@anonymousvc.bsky.social
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I’ve said it a million times, the courage and virtue needed to stand up and say “no, this is wrong” is found all but exclusively among ordinary people like us. It’s far from ideal, but it might be enough.
In Chicago, the courage of good, everyday folks getting in the face of ICE/BP and fighting back is restoring my faith in America
In DC, the cowardice of Senate Democrats has undermined it, again
America needs a government as good as its people. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
In DC, the cowardice of Senate Democrats has undermined it, again
America needs a government as good as its people. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
A nation of heroes, a Senate of cowards | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, Cheney didn’t save us from Trump. He created him.
www.inquirer.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I’ve said it a million times, the courage and virtue needed to stand up and say “no, this is wrong” is found all but exclusively among ordinary people like us. It’s far from ideal, but it might be enough.
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“What is new is the confluence of three trends:
The sheer scale of wealth for the richest.
The untethering of compensation from performance.
The amount of harm these figures are willing to inflict on society.
All three are rising to a dangerously high tide.
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The sheer scale of wealth for the richest.
The untethering of compensation from performance.
The amount of harm these figures are willing to inflict on society.
All three are rising to a dangerously high tide.
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Welcome to Tesla Capitalism
Or: JVL explains why Americans are toying with socialism.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
“What is new is the confluence of three trends:
The sheer scale of wealth for the richest.
The untethering of compensation from performance.
The amount of harm these figures are willing to inflict on society.
All three are rising to a dangerously high tide.
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The sheer scale of wealth for the richest.
The untethering of compensation from performance.
The amount of harm these figures are willing to inflict on society.
All three are rising to a dangerously high tide.
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
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"Authoritarians worldwide have discovered how to exploit a weakness in democratic opposition: they weaponize our compassion against our principles."
This is the stuff, from @adambonica.bsky.social. All of it. "Normal politics" is wildly inadequate in the face of the far right authoritarianism.
This is the stuff, from @adambonica.bsky.social. All of it. "Normal politics" is wildly inadequate in the face of the far right authoritarianism.
November 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"Authoritarians worldwide have discovered how to exploit a weakness in democratic opposition: they weaponize our compassion against our principles."
This is the stuff, from @adambonica.bsky.social. All of it. "Normal politics" is wildly inadequate in the face of the far right authoritarianism.
This is the stuff, from @adambonica.bsky.social. All of it. "Normal politics" is wildly inadequate in the face of the far right authoritarianism.
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From a Washington Post story titled "How women feel about Trump’s presidency"
November 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
From a Washington Post story titled "How women feel about Trump’s presidency"
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Idiom Origin
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
January 20, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Idiom Origin
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
Reposted
I guess I need to add that pundits have to get out of a normal democracy mindset too.
It’s been a decade of democratic backsliding, and nearly a year of rapid descent. Writing as if it’s 2013 or 1995 is out of touch. Either ”I have my head in the sand” or “I like this but won’t say so directly.”
It’s been a decade of democratic backsliding, and nearly a year of rapid descent. Writing as if it’s 2013 or 1995 is out of touch. Either ”I have my head in the sand” or “I like this but won’t say so directly.”
Democrats Have to Get Out of a Normal Democracy Mindset
By folding in the government shutdown in exchange for virtually nothing, eight Democratic senators aid Trump's authoritarian takeover rather than oppose it
www.arcdigital.media
November 11, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I guess I need to add that pundits have to get out of a normal democracy mindset too.
It’s been a decade of democratic backsliding, and nearly a year of rapid descent. Writing as if it’s 2013 or 1995 is out of touch. Either ”I have my head in the sand” or “I like this but won’t say so directly.”
It’s been a decade of democratic backsliding, and nearly a year of rapid descent. Writing as if it’s 2013 or 1995 is out of touch. Either ”I have my head in the sand” or “I like this but won’t say so directly.”
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the reactionary centrists with cushy opinion gigs couldn't make it through a 15 minute live discussion with a randomly selected progressive operative, political scientist or Resistance-era precinct captain
No, false.
This wasn’t about a mere “policy agenda”—pre-Trump shutdowns were, which is also why they were much shorter—it was about egregious lawbreaking.
No one explained how it could’ve gone any other way? I did.
Just put on the red hat and say you like the serially lying authoritarian, Josh.
This wasn’t about a mere “policy agenda”—pre-Trump shutdowns were, which is also why they were much shorter—it was about egregious lawbreaking.
No one explained how it could’ve gone any other way? I did.
Just put on the red hat and say you like the serially lying authoritarian, Josh.
November 11, 2025 at 1:02 PM
the reactionary centrists with cushy opinion gigs couldn't make it through a 15 minute live discussion with a randomly selected progressive operative, political scientist or Resistance-era precinct captain
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Trump isn’t interested in truth. He is interested in subordination and control. The apology conveys to me that the BBC thinks they can sweep this under the rug with a robust “sorry,” but that’s just opened the door to an authoritarian to come at them. Where are the journalists to say “no, enough?”
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Trump isn’t interested in truth. He is interested in subordination and control. The apology conveys to me that the BBC thinks they can sweep this under the rug with a robust “sorry,” but that’s just opened the door to an authoritarian to come at them. Where are the journalists to say “no, enough?”
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we live in an era where we are burning the legacy of civilization on the altar of men who don't want to do what their mothers told them when they were 6
November 10, 2025 at 8:28 PM
we live in an era where we are burning the legacy of civilization on the altar of men who don't want to do what their mothers told them when they were 6
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That old metaphor about the frog and the boiling water isn’t true: If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly raise the heat, the frog will jump out before it gets boiled to death.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
How news coverage eases us into tyranny
When the media act like things are normal, they don’t reassure us – they gaslight us
www.stopthepresses.news
November 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
That old metaphor about the frog and the boiling water isn’t true: If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly raise the heat, the frog will jump out before it gets boiled to death.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
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I feel like we're in a weird world where the average Dem partisan, engaged voter is better informed than most of their representatives
seems to me that those democrats inclined not to fight perceive themselves as living through a somewhat ordinary cycle of presidential overreach and backlash and not something much more significant and dangerous
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I feel like we're in a weird world where the average Dem partisan, engaged voter is better informed than most of their representatives
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BREAKING: #SCOTUS will decide an issue near and dear to President Trump: whether federal law allows states to tally ballots in federal elections after Election Day. 5th Circuit ruled it does.
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
BREAKING: #SCOTUS will decide an issue near and dear to President Trump: whether federal law allows states to tally ballots in federal elections after Election Day. 5th Circuit ruled it does.
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YES!!!!
"Linear algebraic sociopathy" (last post in the thread).
DAMN, but that's concise and accurate.
"Linear algebraic sociopathy" (last post in the thread).
DAMN, but that's concise and accurate.
Identifying flaws in GenAI unfortunately offers a pretext for claims that perfecting the product is just a matter of time & money. So pointing to chatbots’ role in,say, suicides can only go so far if we don’t also identify the systemic, irresolvable lack of Gen AI’s human commitment bc math has none
November 8, 2025 at 2:14 AM
YES!!!!
"Linear algebraic sociopathy" (last post in the thread).
DAMN, but that's concise and accurate.
"Linear algebraic sociopathy" (last post in the thread).
DAMN, but that's concise and accurate.
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President Trump is pursuing a policy of climate-change acceleration. His actions are fueling global warming—and may leave places in the United States uninhabitable by mid-century, Vann R. Newkirk II writes.
What Climate Change Will Do to America by Mid-Century
Many places may become uninhabitable. Many people may be on their own.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM
President Trump is pursuing a policy of climate-change acceleration. His actions are fueling global warming—and may leave places in the United States uninhabitable by mid-century, Vann R. Newkirk II writes.
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The contrast could hardly be sharper. My friends and neighbors, armed only with whistles and voices, spend their weekend fighting off heavily-armed paramilitary goons. Meanwhile, these jagoffs capitulate, but not before securing another $1 billion for their own security.
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
The contrast could hardly be sharper. My friends and neighbors, armed only with whistles and voices, spend their weekend fighting off heavily-armed paramilitary goons. Meanwhile, these jagoffs capitulate, but not before securing another $1 billion for their own security.
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Incredibly bittersweet to be published in Teen Vogue this weekend after devastating layoffs, including my editor for this piece. It’s about how beauty influencers have fallen into and become part of the alt-right pipeline targeting girls and women
www.teenvogue.com/story/womano...
www.teenvogue.com/story/womano...
The 'Womanosphere' Is Coming for Teen Girls
How beauty and wellness influencers are part of a misinformation ecosystem pushing traditional values on girls.
www.teenvogue.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Incredibly bittersweet to be published in Teen Vogue this weekend after devastating layoffs, including my editor for this piece. It’s about how beauty influencers have fallen into and become part of the alt-right pipeline targeting girls and women
www.teenvogue.com/story/womano...
www.teenvogue.com/story/womano...
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Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
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BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE: Senator Whitehouse asked the BOP for Ghislaine Maxwells sex offender waiver, custody level, transfer code, and security point score. I have them. She's also been granted the ability to leave the facility for work assignments. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/exclusive-...
EXCLUSIVE: I Have Ghislaine Maxwell's Security Score, Custody Level, Transfer Code, and Sex Offender Waiver
I have reviewed an electronic file that includes some of the information Senator Whitehouse is demanding from the Bureau of Prisons.
www.muellershewrote.com
August 11, 2025 at 10:36 PM
BREAKING: EXCLUSIVE: Senator Whitehouse asked the BOP for Ghislaine Maxwells sex offender waiver, custody level, transfer code, and security point score. I have them. She's also been granted the ability to leave the facility for work assignments. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/exclusive-...
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Be clear, the American far right are coming for British democracy.
November 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Be clear, the American far right are coming for British democracy.
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For my friends, everything. For my enemies, the law.
Like many Americans, Scott Adams had insurance problems. But unlike most people he has powerful friends on social media, and when he asked President Trump for help, he got the cancer drug he needed.
Dilbert creator taps Trump to get cancer drug. Others wish they could, too
Like many Americans, Scott Adams had insurance problems. But unlike most people he has powerful friends on social media, and when he asked President Trump for help, he got the cancer drug he needed.
n.pr
November 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
For my friends, everything. For my enemies, the law.
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Reagan-appointed federal judge: "justice is supposed to be administered...equally for everyone, without fear or favor. This is the opposite of what is happening now....Day after day, I observed in silence as President Trump, his aides, & his allies dismantled so much of what I dedicated my life to."
“What Nixon did episodically and covertly, knowing it was illegal or improper, Trump now does routinely and overtly.” — recently retired federal judge
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why I Am Leaving the Federal Bench
A judge explains his reasons for resigning.
www.theatlantic.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reagan-appointed federal judge: "justice is supposed to be administered...equally for everyone, without fear or favor. This is the opposite of what is happening now....Day after day, I observed in silence as President Trump, his aides, & his allies dismantled so much of what I dedicated my life to."
Reposted
"The Mafia Presidency: Trump is saying, essentially, If you don’t want to get hurt, you’ll do what I say"
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
"The Mafia Presidency: Trump is saying, essentially, If you don’t want to get hurt, you’ll do what I say"
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
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Newsom: "It's not about rule of law anymore. It's rule of Don. He's choosing which court decisions he agrees with. He's quite literally running an extortion racket. He's doing it with some of the most powerful corporate leaders. What does everything have in common? Tariffs. They're about leverage"
November 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Newsom: "It's not about rule of law anymore. It's rule of Don. He's choosing which court decisions he agrees with. He's quite literally running an extortion racket. He's doing it with some of the most powerful corporate leaders. What does everything have in common? Tariffs. They're about leverage"
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One authoritarian defunds media critic of another authoritarian: “Mr. Orbán’s government had long accused Szabad Európa of bias. By halting its funding, the United States removed one of the few outlets that continued to scrutinize his administration.”
US no longer supports democracy overseas.
US no longer supports democracy overseas.
US cuts funding for Hungary’s Szabad Európa, one of its last independent outlets, days before Orbán’s WH visit as Trump ally Kari Lake slashes Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, steps watchdogs call “a gift to autocrats.”
Kari Lake Cuts U.S.-Funded Hungarian Outlet, Handing Authoritarian Orbán Win Before Trump Meeting
Kari Lake’s decision to cut funding for Hungary’s U.S.-backed Radio Free Europe branch came just two days before Viktor Orbán’s White House visit,
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
One authoritarian defunds media critic of another authoritarian: “Mr. Orbán’s government had long accused Szabad Európa of bias. By halting its funding, the United States removed one of the few outlets that continued to scrutinize his administration.”
US no longer supports democracy overseas.
US no longer supports democracy overseas.