Seth Kahn (he/him)
@badpacifist.bsky.social
Writing/rhetoric prof in PA. Write about higher ed organizing. Teach about demagoguery. Spurs/Union/Phillies/UGA fan. Read sci-fi, police procedurals, and horror fiction. No DMs with strangers.
My employer says I have to tell you I don't represent them.
My employer says I have to tell you I don't represent them.
Pinned
I've been harping on the idea of *preparing* for a general strike for months, so I decided it's time to do some thinking about what that actually entails for people who are riled up enough to go tomorrow but may not be thinking about how to protect yourselves and each other if we do this.
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Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
No Starbucks for me again until an agreement is reached.
If we go on strike, our union of 12,000 workers are calling on customers to NOT BUY STARBUCKS.
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
Sign our pledge to not cross a picket line and we'll send you local calls to action - nocontractnocoffee.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:33 PM
No Starbucks for me again until an agreement is reached.
Anyone else who wants to watch MNF but can't because of YouTube TV, this worked.
this is working
use the NFL app and sign in to it with YouTube TV as your TV provider and you can watch mnf that way. it's dumb but it works. the future is amazing
November 11, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Anyone else who wants to watch MNF but can't because of YouTube TV, this worked.
You're right! It's not the purpose of it. It's also not what happens. But nothing stops you from lying about it, and of course your Fox Bullshit friends aren't going to correct you.
Trump on SNAP: It really puts the country in jeopardy. People who are able bodied who can do their job—they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up because it’s easier—that’s not the purpose of it
November 11, 2025 at 1:05 AM
You're right! It's not the purpose of it. It's also not what happens. But nothing stops you from lying about it, and of course your Fox Bullshit friends aren't going to correct you.
Sorry for all the tags, @davekarpf.bsky.social, but you keep being right.
This is a helpful calibration of what the shutdown/cave do/don't mean. Expecting it to transform the Dem Party was, er, misguided, as was expecting it to stop Trump's abuses. That doesn't make it OK, but less doomy?
This is a helpful calibration of what the shutdown/cave do/don't mean. Expecting it to transform the Dem Party was, er, misguided, as was expecting it to stop Trump's abuses. That doesn't make it OK, but less doomy?
The Shutdown Surrender
I just... I mean... Whatever.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Sorry for all the tags, @davekarpf.bsky.social, but you keep being right.
This is a helpful calibration of what the shutdown/cave do/don't mean. Expecting it to transform the Dem Party was, er, misguided, as was expecting it to stop Trump's abuses. That doesn't make it OK, but less doomy?
This is a helpful calibration of what the shutdown/cave do/don't mean. Expecting it to transform the Dem Party was, er, misguided, as was expecting it to stop Trump's abuses. That doesn't make it OK, but less doomy?
This is the loudest I've snorted in my entire life.
Whoa -- Sen. Durbin went to up Leader Thune during the vote last night to tell him that on the shutdown vote and ACA promise that "8 of us are sticking our neck out that you're going to keep your word. I hope you will. He said 'I assure you I will,'" Durbin says just now
November 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM
This is the loudest I've snorted in my entire life.
Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
Trump appearing in the fox sports broadcast for an NFL game is a reminder that MAGA didn’t want politics out of sports, just anti-racist ones.
November 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Trump appearing in the fox sports broadcast for an NFL game is a reminder that MAGA didn’t want politics out of sports, just anti-racist ones.
Of course we knew these weren't the original premium credits. The whole point was to get them extended *anyway* because people desperately need them. But thanks for being both wrong and patronizing as hell!
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Of course we knew these weren't the original premium credits. The whole point was to get them extended *anyway* because people desperately need them. But thanks for being both wrong and patronizing as hell!
The best case scenario is that 8 Senate Dems (plus some others, I suspect) think it's still 1992. @davekarpf.bsky.social and others have pointing out that campaign consultants who have the ears of leadership still think that, so this would be no surprise.
WAKE UP, Y'ALL! NAPPY TIME IS OVER!
WAKE UP, Y'ALL! NAPPY TIME IS OVER!
1. Joe Scarborough: "We had to end the shutdown because it's the only way to get ACA subsidies on the table, but we know the GOP [who control both houses and the White House] won't vote for them." Yes, he just said that (lightly paraphrased) and doesn't understand that's THE EXACT BLEEPING PROBLEM.
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
The best case scenario is that 8 Senate Dems (plus some others, I suspect) think it's still 1992. @davekarpf.bsky.social and others have pointing out that campaign consultants who have the ears of leadership still think that, so this would be no surprise.
WAKE UP, Y'ALL! NAPPY TIME IS OVER!
WAKE UP, Y'ALL! NAPPY TIME IS OVER!
Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 10, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
1. Joe Scarborough: "We had to end the shutdown because it's the only way to get ACA subsidies on the table, but we know the GOP [who control both houses and the White House] won't vote for them." Yes, he just said that (lightly paraphrased) and doesn't understand that's THE EXACT BLEEPING PROBLEM.
November 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
1. Joe Scarborough: "We had to end the shutdown because it's the only way to get ACA subsidies on the table, but we know the GOP [who control both houses and the White House] won't vote for them." Yes, he just said that (lightly paraphrased) and doesn't understand that's THE EXACT BLEEPING PROBLEM.
Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
This is one of the most duplicitous things I've ever heard. You just 10000000000% guaranteed that it won't happen. Good fucking job.
Shaheen: So let me be clear. No one in the senate chamber wants to extend the ACA tax credits more than I do.
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
This is one of the most duplicitous things I've ever heard. You just 10000000000% guaranteed that it won't happen. Good fucking job.
Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
Did you get your new healthcare premium notice yet?
“Medicare for All” is starting to sound real good to a lot of folks who didn’t want to talk about it before.
Same page now!
“Medicare for All” is starting to sound real good to a lot of folks who didn’t want to talk about it before.
Same page now!
November 10, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Did you get your new healthcare premium notice yet?
“Medicare for All” is starting to sound real good to a lot of folks who didn’t want to talk about it before.
Same page now!
“Medicare for All” is starting to sound real good to a lot of folks who didn’t want to talk about it before.
Same page now!
Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
It doesn't actually matter if Chuck Schumer votes for this or not.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 AM
It doesn't actually matter if Chuck Schumer votes for this or not.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
If he can't keep his caucus unified to protect healthcare for over 10 million Americans, he should resign as leader.
Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
Jesus Christ, @kaine.senate.gov, getting a pinky promise to hold one single vote on ACA funding is not "a path toward fixing the health care mess" anymore than a lottery ticket is a "path toward fixing my personal finances"
“Um well there aren’t even any Senate Dem Press releases saying they support the deal”
Sen Tim Kaine: Hold my beer
Sen Tim Kaine: Hold my beer
November 10, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Jesus Christ, @kaine.senate.gov, getting a pinky promise to hold one single vote on ACA funding is not "a path toward fixing the health care mess" anymore than a lottery ticket is a "path toward fixing my personal finances"
Reposted by Seth Kahn (he/him)
look I know being an engaged citizen IS the work of democracy but it is also the work of elected officials not to create situations where everyone has to be mobilized all the time to prevent them from allowing some kind of Dickensian horror on a Sunday night while you're in between loads of laundry
November 9, 2025 at 11:37 PM
look I know being an engaged citizen IS the work of democracy but it is also the work of elected officials not to create situations where everyone has to be mobilized all the time to prevent them from allowing some kind of Dickensian horror on a Sunday night while you're in between loads of laundry
Dear Jeebus, I hope this is true.
so it seems like Senate Dems aren't actually agreed on anything; Thune leaked a terrible deal and got Axios to cover it as if Dems were on board?
November 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Dear Jeebus, I hope this is true.
Also, it's infuriating to see GOPers making the exact same argument ("Giveaway to insurance companies") lefties made against ACA in 2009-10, while refusing to acknowledge that they don't give a fuck who dies when nobody but the rich can pay for any medical care at all.
Eugenics all the way down.
Eugenics all the way down.
At least they FINALLY admitted why they refused to negotiate on the shutdown. First they lied and promised Dems they would “negotiate” this, but only AFTER they voted for the CR. But Dems were correct when they assessed that Republicans NEVER intended to extend these subsidies.
November 9, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Also, it's infuriating to see GOPers making the exact same argument ("Giveaway to insurance companies") lefties made against ACA in 2009-10, while refusing to acknowledge that they don't give a fuck who dies when nobody but the rich can pay for any medical care at all.
Eugenics all the way down.
Eugenics all the way down.
tl;dr The cruelty is not the point; it's just a bonus. Punishment is the point.
Thinking a lot (gee, I wonder why) about the "cruelty is the point" riff, and I'm increasingly uncomfortable with how easily it gets tossed around every time MAGA does something to hurt people, which is all they ever do.
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November 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
tl;dr The cruelty is not the point; it's just a bonus. Punishment is the point.
Thinking a lot (gee, I wonder why) about the "cruelty is the point" riff, and I'm increasingly uncomfortable with how easily it gets tossed around every time MAGA does something to hurt people, which is all they ever do.
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November 9, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Thinking a lot (gee, I wonder why) about the "cruelty is the point" riff, and I'm increasingly uncomfortable with how easily it gets tossed around every time MAGA does something to hurt people, which is all they ever do.
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"News" sources across the US reporting (with no suggestion that maybe it's BS) DJT's claim that he'll give everyone $2000.
In Lewis Powell's darkest fantasy version of the Powell Memo, he couldn't have imagined that the mainstream media would be this thoroughly in service to authoritarian power.
In Lewis Powell's darkest fantasy version of the Powell Memo, he couldn't have imagined that the mainstream media would be this thoroughly in service to authoritarian power.
November 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
"News" sources across the US reporting (with no suggestion that maybe it's BS) DJT's claim that he'll give everyone $2000.
In Lewis Powell's darkest fantasy version of the Powell Memo, he couldn't have imagined that the mainstream media would be this thoroughly in service to authoritarian power.
In Lewis Powell's darkest fantasy version of the Powell Memo, he couldn't have imagined that the mainstream media would be this thoroughly in service to authoritarian power.
GOP voters in states that offering food aid while Trump is trying to starve people by withholding SNAP need to know it's their *states* that are feeding them, not McFascist.
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November 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
GOP voters in states that offering food aid while Trump is trying to starve people by withholding SNAP need to know it's their *states* that are feeding them, not McFascist.
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Today in "Slamming Full Speed into the Point and Still Missing It."
You're a Jew-hating bigot, Nick, who has proclaimed publicly that we should all die. Bout as Nazi as it gets, dude.
You're a Jew-hating bigot, Nick, who has proclaimed publicly that we should all die. Bout as Nazi as it gets, dude.
Nick Fuentes says people better be careful about calling him a Nazi "because if I'm a Nazi, then there's millions of young people that are following a fucking Nazi." Um, yeah, that's exactly what we've been warning about!
November 9, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Today in "Slamming Full Speed into the Point and Still Missing It."
You're a Jew-hating bigot, Nick, who has proclaimed publicly that we should all die. Bout as Nazi as it gets, dude.
You're a Jew-hating bigot, Nick, who has proclaimed publicly that we should all die. Bout as Nazi as it gets, dude.
#Sportsball thread for the day...
Ugh. Of course Erling Haaland has to take the worst PK of his career against bleeping Liverpool. I don't hate them more than the Yankees/Duke men's BB/Notre Dame football, but it's damn close.
Ugh. Of course Erling Haaland has to take the worst PK of his career against bleeping Liverpool. I don't hate them more than the Yankees/Duke men's BB/Notre Dame football, but it's damn close.
November 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
#Sportsball thread for the day...
Ugh. Of course Erling Haaland has to take the worst PK of his career against bleeping Liverpool. I don't hate them more than the Yankees/Duke men's BB/Notre Dame football, but it's damn close.
Ugh. Of course Erling Haaland has to take the worst PK of his career against bleeping Liverpool. I don't hate them more than the Yankees/Duke men's BB/Notre Dame football, but it's damn close.
Yes, I'm counting. 😀
Republicans sure love STATES' RIGHTS until they don't like what states do, Chapter 48998589598598589848484873737484847484848495948394943849483832727373849439394094339.
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
November 9, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Yes, I'm counting. 😀