Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
Trying to make a web that works for everyone.
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Pinned
Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
· Oct 27
Platform Strategy and Its Discontents - Infrequently Noted
Alex Russell on browsers, standards, and the process of progress.
infrequently.org
Platforms are competitions, and the web is losing. We can do simple, straightforward things to combat that decline...but contemporary frontend isn't doing those things.
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
Reposted by Alex Russell
This hidden provision is so crooked and selfish, it doesn't even apply to US Representatives. Just US Senators.
Look at this new outrage. To open govt, we're retroactively letting 8 Senators sue for $500K each over having had their J6 phone toll records looked at. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:43 AM
This hidden provision is so crooked and selfish, it doesn't even apply to US Representatives. Just US Senators.
Reposted by Alex Russell
how would he know
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
how would he know
Reposted by Alex Russell
I've been a fan of Whitehouse's work on corruption, but if this condescending thread is what he actually believes, he deserves to lose his seat.
Many feel betrayal and frustration, and the feelings are hot right now.
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
November 10, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I've been a fan of Whitehouse's work on corruption, but if this condescending thread is what he actually believes, he deserves to lose his seat.
Reposted by Alex Russell
You think we're stupid? You greenlit this deal. If you couldn't stop Dems from breaking away, then you don't deserve to be the leader.
I will not support the Republican bill that’s on the Senate floor because it fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s healthcare crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 9:37 PM
You think we're stupid? You greenlit this deal. If you couldn't stop Dems from breaking away, then you don't deserve to be the leader.
The ratios on this thread are *incredible*, and the comments are exactly what you think/hope they are:
November 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The ratios on this thread are *incredible*, and the comments are exactly what you think/hope they are:
Reposted by Alex Russell
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by Alex Russell
one time I pointed out that elon musk followed no women on twitter and he immediately followed caity weaver
November 10, 2025 at 8:24 PM
one time I pointed out that elon musk followed no women on twitter and he immediately followed caity weaver
In Praise of dhh
A reflection on Ruby's past, present, and future.
okayfail.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Alex Russell
You've got your flagrant cowardice, your too-clever-by-half DC-brained tactical maneuvering that fools no one but impresses reporters, your fealty to bipartisanship in an era when your opponents are dumping diarrhea on your head, your insane belief in the power of symbolic votes ... everything.
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
You've got your flagrant cowardice, your too-clever-by-half DC-brained tactical maneuvering that fools no one but impresses reporters, your fealty to bipartisanship in an era when your opponents are dumping diarrhea on your head, your insane belief in the power of symbolic votes ... everything.
Reposted by Alex Russell
3) They deliberately roundup senators who aren't facing voters to do the selling out.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
3) They deliberately roundup senators who aren't facing voters to do the selling out.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
Reposted by Alex Russell
I'm trying to do real work today & everyone is bashing this already, but my god:
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
November 10, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I'm trying to do real work today & everyone is bashing this already, but my god:
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
Reposted by Alex Russell
The harm caused by the shutdown was real, affecting millions, and no one should downplay that. But America is not in a situation of harm or no harm. Rapidly backsliding into authoritarianism, America is in a terrible situation where appeasement trades short-term relief for more long-term harm.
Democrats Have to Get Out of a Normal Democracy Mindset
By folding in the government shutdown in exchange for virtually nothing, eight Democratic senators aid Trump's authoritarian takeover rather than oppose it
www.arcdigital.media
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The harm caused by the shutdown was real, affecting millions, and no one should downplay that. But America is not in a situation of harm or no harm. Rapidly backsliding into authoritarianism, America is in a terrible situation where appeasement trades short-term relief for more long-term harm.
Reposted by Alex Russell
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
Truly incredible what Schumer has unleashed. He should go as leader if only because he is so politically maladroit and out of step with his constituents that he couldn't predict the strength of the backlash.
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Truly incredible what Schumer has unleashed. He should go as leader if only because he is so politically maladroit and out of step with his constituents that he couldn't predict the strength of the backlash.
Reposted by Alex Russell
I, too, would like people to know I have read a book
November 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I, too, would like people to know I have read a book
Reposted by Alex Russell
can't wait to see this inspiring messaging incorporated into the DSCC fundraising appeals
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
can't wait to see this inspiring messaging incorporated into the DSCC fundraising appeals
Reposted by Alex Russell
Went to repost this and then depressingly saw it was from 8 months ago. This is still true, and I am now convinced it will remain true until there are successful primary challenges nationwide to the "roll over and play dead" Dems.
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.
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Went to repost this and then depressingly saw it was from 8 months ago. This is still true, and I am now convinced it will remain true until there are successful primary challenges nationwide to the "roll over and play dead" Dems.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.
This is a lovely sentiment but Schumer isn't up for re-election until 2028 and he knows this. At which point he will be 77/78. There's no mechanism to recall a sitting senator AFAIK.
Let’s be clear: Chuck Schumer is the one ending this shutdown, no matter how the votes read.
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
Chuck Schumer is claiming that he’s voting no, while letting other Senators (Fetterman, Kaine, King, etc) do HIS dirty work.
He must be removed from his leadership & primaried for the sake of this country
November 10, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Schumer can be removed from his Dem leadership role this week - 23 Dems (and/or independents) just have to vote to depose him
And they should, given this is his fault.
And they should, given this is his fault.
Reposted by Alex Russell
We deserve a Democratic Party that is willing to fight as hard as we are.
We need new leadership in this moment and to get there, we need a chorus of support for change. Tell your Democratic senators to call on Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader. It’s time for drastic action.
We need new leadership in this moment and to get there, we need a chorus of support for change. Tell your Democratic senators to call on Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader. It’s time for drastic action.
CALL NOW: Tell Your Democratic Senator It's Time for Chuck Schumer to Step Aside
indivisible.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:14 PM
We deserve a Democratic Party that is willing to fight as hard as we are.
We need new leadership in this moment and to get there, we need a chorus of support for change. Tell your Democratic senators to call on Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader. It’s time for drastic action.
We need new leadership in this moment and to get there, we need a chorus of support for change. Tell your Democratic senators to call on Senator Schumer to step aside as Minority Leader. It’s time for drastic action.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Trump’s pardon attorney Ed Martin claims Trump is pardoning his Georgia co-defendants and other “alternate electors.”
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
November 10, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Trump’s pardon attorney Ed Martin claims Trump is pardoning his Georgia co-defendants and other “alternate electors.”
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
Reposted by Alex Russell
When Ukrainian soldiers are wounded in action, Russian drones target both them and the people who come to rescue them.
Join me in a fundraising campaign for vehicles with drone-jamming equipment.
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
Join me in a fundraising campaign for vehicles with drone-jamming equipment.
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
Freedom is Action -- Finishing the Job
Help save the lives of the courageous
snyder.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
When Ukrainian soldiers are wounded in action, Russian drones target both them and the people who come to rescue them.
Join me in a fundraising campaign for vehicles with drone-jamming equipment.
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
Join me in a fundraising campaign for vehicles with drone-jamming equipment.
snyder.substack.com/p/freedom-is...
On one side of the pond, the 'ole right-wing ratchet is imploding the BBC, succeeding only in creating greater demands for fealty. On the other, Senate Dems are capitulating at the thought of their own shadow, nevermind the sight.
Worldwide, the centre-left has no idea what time it is.
Worldwide, the centre-left has no idea what time it is.
November 10, 2025 at 6:38 PM
On one side of the pond, the 'ole right-wing ratchet is imploding the BBC, succeeding only in creating greater demands for fealty. On the other, Senate Dems are capitulating at the thought of their own shadow, nevermind the sight.
Worldwide, the centre-left has no idea what time it is.
Worldwide, the centre-left has no idea what time it is.
Reposted by Alex Russell
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by Alex Russell
Important to understand this. There's a reasonable chance that your Dem Senator who voted against it and is acting mad now was in on the play. It's the same reason why they scheduled the surrender for AFTER the election this week. They didn't want people pissed at Dems right before an election.
The caucus meeting was just to orchestrate who would fall on the sword but not be up for a vote in 2026.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Important to understand this. There's a reasonable chance that your Dem Senator who voted against it and is acting mad now was in on the play. It's the same reason why they scheduled the surrender for AFTER the election this week. They didn't want people pissed at Dems right before an election.