subscribers might.
More on this tomorrow.
The Times may not care that Democracy Docket has been publishing "On the Docket" and "Daily Docket" for years, but I believe our 400,000 subscribers might.
More on this tomorrow.
February 13, 2026 at 3:47 AM
The New York Times just launched a new "newsletter about the law and the courts." They are calling it "The Docket."
The Times may not care that Democracy Docket has been publishing "On the Docket" and "Daily Docket" for years, but I believe our 400,000 subscribers might.
More on this tomorrow.
The Times may not care that Democracy Docket has been publishing "On the Docket" and "Daily Docket" for years, but I believe our 400,000 subscribers might.
More on this tomorrow.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
If Moderna is no longer bringing vaccine trials for Epstein-Barr virus (good evidence that EB causes Multiple Sclerosis), herpes, and shingles because of Trump appointees, I want prison time for those appointees.
This might be dooming millions to disease they don’t have to experience.
This might be dooming millions to disease they don’t have to experience.
February 13, 2026 at 1:04 AM
If Moderna is no longer bringing vaccine trials for Epstein-Barr virus (good evidence that EB causes Multiple Sclerosis), herpes, and shingles because of Trump appointees, I want prison time for those appointees.
This might be dooming millions to disease they don’t have to experience.
This might be dooming millions to disease they don’t have to experience.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
All of these stories are terrible but it's the bigger picture that terrifies me even more.
The US only has 350m people. If you can't turn a profit without access to the US market that's ONLY because of our dysfunctional for-profit healthcare system.
Today it's vaccines.
The US only has 350m people. If you can't turn a profit without access to the US market that's ONLY because of our dysfunctional for-profit healthcare system.
Today it's vaccines.
February 13, 2026 at 2:43 AM
All of these stories are terrible but it's the bigger picture that terrifies me even more.
The US only has 350m people. If you can't turn a profit without access to the US market that's ONLY because of our dysfunctional for-profit healthcare system.
Today it's vaccines.
The US only has 350m people. If you can't turn a profit without access to the US market that's ONLY because of our dysfunctional for-profit healthcare system.
Today it's vaccines.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
The Democrats idea of fighting fascism.
February 10, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The Democrats idea of fighting fascism.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Police in Bloomington, MN just announced that one of the guys they arrested in an underage sex trafficking sting was a **background checker for ICE agents.**
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
February 10, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Police in Bloomington, MN just announced that one of the guys they arrested in an underage sex trafficking sting was a **background checker for ICE agents.**
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
He had a high security clearance in the Trump administration... and he was caught trying to abuse children. Sickening.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
@callmeglitter.bsky.social
Do watch this. It is mind-bending.
Do watch this. It is mind-bending.
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 8:44 PM
@callmeglitter.bsky.social
Do watch this. It is mind-bending.
Do watch this. It is mind-bending.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
"I was told you're a monster," the hero said.
"So they say," said the monster.
"But you're beautiful!"
"Thank you."
"Have you always been a monster?"
"Heh. I was a young maiden. But I did something forbidden."
"And became a monster?"
"Got named a monster."
"What did you do?"
"I hit back."
"So they say," said the monster.
"But you're beautiful!"
"Thank you."
"Have you always been a monster?"
"Heh. I was a young maiden. But I did something forbidden."
"And became a monster?"
"Got named a monster."
"What did you do?"
"I hit back."
February 4, 2026 at 6:38 PM
"I was told you're a monster," the hero said.
"So they say," said the monster.
"But you're beautiful!"
"Thank you."
"Have you always been a monster?"
"Heh. I was a young maiden. But I did something forbidden."
"And became a monster?"
"Got named a monster."
"What did you do?"
"I hit back."
"So they say," said the monster.
"But you're beautiful!"
"Thank you."
"Have you always been a monster?"
"Heh. I was a young maiden. But I did something forbidden."
"And became a monster?"
"Got named a monster."
"What did you do?"
"I hit back."
Reposted by Rich Alderson
The regime is going to court to overrule a judge’s order to release 5 year old Liam Ramos from custody.
They’re spending tax dollars fighting to lock up a child
Arguing to send him back to a camp where children scream “let us out”.
A camp with a measles outbreak.
Monsters.
They’re spending tax dollars fighting to lock up a child
Arguing to send him back to a camp where children scream “let us out”.
A camp with a measles outbreak.
Monsters.
February 5, 2026 at 5:26 AM
The regime is going to court to overrule a judge’s order to release 5 year old Liam Ramos from custody.
They’re spending tax dollars fighting to lock up a child
Arguing to send him back to a camp where children scream “let us out”.
A camp with a measles outbreak.
Monsters.
They’re spending tax dollars fighting to lock up a child
Arguing to send him back to a camp where children scream “let us out”.
A camp with a measles outbreak.
Monsters.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Everyone, esp. reporters, should already know what to do when this happens. The next reporter Trump calls on has to ask Trump to answer Collins' question. Repeat as necessary.
In case you missed it, a reporter asked Trump about his friend Epstein's rape of children, and Trump said she should smile when she asked him about that.
Trump criticizes CNN reporter for 'not smiling' after Epstein question
President Trump told Kaitlan Collins he's never seen her smile after the CNN anchor asked him about the Jeffrey Epstein files.
www.usatoday.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Everyone, esp. reporters, should already know what to do when this happens. The next reporter Trump calls on has to ask Trump to answer Collins' question. Repeat as necessary.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
“The insidious liberal bias in music, movies, literature, and television is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Nashville, TN, resident Drew Cardona
Conservatives Boycott All Forms Of Entertainment
WASHINGTON—Decrying the un-American nature of any activity intended to provide amusement or the slightest bit of diversion, conservatives across the country announced an immediate boycott Tuesday of a...
theonion.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:00 AM
“The insidious liberal bias in music, movies, literature, and television is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Nashville, TN, resident Drew Cardona
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Boosting!
If you use Notepad++, this is critical reading and you need to update ASAP
Notepad++ was hacked! Nothing's sacred in this world.
February 4, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Boosting!
Reposted by Rich Alderson
little item for the Senate Dems to ponder: which of the reforms you’re currently floating is going to stop this?
🚨BREAKING: Steve Bannon said Tuesday that the federal government is planning to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to patrol polling stations during this year’s midterm elections. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Steve Bannon says ICE will ‘surround the polls’ as Trump doubles down on taking over elections
Trump doubled down on his comments to nationalize voting Tuesday during an Oval Office press conference. “If you think about it, a state is an agent for the federal government in elections,” Trump sai...
www.democracydocket.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:41 PM
little item for the Senate Dems to ponder: which of the reforms you’re currently floating is going to stop this?
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Tell me, with fair voting, you face a massive bloodbath in the midterms without telling me, with fair voting, you face a massive bloodbath in the midterms.
Trump today: “We should take over the voting in at least 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting because we have states that are so crooked.”
February 2, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Tell me, with fair voting, you face a massive bloodbath in the midterms without telling me, with fair voting, you face a massive bloodbath in the midterms.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
This is a great opportunity that people should take advantage of if they can.
Hey folks!
Due to a series of unforeseen expenses, I need to raise some cash before royalty season rolls around at the beginning of April. Because of that, I am going to do something I don't usually do and offer paid mentoring sessions for aspiring writers.
Due to a series of unforeseen expenses, I need to raise some cash before royalty season rolls around at the beginning of April. Because of that, I am going to do something I don't usually do and offer paid mentoring sessions for aspiring writers.
February 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM
This is a great opportunity that people should take advantage of if they can.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Poll after poll shows Americans think the ICE shooting of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Jeffrey Pretti was unjustified. Instead of accountability, Trump’s DOJ is attacking critics.
Contact Congress and demand accountability for ICE. NOW!
Contact Congress and demand accountability for ICE. NOW!
Stop ICE's Attack On Our Communities
An ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. This news is devastating. ICE must immediately withdraw its 2,000 agents from Minnesota and Congress must block any new funding to immigr...
action.aclu.org
February 1, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Poll after poll shows Americans think the ICE shooting of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Jeffrey Pretti was unjustified. Instead of accountability, Trump’s DOJ is attacking critics.
Contact Congress and demand accountability for ICE. NOW!
Contact Congress and demand accountability for ICE. NOW!
Macaroni and cheese. Undercooked chicken. Garlic mashed potatoes. Most stuffings.
Then there are things like (hominy) grits[*] and hominy. Thanks, I’ll starve first.
[*] Some people call things like Malt-o-meal “grits”, but that’s not my dialect.
Then there are things like (hominy) grits[*] and hominy. Thanks, I’ll starve first.
[*] Some people call things like Malt-o-meal “grits”, but that’s not my dialect.
What are your foods that you will grudgingly eat but ONLY if nothing else is available and you’re really hungry?
for me, it’s: lean cuisine shoved in the back of the fridge, gas station hot dogs, Subway sandwiches, Oreos (I don’t get them), plain hard-boiled eggs, Nature Valley bars, most bagels
for me, it’s: lean cuisine shoved in the back of the fridge, gas station hot dogs, Subway sandwiches, Oreos (I don’t get them), plain hard-boiled eggs, Nature Valley bars, most bagels
January 31, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Macaroni and cheese. Undercooked chicken. Garlic mashed potatoes. Most stuffings.
Then there are things like (hominy) grits[*] and hominy. Thanks, I’ll starve first.
[*] Some people call things like Malt-o-meal “grits”, but that’s not my dialect.
Then there are things like (hominy) grits[*] and hominy. Thanks, I’ll starve first.
[*] Some people call things like Malt-o-meal “grits”, but that’s not my dialect.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
The thing I am taking from this is there are a small handful of people who REALLY do not understand the US constitution
January 30, 2026 at 6:24 AM
The thing I am taking from this is there are a small handful of people who REALLY do not understand the US constitution
Reposted by Rich Alderson
We already have a warrant requirement. It's called the US Constitution. If that's not fucking binding them, what the hell does your little agreement mean?
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the party agreed on three main goals:
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
° Require warrants in some cases and ICE coordination with state and local law enforcement
° Create a code of conduct and enforce it
° Require agents to wear body cams and not masks
Democrats demand new ICE restrictions as government shutdown looms
After federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats say they’ll block a massive government funding package without policy changes.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:26 AM
We already have a warrant requirement. It's called the US Constitution. If that's not fucking binding them, what the hell does your little agreement mean?
Reposted by Rich Alderson
If Graham can hold up this bill for venal and treasonous reasons, then @amyklobuchar.com & @smith.senate.gov can block the whole spending package until Dems get the GOP to agree to clawback ICE detention funds.
NO SENATE VOTE TONIGHT
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
Couldn’t get all senators to allow a speedy vote. Schumer tells reporters Lindsey Graham is blocking it. “That’s the holdup,” Schumer tells reporters. Graham wants to keep a provision letting him sue to pocket $500,000 over J6 phone records seized.
January 30, 2026 at 5:54 AM
If Graham can hold up this bill for venal and treasonous reasons, then @amyklobuchar.com & @smith.senate.gov can block the whole spending package until Dems get the GOP to agree to clawback ICE detention funds.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
I know all eyes are on Minneapolis, but there's a fast-approaching nightmare in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
January 28, 2026 at 11:38 PM
I know all eyes are on Minneapolis, but there's a fast-approaching nightmare in Springfield, Ohio.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
Trump is revoking protected status for tens of thousands of Haitians living there on Feb. 3.
Reportedly, on Feb. 4, 1000 ICE agents are arriving to remove this population. Ethnic cleansing.
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Springsteen creates the anthem for our times reminiscent of “Ohio” by Crosby Stills, Nash and Young.
I can’t help but cry. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKS...
I can’t help but cry. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKS...
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Springsteen creates the anthem for our times reminiscent of “Ohio” by Crosby Stills, Nash and Young.
I can’t help but cry. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKS...
I can’t help but cry. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWKS...
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Reposted by Rich Alderson
Ossoff: "This is a seismic event. This should have people across the country absolutely shook. This is a huge deal. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office ... This is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections. He tried to steal power when he lost it in 2020."
January 29, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Ossoff: "This is a seismic event. This should have people across the country absolutely shook. This is a huge deal. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office ... This is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections. He tried to steal power when he lost it in 2020."