Ben Kittelson
@benkittelson56.bsky.social
Local government nerd.
My wrapped is “Ben finds out about MJ Lenderman and also reaches new levels of parrot-headedneas”
December 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
My wrapped is “Ben finds out about MJ Lenderman and also reaches new levels of parrot-headedneas”
what if the conspiracy theory explaining the reason for the last dumb war was the actual reason for a new dumb war.
Rep. Salazar: "We're gonna be doing a favor to us, to our children, to our economy, to our oil companies to be able to liberate. And to Venezuelans who wants to be free."
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
what if the conspiracy theory explaining the reason for the last dumb war was the actual reason for a new dumb war.
My kid got a Kramer-in-Seinfeld level sitcom greeting at daycare today. A cheer went up when we entered the classroom and they yelled her name.
I assume she must be a toddler physical comedy phenom
I assume she must be a toddler physical comedy phenom
November 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
My kid got a Kramer-in-Seinfeld level sitcom greeting at daycare today. A cheer went up when we entered the classroom and they yelled her name.
I assume she must be a toddler physical comedy phenom
I assume she must be a toddler physical comedy phenom
a new circle of hell is getting feedback at work that is clearly written by AI
October 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
a new circle of hell is getting feedback at work that is clearly written by AI
Arguably the reason to focus on "kitchen table issues" during the election was because the fascism stuff was all theoretical at the time
Now? it's not theoretical. POTUS and his war secretary just told the military leadership they plan to use the military on the enemy within...
Now? it's not theoretical. POTUS and his war secretary just told the military leadership they plan to use the military on the enemy within...
"The feds invading US cities is a distraction from the loss of healthcare subsidies."
You just have to write it out to see how utterly, facially ludicrous it is. And yet this is the official Dem message!
You just have to write it out to see how utterly, facially ludicrous it is. And yet this is the official Dem message!
September 30, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Arguably the reason to focus on "kitchen table issues" during the election was because the fascism stuff was all theoretical at the time
Now? it's not theoretical. POTUS and his war secretary just told the military leadership they plan to use the military on the enemy within...
Now? it's not theoretical. POTUS and his war secretary just told the military leadership they plan to use the military on the enemy within...
"Inflation is hurting the American people which is why we need to cast the deciding votes to fund a government that is actively hurting the American people by sending masked thugs and military into cities, upending our public health, and undermining the rule of law."
Schumer: "It needs to be a bipartisan bill with real Democratic input. Why? Because the American people are hurting in terms of higher costs."
September 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
"Inflation is hurting the American people which is why we need to cast the deciding votes to fund a government that is actively hurting the American people by sending masked thugs and military into cities, upending our public health, and undermining the rule of law."
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu:
“Silence in the face of oppression is not an option. The U.S. Attorney General asked for a response by today. So here it is…Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration's failures.”
“Silence in the face of oppression is not an option. The U.S. Attorney General asked for a response by today. So here it is…Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration's failures.”
August 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu:
“Silence in the face of oppression is not an option. The U.S. Attorney General asked for a response by today. So here it is…Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration's failures.”
“Silence in the face of oppression is not an option. The U.S. Attorney General asked for a response by today. So here it is…Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration's failures.”
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
Hot take, people who hate cities shouldn’t be in charge of cities
August 11, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Hot take, people who hate cities shouldn’t be in charge of cities
It is called the executive branch because the execute the laws of Congress, not because they get to make up their own laws.
This happens all the time at the local level too, people are surprised when a mayor can't just waive a magic wand and make things happen. Democracy requires building buy-in
This happens all the time at the local level too, people are surprised when a mayor can't just waive a magic wand and make things happen. Democracy requires building buy-in
I continue to be struck by this language of “in accordance with the president’s priorities,” which treats the executive branch as an extension of the person of the president, and not a mechanism for instituting the will of Congress
July 2, 2025 at 1:35 PM
It is called the executive branch because the execute the laws of Congress, not because they get to make up their own laws.
This happens all the time at the local level too, people are surprised when a mayor can't just waive a magic wand and make things happen. Democracy requires building buy-in
This happens all the time at the local level too, people are surprised when a mayor can't just waive a magic wand and make things happen. Democracy requires building buy-in
*log on*
*uninstall AI add ons in every program I use*
*repeat endlessly until one of us dies*
*uninstall AI add ons in every program I use*
*repeat endlessly until one of us dies*
July 2, 2025 at 1:33 PM
*log on*
*uninstall AI add ons in every program I use*
*repeat endlessly until one of us dies*
*uninstall AI add ons in every program I use*
*repeat endlessly until one of us dies*
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
illegal war started by a man constitutionally ineligible to be president
June 22, 2025 at 12:34 AM
illegal war started by a man constitutionally ineligible to be president
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
There's no declaration of war, and no AUMF that covers this. Entering this war is wrong on the merits; we had a perfectly peaceful way to address Iran's nuclear program. It's also unlawful. A democratic republic should not be able to enter a war of choice on one man's say-so.
The US has hust dropped bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites, according to Trump, bringing American military forces into Israel’s war with Iran.
June 22, 2025 at 12:11 AM
There's no declaration of war, and no AUMF that covers this. Entering this war is wrong on the merits; we had a perfectly peaceful way to address Iran's nuclear program. It's also unlawful. A democratic republic should not be able to enter a war of choice on one man's say-so.
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
COMMENTARY: It takes a great country to admit its mistakes. The Trump administration's new signs at Colorado's National Historic Sites reflect weakness and insecurity.
June 20, 2025 at 1:50 AM
COMMENTARY: It takes a great country to admit its mistakes. The Trump administration's new signs at Colorado's National Historic Sites reflect weakness and insecurity.
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
NEWSOM: "It's a vulgar display. It's the kind of thing you see with Kim Jong Un, Putin, dictators that are weak… How weak do you have to be to commandeer the military for your birthday?“
June 13, 2025 at 2:07 AM
NEWSOM: "It's a vulgar display. It's the kind of thing you see with Kim Jong Un, Putin, dictators that are weak… How weak do you have to be to commandeer the military for your birthday?“
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
W.E.B. Du Bois on Robert E. Lee:
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
June 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
W.E.B. Du Bois on Robert E. Lee:
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
“Either he knew what slavery meant when he helped maim and murder thousands in its defense, or he did not. If he did not he was a fool. If he did, Robert Lee was a traitor and a rebel–not indeed to his country, but to humanity and humanity’s God.”
Trying to reason with hurricane season
Weather Service offices in Miami, Jacksonville, Puerto Rico and Houston “lack at least a third of all the meteorologists required...
“The Nat’l Hurricane Center is short 5 specialists, despite assurances from the Trump administration that it is fully staffed.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
“The Nat’l Hurricane Center is short 5 specialists, despite assurances from the Trump administration that it is fully staffed.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Key US weather monitoring offices understaffed as hurricane season starts
National Weather Service offices in hurricane-prone areas are reeling from job cuts and a hiring freeze imposed by Trump
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Trying to reason with hurricane season
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
I am a street camera extremist. Put a robot on every single intersection; ticket every single driver who speeds or runs a red light, every single time.
May 28, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I am a street camera extremist. Put a robot on every single intersection; ticket every single driver who speeds or runs a red light, every single time.
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
Well, my main thought is that it is too mid to be destroying labor and the earth for.
There are a lot of critiques of LLMs that I agree with but "they suck and aren't useful" doesn't really hold water.
I understand people not using them because of social, economic, and environmental concerns. And I also understand people using them because they can be very useful.
Thoughts?
I understand people not using them because of social, economic, and environmental concerns. And I also understand people using them because they can be very useful.
Thoughts?
April 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Well, my main thought is that it is too mid to be destroying labor and the earth for.
True public service journalism:
"In addition to avoiding getting drunk and falling out of a boat on top of an alligator, Mazzotti says if a gator is chasing you, run straight, don't zig-zag.
'The more you zig-zag the more you stay in the gator's territory. They'll give up after about 15 feet.'"
"In addition to avoiding getting drunk and falling out of a boat on top of an alligator, Mazzotti says if a gator is chasing you, run straight, don't zig-zag.
'The more you zig-zag the more you stay in the gator's territory. They'll give up after about 15 feet.'"
Don't pet a gator when you're drunk and other tips to keep you from becoming a casualty via University of #Florida study. www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2...
UF study finds risky human behavior is the cause for most alligator bites
There have been 490 alligator attacks in Florida since 1948, including 27 that were fatal, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
www.palmbeachpost.com
April 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
True public service journalism:
"In addition to avoiding getting drunk and falling out of a boat on top of an alligator, Mazzotti says if a gator is chasing you, run straight, don't zig-zag.
'The more you zig-zag the more you stay in the gator's territory. They'll give up after about 15 feet.'"
"In addition to avoiding getting drunk and falling out of a boat on top of an alligator, Mazzotti says if a gator is chasing you, run straight, don't zig-zag.
'The more you zig-zag the more you stay in the gator's territory. They'll give up after about 15 feet.'"
For the latest GovLove Podcast episode I talked about how local governments can manage disruption in a world that is changing quickly. This topics continues to be timely *gestures at the state of the world* and ncIMPACT has useful tools to help organizations manage change
elgl.org/podcast-mana...
elgl.org/podcast-mana...
Podcast: Managing Disruption in a Rapidly Changing World with Michael Welker, ncIMPACT - ELGL
Michael Welker Director of Policy and Research Partnerships ncIMPACT Initiative LinkedIn Michael Welker, Director of Policy and Research Partnerships for the ncIMPACT Initiative at the UNC School of G...
elgl.org
April 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
For the latest GovLove Podcast episode I talked about how local governments can manage disruption in a world that is changing quickly. This topics continues to be timely *gestures at the state of the world* and ncIMPACT has useful tools to help organizations manage change
elgl.org/podcast-mana...
elgl.org/podcast-mana...
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
"No time for losers," goes the song playing while JD Vance touches a winners' trophy and it immediately crumbles
Ooops! Watch as Vice President JD Vance appears to drop the National Championship trophy following the celebration at the White House with OSU. Watch the full celebration here: youtube.com/watch?v=VJuT...
April 14, 2025 at 8:03 PM
"No time for losers," goes the song playing while JD Vance touches a winners' trophy and it immediately crumbles
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
The world knows about climate change mostly because of great American researchers, and that work has been largely centered at NOAA.
Trump and Musk are now shutting down that brilliant work. They are contemptible, short-sighted, and sold out
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump and Musk are now shutting down that brilliant work. They are contemptible, short-sighted, and sold out
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump seeks to end climate research at premier U.S. climate agency
White House aims to end NOAA’s research office; NASA also targeted
www.science.org
April 11, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The world knows about climate change mostly because of great American researchers, and that work has been largely centered at NOAA.
Trump and Musk are now shutting down that brilliant work. They are contemptible, short-sighted, and sold out
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump and Musk are now shutting down that brilliant work. They are contemptible, short-sighted, and sold out
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
There is no conceivable rational policy justification for this, and no one will bother to even attempt to offer one.
BREAKING from @science.org: The Trump admin is seeking to kill nearly all climate research at NOAA, its climate science agency.
Its near-final budget proposal would end all NOAA research labs, academic institutes, and regional climate centers. And it wants to fully end the NOAA Research division.
Its near-final budget proposal would end all NOAA research labs, academic institutes, and regional climate centers. And it wants to fully end the NOAA Research division.
Trump seeks to end climate research at premier U.S. climate agency
White House aims to end NOAA’s research office; NASA also targeted
www.science.org
April 11, 2025 at 5:55 PM
There is no conceivable rational policy justification for this, and no one will bother to even attempt to offer one.
Reposted by Ben Kittelson
"There must be a better solution, something in-between an Amazon Prime Bump and a Bureaucratic Bump. People are getting hurt while we’re waiting around for a solution."
The city said it would take three years to install a speed bump. So I bought my own on the Internet.
I tried to get one of the richest and most influential cities on earth to fix a street they already believe to be dangerous.
substack.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:41 PM
"There must be a better solution, something in-between an Amazon Prime Bump and a Bureaucratic Bump. People are getting hurt while we’re waiting around for a solution."