@johndbecker.bsky.social
Melania, sadly, provokes me (cogito ergo irritatum?). All the links re the film include a glamorous photo of M. I worry that these images might seduce our minds. Even while text engages the rational mind w film info, the siren image also speaks: My, how elegant M is (worse, & I want this, too).
February 10, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Melania, sadly, provokes me (cogito ergo irritatum?). All the links re the film include a glamorous photo of M. I worry that these images might seduce our minds. Even while text engages the rational mind w film info, the siren image also speaks: My, how elegant M is (worse, & I want this, too).
Pass this along, please. Tim Miller of The Bulwark has a curated look at a Nat'l Review article (Andy McCarthy) that finally clearly condemns T's corruption and its massive scale (it's not yet posted here). Miller calls out cautious conservatives, too. All hands on deck. Late, yes, NR, but on board.
February 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Pass this along, please. Tim Miller of The Bulwark has a curated look at a Nat'l Review article (Andy McCarthy) that finally clearly condemns T's corruption and its massive scale (it's not yet posted here). Miller calls out cautious conservatives, too. All hands on deck. Late, yes, NR, but on board.
Reposted
There’s a rally going on in Boston rn and they’re chanting “we’re not cold, we’re not afraid, MN taught us to be brave!” and I might cry
January 25, 2026 at 12:34 AM
There’s a rally going on in Boston rn and they’re chanting “we’re not cold, we’re not afraid, MN taught us to be brave!” and I might cry
This is a cri de coeur. I'm in Twin Cities, 2 of my 3 kids in Mpls, a fifth grandchild coming. I had a tense talk with my oldest; who told me of today's shooting. He is so good, and I can't help ease his mind, because we can't imagine a DHS that shoots, then denies CPR. Pro-life folks, wtf?
January 25, 2026 at 6:21 AM
This is a cri de coeur. I'm in Twin Cities, 2 of my 3 kids in Mpls, a fifth grandchild coming. I had a tense talk with my oldest; who told me of today's shooting. He is so good, and I can't help ease his mind, because we can't imagine a DHS that shoots, then denies CPR. Pro-life folks, wtf?
Scorecard of recent Trump abuses. Cover-up of Ross murder. ICE thuggery. Likely war crime by Hegseth. Vindictive prosecutions. Epstein files w/held illegally. There are likely others. But this (and alas, more!) is what comes of Sup Court failure to hold an obvious criminal accountable.
January 13, 2026 at 11:32 PM
Scorecard of recent Trump abuses. Cover-up of Ross murder. ICE thuggery. Likely war crime by Hegseth. Vindictive prosecutions. Epstein files w/held illegally. There are likely others. But this (and alas, more!) is what comes of Sup Court failure to hold an obvious criminal accountable.
ICE in Mpls, claimed to be "in law enforcement." NOT. House-to-house, warrantless searches. And J Ross, shooter of Renee Good? Filmed scene on his cell phone, stood in front of the car, shot as it was leaving, all no-nos. Cussed at Good post-crash, no urgency to save her. Left active crime scene.
January 11, 2026 at 8:02 AM
ICE in Mpls, claimed to be "in law enforcement." NOT. House-to-house, warrantless searches. And J Ross, shooter of Renee Good? Filmed scene on his cell phone, stood in front of the car, shot as it was leaving, all no-nos. Cussed at Good post-crash, no urgency to save her. Left active crime scene.
I, a nobody, must post this. The account of the George Floyd murder given by arresting officers contained clear lies. Without a teenage girl's filming, those lies might have kept the cops from accountability. Now VP Vance is telling clear lies re yesterday's ICE murder. No cover up! Insist on truth
January 9, 2026 at 12:43 AM
I, a nobody, must post this. The account of the George Floyd murder given by arresting officers contained clear lies. Without a teenage girl's filming, those lies might have kept the cops from accountability. Now VP Vance is telling clear lies re yesterday's ICE murder. No cover up! Insist on truth
Odd thought: I might finally get why Obama was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, even before inauguration. I think that in the wake of W's military action, esp in Iraq, the world was really worried about new US military adventures. And the GOP candidate was John McCain, who might have been up for them.
January 4, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Odd thought: I might finally get why Obama was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, even before inauguration. I think that in the wake of W's military action, esp in Iraq, the world was really worried about new US military adventures. And the GOP candidate was John McCain, who might have been up for them.
A bit ago, Max at UNFTR Media (MeidasTouch, I think), said that likely the main target of US action is Cuba, whose economy will fail w/o Venezuela's oil. (I had wondered about Cuba when the US impounded an oil tanker headed there from V.) What if a "Cuban plant" is not a Commie, but its opposite?
January 4, 2026 at 2:25 PM
A bit ago, Max at UNFTR Media (MeidasTouch, I think), said that likely the main target of US action is Cuba, whose economy will fail w/o Venezuela's oil. (I had wondered about Cuba when the US impounded an oil tanker headed there from V.) What if a "Cuban plant" is not a Commie, but its opposite?
Re: how insane this coup is. First, T is channeling W Bush. And T was pretty early in calling out the imprudence of W trying to run Iraq. Second, even W had (GOP) "expert" advice. How will T fare with folks like Noem, Hegseth, Patel, and Gabbard? T will learn the hard way: loyalty isn't expertise.
January 4, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Re: how insane this coup is. First, T is channeling W Bush. And T was pretty early in calling out the imprudence of W trying to run Iraq. Second, even W had (GOP) "expert" advice. How will T fare with folks like Noem, Hegseth, Patel, and Gabbard? T will learn the hard way: loyalty isn't expertise.
Ukraine: I just saw a story on RFU of Russians moving soldiers toward Pokrovsk on horseback. The first few were killed, but so were the horses. Then adaptive UKR found a way to scare the horses, who bolted, throwing riders (who were then eliminated; horses survived). UKR heroes: effective & humane.
January 2, 2026 at 5:50 AM
Ukraine: I just saw a story on RFU of Russians moving soldiers toward Pokrovsk on horseback. The first few were killed, but so were the horses. Then adaptive UKR found a way to scare the horses, who bolted, throwing riders (who were then eliminated; horses survived). UKR heroes: effective & humane.
I'm watching host David Pakman (worth taking in generally) with Dr. John Gartner, who has warned about Trump's cognitive decline for years. It's chilling as he he lists the signs of Trump's rapidly worsening mental state. And again, all of this was not only predictable, but predicted by '24.
January 2, 2026 at 2:07 AM
I'm watching host David Pakman (worth taking in generally) with Dr. John Gartner, who has warned about Trump's cognitive decline for years. It's chilling as he he lists the signs of Trump's rapidly worsening mental state. And again, all of this was not only predictable, but predicted by '24.
Interview of Marc Elias by B T Cohen, re post by Bill Ackman in "just asking Q's" mode on Voter ID. Ackman shows ignorance; a Trump goon then drags Elias' name into it. If I had Ackman's $, I'd find better uses of time than embarrassing myself on social media. But the talk has good, helpful info.
December 31, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Interview of Marc Elias by B T Cohen, re post by Bill Ackman in "just asking Q's" mode on Voter ID. Ackman shows ignorance; a Trump goon then drags Elias' name into it. If I had Ackman's $, I'd find better uses of time than embarrassing myself on social media. But the talk has good, helpful info.
BofA CEO Brian Moynihan, whom I respect, was just on Face the Nation (I saw it noted in Fortune). He said we think too much about the Fed, we shouldn't know names of members, but we'll be punished if it loses independence. Well, yeah; we must guard vs. T wrecking everything; please just say that!
December 30, 2025 at 1:30 AM
BofA CEO Brian Moynihan, whom I respect, was just on Face the Nation (I saw it noted in Fortune). He said we think too much about the Fed, we shouldn't know names of members, but we'll be punished if it loses independence. Well, yeah; we must guard vs. T wrecking everything; please just say that!
I just saw a MeidasTouch clip on T's trade war w Canada. My thoughts: One: Canada is nice as ever, even in a "war". (In MN, we're almost as nice.) Two: Canada is the adult; they won't be bullied by the toddler in the WH, but they'll trade again once we grow up. Dump T & shake hands w true friends.
December 28, 2025 at 6:29 AM
I just saw a MeidasTouch clip on T's trade war w Canada. My thoughts: One: Canada is nice as ever, even in a "war". (In MN, we're almost as nice.) Two: Canada is the adult; they won't be bullied by the toddler in the WH, but they'll trade again once we grow up. Dump T & shake hands w true friends.
Steve Liesman, CNBC, just suggested discussing small business rebates for tariffs. In some ways, they are end users, like consumers. But they also produce with those goods. Anyway, they are suffering. If the Supremes invalidate tariffs, maybe they'll get something. Consumers out of luck?
December 23, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Steve Liesman, CNBC, just suggested discussing small business rebates for tariffs. In some ways, they are end users, like consumers. But they also produce with those goods. Anyway, they are suffering. If the Supremes invalidate tariffs, maybe they'll get something. Consumers out of luck?
As people find the costs of ACA-related healthcare spiking next year, "thanks" to Trump and the GOP, there is an odd bit of good news. Right-wingers have long griped about calling the law the "Affordable" Care Act. But gosh, it turns out that title was pretty accurate after all. And now we all know.
December 21, 2025 at 5:17 AM
As people find the costs of ACA-related healthcare spiking next year, "thanks" to Trump and the GOP, there is an odd bit of good news. Right-wingers have long griped about calling the law the "Affordable" Care Act. But gosh, it turns out that title was pretty accurate after all. And now we all know.
Not sure if folks have seen Jen Psaki today on MS NOW, but she has a superb takedown of Susie (lack of) Wiles. It's something that a former insider might manage better than the rest. And no one can "save" Trump. But this is one more portrait of RW hubris. And dang it, I was surprised once again.
December 17, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Not sure if folks have seen Jen Psaki today on MS NOW, but she has a superb takedown of Susie (lack of) Wiles. It's something that a former insider might manage better than the rest. And no one can "save" Trump. But this is one more portrait of RW hubris. And dang it, I was surprised once again.
We're little more than a week away from the celebration of the Prince of Peace. Yet here is Donald, "FIFA Peace Prize" Trump preparing for war against Venezuela. (We need Bueller's teacher: "How do they threaten us? Anyone? Anyone?") Maybe someone can give T the Orwell ("war is peace") Peace Prize.
December 17, 2025 at 4:58 AM
We're little more than a week away from the celebration of the Prince of Peace. Yet here is Donald, "FIFA Peace Prize" Trump preparing for war against Venezuela. (We need Bueller's teacher: "How do they threaten us? Anyone? Anyone?") Maybe someone can give T the Orwell ("war is peace") Peace Prize.
Today in Mpls, ICE "arrested" a citizen. No warrant. The arrestee offered to show proof of citizenship; not allowed. Detained for an hour in a car, then another two hours in a holding place. Once they let him prove citizenship, he could go. Q: What if police arrested THEM for kidnapping?
December 11, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Today in Mpls, ICE "arrested" a citizen. No warrant. The arrestee offered to show proof of citizenship; not allowed. Detained for an hour in a car, then another two hours in a holding place. Once they let him prove citizenship, he could go. Q: What if police arrested THEM for kidnapping?
Re Aftyn Behn. Much ado until Tues. eve. on her race, then little on Bluesky Wed. Articles said it was "close", but she lost by 9 %age points. Things she said irked MAGA; they turned out. Would a "centrist" have won? I'm a big tent guy; apologies from left? Make room, not enemies? Humble analyses?
December 4, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Re Aftyn Behn. Much ado until Tues. eve. on her race, then little on Bluesky Wed. Articles said it was "close", but she lost by 9 %age points. Things she said irked MAGA; they turned out. Would a "centrist" have won? I'm a big tent guy; apologies from left? Make room, not enemies? Humble analyses?
Just an irreverent thought. If Hegseth wants to insist on DoD becoming the Dept of War, we can start calling HIM "piggy'. Why? His title, as Secretary of War, has the acronym SOW. Let's make him SOW - er.
November 30, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Just an irreverent thought. If Hegseth wants to insist on DoD becoming the Dept of War, we can start calling HIM "piggy'. Why? His title, as Secretary of War, has the acronym SOW. Let's make him SOW - er.
Reposted
The current economic system is at its breaking point. This was forewarned, including by the authors of the 1970s book The Limits to Growth. Breakdown doesn't mean the end of humanity. So we'll need a new and better system afterwards. My proposal: a #wellbeingeconomy youtu.be/JfeRLwlnuHo?...
Will the End of Economic Growth Come by Design — or Disaster? | Gaya Herrington | TED
YouTube video by TED
youtu.be
January 24, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The current economic system is at its breaking point. This was forewarned, including by the authors of the 1970s book The Limits to Growth. Breakdown doesn't mean the end of humanity. So we'll need a new and better system afterwards. My proposal: a #wellbeingeconomy youtu.be/JfeRLwlnuHo?...
Reposted
New Nature article: all carbon intensity reductions (good!) have been offset by economic growth.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
It's almost like perpetual growth is the root cause of, instead of the answer to, our global predicament.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
It's almost like perpetual growth is the root cause of, instead of the answer to, our global predicament.
Mitigation efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and meet the Paris Agreement have been offset by economic growth - Communications Earth & Environment
Global carbon dioxide intensity declined from 2015 to 2024 following the Paris Agreement, but total emissions still increased due to economic growth, according to a global analysis of population, gros...
www.nature.com
October 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
New Nature article: all carbon intensity reductions (good!) have been offset by economic growth.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
It's almost like perpetual growth is the root cause of, instead of the answer to, our global predicament.
www.nature.com/articles/s43...
It's almost like perpetual growth is the root cause of, instead of the answer to, our global predicament.
Here's an idea: The next time Volodymyr Zelenskyy is invited to the White House, he should bring Zohran Mamdani with him.
November 22, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Here's an idea: The next time Volodymyr Zelenskyy is invited to the White House, he should bring Zohran Mamdani with him.