Mark Welch
@markwelch.bsky.social
• ex-reporter ex-teacher ex-attorney, he/him
• law, journalism, education, security, privacy, surveillance tech, AI fairness, bias, face recognition, Blue Dot, LFL
• Springfield MO <NorCal <NH <MA <WI
• UC Berkeley JD'89; UMass Amherst BA'83
• law, journalism, education, security, privacy, surveillance tech, AI fairness, bias, face recognition, Blue Dot, LFL
• Springfield MO <NorCal <NH <MA <WI
• UC Berkeley JD'89; UMass Amherst BA'83
Pinned
We've refreshed our little free library's contents, replacing about two-thirds of the books.
3263 N Dysart, Springfield MO 65803.
map.lflapp.org/knthQmRquVb
#240480
3263 N Dysart, Springfield MO 65803.
map.lflapp.org/knthQmRquVb
#240480
Reposted by Mark Welch
"Investors have been selling off the debt of US tech heavyweights, showing how jitters over Silicon Valley’s boom in spending on artificial intelligence have spilled into the bond market."
Investor angst over Big Tech’s AI spending spills into bond market
Debt issued by groups building data centres has been hit in recent weeks
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"Investors have been selling off the debt of US tech heavyweights, showing how jitters over Silicon Valley’s boom in spending on artificial intelligence have spilled into the bond market."
"Kaine’s faith in the public’s propensity to pay attention to show votes in the Senate, then carefully apportion credit and blame for the outcome, is not exactly supported by history."
New in PN: Cue the rebellion
"The unfortunate conclusion to the shutdown is going to fuel a rebellion within the Democratic Party, one that has already begun but will only get stronger. And despite all the justified disgust now being expressed at Dems, in the long run it will be good for the party"
"The unfortunate conclusion to the shutdown is going to fuel a rebellion within the Democratic Party, one that has already begun but will only get stronger. And despite all the justified disgust now being expressed at Dems, in the long run it will be good for the party"
Cue the rebellion
The Democratic base is enraged at their party's capitulation — and that's a good thing.
www.publicnotice.co
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
"Kaine’s faith in the public’s propensity to pay attention to show votes in the Senate, then carefully apportion credit and blame for the outcome, is not exactly supported by history."
Reposted by Mark Welch
Single-payer insurance would take a large expense off the ledgers of most businesses, so you have to assume our awful health insurance system endures because businesses will pay that price to ensure control over their workforces.
What the actual fuck???
“Cassidy has been exhorting his colleagues to back a new idea to put money into employer-sponsored accounts that would allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses.”
HALF OF ACA ENROLLEES ARE SELF-EMPLOYED.
“Cassidy has been exhorting his colleagues to back a new idea to put money into employer-sponsored accounts that would allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses.”
HALF OF ACA ENROLLEES ARE SELF-EMPLOYED.
Democrats want to extend Obamacare credits. Republicans have other ideas. (Politico)
Main Link | memeorandum Permalink
Main Link | memeorandum Permalink
November 11, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Single-payer insurance would take a large expense off the ledgers of most businesses, so you have to assume our awful health insurance system endures because businesses will pay that price to ensure control over their workforces.
Reposted by Mark Welch
Today is the publication day for WITHOUT CONSENT, a book I am so proud to share with the world, and that the New York Times Book Review says "is years — decades — overdue."
Read more, and order in your preferred format from your favorite retailer here: www.sarahweinman.com/book/without...
Read more, and order in your preferred format from your favorite retailer here: www.sarahweinman.com/book/without...
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Today is the publication day for WITHOUT CONSENT, a book I am so proud to share with the world, and that the New York Times Book Review says "is years — decades — overdue."
Read more, and order in your preferred format from your favorite retailer here: www.sarahweinman.com/book/without...
Read more, and order in your preferred format from your favorite retailer here: www.sarahweinman.com/book/without...
Reposted by Mark Welch
Coming on Friday: a new episode of Supreme Betrayal, dealing with some additional aspects of Constitutionalism After Trump, including muticulturalism, religion, and trans rights! (We’re getting our act together just as we might be running out of ideas!—not really😀)
November 11, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Coming on Friday: a new episode of Supreme Betrayal, dealing with some additional aspects of Constitutionalism After Trump, including muticulturalism, religion, and trans rights! (We’re getting our act together just as we might be running out of ideas!—not really😀)
Reposted by Mark Welch
Reposted by Mark Welch
Progressive groups are calling for Chuck Schumer's ouster after centrist Dems' shutdown cave. Dem senators' phone lines are "exploding" with the same demands. So far, Senate Dems don't have a ton to say.
New at @zeteo.com w/ @swin24.bsky.social @premthakker.bsky.social zeteo.com/p/senate-dem...
New at @zeteo.com w/ @swin24.bsky.social @premthakker.bsky.social zeteo.com/p/senate-dem...
Furious Liberals Call for Schumer to Step Aside, Senate Dems Mostly Quiet
After their shutdown surrender, liberal lawmakers are begging their base to unite behind them anyway – as Trumpland celebrates that their opposition is a bunch of 'p*ssies.'
zeteo.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Progressive groups are calling for Chuck Schumer's ouster after centrist Dems' shutdown cave. Dem senators' phone lines are "exploding" with the same demands. So far, Senate Dems don't have a ton to say.
New at @zeteo.com w/ @swin24.bsky.social @premthakker.bsky.social zeteo.com/p/senate-dem...
New at @zeteo.com w/ @swin24.bsky.social @premthakker.bsky.social zeteo.com/p/senate-dem...
Reposted by Mark Welch
‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster.
Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster
Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:17 AM
‘It will never be forgiven’: UN climate chief warns world to act or face disaster.
Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Faltering governments will be blamed for famine and conflict abroad, and face stagnation and inflation at home, says climate chief at start of Cop30. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Mark Welch
MAGA fails in finding pipe bomber of Jan 6, but succeeds at character assassination. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The Blaze’s Pipe-Bomb Bombshell Appears to Bomb
The right-wing outlet claimed to solve the Jan. 6th pipe-bomb mystery. Things quickly looked less certain.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 AM
MAGA fails in finding pipe bomber of Jan 6, but succeeds at character assassination. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by Mark Welch
When Rand Paul has become a voice of reason, you know you’re in bizarro world…
The hemp farmers forgot to give Trump a piece of the action. Cut him in for 20% and this all goes away.
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 AM
When Rand Paul has become a voice of reason, you know you’re in bizarro world…
Reposted by Mark Welch
The chief and cops that continue to shoot journalists and interfere with our work need to be held in contempt.
From the horse’s mouth, the LAPD does not want to follow the federal injunction handed down to them.
No consequences = no accountability
From the horse’s mouth, the LAPD does not want to follow the federal injunction handed down to them.
No consequences = no accountability
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell released a statement about the dept’s opposition to the injunction that protects journalists at protests. Their biggest hang-up is not being able to freely use less-lethals on people to “de-escalate” protests.
November 11, 2025 at 2:56 AM
The chief and cops that continue to shoot journalists and interfere with our work need to be held in contempt.
From the horse’s mouth, the LAPD does not want to follow the federal injunction handed down to them.
No consequences = no accountability
From the horse’s mouth, the LAPD does not want to follow the federal injunction handed down to them.
No consequences = no accountability
Reposted by Mark Welch
One of the most widely prescribed drugs in the U.S. is the generic version of Lipitor.
FDA inspectors have found safety and quality violations at about half of the plants approved to produce it, records show.
FDA inspectors have found safety and quality violations at about half of the plants approved to produce it, records show.
Is Your Medication Made in a Contaminated Factory? The FDA Won’t Tell You.
The agency’s decision to conceal drug names on inspection reports has prevented doctors, pharmacists and patients from knowing whether medications made overseas are tainted by manufacturing failures t...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:40 AM
One of the most widely prescribed drugs in the U.S. is the generic version of Lipitor.
FDA inspectors have found safety and quality violations at about half of the plants approved to produce it, records show.
FDA inspectors have found safety and quality violations at about half of the plants approved to produce it, records show.
Reposted by Mark Welch
Look at this new outrage. To open govt, we're retroactively letting 8 Senators sue for $500K each over having had their J6 phone toll records looked at. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Look at this new outrage. To open govt, we're retroactively letting 8 Senators sue for $500K each over having had their J6 phone toll records looked at. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
TX Gov wants to eliminate local taxes that pay for schools?
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
TX Gov wants to eliminate local taxes that pay for schools?
Reposted by Mark Welch
INFURIATING
Jeanne Shaheen was in the senate during negotiations for the ACA. She saw how Republicans cut the meat out of the ACA only to still not vote for it. Did the Republican Party suddenly change to start giving a damn about the health and wellbeing of their constituents?!
Hell No!
Jeanne Shaheen was in the senate during negotiations for the ACA. She saw how Republicans cut the meat out of the ACA only to still not vote for it. Did the Republican Party suddenly change to start giving a damn about the health and wellbeing of their constituents?!
Hell No!
Shaheen: "We've heard from a number of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle that they're willing to come to the table, they're willing to work with us once the govt is open to get this done. We've heard the same thing from the White House. So now we'll see if they're really gonna work w/us"
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 PM
INFURIATING
Jeanne Shaheen was in the senate during negotiations for the ACA. She saw how Republicans cut the meat out of the ACA only to still not vote for it. Did the Republican Party suddenly change to start giving a damn about the health and wellbeing of their constituents?!
Hell No!
Jeanne Shaheen was in the senate during negotiations for the ACA. She saw how Republicans cut the meat out of the ACA only to still not vote for it. Did the Republican Party suddenly change to start giving a damn about the health and wellbeing of their constituents?!
Hell No!
Reposted by Mark Welch
Here is my latest for @msnbc.com, on Trump's ill-advised concept of a plan for health care, which entails repealing the ACA, and redistributing private insurers' tax breaks to the people for what would essentially amount to an HSA, which is unhelpful if not wealthy. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Opinion | Trump’s new plan for Obamacare leaves Americans to fend for themselves
We finally know what “concepts of a plan” looks like – and it’s not good.
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Here is my latest for @msnbc.com, on Trump's ill-advised concept of a plan for health care, which entails repealing the ACA, and redistributing private insurers' tax breaks to the people for what would essentially amount to an HSA, which is unhelpful if not wealthy. www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Reposted by Mark Welch
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
November 10, 2025 at 10:19 PM
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
Reposted by Mark Welch
NEW: EXCLUSIVE: I can confirm that Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI and my co-host on the UnJustified podcast, has received a subpoena in this case. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/u...
U.S. Attorney investigating alleged grand ‘conspiracy’ calls unit-wide meeting after two prosecutors resign
Career prosecutors on “pins and needles” after flurry of subpoenas approved.
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:19 PM
NEW: EXCLUSIVE: I can confirm that Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI and my co-host on the UnJustified podcast, has received a subpoena in this case. www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/u...
Reposted by Mark Welch
"The White House’s assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out," retiring senior U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf, a Reagan appointee writes in The Atlantic.
"Silence, for me, is now intolerable."
"Silence, for me, is now intolerable."
Why I Am Resigning
A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
"The White House’s assault on the rule of law is so deeply disturbing to me that I feel compelled to speak out," retiring senior U.S. District Judge Mark L. Wolf, a Reagan appointee writes in The Atlantic.
"Silence, for me, is now intolerable."
"Silence, for me, is now intolerable."
Reposted by Mark Welch
Since the start of the Trump administration, the Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and filled only a fraction of the vacancies amid hiring freezes, delays, and a shortage of qualified candidates.
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit — and few are replaced
The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Since the start of the Trump administration, the Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and filled only a fraction of the vacancies amid hiring freezes, delays, and a shortage of qualified candidates.
Reposted by Mark Welch
President Trump is pursuing a policy of climate-change acceleration. His actions are fueling global warming—and may leave places in the United States uninhabitable by mid-century, Vann R. Newkirk II writes.
What Climate Change Will Do to America by Mid-Century
Many places may become uninhabitable. Many people may be on their own.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
President Trump is pursuing a policy of climate-change acceleration. His actions are fueling global warming—and may leave places in the United States uninhabitable by mid-century, Vann R. Newkirk II writes.
Reposted by Mark Welch
"If you’re a Republican official convicted of corruption, your odds of receiving clemency from Trump are roughly 100%...
"The latest move seems intended to deliver a political message: Those who assist Trump with his schemes need not worry about legal consequences..."
www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
"The latest move seems intended to deliver a political message: Those who assist Trump with his schemes need not worry about legal consequences..."
www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
November 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
"If you’re a Republican official convicted of corruption, your odds of receiving clemency from Trump are roughly 100%...
"The latest move seems intended to deliver a political message: Those who assist Trump with his schemes need not worry about legal consequences..."
www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
"The latest move seems intended to deliver a political message: Those who assist Trump with his schemes need not worry about legal consequences..."
www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
Reposted by Mark Welch
1/2: Can we please normalize the word ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL?
When some schmuck says that a Mormon Christmas tree can't be part of the city hall Christmas decorations, that's unconstitutional. They have no power to do that.
Trump/MAGA are opposed to the constitution and fighting to disempower it.
When some schmuck says that a Mormon Christmas tree can't be part of the city hall Christmas decorations, that's unconstitutional. They have no power to do that.
Trump/MAGA are opposed to the constitution and fighting to disempower it.
November 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM
1/2: Can we please normalize the word ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL?
When some schmuck says that a Mormon Christmas tree can't be part of the city hall Christmas decorations, that's unconstitutional. They have no power to do that.
Trump/MAGA are opposed to the constitution and fighting to disempower it.
When some schmuck says that a Mormon Christmas tree can't be part of the city hall Christmas decorations, that's unconstitutional. They have no power to do that.
Trump/MAGA are opposed to the constitution and fighting to disempower it.
Reposted by Mark Welch
“These luxuries and amenities … mark Ms. Maxwell more as a guest at a Trump hotel than a federal prisoner and child sex offender,” Raskin wrote.
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
Democrats reveal whistleblower details of Ghislaine Maxwell prison ‘luxuries’
In a letter to the president, House Democrats say Maxwell’s treatment as she prepares a clemency request makes the convicted sex offender look like a “guest at a Trump hotel.”
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
“These luxuries and amenities … mark Ms. Maxwell more as a guest at a Trump hotel than a federal prisoner and child sex offender,” Raskin wrote.
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/d...
Reposted by Mark Welch
Maybe a general strike requires some more building, but can we do a general boycott?
Can we only buy necessities through the end of the year?
Can we give money instead of gifts or support independent/small businesses only for the holiday season and beyond?
Can we only buy necessities through the end of the year?
Can we give money instead of gifts or support independent/small businesses only for the holiday season and beyond?
November 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Maybe a general strike requires some more building, but can we do a general boycott?
Can we only buy necessities through the end of the year?
Can we give money instead of gifts or support independent/small businesses only for the holiday season and beyond?
Can we only buy necessities through the end of the year?
Can we give money instead of gifts or support independent/small businesses only for the holiday season and beyond?