Katherine Nichols
@klenichols.bsky.social
"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
Pinned
Katherine Nichols
@klenichols.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Selected decisions
Selected decisions
www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de
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...
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
Entire world: welcome to the “decathlon,” ten classic athletic skills in one event!
Finland: no. biathlon. Two things. Ski and gun
Finland: no. biathlon. Two things. Ski and gun
February 7, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Entire world: welcome to the “decathlon,” ten classic athletic skills in one event!
Finland: no. biathlon. Two things. Ski and gun
Finland: no. biathlon. Two things. Ski and gun
The Andorra skiers crash was even more horrific than Lindsay‘s. She does seem to be talking still, that is good.
February 8, 2026 at 11:58 AM
The Andorra skiers crash was even more horrific than Lindsay‘s. She does seem to be talking still, that is good.
That is so so bitter for Lindsey Vonn
February 8, 2026 at 11:25 AM
That is so so bitter for Lindsey Vonn
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
AWFUL news tonight. This blesses the “mandatory” detention in the 5th Circuit without bond (and little chance at habeas) of every undocumented immigrant who originally entered across the border, no matter how many decades in the past.
It will fuel ICE’s push to transfer people to Texas immediately.
It will fuel ICE’s push to transfer people to Texas immediately.
BREAKING: A 5th Circuit panel has backed ICE's mass detention policy, a decision that clears the way for the administration to lock up people who are in immigration proceedings
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
February 7, 2026 at 3:20 AM
AWFUL news tonight. This blesses the “mandatory” detention in the 5th Circuit without bond (and little chance at habeas) of every undocumented immigrant who originally entered across the border, no matter how many decades in the past.
It will fuel ICE’s push to transfer people to Texas immediately.
It will fuel ICE’s push to transfer people to Texas immediately.
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
The notorious "Irish episode" of Stargate is rarely broadcast #Olympics #OpeningCeremony
February 6, 2026 at 8:34 PM
The notorious "Irish episode" of Stargate is rarely broadcast #Olympics #OpeningCeremony
Manuela Di Centa!
February 6, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Manuela Di Centa!
Italian outfits proving very divisive in our house. I hate them, Kid1 and husband are arguing that the jackets are good (we all hated the US outfits)
February 6, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Italian outfits proving very divisive in our house. I hate them, Kid1 and husband are arguing that the jackets are good (we all hated the US outfits)
Oh now Switzerland. Why would you do that to Marco Odermatt?
February 6, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Oh now Switzerland. Why would you do that to Marco Odermatt?
Husband, Kid1 and I are now arguing over what constitutes a parka. Husband says the German NATO jackets that were popular in the 90s are parkas, I say it has to have some more padding to be a parka
February 6, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Husband, Kid1 and I are now arguing over what constitutes a parka. Husband says the German NATO jackets that were popular in the 90s are parkas, I say it has to have some more padding to be a parka
Very nice Mongolia. Hats look very warm
February 6, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Very nice Mongolia. Hats look very warm
Germany *sigh* The poncho does look better in the snow though
February 6, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Germany *sigh* The poncho does look better in the snow though
The Czech knitwear looks extremely cozy (husband likes the boots)
February 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The Czech knitwear looks extremely cozy (husband likes the boots)
Brazil understood the assignment
February 6, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Brazil understood the assignment
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
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...
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
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...
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
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...
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...
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
Absolutely massive my cousin vinny crossover is happening in real time
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
Absolutely massive my cousin vinny crossover is happening in real time
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
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)
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
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)
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)
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
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
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...
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
Here's a long thread about how to find a real human accountant who doesn't suck, in case it's helpful:
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 🧵
If you're making the leap from TurboTax (as you should!) here's how to find somebody decent 🧵
Fuck TurboTax
February 2, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Here's a long thread about how to find a real human accountant who doesn't suck, in case it's helpful:
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
From the Dumb Runner Comics Vault:
February 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
From the Dumb Runner Comics Vault:
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
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
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
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
Here’s a core part of the argument
February 1, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Here’s a core part of the argument
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
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
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. 🧵
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
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
Reposted by Katherine Nichols
