Katherine Nichols
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klenichols.bsky.social
Katherine Nichols
@klenichols.bsky.social
380 followers 330 following 830 posts
"I can understand German as well as the maniac that invented it, but I talk it best through an interpreter." - Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad
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klenichols.bsky.social
Katherine Nichols @klenichols.bsky.social · Nov 20
New English translations of foundational German constitutional case law just dropped, including Abortion I, Basic Treaty (on relations with the DDR) and new translations of Elfes, Solange I and II and Treaty of Lisbon: www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/EN/Decisions...
Selected decisions
Selected decisions
www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de
klenichols.bsky.social
On Monday evening DB conductor Serkan C. was brutally attacked while conducting a ticket control and sadly succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. He leaves behind two children. The union has set up an account for donations (details in the linked article) www.mannheimer-morgen.de/metropolregi...
Spendenaktion nach Tod eines Zugbegleiters aus Ludwigshafen
Der Bahn-Mitarbeiter Serkan C. wurde bei einer Ticketkontrolle angegriffen und starb am Mittwoch an den Folgen. Für seine Familie in Ludwigshafen wird jetzt Geld gesammelt.
www.mannheimer-morgen.de
February 5, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
simonwillison.net
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!

This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
miriamgrace.bsky.social
Absolutely massive my cousin vinny crossover is happening in real time
ryanjreilly.com Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 2d
NEW: A government attorney who was detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota is no longer on that detail after telling a judge “this job sucks” and asking to be held in contempt so she could get 24 hours of sleep: www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Attorney for government tells judge in ICE case: 'This job sucks'
Julie Le made the remark while she was representing the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota, where federal officers are conducting a massive immigration crackdown.
www.nbcnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
goodtrailcams.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
cmdr-hadfield.bsky.social
Launch delayed 'til March due to hydrogen leaks, a balky hatch, need to launch a crew to Space Station, & geometry with the Moon.
Next opportunities: March 6, 7, 8, 9, 11.
Sorry, families. Another month of training & preparation to get it all right.
The Moon will patiently wait.
(photo NASA KSC)
February 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
samanthamichaels.bsky.social
SCOOP: More federal prosecutors in Minnesota have resigned or are preparing to, in part because the administration has asked them to file charges against protesters without appropriate evidence, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
January 30, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
waybackgen.bsky.social
Here's a long thread about how to find a real human accountant who doesn't suck, in case it's helpful:
waybackgen.bsky.social Feral BOO!macker 🦇 @waybackgen.bsky.social · 3d
I've had to get new accountants a couple of times over the years, for personal and later for business taxes.

If you're making the leap from TurboTax (as you should!) here's how to find somebody decent 🧵
February 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
dumbrunner.bsky.social
From the Dumb Runner Comics Vault:
February 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
ufw.bsky.social
One year after the Bakersfield raids of January 2025. Kern County is no stranger to struggle. Just like the Delano Grape Strike of the 1960s, our communities will not give up. Together we will continue the fight for justice and dignity. #WeFeedYou #ICEOut
February 2, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
hhesterm.bsky.social
Here’s a core part of the argument
February 1, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
hhesterm.bsky.social
If anyone doubts how prescient and important the German Constitutional Court‘s 1983 decision on self-determination regarding information was - the US offers a powerful example of how things can go wrong
skiles.blue John Skiles Skinner @skiles.blue · 6d
A manual for ICE's immigrant-targeting computer system, Palantir ELITE, was leaked today.

Let's look at it, then step back to evaluate how far we've come along a dangerous road and where that road might take us. 🧵
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
February 1, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
hockeybear.space
February 1, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
texassignal.bsky.social
"The order specifies the preschooler and his father be released 'as soon as practicable' and no later than Tuesday as their immigration case proceeds through the court system"
Judge orders 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father be released from immigration detention | CNN
A federal judge has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejos Ramos and his father from the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, according to a ruling obtained by CNN.
www.cnn.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:57 PM
klenichols.bsky.social
After eight years, I have finally found unflavored puffed rice in a store near me! Now to make some high-end Rice Krispies treats with fancy French butter…
Two bags of organic puffed rice from Italy.
January 31, 2026 at 1:46 PM
klenichols.bsky.social
Started wearing my headband indoors because it is like a weighted blanket for my head
January 31, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
chowleen.bsky.social
Justice Frank Murphy's vehement dissent, condemning the Court for upholding FDR's Exec Order 9066 in resembling "the abhorrent and despicable treatment of minority groups by the dictatorial tyrannies which this nation is now pledged to destroy" – is worth revisiting. 3/

#Korematsu Day
"I dissent, therefore, from this legalization of racism. Racial discrimination in any form and in any degree has no justifiable part whatever in our democratic way of life. It is unattractive in any setting, but it is utterly revolting among a free people who have embraced the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States. All residents of this nation are kin in some way by blood or culture to a foreign land. Yet they are primarily and necessarily a part of the new and distinct civilization of the United States. They must, accordingly, be treated at all times as the heirs of the American experiment, and as entitled to all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution."
January 30, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
billcorbett.bsky.social
Oh man, this one hurts.

Catherine O’Hara was an absolute comic genius. Just so sharp and always calibrated perfectly to the moment.

Gone way too young.

Rest in peace, you brilliant star.
popbase.tv Pop Base @popbase.tv · 7d
Catherine O’Hara has died at the age of 71, TMZ reports.

(www.tmz.com/2026/01/30/c...)
January 30, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
akalhan.bsky.social
korematsuinstitute.org/what-is-fred...
Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution January 30 of Every Year "Stand up for what is right!" www.korematsuinstitute.org
January 30, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
ehbinmn.bsky.social
Whatever we’re doing, it’s not enough.
January 30, 2026 at 4:56 AM
klenichols.bsky.social
This just happened as I was pouring in hot water for Kid3‘s tea. This was my prize for getting 3rd overall in the Duke Forest 5k (the lettering had long since worn off) and was given to me by Prof Ole Holsti 😢
A blue glass mug broken into almost exactly two halves on a counter.
January 30, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
calprivacy.bsky.social
DROP is live.

One request to delete personal info held by registered data brokers — privacy made easier.

Get started: privacy.ca.gov/drop
January 29, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
lataco.bsky.social
DAILY MEMO: Border Patrol and ICE Raid Almost 20 L.A. Communities, Almost 30 Total in SoCal in Record Numbers

@eltragon.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
baseballszn.bsky.social
Corner of Vin Scully and Stadium Way, Dodger Stadium.
A transformer is painted with the image of Liam Ramos in his blue bunny hat at the corner of Vin Scully and Stadium Way outside of Dodger Stadium.
January 27, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
deborahrosereeves.bsky.social
The new Harriet Powers USPS postage stamps are so moving. Featuring details from formerly enslaved Powers’s “Pictorial Quilt” of 1898, I’m so glad these stamps will bring her work & life story to more people, especially when so much Black history is being erased from the public realm right now 💌
USPS postage stamp. A detail of one if the story blocks in Harriet Power’s Pictorial quilt. Against a navy cotton background, this block features two abstract human figures appliquéd in cream colored cotton with arms raised, an abstract donkey figure in brown patterned fabric, and two ducks in pale cotton. There are also appliqué flowers and an appliqué sun using circular and triangular pieces of pale fabric. The bottom of the Forever Stamp bears the name HARRIET POWERS in all caps. From the USPS website: Four new stamps honor quiltmaker Harriet Powers (1837–1910), a formerly enslaved woman who stitched works that are celebrated as masterpieces of American folk art and storytelling. Just two of her quilts are known to survive. Born October 29, 1837, on a plantation near Athens, Georgia, the future quilter is believed to have learned to sew as a child. At 18, she married Armstead Powers, an enslaved farmhand. Eventually they would have nine children. After Emancipation, they bought four acres nearby in Sandy Creek, Georgia, where they raised cotton and vegetables. Along the way, Harriet Powers began creating quilts, and completed at least five. The two we know are referred to as story quilts because each of their panels features a pieced, appliquéd, and embroidered scene from a familiar story drawn from local lore or the Bible. USPS postage stamp depicting a story blocks from Harriet Powers quilt. On a light brown fabric background, animal figures are secured using the hand stitched appliqué technique. The figures are abstract but appear to depict rabbits, deer, and coyote or perhaps foxes in a variety of natural colors and fabric patterns, from plain cream cotton to brown and white polkadot patterned fabric. The bottom of the Forever Stamp bears the name HARRIET POWERS in all caps. USPS postage stamp depicting a story block from Harriet Powers 1898 quilt. Against a beige cotton background, abstract human and animal appliqué figures, with a rudimentary sun and moon figure in scraps of fabric. USPS postage stamp depicting a story block from Harriet Powers 1898 quilt. Against a navy cloth background, abstract appliqué human figures that appear to be dancing (arms are raised and there’s a sense of movement in how the figures are arranged/placed on the fabric. Above the figures appear to be abstract shooting star symbols in an orangey brown fabric. The bottom of the Forever Stamp bears the name HARRIET POWERS in all caps.
January 28, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
usili.bsky.social
Bilbo looking at his phone top on bottom is ChatGPT After all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it? You're absolutely right — you found it, it's been with you a long while, and it's only natural to feel fond of something that's served you so well, especially when someone like Gandalf suddenly seems to want it for himself.
January 28, 2026 at 1:51 AM