David Kaufman
@davidkaufman.bsky.social
Reposted by David Kaufman
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
Mike Johnson comes out against additional guardrails on ICE as Democrats call for it.
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
January 14, 2026 at 11:58 PM
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
The US government is apparently now holding hostages to extort concessions of policy from its own people: "Star Comes Out said when the tribe requested more information, leaders were told the tribe would need to enter into an immigration agreement with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security."
Four Oglala detainees located, three still in ICE custody - ICT
The four Lakota detainees were reportedly sent to a former concentration camp used during the Dakota Wars
ictnews.org
January 15, 2026 at 12:23 AM
The US government is apparently now holding hostages to extort concessions of policy from its own people: "Star Comes Out said when the tribe requested more information, leaders were told the tribe would need to enter into an immigration agreement with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security."
Reposted by David Kaufman
Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.
January 10, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.
Reposted by David Kaufman
this is why 'honor' is still a useful thing to have in social contexts btw
This afternoon, retired Army general Stanley McChrystal spoke at the retirement ceremony hosted by HRC for six trans service members who were forced out under Trump’s ban.
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 AM
this is why 'honor' is still a useful thing to have in social contexts btw
Reposted by David Kaufman
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:56 AM
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Reposted by David Kaufman
Our entire politics now is about our sundowning, failing, unpopular leader, whose powers are clearly ebbing, maniacally trying to find ways to restore his STRENGTH, POWER, and MANLINESS.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Our entire politics now is about our sundowning, failing, unpopular leader, whose powers are clearly ebbing, maniacally trying to find ways to restore his STRENGTH, POWER, and MANLINESS.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
When one Mafia boss caps another, I don't think it typically leads to anything that could be called liberation - of either territory.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
January 3, 2026 at 7:55 PM
When one Mafia boss caps another, I don't think it typically leads to anything that could be called liberation - of either territory.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
This story leads me to see the need for AI regulation as closely related to the long-overdue movement to curtail certain aspects of corporate personhood (see, e. g., truthout.org/articles/wil...).
Elon Musk's Grok apologizes after generating sexual images of young girls
The incident has renewed concerns about sexualized images being made of women with their consent.
www.newsweek.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:34 PM
This story leads me to see the need for AI regulation as closely related to the long-overdue movement to curtail certain aspects of corporate personhood (see, e. g., truthout.org/articles/wil...).
There might be quite an interesting historical argument to be had here. Specifically, how true - or untrue - is it that America was founded on rugged individualism? I think the conflation of individualism with freedom may be as much myth as truth. It treats two behavioral axes as if they were one.
No. Hell no. This is a country founded upon rugged individualism/individual freedom. NOTHING should or will replace individualism. Not here. No MAGA authoritarianism in America, and no leftist collectivism in America. Yes, all of us should help those less fortunate, but hell no to this.👇
January 2, 2026 at 12:43 PM
There might be quite an interesting historical argument to be had here. Specifically, how true - or untrue - is it that America was founded on rugged individualism? I think the conflation of individualism with freedom may be as much myth as truth. It treats two behavioral axes as if they were one.
This was a journey.
Is it greedy for a Christian to own 20 houses?
YouTube video by Dan McClellan
youtu.be
January 1, 2026 at 3:30 PM
This was a journey.
Reposted by David Kaufman
Been frustrated - as we all have - with this court, but this seems like a pretty remarkable ruling.
I rather suspect the court does not rule this way without the collapsing approval numbers, without No Kings, without the Dems sweeping special elections.
I rather suspect the court does not rule this way without the collapsing approval numbers, without No Kings, without the Dems sweeping special elections.
NEW: By a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court blocks Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Chicago to assist immigration agents. A majority holds that he likely lacks authority to do so. Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissent. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...
![The Government asked this Court to stay the District Court's order. After the response and reply were filed, JUSTICE BARRETT referred the application to the Court. We directed the parties to file supplemental letter briefs on an issue that the District Court had addressed but the parties' initial briefs had not: the meaning of the term "regular forces" in §12406(3). In its supplemental brief, the Government argues that the term refers to civilian law enforcement officers, such as those employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the Federal Protective Service.
Respondents, echoing the District Court, maintain that the term refers to the regular forces of the United States mili-tary.
We conclude that the term "regular forces" in §12406(3) likely refers to the regular forces of the United States mili-tary. This interpretation means that to call the Guard into active federal service under §12406(3), the President must be "unable" with the regular military "to execute the laws of the United States." Because the statute requires an assessment of the military's ability to execute the laws, it likely applies only where the military could legally execute the laws. Such circumstances are exceptional: Under the Posse Comitatus Act, the military is prohibited from "execut[ing] the laws" "except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress."
18 U. S. C. §1385. So before the President can federalize the Guard under §12406(3), he likely must have statutory or constitutional authority to execute the laws with the regular military and must be "unable" with those forces to perform that function.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6h7b2i6ttw3l4t7pvbvxdith/bafkreiftbhzwvn3vgwhqsi7k2paizvdw4t26ailljvovso3chqupnmj364@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Been frustrated - as we all have - with this court, but this seems like a pretty remarkable ruling.
I rather suspect the court does not rule this way without the collapsing approval numbers, without No Kings, without the Dems sweeping special elections.
I rather suspect the court does not rule this way without the collapsing approval numbers, without No Kings, without the Dems sweeping special elections.
Reposted by David Kaufman
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
December 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
Reposted by David Kaufman
Wild
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
December 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Wild
Reposted by David Kaufman
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
I don't know whether this is true. That worries me.
And finally, the assault on Section 230. This is the endgame for independent speech.
If you repeal 230, you don’t hurt Google or Meta—they have the lawyers to survive. You destroy the small forums, the independent blogs, the dissenters. You make the cost of speaking the truth too high to bear.
If you repeal 230, you don’t hurt Google or Meta—they have the lawyers to survive. You destroy the small forums, the independent blogs, the dissenters. You make the cost of speaking the truth too high to bear.
How Democrats’ Attack On Section 230 Plays Right Into Trump’s Censorial Plans
Like clockwork, lawmakers are once again rallying around the idea of eliminating Section 230. That Republicans are leading this charge is hardly surprising—repealing Section 230 is explicitly laid …
www.techdirt.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I don't know whether this is true. That worries me.
This story (however true it is or isn't) reminds me of a thought I had. For all their faults, chat conversations with genAI agents have a distinctively congenial aspect that I attribute to a lack of overt salesmanship. 1/
Leak confirms OpenAI is preparing ads on ChatGPT for public roll out
OpenAI is now internally testing 'ads' inside ChatGPT that could redefine the web economy.
www.bleepingcomputer.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This story (however true it is or isn't) reminds me of a thought I had. For all their faults, chat conversations with genAI agents have a distinctively congenial aspect that I attribute to a lack of overt salesmanship. 1/
Reposted by David Kaufman
Wow, an extraordinary generous offer from a Bolts reader:
Russ is offering to match any contribution you make to Bolts (just let him know)!
And he'll also throw in an additional $$ for each repost of his post, or each new follow @boltsmag.org gets. So at least smash those share or follow buttons!
Russ is offering to match any contribution you make to Bolts (just let him know)!
And he'll also throw in an additional $$ for each repost of his post, or each new follow @boltsmag.org gets. So at least smash those share or follow buttons!
You can help Bolts continue to provide crucial coverage of local elections. Here's how:
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Wow, an extraordinary generous offer from a Bolts reader:
Russ is offering to match any contribution you make to Bolts (just let him know)!
And he'll also throw in an additional $$ for each repost of his post, or each new follow @boltsmag.org gets. So at least smash those share or follow buttons!
Russ is offering to match any contribution you make to Bolts (just let him know)!
And he'll also throw in an additional $$ for each repost of his post, or each new follow @boltsmag.org gets. So at least smash those share or follow buttons!
Reposted by David Kaufman
Currently dorking out over this graph about child mortality with my brother. Just mind boggling to take in.
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Currently dorking out over this graph about child mortality with my brother. Just mind boggling to take in.
Reposted by David Kaufman
Indiana Senate Republican Greg Walker “said he would have reported the alleged violation to federal authorities “if I thought that there was anyone of integrity in Washington that would follow through on my accusation ..”
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
November 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Indiana Senate Republican Greg Walker “said he would have reported the alleged violation to federal authorities “if I thought that there was anyone of integrity in Washington that would follow through on my accusation ..”
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
I never thought of it this way before, but it's undeniable and a point that underscores the importance and utility of energy storage. Food storage and preservation is inherently a form of energy storage, as old as the hills.
Really enjoyed this latest @volts.wtf episode with @kingsmillbond.bsky.social, especially the analogy of energy storage technology being like granaries:
"Imagine global agriculture if you couldn’t store grain, you just had to eat it out of the fields." (1/2)
www.volts.wtf/p/clean-elec...
"Imagine global agriculture if you couldn’t store grain, you just had to eat it out of the fields." (1/2)
www.volts.wtf/p/clean-elec...
Clean electrification is inevitable
Kingsmill Bond explains why the global march of "electrotech" has moved beyond the reach of US political interference.
www.volts.wtf
November 25, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I never thought of it this way before, but it's undeniable and a point that underscores the importance and utility of energy storage. Food storage and preservation is inherently a form of energy storage, as old as the hills.
Reposted by David Kaufman
Reposted by David Kaufman
Marjorie Taylor Greene has been disliked by the left for years and years and had never had to fear for her life. She's been disliked by the right for 1 day and now has to hire security.
November 18, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Marjorie Taylor Greene has been disliked by the left for years and years and had never had to fear for her life. She's been disliked by the right for 1 day and now has to hire security.
Reposted by David Kaufman
November 18, 2025
November 18, 2025
For three hot days, from July 1 to July 3, 1863, more than 150,000 soldiers from the armies of the United States of America and the Confederate States of America slashed at each other in the hills and...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
November 18, 2025
Reposted by David Kaufman
Reposted by David Kaufman
And btw, Marjorie Taylor Greene, do you still support Trump? Do you still believe Trump won the 2020 election? Do you still believe Jan 6th was a good, patriotic day? Do you support masked federal agents grabbing brown & black people off our streets? There’s more, but you get my point. Thanks
November 17, 2025 at 2:45 PM
And btw, Marjorie Taylor Greene, do you still support Trump? Do you still believe Trump won the 2020 election? Do you still believe Jan 6th was a good, patriotic day? Do you support masked federal agents grabbing brown & black people off our streets? There’s more, but you get my point. Thanks