JP
@faosiddhe.bsky.social
Portlander. believer in a better West Coast
In my time in Southeast Portland I've lived in three very different neighborhoods. They all shared the same problem, though: it's weirdly hard to get around the eastside! All three had good links going downtown (especially the FX2, which I miss very badly) but all three relied on the 75 to go N-S
February 12, 2026 at 6:42 AM
In my time in Southeast Portland I've lived in three very different neighborhoods. They all shared the same problem, though: it's weirdly hard to get around the eastside! All three had good links going downtown (especially the FX2, which I miss very badly) but all three relied on the 75 to go N-S
Cesar Chavez Road Diet!!! Woohoo!!
February 9, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Cesar Chavez Road Diet!!! Woohoo!!
I recently visited Slabtown (for the first time, somehow). I was quite delighted. There's more than enough there to feel like a neighborhood, not just an isolated development. It's well-connected south and west to the surrounding neighborhoods, and it feels like a part of the city!
February 9, 2026 at 5:25 AM
I recently visited Slabtown (for the first time, somehow). I was quite delighted. There's more than enough there to feel like a neighborhood, not just an isolated development. It's well-connected south and west to the surrounding neighborhoods, and it feels like a part of the city!
Reposted by JP
You can look at the Epstein files and conclude that only bad people have billions of dollars, but I think it’s also possible that having billions of dollars cauterizes your humanity
February 3, 2026 at 6:56 PM
You can look at the Epstein files and conclude that only bad people have billions of dollars, but I think it’s also possible that having billions of dollars cauterizes your humanity
Reposted by JP
Bridge units are so cool
Turning from International Blvd, a midday Key System A-line train enters 1st Ave, heading through Oakland to SF.
From 1941 to 1950, A-Line trains ran all the way to Havenscourt in East Oakland! This was cut back to 12th & Oak St. following reconstruction of the 12th St. Dam into a partial freeway.
From 1941 to 1950, A-Line trains ran all the way to Havenscourt in East Oakland! This was cut back to 12th & Oak St. following reconstruction of the 12th St. Dam into a partial freeway.
February 2, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Bridge units are so cool
Reposted by JP
here's a longer form housing post, with three proposals for housing policy ideas portland could pursue in 2026 to increase housing production: urbanpdx.blog/a-2026-portl...
urban pdx
Portland housing and transportation policy
urbanpdx.blog
January 31, 2026 at 9:51 PM
here's a longer form housing post, with three proposals for housing policy ideas portland could pursue in 2026 to increase housing production: urbanpdx.blog/a-2026-portl...
Reposted by JP
Hats off to whoever did this (and the beautiful model).
January 16, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Hats off to whoever did this (and the beautiful model).
Reposted by JP
Having seen several abductions up close, it is really hard to convey how much the thing they’re doing is roaming in military convoys until they see someone who is alone and isn’t white, and then jumping out in large numbers, pulling them into a van, and screeching off, all in 90 seconds or so.
"“They specifically asked me if I knew where the Hmong families lived on my street & in the neighborhood.” Lugert-Thom responded, “I don’t know anything about that” & she said they then asked, “Well, what about the Asian families?”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
"“I was a bit shaken & a bit shocked of what I was asked to do.”"
A St. Paul resident says federal officers knocked on her door and asked her to identify Hmong and Asian households in her North End neighborhood last week.
January 14, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Having seen several abductions up close, it is really hard to convey how much the thing they’re doing is roaming in military convoys until they see someone who is alone and isn’t white, and then jumping out in large numbers, pulling them into a van, and screeching off, all in 90 seconds or so.
Reposted by JP
This looks like an indictment. It is. But I see it as a reason for optimism.
We don’t need to be exceptional to transform Americans' lives. We need to become average. The solutions exist. We see them working. We have to choose them. And that means fixing our democracy so that it delivers.
We don’t need to be exceptional to transform Americans' lives. We need to become average. The solutions exist. We see them working. We have to choose them. And that means fixing our democracy so that it delivers.
January 12, 2026 at 9:36 PM
This looks like an indictment. It is. But I see it as a reason for optimism.
We don’t need to be exceptional to transform Americans' lives. We need to become average. The solutions exist. We see them working. We have to choose them. And that means fixing our democracy so that it delivers.
We don’t need to be exceptional to transform Americans' lives. We need to become average. The solutions exist. We see them working. We have to choose them. And that means fixing our democracy so that it delivers.
Reposted by JP
if you put this in a script even erin brockovitch would be like “too on the nose, dial it back”
January 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
if you put this in a script even erin brockovitch would be like “too on the nose, dial it back”
In the new year I am so grateful to live in a city that cares so much. Portland is not perfect (line 10/19 cuts hurt so bad) but it's mostly getting better every day, unlike seemingly everywhere else. So many talented brilliant people with good hearts in one place, all pulling the same direction!
January 6, 2026 at 6:07 PM
In the new year I am so grateful to live in a city that cares so much. Portland is not perfect (line 10/19 cuts hurt so bad) but it's mostly getting better every day, unlike seemingly everywhere else. So many talented brilliant people with good hearts in one place, all pulling the same direction!
Reposted by JP
ah yes, news focused on the concerns of the average american
NEW from me:
Currently on tap for Tony Dokoupil on his first day as CBS Evening News anchor -- taking a private plane to Miami to so he can go jet skiing with DJ Khaled and play soccer with David Beckham.
Take that, elites!
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Currently on tap for Tony Dokoupil on his first day as CBS Evening News anchor -- taking a private plane to Miami to so he can go jet skiing with DJ Khaled and play soccer with David Beckham.
Take that, elites!
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Private jets and ‘Bari pitches’: Inside Weiss’ chaotic CBS Evening News reboot
EXCLUSIVE: The new CBS News editor-in-chief has chartered private flights for her armed security detail, made last-minute logistical changes and fired off ‘Bari Pitches.’ Weiss is once again accused o...
www.independent.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 1:05 AM
ah yes, news focused on the concerns of the average american
Reposted by JP
Purely by accident, as a side effect of finding those reviews, I chanced across other, contemporary op-eds in mainstream magazines of the time.
…guess what? The “War on Christmas” rants were already underweigh—and you know what they claimed as proof? You could get SECULAR HOLIDAY CARDS WITH PUPPIES
…guess what? The “War on Christmas” rants were already underweigh—and you know what they claimed as proof? You could get SECULAR HOLIDAY CARDS WITH PUPPIES
January 2, 2026 at 1:43 AM
Purely by accident, as a side effect of finding those reviews, I chanced across other, contemporary op-eds in mainstream magazines of the time.
…guess what? The “War on Christmas” rants were already underweigh—and you know what they claimed as proof? You could get SECULAR HOLIDAY CARDS WITH PUPPIES
…guess what? The “War on Christmas” rants were already underweigh—and you know what they claimed as proof? You could get SECULAR HOLIDAY CARDS WITH PUPPIES
Reposted by JP
this is the most incredible interview i’ve ever read. the aei guy tries so hard to get sliwa to trash mamdani and he simply won’t. he also brings up flaco (rip) unprompted.
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
![How would you describe Mamdani's politics?
He's not a communist. People call him that. That's ridiculous. He is a democratic socialist. David Dinkins [New York mayor from 1990-93] was a democratic socialist. We've had a long history in New York City of socialism.
What's the biggest challenge Mamdani faces as mayor!
I don't think the Zohranistas totally understand the fiscal irresponsibility we just went through with the Adams years and how little money there's left.
There's not enough money to do all the things that Zohran wants to do.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ssxnmhdtz6le6nxu7jfhglz6/bafkreic7pxra6vmrjmqo4jmw4vdagiluj6xtkovqb3f4ex7fc55m7pzaxu@jpeg)
January 1, 2026 at 11:16 PM
this is the most incredible interview i’ve ever read. the aei guy tries so hard to get sliwa to trash mamdani and he simply won’t. he also brings up flaco (rip) unprompted.
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
www.wsj.com/opinion/free...
Reposted by JP
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
January 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
Reposted by JP
It should be harder to get a drivers license and easier to lose it.
The California DMV is in deep need of reform. Enraging stuff, uncovered by a team of reporters at @calmatters.org
calmatters.org/investigatio...
calmatters.org/investigatio...
December 31, 2025 at 1:28 AM
It should be harder to get a drivers license and easier to lose it.
Reposted by JP
It is kinda incredible how these tech guys talk about this redistribution driven utopia after AI creates post scarcity but are happy to kill redistribution today
MechaHitler, M.D.
December 26, 2025 at 8:54 PM
It is kinda incredible how these tech guys talk about this redistribution driven utopia after AI creates post scarcity but are happy to kill redistribution today
Legitimately I think not as easy a distinction to make as it once was! So much more of the population owns things!
it's "crazy how quickly "left wing economic populism" converges to "smallholder interests"
December 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Legitimately I think not as easy a distinction to make as it once was! So much more of the population owns things!
I don't know if any other piece of media had a more profound effect on the values my brother and I try to live by. Every year I find new things to take away from it. This year, after a hard 2025, I watched George Bailey be angry and impatient and even cruel, without losing his profound goodness!
"It's A Wonderful Life" isn't just a feel-good holiday classic (and my favorite movie of all time).
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
Robert Reich Reacts: “It's a Wonderful Life”
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I don't know if any other piece of media had a more profound effect on the values my brother and I try to live by. Every year I find new things to take away from it. This year, after a hard 2025, I watched George Bailey be angry and impatient and even cruel, without losing his profound goodness!
Reposted by JP
"It's A Wonderful Life" isn't just a feel-good holiday classic (and my favorite movie of all time).
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
Robert Reich Reacts: “It's a Wonderful Life”
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"It's A Wonderful Life" isn't just a feel-good holiday classic (and my favorite movie of all time).
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
Reposted by JP
Ok guys, it gets funnier: someone sent me this Wikipedia link:
My intuition was correct!
My intuition was correct!
December 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Ok guys, it gets funnier: someone sent me this Wikipedia link:
My intuition was correct!
My intuition was correct!
Reposted by JP
He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
December 23, 2025 at 11:49 PM
He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.
Reposted by JP
The economy is a paranormal entity that our greatest dimensional scholars (macroeconomists) understand only superficially. They have induced a variety of changes in it by manipulating arcane forces like "money supply" with some success. But it remains protean and unpredictable.
December 23, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The economy is a paranormal entity that our greatest dimensional scholars (macroeconomists) understand only superficially. They have induced a variety of changes in it by manipulating arcane forces like "money supply" with some success. But it remains protean and unpredictable.
Reposted by JP
It's amazing that housing supply deniers will say "new housing doesn't lower rents" and meanwhile real estate investors openly write stuff like "thanks to low housing production, there's less competition and we can raise rents!"
October 30, 2025 at 9:02 PM
It's amazing that housing supply deniers will say "new housing doesn't lower rents" and meanwhile real estate investors openly write stuff like "thanks to low housing production, there's less competition and we can raise rents!"
this is exactly where i'm at. I'm pretty ai-conflicted in general but every time I give it a shot i'm disappointed. even *internal* consistency is lacking. on multiple occasions I've asked claude/chatgpt to find sources online - the thing they should be best at - and gotten 75%+ hallcuinated stuff
suspect a big reason why many academics and others who work in areas where getting facts RIGHT is key are disinterested in using LLMs for research:
they’ve tried it, they keep noticing major errors in output, and they conclude that having to verify all that doesn’t actually save them time.
they’ve tried it, they keep noticing major errors in output, and they conclude that having to verify all that doesn’t actually save them time.
December 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
this is exactly where i'm at. I'm pretty ai-conflicted in general but every time I give it a shot i'm disappointed. even *internal* consistency is lacking. on multiple occasions I've asked claude/chatgpt to find sources online - the thing they should be best at - and gotten 75%+ hallcuinated stuff