@gentlystream.bsky.social
Pro-kindness, pro-planet, pro-democracy. For my children and grandchildren.
Reposted
How Putin Got His Preferred US Envoy: Come Alone, No CIA
Kremlin fueled rise of Trump’s friend Witkoff with prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats
Putin picked Witkoff over Trump's then envoy to Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg. Witkoff has been to Russia 6 times
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
Kremlin fueled rise of Trump’s friend Witkoff with prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats
Putin picked Witkoff over Trump's then envoy to Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg. Witkoff has been to Russia 6 times
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
How Putin Got His Preferred U.S. Envoy: Come Alone, No CIA
The Kremlin fueled the rise of Trump’s friend Steve Witkoff with a prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats.
www.wsj.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
How Putin Got His Preferred US Envoy: Come Alone, No CIA
Kremlin fueled rise of Trump’s friend Witkoff with prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats
Putin picked Witkoff over Trump's then envoy to Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg. Witkoff has been to Russia 6 times
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
Kremlin fueled rise of Trump’s friend Witkoff with prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats
Putin picked Witkoff over Trump's then envoy to Russia and Ukraine Keith Kellogg. Witkoff has been to Russia 6 times
www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
Horrific Epstein file excerpts—crimes against children—the media is not exposing so far, but should. @rokhanna.bsky.social @repstansbury.bsky.social @robertgarcia.bsky.social @warren.senate.gov @aoc.bsky.social @maddow.bsky.social @lawrenceodonnell.bsky.social @briefingwithpsaki.bsky.social
No punishment is too great for a man who would drug and drive his own 6–8-year-old daughter to “pedophile ring parties.”
Sit with this: if this report is accurate, this child was horrifically abused. I wonder whether she’s been able to build any kind of life for herself.
🧵
Sit with this: if this report is accurate, this child was horrifically abused. I wonder whether she’s been able to build any kind of life for herself.
🧵
December 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Horrific Epstein file excerpts—crimes against children—the media is not exposing so far, but should. @rokhanna.bsky.social @repstansbury.bsky.social @robertgarcia.bsky.social @warren.senate.gov @aoc.bsky.social @maddow.bsky.social @lawrenceodonnell.bsky.social @briefingwithpsaki.bsky.social
Journalism Matters: “When journalism becomes thinner, a lot gets lost: history, context, accountability, and sustained scrutiny of power…those aren’t luxuries—they’re the first to disappear, the hardest to replace.” @markjacob.bsky.social @newsjennifer.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/russbake...
open.substack.com/pub/russbake...
They Told You Half the Story: Why This Kind of Journalism Matters
As the year ends, we remind ourselves why we do this — and commit to another year of leveling with you.
open.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Journalism Matters: “When journalism becomes thinner, a lot gets lost: history, context, accountability, and sustained scrutiny of power…those aren’t luxuries—they’re the first to disappear, the hardest to replace.” @markjacob.bsky.social @newsjennifer.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/russbake...
open.substack.com/pub/russbake...
THREAD: America, a beautiful blend of immigrants over the years. “This dream was a real ladder of opportunity, elevating talents from obscurity to success, blending diverse threads into America's vibrant fabric.” May we return to that dream and beauty in the new year. @aclu.org @immdef.bsky.social
1/5 Once upon a time, the American Dream beckoned immigrants fleeing hardship. It offered fresh starts, where grit and ingenuity built prosperity from nothing. Imagine a family arriving penniless, yet forging thriving businesses through determination.
December 28, 2025 at 5:41 AM
THREAD: America, a beautiful blend of immigrants over the years. “This dream was a real ladder of opportunity, elevating talents from obscurity to success, blending diverse threads into America's vibrant fabric.” May we return to that dream and beauty in the new year. @aclu.org @immdef.bsky.social
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This message hits hard.
December 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This message hits hard.
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“It’s not something that somebody else pays. It’s something that America pays.”
Trump’s reckless tariffs are crushing American businesses, killing countless jobs, and raising prices across the board. He is destroying our economy for no reason — and all of us are paying the price.
Trump’s reckless tariffs are crushing American businesses, killing countless jobs, and raising prices across the board. He is destroying our economy for no reason — and all of us are paying the price.
December 27, 2025 at 10:50 PM
“It’s not something that somebody else pays. It’s something that America pays.”
Trump’s reckless tariffs are crushing American businesses, killing countless jobs, and raising prices across the board. He is destroying our economy for no reason — and all of us are paying the price.
Trump’s reckless tariffs are crushing American businesses, killing countless jobs, and raising prices across the board. He is destroying our economy for no reason — and all of us are paying the price.
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Not sure I understand why the Trump administration cares about Christians in Nigeria and not Christians in Ukraine
December 26, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Not sure I understand why the Trump administration cares about Christians in Nigeria and not Christians in Ukraine
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Imagine watching Sinatra, son of Dolly & Antonini born in Genoa & Sicily, respectively, and Martin, son of Gaetano & Angela, born in Montesilvano, Italy & Ohio respectively, (Angela to parents born in Monasterolo, Italy), and crusading against the value of children of immigrants to the U.S.
December 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Imagine watching Sinatra, son of Dolly & Antonini born in Genoa & Sicily, respectively, and Martin, son of Gaetano & Angela, born in Montesilvano, Italy & Ohio respectively, (Angela to parents born in Monasterolo, Italy), and crusading against the value of children of immigrants to the U.S.
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Has anyone written the definitive piece about Jake Sullivan’s world-historic errors on Gaza and Israel that got Trump elected, and how he and his team were a bunch of overconfident, uninformed ninnies who should be nowhere near power ever again?
We need a President AOC just to break from this past
We need a President AOC just to break from this past
December 27, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Has anyone written the definitive piece about Jake Sullivan’s world-historic errors on Gaza and Israel that got Trump elected, and how he and his team were a bunch of overconfident, uninformed ninnies who should be nowhere near power ever again?
We need a President AOC just to break from this past
We need a President AOC just to break from this past
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Heartbreaking story about women and girls raped in Eastern Congo who can no longer get medication to prevent HIV transmission, because of Trump administration's USAID cuts: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1... Careless men in DC make decisions, and Congolese girls suffer.
Congolese rape survivors search in vain for medicine after USAID cuts
In eastern Congo, where rape is widespread, the cancellation of USAID funding for PEP kits has left many victims vulnerable, according to nearly 50 interviews.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Heartbreaking story about women and girls raped in Eastern Congo who can no longer get medication to prevent HIV transmission, because of Trump administration's USAID cuts: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1... Careless men in DC make decisions, and Congolese girls suffer.
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Reposted
People must grasp the idea of “media capture.”
It’s when authoritarian regimes and/or their powerful allies take control of media to stifle independent voices holding the government to account.
It’s one way Hungary’s Viktor Orbán keeps power.
In the U.S., it’s what the Ellisons have done with CBS.
It’s when authoritarian regimes and/or their powerful allies take control of media to stifle independent voices holding the government to account.
It’s one way Hungary’s Viktor Orbán keeps power.
In the U.S., it’s what the Ellisons have done with CBS.
December 22, 2025 at 1:36 PM
People must grasp the idea of “media capture.”
It’s when authoritarian regimes and/or their powerful allies take control of media to stifle independent voices holding the government to account.
It’s one way Hungary’s Viktor Orbán keeps power.
In the U.S., it’s what the Ellisons have done with CBS.
It’s when authoritarian regimes and/or their powerful allies take control of media to stifle independent voices holding the government to account.
It’s one way Hungary’s Viktor Orbán keeps power.
In the U.S., it’s what the Ellisons have done with CBS.
Reposted
“The Department of Health and Human Services has terminated seven grants totaling millions of dollars to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including for initiatives on reducing sudden infant deaths, improving adolescent health, preventing fetal alcohol syndrome and identifying autism early.”
American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr.
HHS cuts key AAP grants, citing concerns about “identity-based language” and insufficient focus on agency priorities. The organization said the cuts could harm child health.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
“The Department of Health and Human Services has terminated seven grants totaling millions of dollars to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including for initiatives on reducing sudden infant deaths, improving adolescent health, preventing fetal alcohol syndrome and identifying autism early.”
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"Power bills for about a fifth of Americans are expected to continue to rise after the largest U.S. grid operator, PJM Interconnection, reported fresh record-high capacity prices on Wednesday that reflected electricity demand by data centers overtaking supplies."
Prices in biggest US power grid auction hit new record, signaling higher utility bills ahead
Power bills for about a fifth of Americans are expected to continue to rise after the largest U.S. grid operator, PJM Interconnection, reported fresh record-high capacity prices on Wednesday that refl...
www.reuters.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:07 PM
"Power bills for about a fifth of Americans are expected to continue to rise after the largest U.S. grid operator, PJM Interconnection, reported fresh record-high capacity prices on Wednesday that reflected electricity demand by data centers overtaking supplies."
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I keep saying this but no one is connecting the dots. The war is to satisfy legal preconditions for mass removal *domestically* of Latinos (i.e., suddenly a lot of people are going to be “Venezuelan” for purposes of removal). This is 100% Stephen Miller…oil claim is to make grandpa go along
There is no national security logic that would impel the US to want to do regime change in Venezuela. It's simply not that important. I'm not even sure wag the dog is the right metaphor for what's happening here. Seems like an insane misallocation of US national security assets and attention.
Trump: "Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled ... It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the USA all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."
December 17, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I keep saying this but no one is connecting the dots. The war is to satisfy legal preconditions for mass removal *domestically* of Latinos (i.e., suddenly a lot of people are going to be “Venezuelan” for purposes of removal). This is 100% Stephen Miller…oil claim is to make grandpa go along
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Report finds warmest temperatures, loss of snow cover in the Arctic as US, Russia among Arctic countries pushing ahead with oil drilling despite climate crisis
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
Arctic sees hottest year since 1900 as climate crisis continues
Report finds warmest temperatures, loss of snow cover as US joins arctic countries to push ahead with oil drilling.
www.aljazeera.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Report finds warmest temperatures, loss of snow cover in the Arctic as US, Russia among Arctic countries pushing ahead with oil drilling despite climate crisis
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12...
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Unemployment was at 7.8% when Obama took office. He got it down to 4.7% by the end of term
Trump then lost millions of jobs, and left Joe Biden with unemployment at 6.4%
Biden CREATED millions of jobs and reduced unemployment to 4.3%
Unemployment is rising under Trump-again-standing now at 4.6%
Trump then lost millions of jobs, and left Joe Biden with unemployment at 6.4%
Biden CREATED millions of jobs and reduced unemployment to 4.3%
Unemployment is rising under Trump-again-standing now at 4.6%
December 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Unemployment was at 7.8% when Obama took office. He got it down to 4.7% by the end of term
Trump then lost millions of jobs, and left Joe Biden with unemployment at 6.4%
Biden CREATED millions of jobs and reduced unemployment to 4.3%
Unemployment is rising under Trump-again-standing now at 4.6%
Trump then lost millions of jobs, and left Joe Biden with unemployment at 6.4%
Biden CREATED millions of jobs and reduced unemployment to 4.3%
Unemployment is rising under Trump-again-standing now at 4.6%
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Important read from @chrishatch.bsky.social:
The current bonfire of fossil fuels is driving an annual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide that is 100 to 200 times faster than our most recent analogue: the end of the last ice age. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/15/o...
The current bonfire of fossil fuels is driving an annual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide that is 100 to 200 times faster than our most recent analogue: the end of the last ice age. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/15/o...
The numbers sound small. The consequences are not
As 2025 draws to its close, European scientists are noting that the three-year average temperature has exceeded 1.5C above preindustrial levels for the first time — and the impacts are tangible. The y...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Important read from @chrishatch.bsky.social:
The current bonfire of fossil fuels is driving an annual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide that is 100 to 200 times faster than our most recent analogue: the end of the last ice age. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/15/o...
The current bonfire of fossil fuels is driving an annual increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide that is 100 to 200 times faster than our most recent analogue: the end of the last ice age. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/15/o...
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Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's son was pulled over by ICE and forced to prove he is an American.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's son was pulled over by ICE and forced to prove he is an American.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
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As a director, Rob Reiner released these five movies all in a row
1986 Stand by Me
1987 The Princess Bride
1989 When Harry Met Sally…
1990 Misery
1992 A Few Good Men
All remarkable and vastly different films, showing extraordinary range and talent
1986 Stand by Me
1987 The Princess Bride
1989 When Harry Met Sally…
1990 Misery
1992 A Few Good Men
All remarkable and vastly different films, showing extraordinary range and talent
RIP Rob Reiner. You were a prince and I’m grateful we intersected.
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Rob Reiner, ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ ‘The Princess Bride’ and ‘Stand by Me’ Director and ‘All in the Family’ Actor, Dies at 78 in Apparent Homicide (Report)
The two-time Emmy winner and Oscar nominee and his wife, Michele, were found dead in their Brentwood home.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:25 AM
As a director, Rob Reiner released these five movies all in a row
1986 Stand by Me
1987 The Princess Bride
1989 When Harry Met Sally…
1990 Misery
1992 A Few Good Men
All remarkable and vastly different films, showing extraordinary range and talent
1986 Stand by Me
1987 The Princess Bride
1989 When Harry Met Sally…
1990 Misery
1992 A Few Good Men
All remarkable and vastly different films, showing extraordinary range and talent
Reposted
Just want to share with my American friends how the Australians respond to a shooting tragedy. Action, rather than thoughts and prayers.
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Just want to share with my American friends how the Australians respond to a shooting tragedy. Action, rather than thoughts and prayers.
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As one of those Democratic attorneys who was camped out in West Palm Beach - taking depositions from inconsolable grandmas swearing they hadn’t voted for Buchanan, I still have trauma. 🥺
25 years ago the right wing #SCOTUS coup begin archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
25 years ago the right wing #SCOTUS coup begin archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
December 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
As one of those Democratic attorneys who was camped out in West Palm Beach - taking depositions from inconsolable grandmas swearing they hadn’t voted for Buchanan, I still have trauma. 🥺
25 years ago the right wing #SCOTUS coup begin archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
25 years ago the right wing #SCOTUS coup begin archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes....
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We documented dozens of cases of brutality — including physical and sexual abuse from guards — that show a humanitarian disaster unfolding at the Fort Bliss military base, where ICE is operating its largest detention center.
President Trump’s mass detention expansion is inhumane and dangerous.
President Trump’s mass detention expansion is inhumane and dangerous.
Immigrants Detained at Fort Bliss in Texas Report Abuse and Inhumane Conditions
Detained people at largest immigration detention facility in the country report accounts of physical and sexual abuse.
www.aclu.org
December 13, 2025 at 5:03 PM
We documented dozens of cases of brutality — including physical and sexual abuse from guards — that show a humanitarian disaster unfolding at the Fort Bliss military base, where ICE is operating its largest detention center.
President Trump’s mass detention expansion is inhumane and dangerous.
President Trump’s mass detention expansion is inhumane and dangerous.
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Read Shadow Network by Anne Nelson about the far right’s decades-long takeover of US radio and smaller-town media, leading to the split info space dividing us today. @maxtani.bsky.social @semaforben.bsky.social @joshtpm.bsky.social @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social @velshi.com @jelaniya.bsky.social
People are dismissing network television like they did radio 20 years ago. If a bunch of liberal rich people invested in non-profit independent radio across the country twenty years ago we would live in a fundamentally different country
December 10, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Read Shadow Network by Anne Nelson about the far right’s decades-long takeover of US radio and smaller-town media, leading to the split info space dividing us today. @maxtani.bsky.social @semaforben.bsky.social @joshtpm.bsky.social @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social @velshi.com @jelaniya.bsky.social
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A good time to open @craigunger.bsky.social House of Trump House of Putin for the details of the Trump Mafia active for decades.
December 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A good time to open @craigunger.bsky.social House of Trump House of Putin for the details of the Trump Mafia active for decades.