H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
@harrysimmons3578.bsky.social
I have no politics but revolutionary change--for the worse.
Diatribist for Verdigris Magazine. Please send essays to contact@vdgasjournal.com or contact @cloudquistador.bsky.social
Send all hate mail to harrysimmons3578@proton.me
Diatribist for Verdigris Magazine. Please send essays to contact@vdgasjournal.com or contact @cloudquistador.bsky.social
Send all hate mail to harrysimmons3578@proton.me
Pinned
In 2025, we introduced Verdigris, dedicated to promoting writers who want to engage with the world. We did okay in 2025 but urgent times demand redoubled efforts. For 2026, a renewed and reinvigorated focus on writing about urgent matters and helping you do the same. youtu.be/dtPJSAMICFU
Verdigris Journal: 2026
YouTube video by Film Conversations
youtu.be
To everyone:
Join me in celebrating the re-launch of the magazine Verdigris, @cloudquistador.bsky.social effort to bring forth a magazine dedicated to literature, high journalism, and an analysis of the decay we call politics.
Yours truly, your favorite wise hack, will be the in house reviewer.
Join me in celebrating the re-launch of the magazine Verdigris, @cloudquistador.bsky.social effort to bring forth a magazine dedicated to literature, high journalism, and an analysis of the decay we call politics.
Yours truly, your favorite wise hack, will be the in house reviewer.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
We do not want your private ICE prisons in North Carolina!
No where.
Not now.
Not ever!
We won't back down and we won't give up!
#NCPOL
#Pinks
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
No where.
Not now.
Not ever!
We won't back down and we won't give up!
#NCPOL
#Pinks
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
ICE protesters turn their attention to private prison company in North Carolina
The company wants to hold people for Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a closed private prison in Eastern North Carolina.
www.charlotteobserver.com
February 18, 2026 at 5:05 PM
We do not want your private ICE prisons in North Carolina!
No where.
Not now.
Not ever!
We won't back down and we won't give up!
#NCPOL
#Pinks
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
No where.
Not now.
Not ever!
We won't back down and we won't give up!
#NCPOL
#Pinks
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
The decline of right wing cultural production is just due to the fact that they don’t like culture, they like the signifiers of culture, ie “classic sculpture means white people are better.” They don’t like art at all except for this purpose. They don’t even like the nerd stuff they whine about
February 18, 2026 at 4:06 PM
The decline of right wing cultural production is just due to the fact that they don’t like culture, they like the signifiers of culture, ie “classic sculpture means white people are better.” They don’t like art at all except for this purpose. They don’t even like the nerd stuff they whine about
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
"That’s why it’s important that Minnesota be not just a shining example of what can be done. It needs to be a harbinger of what’s going to be done. It needs to be a model not just admired but emulated. We should all be Minnesotans now."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
We’re All Minnesotans Now
Let the North Star State give us direction.
open.substack.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:43 PM
"That’s why it’s important that Minnesota be not just a shining example of what can be done. It needs to be a harbinger of what’s going to be done. It needs to be a model not just admired but emulated. We should all be Minnesotans now."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
AI has some incredible applications, but it also will likely upend our economy and make it harder for young adults to find jobs.
I’m deeply concerned, and I’m focused every week on finding solutions for us to help ease the transition and help folks land in good-paying jobs.
I’m deeply concerned, and I’m focused every week on finding solutions for us to help ease the transition and help folks land in good-paying jobs.
February 18, 2026 at 6:04 PM
AI has some incredible applications, but it also will likely upend our economy and make it harder for young adults to find jobs.
I’m deeply concerned, and I’m focused every week on finding solutions for us to help ease the transition and help folks land in good-paying jobs.
I’m deeply concerned, and I’m focused every week on finding solutions for us to help ease the transition and help folks land in good-paying jobs.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
NEW: DOJ told a judge in New Jersey that it had violated court orders about 54 times between Dec. 5 and this week — the latest accounting of a phenomenon that used to be rare and is now rampant. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 18, 2026 at 4:33 PM
NEW: DOJ told a judge in New Jersey that it had violated court orders about 54 times between Dec. 5 and this week — the latest accounting of a phenomenon that used to be rare and is now rampant. www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
This is good news but Texas is still Texas. The problem isn’t visibility as much as eligible voters not bothering to vote.
www.rawstory.com/trump-threat...
www.rawstory.com/trump-threat...
Trump admin's threats appear to have backfired as Dem candidate gets 'very good news'
President Donald Trump's administration may have elevated a Democratic Senate candidate by strong-arming CBS into calling off an interview with him, according to a new analysis.Late-night talk show ho...
www.rawstory.com
February 18, 2026 at 5:46 PM
This is good news but Texas is still Texas. The problem isn’t visibility as much as eligible voters not bothering to vote.
www.rawstory.com/trump-threat...
www.rawstory.com/trump-threat...
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
“Is there a technology the left is excited about?”
High-speed rail! MRNA vaccines! New cancer treatments! Solar and wind energy collection! Better and longer-range EVs! That wood that's harder than steel! New apples! Fibermaxxing! Buldak Swicy ramen! Muppets! Muppets are too a technology, shut up!
High-speed rail! MRNA vaccines! New cancer treatments! Solar and wind energy collection! Better and longer-range EVs! That wood that's harder than steel! New apples! Fibermaxxing! Buldak Swicy ramen! Muppets! Muppets are too a technology, shut up!
February 18, 2026 at 1:40 PM
“Is there a technology the left is excited about?”
High-speed rail! MRNA vaccines! New cancer treatments! Solar and wind energy collection! Better and longer-range EVs! That wood that's harder than steel! New apples! Fibermaxxing! Buldak Swicy ramen! Muppets! Muppets are too a technology, shut up!
High-speed rail! MRNA vaccines! New cancer treatments! Solar and wind energy collection! Better and longer-range EVs! That wood that's harder than steel! New apples! Fibermaxxing! Buldak Swicy ramen! Muppets! Muppets are too a technology, shut up!
I would like to add that this is not a recent phenomenon: for example, McCarthyism was helped out by a whole segment of gossip mongers like Hedda Hopper, who used their position and the various Black Lists to cajole, black mail, and even throw in jail those they dislike
I find it frustrating that the left has been characterized as more prone to scolding when the right’s entire culture is built on an openly insidious kind of scolding
February 18, 2026 at 5:46 PM
I would like to add that this is not a recent phenomenon: for example, McCarthyism was helped out by a whole segment of gossip mongers like Hedda Hopper, who used their position and the various Black Lists to cajole, black mail, and even throw in jail those they dislike
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
I find it frustrating that the left has been characterized as more prone to scolding when the right’s entire culture is built on an openly insidious kind of scolding
February 18, 2026 at 3:39 PM
I find it frustrating that the left has been characterized as more prone to scolding when the right’s entire culture is built on an openly insidious kind of scolding
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
The President is lying to the public:
1) For the past century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor – not Maryland. The sewage pipe is on federal land.
youtu.be/OKyIKHW8ONI
1) For the past century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor – not Maryland. The sewage pipe is on federal land.
youtu.be/OKyIKHW8ONI
The President is Lying to the Public
YouTube video by Governor Wes Moore
youtu.be
February 18, 2026 at 5:09 PM
The President is lying to the public:
1) For the past century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor – not Maryland. The sewage pipe is on federal land.
youtu.be/OKyIKHW8ONI
1) For the past century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor – not Maryland. The sewage pipe is on federal land.
youtu.be/OKyIKHW8ONI
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
Can also confirm
February 18, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Can also confirm
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
February 18, 2026 at 5:39 PM
BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
WFP is proud to endorse @booker4ky.bsky.social for U.S. Senate in Kentucky's May 19 Primary.
We know Charles will fight back against corporations and authoritarianism, champion policies to make life better for regular people, and center working families every step of the way.
We know Charles will fight back against corporations and authoritarianism, champion policies to make life better for regular people, and center working families every step of the way.
February 18, 2026 at 4:34 PM
WFP is proud to endorse @booker4ky.bsky.social for U.S. Senate in Kentucky's May 19 Primary.
We know Charles will fight back against corporations and authoritarianism, champion policies to make life better for regular people, and center working families every step of the way.
We know Charles will fight back against corporations and authoritarianism, champion policies to make life better for regular people, and center working families every step of the way.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
February 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
How is it possible that Kristi Noem still has this job. Imagine if you’re a family member or a shipmate of this guardsman.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
February 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
Congratulations to Ana María Archila on her appointment as NYC Commissioner of International Affairs in the Mamdani administration! Ana María was building WFP for years before she became Co-Director of NYWFP, and she’ll always be part of the WFP family.
February 17, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Congratulations to Ana María Archila on her appointment as NYC Commissioner of International Affairs in the Mamdani administration! Ana María was building WFP for years before she became Co-Director of NYWFP, and she’ll always be part of the WFP family.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
"Governor Newsom’s reluctance to propose meaningful revenue solutions to help blunt the harm of federal cuts undermines his posture to counter the Trump administration. The governor's budget... will leave many Californians without food assistance and health care coverage.”
Gavin Newsom is much worse than you think
The California governor's policy priorities undermine his Trump trolling — and his progressive credentials
www.salon.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:07 PM
"Governor Newsom’s reluctance to propose meaningful revenue solutions to help blunt the harm of federal cuts undermines his posture to counter the Trump administration. The governor's budget... will leave many Californians without food assistance and health care coverage.”
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
The billionaires want us fighting each other instead of banding together.
February 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The billionaires want us fighting each other instead of banding together.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
"In Pennsylvania, the Shapiro administration is warning federal officials that it will not issue required state permits for two planned immigration detention centers..."
www.spotlightpa.org/berks/2026/0...
www.spotlightpa.org/berks/2026/0...
Shapiro admin tells ICE to drop plans for PA detention centers
ICE detention centers planned for Berks and Schuylkill Counties would burden residents and possibly violate state legal requirements, officials say.
www.spotlightpa.org
February 16, 2026 at 6:52 PM
"In Pennsylvania, the Shapiro administration is warning federal officials that it will not issue required state permits for two planned immigration detention centers..."
www.spotlightpa.org/berks/2026/0...
www.spotlightpa.org/berks/2026/0...
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
BREAKING: ICE released 31-year-old Mariela Sobrero just hours after we published a report from @adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social on her detention. Sobrero, who may have breast cancer, had been held for over a month at the Dilley facility in Texas with her three children.
February 16, 2026 at 5:21 PM
BREAKING: ICE released 31-year-old Mariela Sobrero just hours after we published a report from @adriancarrasquillo.bsky.social on her detention. Sobrero, who may have breast cancer, had been held for over a month at the Dilley facility in Texas with her three children.
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
JUST IN: A federal magistrate judge has denied Minnesota's bid for quick discovery in case to End Operation Metro Surge, despite finding it has had "a devastating impact on Minnesota residents" an accountability is still "in its infancy." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 16, 2026 at 7:41 PM
JUST IN: A federal magistrate judge has denied Minnesota's bid for quick discovery in case to End Operation Metro Surge, despite finding it has had "a devastating impact on Minnesota residents" an accountability is still "in its infancy." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
About such people, Tacitus wrote: "Excess flattery can disgust a man with some honesty: Annals 3.65: "It is reported that whenever Tiberius left the senate- house,he exclaimed in Greek: 'Men fit to be slaves!' Even he, freedom's enemy, became impatient at such low servility."
Jesus Christ, a standing ovation? For an apologist for a regime which is buying warehouses to build concentration camps and murdering protesters on the street?
February 14, 2026 at 9:49 AM
About such people, Tacitus wrote: "Excess flattery can disgust a man with some honesty: Annals 3.65: "It is reported that whenever Tiberius left the senate- house,he exclaimed in Greek: 'Men fit to be slaves!' Even he, freedom's enemy, became impatient at such low servility."
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
AI CEO 💩:
"When characters experience anxiety in the text, and then when the model itself is in a situation that a human might associate with anxiety, that same anxiety neuron shows up."
not even ppl feel anxiety like this: we understand fiction vs non; books can make us anxious, but we like them
"When characters experience anxiety in the text, and then when the model itself is in a situation that a human might associate with anxiety, that same anxiety neuron shows up."
not even ppl feel anxiety like this: we understand fiction vs non; books can make us anxious, but we like them
I'm pretty sure I know. They aren't. We're not going to really be able to make a lot of progress in dealing with the implications of this tech unless and until we get rid of all this "woo-woo" talk about LLMs. Anthropic pushing this line is PR, unserious.
February 14, 2026 at 8:20 PM
AI CEO 💩:
"When characters experience anxiety in the text, and then when the model itself is in a situation that a human might associate with anxiety, that same anxiety neuron shows up."
not even ppl feel anxiety like this: we understand fiction vs non; books can make us anxious, but we like them
"When characters experience anxiety in the text, and then when the model itself is in a situation that a human might associate with anxiety, that same anxiety neuron shows up."
not even ppl feel anxiety like this: we understand fiction vs non; books can make us anxious, but we like them
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
Contributing columnist Ka Vang writes: "Why would people of color and immigrants, particularly so many Latinos, join immigration enforcement? How can they serve an institution that harms people who look like them?"
Vang: Why do so many Latinos join ICE and the Border Patrol?
Contributing columnist Ka Vang writes: "Why would people of color and immigrants, particularly so many Latinos, join immigration enforcement? How can they serve an institution that harms people who look like them?"
bit.ly
February 14, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Contributing columnist Ka Vang writes: "Why would people of color and immigrants, particularly so many Latinos, join immigration enforcement? How can they serve an institution that harms people who look like them?"
Reposted by H.L. Mencken’s Winking Ghost 🏴☠️
One of the most successful protests in American history. Musk was driven out of the government, and his core brand, Tesla, is now toxic. And the shoes have just begun to drop
Well, it seems that 50 protesters and hundreds of drivers in Arlington VA are in total agreement!! Our one year anniversary of #TeslaTakedown and quite possibly the loudest, most unhinged honking yet! @teslatakedown.com @teslatakedownuk.bsky.social @everyonehateselon.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM
One of the most successful protests in American history. Musk was driven out of the government, and his core brand, Tesla, is now toxic. And the shoes have just begun to drop