Joé McKen
@joemcken.net
Personal account · Freelance composer in Québec, Canada · Progressive godless civil-libertarian · He/him · Seize the day, but not today, I’m tired · Music account: @music.joemcken.net
» Personal site: https://joemcken.net
» See 📌 post for socials & more
» Personal site: https://joemcken.net
» See 📌 post for socials & more
Pinned
Joé McKen
@joemcken.net
· Mar 31
Obligatory pinned:
💻 Personal website
🦋 BLUESKY:
» Personal – You’re here!
» Music
🐘 MASTODON (bridged/mirrored from Bsky):
» Personal
» Music
🐦 𝕏/TWITTER (inactive, archive only):
» Personal
» Music
🎵 MUSIC:
» Bandcamp
» SoundCloud
» YouTube
» Commission information
💻 Personal website
🦋 BLUESKY:
» Personal – You’re here!
» Music
🐘 MASTODON (bridged/mirrored from Bsky):
» Personal
» Music
🐦 𝕏/TWITTER (inactive, archive only):
» Personal
» Music
🎵 MUSIC:
» Bandcamp
» SoundCloud
» YouTube
» Commission information
Reposted by Joé McKen
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 30, 2025 at 4:21 AM
This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)
Reposted by Joé McKen
2025 isn’t quite over yet, so you still have time if you hope to win the Absolutely Most Absurd Editorial of the Year.
But you’ll have to beat this banger, and good luck with that.
But you’ll have to beat this banger, and good luck with that.
December 30, 2025 at 2:00 AM
2025 isn’t quite over yet, so you still have time if you hope to win the Absolutely Most Absurd Editorial of the Year.
But you’ll have to beat this banger, and good luck with that.
But you’ll have to beat this banger, and good luck with that.
Reposted by Joé McKen
![Comic. [Top panel: Long-necked dinosaur with red X over it.] [Bottom panel: two smaller dinosaurs the same shape except their neck isn’t long, while in the background there’s an extremely long neck criss-crossing the frame like a snake. Green check mark in center.] [caption] Thanks to modern paleontological reconstructions, we now know that most sauropods had short necks, and all those extra vertebrae belonged to the sauropod colony’s queen.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreigjcepbb3hjlvpjzmj6msuydmem6gdakkl5svr4kh4q7qi3c4m2fu@jpeg)
December 29, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Reposted by Joé McKen
Our pop stars continue to be both more accountable and more responsive to feedback than the editorial board of the New York Times
Chappell Roan shares follow-up story after deleting Brigitte Bardot tribute post:
“Holy shit i did not know all that insane shit Ms. Bardot stood for obvs I do not condone this. very disappointing to learn.”
“Holy shit i did not know all that insane shit Ms. Bardot stood for obvs I do not condone this. very disappointing to learn.”
December 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Our pop stars continue to be both more accountable and more responsive to feedback than the editorial board of the New York Times
Reposted by Joé McKen
This is a good example of why Bari Weiss' demands over 60 Minutes' CECOT piece were so revealing. Doing journalism ethically means giving subjects a chance to respond and sometimes going to lengths to provide that chance to them. If they say no, that's their prerogative. It shouldn't ice your story.
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever." - Dept. of Education to ProPublica's @megomatz.bsky.social
"Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But ... their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated."
"Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But ... their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated."
Our Reporters Reached Out for Comment. They Were Accused of Stalking and Intimidation.
Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But in this environment, they’ve found their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 8:23 PM
This is a good example of why Bari Weiss' demands over 60 Minutes' CECOT piece were so revealing. Doing journalism ethically means giving subjects a chance to respond and sometimes going to lengths to provide that chance to them. If they say no, that's their prerogative. It shouldn't ice your story.
Reposted by Joé McKen
Written by the father of a trans girl…
“When society tries to police and exclude trans girls, it ends up policing all girls.
Because transmisogyny does not just say, “Trans girls aren’t real girls.” It also says, “There is only one correct way to be a girl.””
“When society tries to police and exclude trans girls, it ends up policing all girls.
Because transmisogyny does not just say, “Trans girls aren’t real girls.” It also says, “There is only one correct way to be a girl.””
Why the War on Trans Girls Is a War on Girlhood
Excluding trans girls is controlling who can be girls, and who can't, further dividing children and causing harm
medium.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Written by the father of a trans girl…
“When society tries to police and exclude trans girls, it ends up policing all girls.
Because transmisogyny does not just say, “Trans girls aren’t real girls.” It also says, “There is only one correct way to be a girl.””
“When society tries to police and exclude trans girls, it ends up policing all girls.
Because transmisogyny does not just say, “Trans girls aren’t real girls.” It also says, “There is only one correct way to be a girl.””
Reposted by Joé McKen
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich not to throw a huge embarrassing snit over not having his ego fluffed.
tell me if you've heard this one before: a billionaire gets upset for being criticized for saying stupid things on social media, then confidentially concludes the problem is most certainly everybody else
Mark Cuban Says It’s ‘CRAZY’ That 'Real Conversations' Are Easier On X Or Threads Than On Bluesky
Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and longtime "Shark Tank" star, is stepping back from Bluesky, the social media platform once hailed as a kinder, more
offthefrontpage.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich not to throw a huge embarrassing snit over not having his ego fluffed.
Reposted by Joé McKen
This is MTG'w bill. She personally authored. It's happening now, not in the past.
Spare me her redemption arc.
Spare me her redemption arc.
December 29, 2025 at 6:37 PM
This is MTG'w bill. She personally authored. It's happening now, not in the past.
Spare me her redemption arc.
Spare me her redemption arc.
Reposted by Joé McKen
Speaking of typos, someone should direct Ms. Dhillon to U.S. v. Murphy, 406 F.3d 857, 859 n.1 (7th Cir. 2005), aka the greatest footnote in appellate court history.
scholar.google.com/scholar_case...
scholar.google.com/scholar_case...
December 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Speaking of typos, someone should direct Ms. Dhillon to U.S. v. Murphy, 406 F.3d 857, 859 n.1 (7th Cir. 2005), aka the greatest footnote in appellate court history.
scholar.google.com/scholar_case...
scholar.google.com/scholar_case...
Reposted by Joé McKen
The biggest input for politics for almost everyone now is their media diet, and you can tell when someone's media diet sucks pretty quickly
i still don't know where conservative zoomers get this from (from the Manhattan Institute voter panel of zoomer voters)
December 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The biggest input for politics for almost everyone now is their media diet, and you can tell when someone's media diet sucks pretty quickly
Reposted by Joé McKen
Keir Starmer was the model for centrists and popularists who insisted that moving right on issues, especially immigration, is how you win at politics.
Wonder if there will ever be any self-reflection here! Ah well nevertheless
Wonder if there will ever be any self-reflection here! Ah well nevertheless
December 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Keir Starmer was the model for centrists and popularists who insisted that moving right on issues, especially immigration, is how you win at politics.
Wonder if there will ever be any self-reflection here! Ah well nevertheless
Wonder if there will ever be any self-reflection here! Ah well nevertheless
Reposted by Joé McKen
Another dozen or so authors could request a correction like this. "In Covid's Wake" egregiously misrepresents research and ignores the scientific consensus throughout. Embarrassing that it's being praised by credible outlets.
Requested a correction from @princetonupress.bsky.social. Let's see what happens.
December 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Another dozen or so authors could request a correction like this. "In Covid's Wake" egregiously misrepresents research and ignores the scientific consensus throughout. Embarrassing that it's being praised by credible outlets.
Reposted by Joé McKen
I'm not great about tooting my own horn. But as an independent journalist whose work is reliant on contributions from my readers, it's part of the job.
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
The roundup -- and a request for your support
My year-end pitch for your paid subscription
radleybalko.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I'm not great about tooting my own horn. But as an independent journalist whose work is reliant on contributions from my readers, it's part of the job.
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
So here's a post and thread on my work over the last year and beyond -- and why you, reader, should subscribe.
(Plus, shameless dog photos!)
Reposted by Joé McKen
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
Reposted by Joé McKen
Trump (well Miller) thinks he can revoke even the citizenship of naturalized individuals who don't show sufficient appreciation of the American flag?
The most anti free speech presidency of our lifetimes.
The most anti free speech presidency of our lifetimes.
The assault on free speech continues. Why do Miller, Vance & Trump hate the 1A? 'authorizing the revocation of visas, residency...naturalization for foreign nationals who desecrate the banner...' www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st... @thefireorg.bsky.social @eff.org @mmasnick.bsky.social @karlbode.com
Presidential Message on National Pledge of Allegiance Day
Today, our Nation proudly celebrates the Pledge of Allegiance—a solemn and glorious oath that unites every citizen under one God and our beloved banner of
www.whitehouse.gov
December 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Trump (well Miller) thinks he can revoke even the citizenship of naturalized individuals who don't show sufficient appreciation of the American flag?
The most anti free speech presidency of our lifetimes.
The most anti free speech presidency of our lifetimes.
Reposted by Joé McKen
Mamdani has AOC-level powers to make bigoted middle aged white dudes lose their damned minds.
This is how Christopher Caldwell begins his essay on Zohran Mamdani for the Claremont Review of Books.
Why are these people such freaks?
Why are these people such freaks?
December 29, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Mamdani has AOC-level powers to make bigoted middle aged white dudes lose their damned minds.
Reposted by Joé McKen
It has been absurd and insulting to see how eager mainstream press has been to let MTG have a "comeback story" without demanding she do anything to right her many, many, many wrongs
Sorry but you do not, under absolutely any circumstances, gotta hand it to Marjorie Taylor Greene www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/m...
‘I Was Just So Naïve’: Inside Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Break With Trump
www.nytimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It has been absurd and insulting to see how eager mainstream press has been to let MTG have a "comeback story" without demanding she do anything to right her many, many, many wrongs
Reposted by Joé McKen
first time in history where in the official narrative the passive voice was used for those attacking the cops and not vice-versa
The only reference to Jan 6 riots in the Capitol visitor center (that I could find): “On January 6, 2021, Congress was engaged in certifying the Electoral College results when proceedings were interrupted.”
December 29, 2025 at 10:41 PM
first time in history where in the official narrative the passive voice was used for those attacking the cops and not vice-versa
Reposted by Joé McKen
my dad and i got into an elevator with pat sajak and his son(?) and right when i thought my dad would keep his mouth shut he said “i’d like to buy a vowel” like it was the funniest thing in the world, to dead silence. later sajak tweeted something about what a long day it’d been
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
my dad and i got into an elevator with pat sajak and his son(?) and right when i thought my dad would keep his mouth shut he said “i’d like to buy a vowel” like it was the funniest thing in the world, to dead silence. later sajak tweeted something about what a long day it’d been
Reposted by Joé McKen
If you have a billion dollars, you literally have enough money to never have to hear any criticism for the rest of your life. Just because they’re all addicted to going online and getting yelled at isn’t my fucking problem.
The perfect Yglesias post: declaring “billionaires are good, actually,” as if it was some bold, counterintuitive take.
December 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM
If you have a billion dollars, you literally have enough money to never have to hear any criticism for the rest of your life. Just because they’re all addicted to going online and getting yelled at isn’t my fucking problem.
Reposted by Joé McKen
this seems specifically designed to break mail-in voting (where deadlines are defined by postmark)
As of 12/24/25, USPS changed policy on when they postmark mail. Mail dropped off is no longer guaranteed a same-day postmark. Tax returns & other time-sensitive items are now stamped when they reach a regional processing center, which may be days later. Plan deadlines accordingly to avoid penalties.
USPS Announces Changes to the Postmark Date System
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has adopted a final rule (FR Doc.
share.google
December 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM
this seems specifically designed to break mail-in voting (where deadlines are defined by postmark)
Reposted by Joé McKen
The Trump Admin is wantonly abusing executive power & conducting warrantless spying.
But Congressmembers including Dan Goldman handed him the ability to do it by voting against a warrant requirement for using NSA surveillance of U.S. citizens last year.
theintercept.com/2025/12/28/f...
But Congressmembers including Dan Goldman handed him the ability to do it by voting against a warrant requirement for using NSA surveillance of U.S. citizens last year.
theintercept.com/2025/12/28/f...
Dan Goldman Supported Warrantless Spying on Americans. Now His Primary Opponent Is Hitting Him for It.
New York Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman and others helped hand Trump warrantless spying powers. Now, that vote is an issue in their upcoming primaries.
theintercept.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The Trump Admin is wantonly abusing executive power & conducting warrantless spying.
But Congressmembers including Dan Goldman handed him the ability to do it by voting against a warrant requirement for using NSA surveillance of U.S. citizens last year.
theintercept.com/2025/12/28/f...
But Congressmembers including Dan Goldman handed him the ability to do it by voting against a warrant requirement for using NSA surveillance of U.S. citizens last year.
theintercept.com/2025/12/28/f...
Am I officially one of The Olds yet?
a man says happy birthday to me in front of a store
Alt: Animated GIF of a man saying “Happy birthday to me”. Cuz it’s my birthday, see.
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Am I officially one of The Olds yet?
Reposted by Joé McKen
"nearly half" is a really funny way to describe losing an election lol
December 29, 2025 at 5:32 AM
"nearly half" is a really funny way to describe losing an election lol
Reposted by Joé McKen
These guys were run off the road by armed cops, had their photos splashed across the internet with accusations of a follow up attack and were on holiday doing absolutely nothing.
Seven men who were violently arrested and injured by NSW police on suspicion of planning an "Islamist terror attack" near Bondi Beach have been released without charges.
No terror links were found, the men were traveling on holiday to their Airbnb.
No terror links were found, the men were traveling on holiday to their Airbnb.
‘We did nothing wrong’: seven men released from custody in Sydney deny Islamist links
After being held for 24 hours, the men say they had been driving to a holiday rental when they were detained by police
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:50 AM
These guys were run off the road by armed cops, had their photos splashed across the internet with accusations of a follow up attack and were on holiday doing absolutely nothing.