John Olson
@jfolson.bsky.social
Retired man-about-town. And by "town" I mean New York City and Calgary.
Pinned
John Olson
@jfolson.bsky.social
· Dec 17
I only follow people whom I know in the real world, or public intellectuals like Heather Cox Richardson or Paul Krugman. Recently, three different "Jenny"s have followed me, all strangers. I guess "Jenny" must be the least suspicious sounding name, perfect for bots.
I bet MTG is going to run for president.
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
I bet MTG is going to run for president.
This morning's semi-consciousness gave me this:
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
AT THE MAUSOLEUM!!
MONSTER TRUCK ZOMBIE SMASH!
Soon to be a series on some streaming service or other
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
AT THE MAUSOLEUM!!
MONSTER TRUCK ZOMBIE SMASH!
Soon to be a series on some streaming service or other
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This morning's semi-consciousness gave me this:
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
AT THE MAUSOLEUM!!
MONSTER TRUCK ZOMBIE SMASH!
Soon to be a series on some streaming service or other
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
AT THE MAUSOLEUM!!
MONSTER TRUCK ZOMBIE SMASH!
Soon to be a series on some streaming service or other
I knew someone once, from Japan
Whose Limericks just would not scan.
They started out well
But then they would go awry
And become haiku.
Whose Limericks just would not scan.
They started out well
But then they would go awry
And become haiku.
November 15, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I knew someone once, from Japan
Whose Limericks just would not scan.
They started out well
But then they would go awry
And become haiku.
Whose Limericks just would not scan.
They started out well
But then they would go awry
And become haiku.
Reposted by John Olson
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Please read this brief blog post about fact checking, take it to heart, make it your lodestar.
Anyway, here's my slightly fuller fact-check - and rant about the media's constant failings - shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/10...
You did no fact checking, and I must scream
I'm neither a journalist nor a professional fact checker but, the thing is, it's has never been easier to check basic facts. Yeah, sure, there's a world of misinformation out there, but it doesn't tak...
shkspr.mobi
November 9, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Please read this brief blog post about fact checking, take it to heart, make it your lodestar.
Today was a good day! Zohran Mamdani is the mayor elect of NYC.
November 5, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Today was a good day! Zohran Mamdani is the mayor elect of NYC.
In these stressful, cruel times, it's important to take a moment to appreciate the little things. Dick Cheney is dead.
November 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM
In these stressful, cruel times, it's important to take a moment to appreciate the little things. Dick Cheney is dead.
This.
Too often, we talk about homelessness as if it's natural or inevitable. The truth is that it's a political choice.
When then-Gov. Cuomo cut the Advantage program rather than tax his wealthy donors, his decision sent thousands of New York families into shelters.
When then-Gov. Cuomo cut the Advantage program rather than tax his wealthy donors, his decision sent thousands of New York families into shelters.
September 29, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This.
IF U SEE THIS, POST A BRIDGE
September 28, 2025 at 10:35 PM
IF U SEE THIS, POST A BRIDGE
First they came for the drag queens,
But I said nothing, because I have no style.
Then they came for the comedians,
But I said nothing, because I'm not funny.
They didn't bother coming for the journalists
Because they already owned them.
But I said nothing, because I have no style.
Then they came for the comedians,
But I said nothing, because I'm not funny.
They didn't bother coming for the journalists
Because they already owned them.
September 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
First they came for the drag queens,
But I said nothing, because I have no style.
Then they came for the comedians,
But I said nothing, because I'm not funny.
They didn't bother coming for the journalists
Because they already owned them.
But I said nothing, because I have no style.
Then they came for the comedians,
But I said nothing, because I'm not funny.
They didn't bother coming for the journalists
Because they already owned them.
It was Pride weekend in Calgary, so I haven't been paying attention. Is Trump still dead?
September 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM
It was Pride weekend in Calgary, so I haven't been paying attention. Is Trump still dead?
Oh! He's up on the roof, and we can't get him down
@harrymsanders.bsky.social ask Kirsten to explain
@harrymsanders.bsky.social ask Kirsten to explain
August 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Oh! He's up on the roof, and we can't get him down
@harrymsanders.bsky.social ask Kirsten to explain
@harrymsanders.bsky.social ask Kirsten to explain
at the Pink Peony club
July 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
at the Pink Peony club
I'm a little sad that I couldn't go to a No Kings rally today, because I'm in Canada. And we have a king, but he's very quiet and well-behaved. I don't think we need him, but since the UK pays for him, I don't mind borrowing him once in a while. Hell, we can even throw him a parade, why not.
June 14, 2025 at 10:36 PM
I'm a little sad that I couldn't go to a No Kings rally today, because I'm in Canada. And we have a king, but he's very quiet and well-behaved. I don't think we need him, but since the UK pays for him, I don't mind borrowing him once in a while. Hell, we can even throw him a parade, why not.
So Musk's "big bombshell" is that Trump is in Jeffrey Epstein's papers. I think maybe he doesn't know what a bombshell is. Considering that there are many, many published photographs of Trump with Epstein, it would be news if Trump *wasn't* in the Epstein papers.
Poxes on all of them.
Poxes on all of them.
June 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
So Musk's "big bombshell" is that Trump is in Jeffrey Epstein's papers. I think maybe he doesn't know what a bombshell is. Considering that there are many, many published photographs of Trump with Epstein, it would be news if Trump *wasn't* in the Epstein papers.
Poxes on all of them.
Poxes on all of them.
Given all the US news these days, when I heard that Iran was stockpiling enriched uranium my gut response was "that's nice!" Which is nuts: more nuclear weapons is a bad thing, and the Iranian regime is awful. Still, enemy of my enemy.
June 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Given all the US news these days, when I heard that Iran was stockpiling enriched uranium my gut response was "that's nice!" Which is nuts: more nuclear weapons is a bad thing, and the Iranian regime is awful. Still, enemy of my enemy.
I'm an 88% match with Zohran Mamdani on the Meet Your Mayor quiz! Find your own match, powered by @thecity.nyc and @gothamist.com: projects.thecity.nyc/meet-your-ma...
Take the Quiz: Meet Your Mayor 2025
Candidates for NYC mayor told us where they stand on issues. Which is the top match for you? Find out before heading to the polls.
projects.thecity.nyc
May 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
I'm an 88% match with Zohran Mamdani on the Meet Your Mayor quiz! Find your own match, powered by @thecity.nyc and @gothamist.com: projects.thecity.nyc/meet-your-ma...
He's the first Pope from America!
(If you don't count South America)
Also, Peru's not America
Unless you mean South America!
(If you don't count South America)
Also, Peru's not America
Unless you mean South America!
May 10, 2025 at 2:27 PM
He's the first Pope from America!
(If you don't count South America)
Also, Peru's not America
Unless you mean South America!
(If you don't count South America)
Also, Peru's not America
Unless you mean South America!
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle
May 4, 2025 at 12:38 PM
If you see this, post your getaway vehicle
I've never met this other John Olson, but time and again he writes things that express my opinions. It's eerie. I guess it's better than having an evil twin.
It’s important to be reminded periodically that Ticketmaster still sucks more than anything else has ever sucked.
May 4, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I've never met this other John Olson, but time and again he writes things that express my opinions. It's eerie. I guess it's better than having an evil twin.
Centrist democrats like to wring their hands over leftist critique, but seriously: is there any reason to imagine that the American "far left" (i.e , European moderate) has any influence at all? They certainly don't get any media coverage.
Some days I think about all the far Leftists who spent the entire 2024 presidential campaign on performative outrage against Kamala Harris, and wonder if they think it was worth it.
May 1, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Centrist democrats like to wring their hands over leftist critique, but seriously: is there any reason to imagine that the American "far left" (i.e , European moderate) has any influence at all? They certainly don't get any media coverage.
I'm part of the 89% worldwide who want their government to do more to combat climate change. You probably are, too. Tell your friends and neighbours.
‘Spiral of silence’: climate action is very popular, so why don’t people realise it?
Researchers find 89% of people around the world want more to be done, but mistakenly assume their peers do not
www.theguardian.com
April 26, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I'm part of the 89% worldwide who want their government to do more to combat climate change. You probably are, too. Tell your friends and neighbours.
East Asia was a mostly Thai takeout place at Powderhouse Circle in Somerville, MA. Best pad Thai I ever had; Royal tofu or chicken; Mongolian beef.
I don't want to hear about your lost loves, tell me about the restaurant food that haunts you because you'll never be able to taste it again
April 24, 2025 at 10:55 AM
East Asia was a mostly Thai takeout place at Powderhouse Circle in Somerville, MA. Best pad Thai I ever had; Royal tofu or chicken; Mongolian beef.