The Horrified Onlooker
@benjaminabrhm.bsky.social
Librarian. Queermo. Poster Collector. Doof.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
And to be honest there have always been de–facto functional—if not de-jure legal—exceptions to free speech, statements that you can’t make without likely ruining your life. Most prominently these are “free Palestine” and “that man raped me.”
February 16, 2026 at 12:22 AM
And to be honest there have always been de–facto functional—if not de-jure legal—exceptions to free speech, statements that you can’t make without likely ruining your life. Most prominently these are “free Palestine” and “that man raped me.”
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Sorry but it’s not a free press if there is a class of people too powerful to risk telling the truth about.
February 16, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Sorry but it’s not a free press if there is a class of people too powerful to risk telling the truth about.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
What Peter Thiel did to Gawker proved that you can’t have billionaires and a free press at the same time.
i think you can judge how free - or not - our political media is by the fact that elon musk literally did a sieg heil (twice) at a rally and it’s still seen as uncouth and overly partisan (in legacy media) to describe his politics as straightforwardly white supremacist.
February 16, 2026 at 12:19 AM
What Peter Thiel did to Gawker proved that you can’t have billionaires and a free press at the same time.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Antonin Scalia’s death 10 years ago today gave the conservative legal movement the chance it had spent decades preparing for. Republicans were ready. Democrats weren’t.
The Conservative Legal Movement Was Ready For Antonin Scalia’s Death
The sequence of events kicked off by Scalia’s death a decade ago might feel improbable. But the right was waiting for its chance to capture the Court, and didn’t let it go to waste.
ballsandstrikes.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Antonin Scalia’s death 10 years ago today gave the conservative legal movement the chance it had spent decades preparing for. Republicans were ready. Democrats weren’t.
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“The best way to honor Charlie's memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse. In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence.” -Gavin Newsom about his friend Charlie Kirk(dead now)
February 13, 2026 at 2:43 PM
“The best way to honor Charlie's memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse. In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence.” -Gavin Newsom about his friend Charlie Kirk(dead now)
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
How broken do you have to be to gleefully invent new ways to torture the children you're holding prisoner in a concentration camp?
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
February 13, 2026 at 8:37 PM
How broken do you have to be to gleefully invent new ways to torture the children you're holding prisoner in a concentration camp?
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.
The Woman Alex Pretti Was Killed Trying to Defend Is an EMT. Federal Agents Stopped Her From Giving First Aid.
One of the women Alex Pretti was killed trying to defend is an EMT. Federal agents stopped her from giving him first aid.
interc.pt
February 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
February 13, 2026 at 7:41 PM
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
utterly.
“All along the way, the community has stepped up with our whistles, with our cell phones and with our bodies to defend our neighbors,” Communities United Against Police Brutality president Michelle Gross said.
“But what do we see from our public officials? They have utterly failed us.”
“But what do we see from our public officials? They have utterly failed us.”
Minneapolis activists press local leaders to respond to federal surge
Minneapolis activists say state leaders have failed to act as federal agents arrest protesters and residents during an ongoing federal surge.
www.mprnews.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:54 AM
utterly.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Joe Rogan Thinks People Are Not Allowed To Leave Oxford, England
www.wonkette.com/p/joe-rogan-...
By Robyn Pennacchia @robynelyse.bsky.social
www.wonkette.com/p/joe-rogan-...
By Robyn Pennacchia @robynelyse.bsky.social
Joe Rogan Thinks People Are Not Allowed To Leave Oxford, England
People are allowed to leave Oxford, England.
www.wonkette.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Joe Rogan Thinks People Are Not Allowed To Leave Oxford, England
www.wonkette.com/p/joe-rogan-...
By Robyn Pennacchia @robynelyse.bsky.social
www.wonkette.com/p/joe-rogan-...
By Robyn Pennacchia @robynelyse.bsky.social
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Q: “Have you fired or disciplined that staffer who posted the video from your account that included the Obamas?”
Trump: “No, I haven't.”
Trump: “No, I haven't.”
February 12, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Q: “Have you fired or disciplined that staffer who posted the video from your account that included the Obamas?”
Trump: “No, I haven't.”
Trump: “No, I haven't.”
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
"for Navarro, the inevitable damage to the economy due to the loss of productive immigrant workers is a good thing, because Americans should be willing to sacrifice prosperity in the cause of expelling the foreign-born."
MAGA economics is a mess. From @davidrlurie.com at @atrupar.com's place:
MAGA economics is a mess. From @davidrlurie.com at @atrupar.com's place:
"While Americans should welcome Trump’s rapidly increasing unpopularity and must do everything they can to constrain him, realism requires a recognition that he's all but certain to do everything possible to cling to power — even if he brings the country down with him." — @davidrlurie.com
We are all passengers in Trump’s death cab
The nihilism of the regime is its most terrifying attribute.
www.publicnotice.co
February 12, 2026 at 7:20 PM
"for Navarro, the inevitable damage to the economy due to the loss of productive immigrant workers is a good thing, because Americans should be willing to sacrifice prosperity in the cause of expelling the foreign-born."
MAGA economics is a mess. From @davidrlurie.com at @atrupar.com's place:
MAGA economics is a mess. From @davidrlurie.com at @atrupar.com's place:
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Oklahoma officials found signs of oil&gas pollution in Tammy Boarman's drinking water, which left sores in her mouth and corroded appliances. In the end, the state closed her case, with basic questions left unanswered @readfrontier.bsky.social+@propublica.org
www.readfrontier.org/stories/salt...
www.readfrontier.org/stories/salt...
Their Water Was Undrinkable. Oklahoma’s Oil Regulators Failed to Help.
State regulators discovered strong signs of oil pollution, including high levels of salt and toxic metals, in one family’s drinking water. But for two years, they repeatedly delayed basic tests to fin...
www.readfrontier.org
February 12, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Oklahoma officials found signs of oil&gas pollution in Tammy Boarman's drinking water, which left sores in her mouth and corroded appliances. In the end, the state closed her case, with basic questions left unanswered @readfrontier.bsky.social+@propublica.org
www.readfrontier.org/stories/salt...
www.readfrontier.org/stories/salt...
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
RFK Jr/MAHA world say they're not reducing access to vaccines for anyone who wants them, only giving people "choice" to opt out.
But by refusing to even review new vaccines, yes, they are absolutely blocking those who want a new immunization from ever having access to it.
But by refusing to even review new vaccines, yes, they are absolutely blocking those who want a new immunization from ever having access to it.
Top FDA official Vinay Prasad overruled the agency’s reviewers--career scientists--when he refused to accept Moderna’s application for a new influenza vaccine www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:54 PM
RFK Jr/MAHA world say they're not reducing access to vaccines for anyone who wants them, only giving people "choice" to opt out.
But by refusing to even review new vaccines, yes, they are absolutely blocking those who want a new immunization from ever having access to it.
But by refusing to even review new vaccines, yes, they are absolutely blocking those who want a new immunization from ever having access to it.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
“Musk’s longtime fixation on a white racial majority is intensifying. The richest man in the world posted about how the white race was under threat, made allusions to race science or promoted anti-immigrant conspiracy content on 26 out of 31 days in January, according to the Guardian’s analysis…”
Elon Musk posted about race almost every day in January
Many social media posts by Tesla CEO on his platform are indiscernible from those of white supremacists, say experts
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:16 PM
“Musk’s longtime fixation on a white racial majority is intensifying. The richest man in the world posted about how the white race was under threat, made allusions to race science or promoted anti-immigrant conspiracy content on 26 out of 31 days in January, according to the Guardian’s analysis…”
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
The other problem with this is that those Trump policies described there aren't actually about "securing the border." They're about emptying *the interior* of immigrants. The media's casual conflation of "the border" with interior enforcement/policy is a big reason we are where we are today.
Not going to read them all because jesus fucking christ but this is nasty work from Friedersdorf
February 12, 2026 at 6:29 PM
The other problem with this is that those Trump policies described there aren't actually about "securing the border." They're about emptying *the interior* of immigrants. The media's casual conflation of "the border" with interior enforcement/policy is a big reason we are where we are today.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Damn if one (1) nineteen year old regretting their choice means nobody should be allowed to do it, kids who got fucked up as a result of joining the Army should sue Uncle Sam so everyone else is prevented from making a choice they might regret, too.
@rikiwilchins.bsky.social 2026 Feb 12:
WSJ continues assault on GAC w/ anomalous lead op-ed by detransitioner who realized top surgery at age 19 was wrong bec. "there was no way to be born in the wrong body at all." Her lawsuit before TX Supreme Court seeks to overturn 2-yr statute of limitations.
WSJ continues assault on GAC w/ anomalous lead op-ed by detransitioner who realized top surgery at age 19 was wrong bec. "there was no way to be born in the wrong body at all." Her lawsuit before TX Supreme Court seeks to overturn 2-yr statute of limitations.
Opinion | What I Suffered Being ‘Transgender’
I’m suing the people who did this to me, and the Texas Supreme Court heard my case this week.
www.wsj.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Damn if one (1) nineteen year old regretting their choice means nobody should be allowed to do it, kids who got fucked up as a result of joining the Army should sue Uncle Sam so everyone else is prevented from making a choice they might regret, too.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Either Stephen Miller was lying then or the head of CBP is lying now about the Trump regime's account of Alex Pretti's murder.
This is important. The head of CBP says here that his agency did NOT provide the assessment that led DHS to label Alex Pretti a terrorist looking to inflict mass casualties.
That appears to contradict Stephen Miller's claim that the initial assessment was based on CBP reports:
That appears to contradict Stephen Miller's claim that the initial assessment was based on CBP reports:
February 12, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Either Stephen Miller was lying then or the head of CBP is lying now about the Trump regime's account of Alex Pretti's murder.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Marimar Martinez was shot by Border Patrol five times.
DHS accused her of being a domestic terrorist.
She went to court to get the body cam footage released.
It shows Agent Charles Exum driving with his gun drawn.
Saying “do something b*tch”.
Ramming her car.
Shooting her.
It shows DHS lied.
DHS accused her of being a domestic terrorist.
She went to court to get the body cam footage released.
It shows Agent Charles Exum driving with his gun drawn.
Saying “do something b*tch”.
Ramming her car.
Shooting her.
It shows DHS lied.
February 12, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Marimar Martinez was shot by Border Patrol five times.
DHS accused her of being a domestic terrorist.
She went to court to get the body cam footage released.
It shows Agent Charles Exum driving with his gun drawn.
Saying “do something b*tch”.
Ramming her car.
Shooting her.
It shows DHS lied.
DHS accused her of being a domestic terrorist.
She went to court to get the body cam footage released.
It shows Agent Charles Exum driving with his gun drawn.
Saying “do something b*tch”.
Ramming her car.
Shooting her.
It shows DHS lied.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Yesterday, Trump got rid of the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument in NYC, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community.
Huge protest expected today. Spread the word!
advocate.com/politics/sto...
Huge protest expected today. Spread the word!
advocate.com/politics/sto...
Protest set at NYC’s Stonewall after Trump administration removes Pride flag from national LGBTQ+ monument
The Trump administration says the move is about policy. Critics call it erasure at the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
advocate.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Yesterday, Trump got rid of the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument in NYC, which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community.
Huge protest expected today. Spread the word!
advocate.com/politics/sto...
Huge protest expected today. Spread the word!
advocate.com/politics/sto...
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
Don't just read Rupar's quote in the post. Listed to her. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
February 10, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Don't just read Rupar's quote in the post. Listed to her. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
my joke about vance is still making the right-wing rounds. they are furious about this! the worst thing ever said by a human being, apparently.
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
my joke about vance is still making the right-wing rounds. they are furious about this! the worst thing ever said by a human being, apparently.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
NEW: ICE has a plan to lease offices across the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:13 PM
NEW: ICE has a plan to lease offices across the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
It's very hard for some people to accept how unpopular Trump has become on immigration, in part because it means a total reassessment of what the 2024 election really meant.
I just wrote about two recent NYT articles that create a misleading picture of public opinion by centering Republicans and suggesting ICE reform proposals are unpopular.
www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
The New York Times manufactures consent for ICE
Most Americans disapprove of the Trump regime’s lawless terrorizing of American cities under the guise of immigration enforcement, but you wouldn’t know that from reading two recent New York Times art...
www.findinggravity.net
February 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM
It's very hard for some people to accept how unpopular Trump has become on immigration, in part because it means a total reassessment of what the 2024 election really meant.
Reposted by The Horrified Onlooker
These people want imperialism without the costs associated with it. They want to extract wealth from their territories while leaving the people to die and starve because they view them as subhuman. That's what this is all about. It's neo-colonialism.
February 10, 2026 at 5:42 PM
These people want imperialism without the costs associated with it. They want to extract wealth from their territories while leaving the people to die and starve because they view them as subhuman. That's what this is all about. It's neo-colonialism.