Ken Bazinet
@kenbazinet.bsky.social
Longtime DC scribe, covering three presidencies (DC is fine, but I prefer the United States). Reflections on democracy, First Amendment, Boston sports, and jam bands. Simple approach: trusted source intel + research & data + analysis = smart solutions.
Pinned
Ken Bazinet
@kenbazinet.bsky.social
· Jan 20
Having to fight for the pursuit of happiness is one of the great but necessary ironies of our lifetimes, but having people who will fight for our pursuit of happiness is one of its great blessings. #Resist #Organize #StayStrong
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
There is literally nothing he can tell the truth about. He’s a disgrace.
December 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM
There is literally nothing he can tell the truth about. He’s a disgrace.
"There was a memorable moment when Zelenskyy's poker face fell away. He shrugged, then laughed as Trump said: 'Russia wants Ukraine to succeed,'" writes Mark Stone.
"What a profoundly stupid thing for the American president to say. Look at Vladimir Putin's actions. Listen to his words."
"What a profoundly stupid thing for the American president to say. Look at Vladimir Putin's actions. Listen to his words."
It's easy to get lost in multi-point plans and spin - but Zelenskyy's reaction to Trump said it all
The Mar-a-Lago meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not materially move things forward, but there were some notable takeaways - and no bust-up like the infamous Oval Office encount...
news.sky.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:26 PM
"There was a memorable moment when Zelenskyy's poker face fell away. He shrugged, then laughed as Trump said: 'Russia wants Ukraine to succeed,'" writes Mark Stone.
"What a profoundly stupid thing for the American president to say. Look at Vladimir Putin's actions. Listen to his words."
"What a profoundly stupid thing for the American president to say. Look at Vladimir Putin's actions. Listen to his words."
"From longtime department stores and mall staples to restaurants, banks and specialty chains, dozens of major brands spent the year closing locations, filing for bankruptcy or announcing sweeping downsizing plans," WWLTV reported in DC.
#InflationNation
#InflationNation
Here are the retailers that announced store closures in 2025
Chains from Kohl’s and Macy’s to Starbucks and Rite Aid announced widespread shutdowns this year amid tariffs, bankruptcies and shifting shopping trends.
www.wwltv.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM
"From longtime department stores and mall staples to restaurants, banks and specialty chains, dozens of major brands spent the year closing locations, filing for bankruptcy or announcing sweeping downsizing plans," WWLTV reported in DC.
#InflationNation
#InflationNation
"At least 717 companies filed for bankruptcy through November, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. That’s roughly 14 percent more than the same 11 months of 2024, and the highest tally since 2010," Washington Post reported.
#Tariffs
#Tariffs
Bankruptcies soar as companies grapple with inflation, tariffs
Businesses in vulnerable sectors found themselves caught between rising tariffs and beleaguered consumers.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
"At least 717 companies filed for bankruptcy through November, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. That’s roughly 14 percent more than the same 11 months of 2024, and the highest tally since 2010," Washington Post reported.
#Tariffs
#Tariffs
"Rising costs, tighter credit conditions, and ongoing geopolitical volatility continue to exert pressure on households and businesses already facing financial strain," Amy Quackenboss, the executive director at the American Bankruptcy Institute, said earlier this month.
#InflationNation
#InflationNation
A wave of bankruptcies is hitting nearly every corner of the economy, leading to this 'unusual' pattern
Bankruptcies are suddenly everywhere, from billion-dollar giants to small businesses to individuals. Experts are stumped at the breadth of industries.
www.businessinsider.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"Rising costs, tighter credit conditions, and ongoing geopolitical volatility continue to exert pressure on households and businesses already facing financial strain," Amy Quackenboss, the executive director at the American Bankruptcy Institute, said earlier this month.
#InflationNation
#InflationNation
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Julie K. Brown is a reporter for the Miami Herald who did groundbreaking work on Epstein beginning in 2018, including groundbreaking work on the disgusting coverup by Alex Acosta.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
December 28, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Julie K. Brown is a reporter for the Miami Herald who did groundbreaking work on Epstein beginning in 2018, including groundbreaking work on the disgusting coverup by Alex Acosta.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
Her travel itinerary was released with some of the Epstein files. It appears the DOJ was monitoring her in 2019.
It's bankruptcy season in America.
Sneaker retailer files Chapter 11, closes most of its stores
The chain shutters the majority of its locations after taking on unsustainable debt, highlighting the challenges in the sneaker market.
www.thestreet.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:16 AM
It's bankruptcy season in America.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
China launches live-fire drills encircling Taiwan
China launches live-fire drills encircling Taiwan
Taipei condemns exercise that Chinese army calls ‘a stern warning against “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and external interference forces’
China has launched live-fire military drills around Taiwan, in what it calls a warning to “separatist” forces in Taiwan and “external interference” by foreign parties.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) – the military wing of the ruling Communist party in China – said it had sent naval, air force and rocket forces to surround Taiwan on Monday morning. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:03 AM
China launches live-fire drills encircling Taiwan
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
It’s not “patriotic” to bail out Argentina while Americans are struggling, to build a ballroom while cutting SNAP benefits, or to pad your own pockets while claiming “affordability” is a hoax.
December 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM
It’s not “patriotic” to bail out Argentina while Americans are struggling, to build a ballroom while cutting SNAP benefits, or to pad your own pockets while claiming “affordability” is a hoax.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
The largest generation in U.S. history is in their 70s now. And Stephen Miller’s podcaster wife thinks it’s suspicious that there’s a huge surge in home health aides.
December 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The largest generation in U.S. history is in their 70s now. And Stephen Miller’s podcaster wife thinks it’s suspicious that there’s a huge surge in home health aides.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
There is so much about MAGA that like Trump’s M.O. is about forcing those who oppose them to engage and “participate” in or witness their domination. An entire regime of people who want more than anything to be seen performing power.
"Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn't courageous or principled—they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people"- Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi
Kennedy Center vows to sue musician who canceled performance over Trump name change
The Kennedy Center is planning legal action after jazz musician Chuck Redd canceled an annual holiday concert. Redd pulled out after President Trump's name appeared on the building.
www.npr.org
December 28, 2025 at 3:24 AM
There is so much about MAGA that like Trump’s M.O. is about forcing those who oppose them to engage and “participate” in or witness their domination. An entire regime of people who want more than anything to be seen performing power.
Explosions in Sokoto state's Jabo town, also apparently from the debris, shook the community and "surprised us because this area has never been" a stronghold for armed groups, local resident Haruna Kallah told AFP.
#EpsteinWar
#EpsteinWar
US and Nigeria offer diverging accounts of strikes on militants
Washington and Abuja agree that the Christmas-timed operation targeted Islamic State-linked militants, but they give conflicting accounts of which groups were struck and how the attacks were carried o...
www.lemonde.fr
December 28, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Explosions in Sokoto state's Jabo town, also apparently from the debris, shook the community and "surprised us because this area has never been" a stronghold for armed groups, local resident Haruna Kallah told AFP.
#EpsteinWar
#EpsteinWar
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Veterans of investing in Russia’s volatile economy are skeptical that it is the vast land of business opportunities the Trump administration thinks it is. on.wsj.com/44JkNiy
December 27, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Veterans of investing in Russia’s volatile economy are skeptical that it is the vast land of business opportunities the Trump administration thinks it is. on.wsj.com/44JkNiy
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Why yes... yes, they did. Objectives are not attacking Christianity. Our rights to freedom of, and from, religion protects people of faith, all of us with a faith tradition, and those who are agnostic and atheist. Read the US Constitution. What then? Howsabout we petition SCOTUS to uphold the law.
Did Homeland Security Just Violate the First Amendment on Christmas?
These are not the messages that should be coming from an official government department.
newrepublic.com
December 27, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Why yes... yes, they did. Objectives are not attacking Christianity. Our rights to freedom of, and from, religion protects people of faith, all of us with a faith tradition, and those who are agnostic and atheist. Read the US Constitution. What then? Howsabout we petition SCOTUS to uphold the law.
Bashar Isah Jabo, a lawmaker representing Tambuwal in the state parliament, described the village to CNN as “a peaceful community” that has “no known history of ISIS, Lakurawa, or any other terrorist groups operating in the area.”
#EpsteinWar
#EpsteinWar
Fear and confusion in Nigerian village hit in US strike, as locals say no history of ISIS in area | CNN
A day after part of a missile fired by the United States hit their village, landing just meters from its only medical facility, the villagers of Jabo in northwest Nigeria are in a state of shock and c...
www.cnn.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Bashar Isah Jabo, a lawmaker representing Tambuwal in the state parliament, described the village to CNN as “a peaceful community” that has “no known history of ISIS, Lakurawa, or any other terrorist groups operating in the area.”
#EpsteinWar
#EpsteinWar
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Other states have taken action to protect court houses, and MA should too. #mapoli
www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
ICE agents are staking out local courthouses. As they've roamed the halls, Mass. court arrests tripled
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said ICE activity has impacted hundreds of cases prosecuted by his office — noting instances in which defendants got detained during proceedings, as well ...
www.wbur.org
December 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Other states have taken action to protect court houses, and MA should too. #mapoli
www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
www.wbur.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Our government’s priorities are entirely backward. And purposefully so.
December 27, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Our government’s priorities are entirely backward. And purposefully so.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
FORGETFUL FELON DEMENTIA RIDDLED TRUMP keeps forgetting it was him who told the nation the files would be released. PAM BONDI waved the white binders on the capital steps.
LETS GO OVER THEM ALL SLOWLY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS. 💙
LETS GO OVER THEM ALL SLOWLY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS. 💙
December 27, 2025 at 3:09 AM
FORGETFUL FELON DEMENTIA RIDDLED TRUMP keeps forgetting it was him who told the nation the files would be released. PAM BONDI waved the white binders on the capital steps.
LETS GO OVER THEM ALL SLOWLY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS. 💙
LETS GO OVER THEM ALL SLOWLY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS. 💙
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Thank you for speaking out, Bruna.
Mother Of Karoline Leavitt's Nephew Speaks Out After Her ICE Arrest With Scathing Message For Leavitt
www.comicsands.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Thank you for speaking out, Bruna.
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
The U.S. government just banned five people from entering the country because it doesn’t like their speech. This ban, according to the State Department, is necessary to protect free speech.
If that sounds insane to you, congratulations on your reading comprehension.
If that sounds insane to you, congratulations on your reading comprehension.
Opinion | Marco Rubio is using real censorship to fight fake censorship
Mike Masnick: In the name of protecting free speech, the U.S. government just banned five Europeans from entering the country because it doesn’t like their speech.
www.ms.now
December 27, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The U.S. government just banned five people from entering the country because it doesn’t like their speech. This ban, according to the State Department, is necessary to protect free speech.
If that sounds insane to you, congratulations on your reading comprehension.
If that sounds insane to you, congratulations on your reading comprehension.
"From staffing shortages to increasing utility bills, these rising operational costs are being passed onto consumers. Hotels, especially those in urban centers or popular tourist destinations, are adjusting their prices to maintain profitability," TTW reported.
#Inflation
#Inflation
2025’s Global Hotel Crisis: Why Hotel Prices Are Up But Occupancy Is Down – What This Means for Your Upcoming Vacation and Airline Bookings! - Travel And Tour World
Why hotel prices are up but occupancy is down – what this means for your upcoming vacation and airline bookings!
www.travelandtourworld.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:19 AM
"From staffing shortages to increasing utility bills, these rising operational costs are being passed onto consumers. Hotels, especially those in urban centers or popular tourist destinations, are adjusting their prices to maintain profitability," TTW reported.
#Inflation
#Inflation
“This suggests that, despite the benign justifications offered, the equity market has perceived recent layoff announcements as a negative signal about these companies’ prospects,” Goldman Sachs analysts reported.
Layoff announcements used to boost stock prices. Not anymore says Goldman Sachs | Fortune
Analysts ran the numbers and found a surprising change in how investors are reacting to layoff announcements.
fortune.com
December 27, 2025 at 8:58 AM
“This suggests that, despite the benign justifications offered, the equity market has perceived recent layoff announcements as a negative signal about these companies’ prospects,” Goldman Sachs analysts reported.
Not exactly "while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads" as Republicans promised -- back before they enabled Trump to start wrecking America. And the GOP has done nothing to stop it since.
#InflationNation
#InflationNation
Dragged down by an unpopular president, Republicans are bracing for a midterm trouncing
As Americans tire of Donald Trump, a Democratic midterm ‘tsunami’ could sweep the GOP out of power
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Not exactly "while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads" as Republicans promised -- back before they enabled Trump to start wrecking America. And the GOP has done nothing to stop it since.
#InflationNation
#InflationNation
Reposted by Ken Bazinet
Not only does this intentionally violate the First Amendment to the US Constitution, it’s vile to watch mean-spirited, selfish ghouls who starve the poor and kidnap people for their skin color sanctimoniously pretending they follow any of the teachings of Jesus.
December 27, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Not only does this intentionally violate the First Amendment to the US Constitution, it’s vile to watch mean-spirited, selfish ghouls who starve the poor and kidnap people for their skin color sanctimoniously pretending they follow any of the teachings of Jesus.