David Moore
@davidrussellmoore.bsky.social
Money-in-politics newsletter: @Sludge.bsky.social // Get: @flaminghydra.com // https://www.davidrussellmoore.net // Signal: davidrussellmoore.52
Reposted by David Moore
TODAY: @josie.zone on a stunning, unfulfilled post-war quest for revenge. “Kovner aimed to turn the old antisemitic lie on its ear: he and his group really would drop poison into the water supplies of German cities. They hoped to take millions of lives” flaminghydra.com/inglourious-...
Inglourious Vengeance
“I’ve been looking, for the last few movies, to come to Israel,” Quentin Tarantino told the Tel Aviv audience before him on September 9, 2009. “And I figured this might be the movie to do it with.”
T...
flaminghydra.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:15 PM
TODAY: @josie.zone on a stunning, unfulfilled post-war quest for revenge. “Kovner aimed to turn the old antisemitic lie on its ear: he and his group really would drop poison into the water supplies of German cities. They hoped to take millions of lives” flaminghydra.com/inglourious-...
Reposted by David Moore
Hey! Come hang on Jan. 15! Should be a good time with @pjsauer.bsky.social @davidjroth.bsky.social @xbennyboo.bsky.social @dirtbagqueer.rocks
Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/squawkin-s...
Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/squawkin-s...
January 5, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Hey! Come hang on Jan. 15! Should be a good time with @pjsauer.bsky.social @davidjroth.bsky.social @xbennyboo.bsky.social @dirtbagqueer.rocks
Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/squawkin-s...
Tickets here: www.eventbrite.com/e/squawkin-s...
Reposted by David Moore
Something I see a lot of folks missing in discussions about what's happening Venezuela, particularly around oil, is the role U.S. oil majors' interest in Guyana—and the threat Venezuela posed to it—has in all of it. Explainer here: drilled.media/news/guyana-...
The U.S.-Venezuela-Guyana Oil Triangle
The U.S. interest in Venezuela isn’t just about the oil there, but also about the oil next door in Guyana, and the U.S. oil companies that have staked their future on it.
drilled.media
January 5, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Something I see a lot of folks missing in discussions about what's happening Venezuela, particularly around oil, is the role U.S. oil majors' interest in Guyana—and the threat Venezuela posed to it—has in all of it. Explainer here: drilled.media/news/guyana-...
Congestion pricing is working. It's in effect in just part of Manhattan, the zone below 60th Street, just $9 at peak, $2.25 off-peak, w/ subsidies available.
According to the Economic Development Corporation, overall visits to the central business district were up by about 2.4% over previous year.
According to the Economic Development Corporation, overall visits to the central business district were up by about 2.4% over previous year.
Congestion pricing after one year: How life has changed.
How life has changed in the New York area, according to data on traffic, transit and the responses of 600 readers.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Congestion pricing is working. It's in effect in just part of Manhattan, the zone below 60th Street, just $9 at peak, $2.25 off-peak, w/ subsidies available.
According to the Economic Development Corporation, overall visits to the central business district were up by about 2.4% over previous year.
According to the Economic Development Corporation, overall visits to the central business district were up by about 2.4% over previous year.
Reposted by David Moore
I wrote about reporters’ refusal to use “act of war,” “invasion” or “coup” when covering Trump’s brazen attacks on Venezuela, instead echoing WH-approved euphemisms, and the broader trend of our press dutifully giving Trump’s lawlessness the vague whiff of international legitimacy when it has none.
By framing this brazen act of aggression in euphemistic terms, the media is falling in line with Trump.
The Media Refuses to Call Trump’s Venezuela Attack an Act of War
By framing the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro in euphemistic terms, the media is falling in line with Trump.
interc.pt
January 4, 2026 at 11:17 PM
I wrote about reporters’ refusal to use “act of war,” “invasion” or “coup” when covering Trump’s brazen attacks on Venezuela, instead echoing WH-approved euphemisms, and the broader trend of our press dutifully giving Trump’s lawlessness the vague whiff of international legitimacy when it has none.
Reposted by David Moore
"I'm so sorry that we could not have done this earlier...to have saved the loved ones in your life. But I thank you fopr the work that you have done...to ensure that this pain not be felt by others who call this same city home." — Mayor Mamdani at McGuinness Blvd. presser youtube.com/shorts/uwAYI...
Mayor Mamdani commits to ending traffic violence across NYC on third day in office #safestreets
YouTube video by Streetsblog NYC
youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:07 PM
"I'm so sorry that we could not have done this earlier...to have saved the loved ones in your life. But I thank you fopr the work that you have done...to ensure that this pain not be felt by others who call this same city home." — Mayor Mamdani at McGuinness Blvd. presser youtube.com/shorts/uwAYI...
Reposted by David Moore
Chevron, the only major U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela, is a top corporate donor to Republican super PACs. Over the past decade, the company has given:
- $16.8 million to SLF, backing Senate GOP
- $12.5 million to CLF, backing House GOP
- $2.5 million to Trump 2024 inauguration, etc.
- $16.8 million to SLF, backing Senate GOP
- $12.5 million to CLF, backing House GOP
- $2.5 million to Trump 2024 inauguration, etc.
Here’s What Big Oil Spent on This Year's Elections
A Sludge data analysis shows how much money the six largest American oil companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron spent on federal politics during 2023-24.
readsludge.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Chevron, the only major U.S. oil company operating in Venezuela, is a top corporate donor to Republican super PACs. Over the past decade, the company has given:
- $16.8 million to SLF, backing Senate GOP
- $12.5 million to CLF, backing House GOP
- $2.5 million to Trump 2024 inauguration, etc.
- $16.8 million to SLF, backing Senate GOP
- $12.5 million to CLF, backing House GOP
- $2.5 million to Trump 2024 inauguration, etc.
Outlets can ask the 17 House Dems who voted for Trump's trillion-dollar Pentagon budget if they still think they're right: Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez ( #WA03), Adam Gray ( #CA13), Josh Gottheimer ( #NJ05), Henry Cuellar ( #TX28), Vicente Gonzalez ( #TX34), plus Don Davis ( #NC01), etc.
Blue Dog Democrats Vote for Trillion-Dollar Defense Budget
The Blue Dog Coalition, a group of self-described fiscal conservatives led by Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), largely voted for the GOP-crafted bill pushing defense spending above $1 trillion.
readsludge.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by David Moore
TODAY: MOBY DICK WEEK concludes! With Carrie Frye looking at a possible?? erotic charge between Melville and his writerly friend. “After the picnic, Hawthorne went home and read the five books Melville had published so far.” flaminghydra.com/a-heart-as-b...
A Heart as Big as a Whale
a fiery writer-owned cooperative
flaminghydra.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:35 PM
TODAY: MOBY DICK WEEK concludes! With Carrie Frye looking at a possible?? erotic charge between Melville and his writerly friend. “After the picnic, Hawthorne went home and read the five books Melville had published so far.” flaminghydra.com/a-heart-as-b...
Hope you'll take in this adventuresome, thoughtfully-interviewed, marvelous historical piece by S.I. Rosenbaum:
flaminghydra.com/killers/
flaminghydra.com/killers/
Killers
a fiery writer-owned cooperative
flaminghydra.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Hope you'll take in this adventuresome, thoughtfully-interviewed, marvelous historical piece by S.I. Rosenbaum:
flaminghydra.com/killers/
flaminghydra.com/killers/
Democratic megadonor Ron Conway must be delighted that his AI industry super PAC partner Greg Brockman gave $25 million to Trump to defend GOP seats! Someone should ask SV Angel how happy he is, ballpark.
Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. received $25 million from OpenAI President Greg Brockman, according to a new disclosure.
His Sept. 12 donation came as the Trump admin moved to accelerate permitting for data centers and aimed to ban state AI regulations, in line with AI industry lobbying.
His Sept. 12 donation came as the Trump admin moved to accelerate permitting for data centers and aimed to ban state AI regulations, in line with AI industry lobbying.
January 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Democratic megadonor Ron Conway must be delighted that his AI industry super PAC partner Greg Brockman gave $25 million to Trump to defend GOP seats! Someone should ask SV Angel how happy he is, ballpark.
Reposted by David Moore
Reposted by David Moore
TODAY: MOBY DICK WEEK continues! With @kimkelly.bsky.social in the high Arctic. “I love to sail forbidden seas and land on barbarous coasts, but more importantly, I was going to see a whale.” flaminghydra.com/r/e3e10391?m...
Rich legacy / Hidden knowledge
Today: Kim Kelly, author of FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor, and editor of the metal newsletter Salvo; and Amy Chu, artist and publisher of Camoot.Journal.
Issue No. 473
The B...
flaminghydra.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:46 AM
TODAY: MOBY DICK WEEK continues! With @kimkelly.bsky.social in the high Arctic. “I love to sail forbidden seas and land on barbarous coasts, but more importantly, I was going to see a whale.” flaminghydra.com/r/e3e10391?m...
Mayor Mamdani's DOT commissioner Mike Flynn will work to get buses moving. He recently wrote:
"The full benefits can only be realized with an enhanced citywide network of bus-priority routes that gets buses moving faster and provides a world-class, dignified experience for bus riders..."
"The full benefits can only be realized with an enhanced citywide network of bus-priority routes that gets buses moving faster and provides a world-class, dignified experience for bus riders..."
Mamdani Picks Mike Flynn for DOT Commissioner — And Put Him Center Stage at his Swearing In - Streetsblog New York City
Who is Mike Flynn, Mayor-elect Mamdani's apparent pick to be the city's next Department of Transportation Commissioner?
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 2, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Mayor Mamdani's DOT commissioner Mike Flynn will work to get buses moving. He recently wrote:
"The full benefits can only be realized with an enhanced citywide network of bus-priority routes that gets buses moving faster and provides a world-class, dignified experience for bus riders..."
"The full benefits can only be realized with an enhanced citywide network of bus-priority routes that gets buses moving faster and provides a world-class, dignified experience for bus riders..."
Reposted by David Moore
3908 words on what to expect/look for during Zohran Mamdani’s first year. I wrote it all last night nygroove.nyc/everything-y...
Everything you need to know about Zohran Mamdani's first year as mayor
The Zohran era is officially upon us — here's what to expect
nygroove.nyc
January 1, 2026 at 3:38 PM
3908 words on what to expect/look for during Zohran Mamdani’s first year. I wrote it all last night nygroove.nyc/everything-y...
Had to put together a few more Sludge stories this year that hopefully shed some light on what powerful forces were working to make happen. Crypto lobbying, billionaire tax cuts, the "Golden Dome" boondoggle, Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits, and more.
More Muckraking From 2025
Over on Bluesky, we’ve assembled our year-end thread of most-viewed Sludge stories.
But in the last hours of the year, I wanted to link to a few more stories that hopefully shed light on the well-cap...
www.davidrussellmoore.net
December 31, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Had to put together a few more Sludge stories this year that hopefully shed some light on what powerful forces were working to make happen. Crypto lobbying, billionaire tax cuts, the "Golden Dome" boondoggle, Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits, and more.
Reposted by David Moore
TODAY: @lauriewoolever.bsky.social visits Quick Eternity, a Moby Dick-themed bar in the South Street seaport. “. By that point in the evening you’re probably sunk anyhow.” flaminghydra.com/r/232bcacb?m...
Cocktail hour / Hour of reckoning
Laurie Woolever hoists Moby-Dick themed cocktails; memories of Mike F with Luke O’Neil; S.I. Rosenbaum on whaling and origins
flaminghydra.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:49 AM
TODAY: @lauriewoolever.bsky.social visits Quick Eternity, a Moby Dick-themed bar in the South Street seaport. “. By that point in the evening you’re probably sunk anyhow.” flaminghydra.com/r/232bcacb?m...
The current leaders of House Dems like to have their primary voters deluged with ads from groups that have undisclosed donors like AIPAC. When that happens while mail ballots are out, that's great for them, if the spending is against progressives.
House Dems Gave Millions in ‘Dark Money’ to AIPAC-Linked 314 Action
314 Action is one of the groups that AIPAC diverted its PAC money through in 2024.
readsludge.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The current leaders of House Dems like to have their primary voters deluged with ads from groups that have undisclosed donors like AIPAC. When that happens while mail ballots are out, that's great for them, if the spending is against progressives.
Reposted by David Moore
We’ve covered the foreign agents working to influence the U.S. on behalf of Israel, including a contract to build a social media bot army to promote pro-Israel propaganda. readsludge.com/2025/09/17/f...
Following Sludge Report, SKDK Says It’s Dropping Its Israel Contract
The Democratic PR firm was under contract with Israel to build a social media bot program, but says it never worked on such a program.
readsludge.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
We’ve covered the foreign agents working to influence the U.S. on behalf of Israel, including a contract to build a social media bot army to promote pro-Israel propaganda. readsludge.com/2025/09/17/f...
Reposted by David Moore
AND FINALLY!!: @sirosenbaum.bsky.social with a beautiful illustrated essay on whaling, persecution, and leaving an old home for a new flaminghydra.com/killers/
Killers
a fiery writer-owned cooperative
flaminghydra.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:55 AM
AND FINALLY!!: @sirosenbaum.bsky.social with a beautiful illustrated essay on whaling, persecution, and leaving an old home for a new flaminghydra.com/killers/
The group 314 Action hopped into a Dem primary in a safe Portland, Oregon district last year to spend $1.7 million backing state rep Maxine Dexter against progressive county commissioner Susheela Jayapal. @314action.bsky.social denied it, but had received $1 million from AIPAC.
More in tax docs:
More in tax docs:
House Dems Gave Millions in ‘Dark Money’ to AIPAC-Linked 314 Action
314 Action is one of the groups that AIPAC diverted its PAC money through in 2024.
readsludge.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The group 314 Action hopped into a Dem primary in a safe Portland, Oregon district last year to spend $1.7 million backing state rep Maxine Dexter against progressive county commissioner Susheela Jayapal. @314action.bsky.social denied it, but had received $1 million from AIPAC.
More in tax docs:
More in tax docs:
Reposted by David Moore
ALSO TODAY: Luke O’Neil writes a memoriam to Mike Fossey, “was a luminary in the golden age of Twitter in the 2010s, up there alongside the likes of Dril and others” flaminghydra.com/in-post-memo...
In post memoriam
It’s frigid in Massachusetts this morning. When I woke up early to assess the damage from some trees downed by the brutal winds overnight, I saw my neighbor carrying a big box out to their car. She sa...
flaminghydra.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:51 AM
ALSO TODAY: Luke O’Neil writes a memoriam to Mike Fossey, “was a luminary in the golden age of Twitter in the 2010s, up there alongside the likes of Dril and others” flaminghydra.com/in-post-memo...
House Democratic leaders gave millions in dark money to 314 Action, a group that spent millions in Democratic primaries backing AIPAC-aligned candidates as it secretly received AIPAC funding.
House Dems Gave Millions in ‘Dark Money’ to AIPAC-Linked 314 Action
314 Action is one of the groups that AIPAC diverted its PAC money through in 2024.
readsludge.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:30 AM
House Democratic leaders gave millions in dark money to 314 Action, a group that spent millions in Democratic primaries backing AIPAC-aligned candidates as it secretly received AIPAC funding.
The group 314 Action ( @314action.bsky.social ) denied reports that its spending in Democratic primaries was fueled by AIPAC donations, then disclosed receiving $1 million from AIPAC.
A new tax return shows millions more in dark money that flowed into the group, which did not respond to inquiries:
A new tax return shows millions more in dark money that flowed into the group, which did not respond to inquiries:
House Dems Gave Millions in ‘Dark Money’ to AIPAC-Linked 314 Action
314 Action is one of the groups that AIPAC diverted its PAC money through in 2024.
readsludge.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The group 314 Action ( @314action.bsky.social ) denied reports that its spending in Democratic primaries was fueled by AIPAC donations, then disclosed receiving $1 million from AIPAC.
A new tax return shows millions more in dark money that flowed into the group, which did not respond to inquiries:
A new tax return shows millions more in dark money that flowed into the group, which did not respond to inquiries: