Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
@devilstower.bsky.social
Author, journalist, old guy.
Science, climate, space, transportation, energy, and how human selection drives the evolution of all of the above.
www.unchartedblue.com
Science, climate, space, transportation, energy, and how human selection drives the evolution of all of the above.
www.unchartedblue.com
Pinned
If you could “never write a book without using ChatGPT,” I have news for you. You still can’t write a book.
Ending the ACA is the largest act of union busting in history. It forces every American to negotiate with insurance companies on their own—an impossible power imbalance. And, of course, exactly the point.
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Ending the ACA is the largest act of union busting in history. It forces every American to negotiate with insurance companies on their own—an impossible power imbalance. And, of course, exactly the point.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
Dismantling ACA isn’t about punishing insurance cos. The subsidies Dems were haggling for are tax credits. That’s our money. Not theirs. They’re talking about health savings as pre-tax dollars like your 401k. This is deregulation. Letting insurance cos resume denying coverage and selling junk plans.
November 11, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Dismantling ACA isn’t about punishing insurance cos. The subsidies Dems were haggling for are tax credits. That’s our money. Not theirs. They’re talking about health savings as pre-tax dollars like your 401k. This is deregulation. Letting insurance cos resume denying coverage and selling junk plans.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
If the outcomes aren't the most important thing, it's not even politics. Politics is literally about the outcomes. What he's describing here is cosplaying.
November 11, 2025 at 12:02 AM
If the outcomes aren't the most important thing, it's not even politics. Politics is literally about the outcomes. What he's describing here is cosplaying.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
Arianna Sofia Veraza and her parents were driving to Sam's Club for milk, eggs and diapers yesterday when they heard helicopters and horns blaring yesterday. They had turned around to leave when a federal agent pepper-sprayed them through a car window.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/09/c...
Pepper-sprayed Berwyn family rattled after getting caught up in federal blitz
Southwest Side politicians condemned Saturday’s pepper spraying and the federal sweep of Little Village as “state-sponsored terrorism” at a news conference Sunday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
THEY PEPPER SPRAYED A BABY
Please read this entire excellent piece by Caroline, which points out that a judge ordered the Feds (again) to stop doing **this exact kind of thing** and they are still continuing to do it all over Chicago
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
Democrats were overwhelmingly united on their shutdown demands.
Americans understood that Trump and Republicans were to blame.
Voters made it known last Tuesday that they'll elect leaders who stand up to Trump.
Democrats held the cards — and folded for no reason.
Americans understood that Trump and Republicans were to blame.
Voters made it known last Tuesday that they'll elect leaders who stand up to Trump.
Democrats held the cards — and folded for no reason.
November 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Democrats were overwhelmingly united on their shutdown demands.
Americans understood that Trump and Republicans were to blame.
Voters made it known last Tuesday that they'll elect leaders who stand up to Trump.
Democrats held the cards — and folded for no reason.
Americans understood that Trump and Republicans were to blame.
Voters made it known last Tuesday that they'll elect leaders who stand up to Trump.
Democrats held the cards — and folded for no reason.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
(1) Economy was actually doing well under Biden, and his statistics were not lies. Trump is pointing to lies (2) Biden did things that helped the economy, while Trump raised taxes on working families with tariffs, and fought to end basic subsidies.
NYT both-siding is DELIBERATE DISINFORMATION.
NYT both-siding is DELIBERATE DISINFORMATION.
November 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
(1) Economy was actually doing well under Biden, and his statistics were not lies. Trump is pointing to lies (2) Biden did things that helped the economy, while Trump raised taxes on working families with tariffs, and fought to end basic subsidies.
NYT both-siding is DELIBERATE DISINFORMATION.
NYT both-siding is DELIBERATE DISINFORMATION.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
March 14, 2025 at 10:24 PM
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
I assume the seven Democrat senators are all on Twitter/X where thousands of Muskbots are telling them how good and clever they are for folding like snot-soaked Kleenex.
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I assume the seven Democrat senators are all on Twitter/X where thousands of Muskbots are telling them how good and clever they are for folding like snot-soaked Kleenex.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
If this agreement goes ahead, Democrats will share the blame for rising health care costs equally with Republicans. They’re not just throwing 15 million Americans under the bus, they are butchering both their best leverage and last scrap of credibility.
THIS. IS. POLITICAL. SUICIDE.
THIS. IS. POLITICAL. SUICIDE.
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM
If this agreement goes ahead, Democrats will share the blame for rising health care costs equally with Republicans. They’re not just throwing 15 million Americans under the bus, they are butchering both their best leverage and last scrap of credibility.
THIS. IS. POLITICAL. SUICIDE.
THIS. IS. POLITICAL. SUICIDE.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
If your position is that Democrats have no choice but to agree, than you are impliedly admitting the Democrats are no longer an opposition party because the cost of opposition is too high, and we are effectively a one party fascist state.
November 10, 2025 at 1:37 AM
If your position is that Democrats have no choice but to agree, than you are impliedly admitting the Democrats are no longer an opposition party because the cost of opposition is too high, and we are effectively a one party fascist state.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
Sanders: Let’s be clear… If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are going to see at least a doubling in their premiums… if resolution is passed tonight, we are on a path way to throw 15 million Americans off of medicaid and the affordable care act, 15 million.
November 10, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Sanders: Let’s be clear… If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are going to see at least a doubling in their premiums… if resolution is passed tonight, we are on a path way to throw 15 million Americans off of medicaid and the affordable care act, 15 million.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
THAT IS ALREADY A LAW. TRUMP IS THE PRESIDENT WHO SIGNED THAT LAW. YOU ARE A FUCKING NEWS REPORTER
November 10, 2025 at 1:17 AM
THAT IS ALREADY A LAW. TRUMP IS THE PRESIDENT WHO SIGNED THAT LAW. YOU ARE A FUCKING NEWS REPORTER
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
If the Dem senators cave with zero movement on ACA I will experience Category 5 levels of rage.
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
If the Dem senators cave with zero movement on ACA I will experience Category 5 levels of rage.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
Um, do federal prosecutors *really* want to take the position that it's not okay to receive something of value from … Qatar?
I can think of 747 reasons why they shouldn't. 🤔
I can think of 747 reasons why they shouldn't. 🤔
November 7, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Um, do federal prosecutors *really* want to take the position that it's not okay to receive something of value from … Qatar?
I can think of 747 reasons why they shouldn't. 🤔
I can think of 747 reasons why they shouldn't. 🤔
Congratulations to @jonathanbchait.bsky.social on reaching a level of ridiculous self justification previously reserved for Ross Douthat and Erick Erickson. Those who achieve this level can never be wrong, they can only be wronged.
November 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Congratulations to @jonathanbchait.bsky.social on reaching a level of ridiculous self justification previously reserved for Ross Douthat and Erick Erickson. Those who achieve this level can never be wrong, they can only be wronged.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
Am I the only person who thinks this is great? Like, “yes, we should have a variety of candidates in primaries. Let’s stop being afraid of what Fox News is going to say, they are going to say it anyway.”
November 9, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Am I the only person who thinks this is great? Like, “yes, we should have a variety of candidates in primaries. Let’s stop being afraid of what Fox News is going to say, they are going to say it anyway.”
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
The Republican party will NEVER get over losing the vote that put the Affordable Care Act over the top.
They tried to kill it over 60 times and failed.
Over time, they've chipped away on various components of the ACA that they KNEW would raise rates.
They don't give a shit about us.
They're envious.
They tried to kill it over 60 times and failed.
Over time, they've chipped away on various components of the ACA that they KNEW would raise rates.
They don't give a shit about us.
They're envious.
November 9, 2025 at 2:23 PM
The Republican party will NEVER get over losing the vote that put the Affordable Care Act over the top.
They tried to kill it over 60 times and failed.
Over time, they've chipped away on various components of the ACA that they KNEW would raise rates.
They don't give a shit about us.
They're envious.
They tried to kill it over 60 times and failed.
Over time, they've chipped away on various components of the ACA that they KNEW would raise rates.
They don't give a shit about us.
They're envious.
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
See past just the statistics – hear the voice of Ukraine.
Support reporting that puts human stories first.
Subscribe through the link in bio!
Support reporting that puts human stories first.
Subscribe through the link in bio!
The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack
A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week...
www.counteroffensive.news
November 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
See past just the statistics – hear the voice of Ukraine.
Support reporting that puts human stories first.
Subscribe through the link in bio!
Support reporting that puts human stories first.
Subscribe through the link in bio!
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
So the oldest person ever to become president keeps falling asleep in his office during public events and there’s no big public discussion on how this is a coverup or how republicans are lying to us about how this government is running?
November 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
So the oldest person ever to become president keeps falling asleep in his office during public events and there’s no big public discussion on how this is a coverup or how republicans are lying to us about how this government is running?
Reposted by Mark Sumner 🇺🇦
Newsom: "Think about the state of mind of the VP. How do you square the circle when you go to a prayer breakfast? Old testament, new testament. What's the fundamental thing that connects John to Matthew to Proverbs? It's this notion of hunger, feeding the poor. It's central to advancing God's will."
November 9, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Newsom: "Think about the state of mind of the VP. How do you square the circle when you go to a prayer breakfast? Old testament, new testament. What's the fundamental thing that connects John to Matthew to Proverbs? It's this notion of hunger, feeding the poor. It's central to advancing God's will."