Baggage
@carrieonbaggage.bsky.social
Science, politics, environment, community 🐸
Kindness and smarts are our best hopes
Assoc. Prof. Micro+Ento+Ag Eco systems
PhD Virology
🇬🇧🇦🇺🇺🇸🇪🇺 (it's complicated)
Proud Union Member
Always celebrating Global Pride 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Kindness and smarts are our best hopes
Assoc. Prof. Micro+Ento+Ag Eco systems
PhD Virology
🇬🇧🇦🇺🇺🇸🇪🇺 (it's complicated)
Proud Union Member
Always celebrating Global Pride 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Pinned
Authoritarians love an overseas war when they face difficult domestic elections.
"Trump promised his MAGA base that he wouldn’t be involved in seeking regime changes abroad. But that was before he abducted Venezuela’s Nicholás Maduro and replaced him with Maduro’s vice president."
"Trump promised his MAGA base that he wouldn’t be involved in seeking regime changes abroad. But that was before he abducted Venezuela’s Nicholás Maduro and replaced him with Maduro’s vice president."
America is on the brink of a full-scale war with Iran — but no one is willing to say exactly why, including the occupant of the Oval Office. But there are clues.
Let me explain. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-the-hell-is-trump-threatening
Let me explain. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-the-hell-is-trump-threatening
February 18, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Authoritarians love an overseas war when they face difficult domestic elections.
"Trump promised his MAGA base that he wouldn’t be involved in seeking regime changes abroad. But that was before he abducted Venezuela’s Nicholás Maduro and replaced him with Maduro’s vice president."
"Trump promised his MAGA base that he wouldn’t be involved in seeking regime changes abroad. But that was before he abducted Venezuela’s Nicholás Maduro and replaced him with Maduro’s vice president."
Reposted by Baggage
Your daily bananas Trump corruption story:
It's about a bridge connecting Michigan to Canada that's due to open, until the billionaire owner of the existing clogged bridge called Trump and asked him to keep the new bridge closed.
Nuclear grade corruption. All out in the open.
It's about a bridge connecting Michigan to Canada that's due to open, until the billionaire owner of the existing clogged bridge called Trump and asked him to keep the new bridge closed.
Nuclear grade corruption. All out in the open.
February 18, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Your daily bananas Trump corruption story:
It's about a bridge connecting Michigan to Canada that's due to open, until the billionaire owner of the existing clogged bridge called Trump and asked him to keep the new bridge closed.
Nuclear grade corruption. All out in the open.
It's about a bridge connecting Michigan to Canada that's due to open, until the billionaire owner of the existing clogged bridge called Trump and asked him to keep the new bridge closed.
Nuclear grade corruption. All out in the open.
Reposted by Baggage
#Fukushima review – a devastating account of disaster and denial in 2011 #nuclear catastrophe
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/fe...
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/fe...
Fukushima review – a devastating account of disaster and denial in 2011 nuclear catastrophe
A tense return to the disaster foregrounds the heroism of the ‘Fukushima 50’ while raising questions about corporate secrecy and nuclear safety
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2026 at 9:01 PM
#Fukushima review – a devastating account of disaster and denial in 2011 #nuclear catastrophe
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/fe...
www.theguardian.com/film/2026/fe...
Reposted by Baggage
What's driving inflation? Not your wages, but the RBA remains worried we all are doing too well and more of us need to be unemployed
www.theguardian.com/business/gro...
www.theguardian.com/business/gro...
February 18, 2026 at 9:56 PM
What's driving inflation? Not your wages, but the RBA remains worried we all are doing too well and more of us need to be unemployed
www.theguardian.com/business/gro...
www.theguardian.com/business/gro...
Imagine what $8bn could do if spent wisely.
No amount of 'philanthropy' makes up for tax dodging
No amount of 'philanthropy' makes up for tax dodging
Amazon just saved nearly $8B on its 2025 tax bill — despite profits hitting $90B — thanks to Trump's Big Ugly Bill.
Remember: Amazon spent $75M producing and marketing the Melania movie, while Jeff Bezos gave $1M to Trump's inaugural fund.
Quite a return on investment, huh?
Remember: Amazon spent $75M producing and marketing the Melania movie, while Jeff Bezos gave $1M to Trump's inaugural fund.
Quite a return on investment, huh?
February 18, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Imagine what $8bn could do if spent wisely.
No amount of 'philanthropy' makes up for tax dodging
No amount of 'philanthropy' makes up for tax dodging
Reposted by Baggage
Packed shoulder to shoulder. No showers. One toilet. 24/7.
That’s what ICE is doing in Baltimore while billions of our tax dollars flow in.
Depraved and cruel inhumanity.
Don’t stop calling it out.
That’s what ICE is doing in Baltimore while billions of our tax dollars flow in.
Depraved and cruel inhumanity.
Don’t stop calling it out.
February 18, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Packed shoulder to shoulder. No showers. One toilet. 24/7.
That’s what ICE is doing in Baltimore while billions of our tax dollars flow in.
Depraved and cruel inhumanity.
Don’t stop calling it out.
That’s what ICE is doing in Baltimore while billions of our tax dollars flow in.
Depraved and cruel inhumanity.
Don’t stop calling it out.
"trying to create banksia woodland from scratch within stands of tuart woodland in public reserves. Tuart... is a critically endangered ecosystem in its own right."
Typical of developers, Australia's attitude to its natural heritage, and the BS that is 'offset'
Typical of developers, Australia's attitude to its natural heritage, and the BS that is 'offset'
Property developers spark anger over plan to clear woodland home to Baudin’s and Carnaby’s black cockatoos
Proposal to replant inside a different type of protected woodland would not replicate diversity of cleared sites used by threatened cockatoo species, conservationists say
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:28 PM
"trying to create banksia woodland from scratch within stands of tuart woodland in public reserves. Tuart... is a critically endangered ecosystem in its own right."
Typical of developers, Australia's attitude to its natural heritage, and the BS that is 'offset'
Typical of developers, Australia's attitude to its natural heritage, and the BS that is 'offset'
The scope of the horror is coming into clear view
“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,”
“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,”
Epstein files suggest acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, say UN experts
Independent experts appointed by human rights council speak of ‘grave’ nature regarding scale of atrocities against women and girls
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:47 AM
The scope of the horror is coming into clear view
“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,”
“So grave is the scale, nature, systematic character, and transnational reach of these atrocities against women and girls, that a number of them may reasonably meet the legal threshold of crimes against humanity,”
Reposted by Baggage
TODAY IS THE VOTE
WA State Senators, this is your moment. Stand with survivors or stand with secrecy. You can’t claim to support victims while forcing their stories into private arbitration and out of public view.
@noelframe.bsky.social
@twinanobles.bsky.social
@rebeccasaldana1.bsky.social
WA State Senators, this is your moment. Stand with survivors or stand with secrecy. You can’t claim to support victims while forcing their stories into private arbitration and out of public view.
@noelframe.bsky.social
@twinanobles.bsky.social
@rebeccasaldana1.bsky.social
February 17, 2026 at 4:53 PM
TODAY IS THE VOTE
WA State Senators, this is your moment. Stand with survivors or stand with secrecy. You can’t claim to support victims while forcing their stories into private arbitration and out of public view.
@noelframe.bsky.social
@twinanobles.bsky.social
@rebeccasaldana1.bsky.social
WA State Senators, this is your moment. Stand with survivors or stand with secrecy. You can’t claim to support victims while forcing their stories into private arbitration and out of public view.
@noelframe.bsky.social
@twinanobles.bsky.social
@rebeccasaldana1.bsky.social
Reposted by Baggage
Last year, surveillance giant Palantir (who got an 8-figure contract from ICE) paid $0 in federal income tax despite making $1.5 BILLION, partly due to new tax cuts in Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill.
They cut Medicaid & SNAP to pay for this.
This monstrosity must be reversed.
They cut Medicaid & SNAP to pay for this.
This monstrosity must be reversed.
Palantir Pays Zero Federal Income Tax Despite Explosive Growth, Largely Due to Trump Tax Law
Palantir reported $1.5 billion of U.S. income but paid exactly zero federal income tax in 2025. Despite explosive growth, tax breaks from the Trump tax law helped Palantir avoid paying even a dime of...
itep.org
February 17, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Last year, surveillance giant Palantir (who got an 8-figure contract from ICE) paid $0 in federal income tax despite making $1.5 BILLION, partly due to new tax cuts in Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill.
They cut Medicaid & SNAP to pay for this.
This monstrosity must be reversed.
They cut Medicaid & SNAP to pay for this.
This monstrosity must be reversed.
For 'farmers' read 'corporate agriculture'
Misleading #Florida Farm Bill would let the state auction off preserve land such as the Florida Wildlife Corridor to farmers to use. jasongarcia.substack.com/p/farm-bill-... via @jasongarcia.bsky.social
‘Farm bill’ would let the governor auction off conservation land to agribusinesses
A recap of the fifth week of the Florida Legislature's 2026 session, plus a preview of week six.
jasongarcia.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:49 PM
For 'farmers' read 'corporate agriculture'
Crockett v Talarico: por que no las dos?
Texas is lucky to have them.
Congress needs them
Texas is lucky to have them.
Congress needs them
Early voting begins for high-stakes Texas primary elections
Democrats, who haven’t won statewide race since 1994, aim to gain ground with rising stars as Republicans clash between incumbent and embattled Maga ally
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Crockett v Talarico: por que no las dos?
Texas is lucky to have them.
Congress needs them
Texas is lucky to have them.
Congress needs them
“I think that Donald Trump is worried that we’re about to flip Texas,”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
Rep. James Talarico On Confronting Christian Nationalism, And Strange Days In The Texas Legislature
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:01 PM
“I think that Donald Trump is worried that we’re about to flip Texas,”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
Vote early
Vote often 😆
Vote often 😆
Today is early voting day!! Here’s a look at the Texas democratic candidates. In the small section are Republican! Don’t vote for e. GO VOTE 💙🫂🌊💫
February 17, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Vote early
Vote often 😆
Vote often 😆
And as for the 'war' on Venezuela, Denmark, Iran...
"The lesson—the actual lesson—of Iraq and Afghanistan was the same lesson of Vietnam. You can’t bomb your way out of a war that the American public doesn’t particularly care about winning."
"The lesson—the actual lesson—of Iraq and Afghanistan was the same lesson of Vietnam. You can’t bomb your way out of a war that the American public doesn’t particularly care about winning."
Evidently, something was broken with the other link. So, here, I've written about the right-wing attacks on PME and civilian educational institutions.
othermeans.substack.com/p/the-myth-o...
othermeans.substack.com/p/the-myth-o...
The Myth of the Warfighter
The Soldier and the Educational Institutions
othermeans.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:54 PM
And as for the 'war' on Venezuela, Denmark, Iran...
"The lesson—the actual lesson—of Iraq and Afghanistan was the same lesson of Vietnam. You can’t bomb your way out of a war that the American public doesn’t particularly care about winning."
"The lesson—the actual lesson—of Iraq and Afghanistan was the same lesson of Vietnam. You can’t bomb your way out of a war that the American public doesn’t particularly care about winning."
Reposted by Baggage
Right-wing Heritage Foundation’s own data shows fewer than 100 noncitizens voted since 1982 (!!!)
This is not a real problem. “The SAVE ACT is a Trojan horse to nationalize elections”: open.substack.com/pub/thiswill...
This is not a real problem. “The SAVE ACT is a Trojan horse to nationalize elections”: open.substack.com/pub/thiswill...
February 16, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Right-wing Heritage Foundation’s own data shows fewer than 100 noncitizens voted since 1982 (!!!)
This is not a real problem. “The SAVE ACT is a Trojan horse to nationalize elections”: open.substack.com/pub/thiswill...
This is not a real problem. “The SAVE ACT is a Trojan horse to nationalize elections”: open.substack.com/pub/thiswill...
Hanging out for below 40.
Opinion polling on the second Trump presidency - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 16, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Hanging out for below 40.
Always worth reading
February 16, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Always worth reading
Oooh!
Heather Cox Richardson points out that Pam Bondi’s bizarre testimony makes more sense when you realize she couldn’t talk about the Epstein files without perjuring herself. Watch our discussion here: www.muellershewrote.com/p/heather-co...
Heather Cox Richardson and Allison Gill Discuss Republican Spying and Weaponized Justice
Watch now | A recording from Allison Gill's live video
www.muellershewrote.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Oooh!
Reposted by Baggage
Even Grok acknowledges that the so-called “Save America Act” (backed by Trump & Musk) may undermine the security of our elections by creating a Single Point of Attack for voter roll maintenance via the Save Program, which links to an SSA database mishandled by DOGE. #NoOnSave #ProtectOurVotes 1/
February 16, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Even Grok acknowledges that the so-called “Save America Act” (backed by Trump & Musk) may undermine the security of our elections by creating a Single Point of Attack for voter roll maintenance via the Save Program, which links to an SSA database mishandled by DOGE. #NoOnSave #ProtectOurVotes 1/
Reposted by Baggage
The Dow was at 43,488 when Trump took office. It just hit 50,000.
So if you had invested $43,488 in the US, you would now have $50,000. But if you had invested the same amount in the rest of the world, you would now be worth $60,000.
Lemme do a expla-youtube-nation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYL5...
So if you had invested $43,488 in the US, you would now have $50,000. But if you had invested the same amount in the rest of the world, you would now be worth $60,000.
Lemme do a expla-youtube-nation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYL5...
"Dow 50,000" Sound Nice. Until Justin Wolfers Shows You That U.S. Markets Are Coming 21st Out of 23.
What does “Dow 50,000” actually tell you—anything about the economy, or just that a number got bigger?
Dow 50,000 is a milestone, not a measurement. The level of the Dow is basically arbitrary: it’s…
www.youtube.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:52 PM
The Dow was at 43,488 when Trump took office. It just hit 50,000.
So if you had invested $43,488 in the US, you would now have $50,000. But if you had invested the same amount in the rest of the world, you would now be worth $60,000.
Lemme do a expla-youtube-nation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYL5...
So if you had invested $43,488 in the US, you would now have $50,000. But if you had invested the same amount in the rest of the world, you would now be worth $60,000.
Lemme do a expla-youtube-nation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYL5...
Reposted by Baggage
ICYMI: In 24 years, only 77 “illegals” have voted — representing 0.00000764% of total votes…
And the research comes from the far-right Heritage Foundation
electionfraud.heritage.org/search?combi...
And the research comes from the far-right Heritage Foundation
electionfraud.heritage.org/search?combi...
February 15, 2026 at 5:57 PM
ICYMI: In 24 years, only 77 “illegals” have voted — representing 0.00000764% of total votes…
And the research comes from the far-right Heritage Foundation
electionfraud.heritage.org/search?combi...
And the research comes from the far-right Heritage Foundation
electionfraud.heritage.org/search?combi...
Reposted by Baggage
I knew I saw this somewhere before. Funny that it’s almost exactly what’s actually happening now.
February 14, 2026 at 2:33 PM
I knew I saw this somewhere before. Funny that it’s almost exactly what’s actually happening now.
The US is driving a wedge into Europe
"Unlike Vance, he did not laud rightwing European populist parties, but he nonetheless wrapped himself in their ideology. His next stop after Munich was Budapest, where Viktor Orbán faces a battle in April to remain in power."
"Unlike Vance, he did not laud rightwing European populist parties, but he nonetheless wrapped himself in their ideology. His next stop after Munich was Budapest, where Viktor Orbán faces a battle in April to remain in power."
Offer to join Trump’s new era is met with growing sense of European steeliness
Talk of a stronger, independent Europe was the dominant mood in Munich amid bitter disagreement on Ukraine
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:16 PM
The US is driving a wedge into Europe
"Unlike Vance, he did not laud rightwing European populist parties, but he nonetheless wrapped himself in their ideology. His next stop after Munich was Budapest, where Viktor Orbán faces a battle in April to remain in power."
"Unlike Vance, he did not laud rightwing European populist parties, but he nonetheless wrapped himself in their ideology. His next stop after Munich was Budapest, where Viktor Orbán faces a battle in April to remain in power."