Max Kennerly
@maxkennerly.bsky.social
Nearly 20 years in court as a law-talking guy for plaintiffs, now a mix of stuff. Posts too much about politics.
email max@kennerlylaw.com
email max@kennerlylaw.com
Everything Vermeule writes is untethered from actual history and law, and the dude's brain gets smoother over time from a lack of use.
If, as he says, the "spirit" of U.S. citizenship/immigration has always followed Roman adoption law, then why has Congress never passed anything like that? 🤔
If, as he says, the "spirit" of U.S. citizenship/immigration has always followed Roman adoption law, then why has Congress never passed anything like that? 🤔
I had missed this latest delirium by Adrian Vermeule on birthright citizenship
'Common law?! NAH, it's the Roman law of adoption that should govern the interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution!'
thenewdigest.substack.com/p/immigratio...
'Common law?! NAH, it's the Roman law of adoption that should govern the interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution!'
thenewdigest.substack.com/p/immigratio...
December 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Everything Vermeule writes is untethered from actual history and law, and the dude's brain gets smoother over time from a lack of use.
If, as he says, the "spirit" of U.S. citizenship/immigration has always followed Roman adoption law, then why has Congress never passed anything like that? 🤔
If, as he says, the "spirit" of U.S. citizenship/immigration has always followed Roman adoption law, then why has Congress never passed anything like that? 🤔
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
If the holidays get you down, consider watching a heartfelt movie about found family like Predator: Badlands.
December 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
If the holidays get you down, consider watching a heartfelt movie about found family like Predator: Badlands.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
First-ever US airstrikes in Nigeria put the second Trump admin’s 2025 combat actions at:
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
December 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
First-ever US airstrikes in Nigeria put the second Trump admin’s 2025 combat actions at:
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
Reposted by Max Kennerly
The blatant selling of pardons is perhaps the clearest instance of criminal conduct authorized by SCOTUS. Pardons are a quintessential "official act." So, even when Trump takes a bribe to issue one, he is presumably above the criminal law.
The president’s own chief of staff was reportedly stunned by his pardon of a former Honduran president.
Trump’s Ice Maiden Blindsided by President’s Controversial Pardon
The president’s own chief of staff was reportedly stunned by his pardon of a former Honduran president.
trib.al
December 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The blatant selling of pardons is perhaps the clearest instance of criminal conduct authorized by SCOTUS. Pardons are a quintessential "official act." So, even when Trump takes a bribe to issue one, he is presumably above the criminal law.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
I think one of the defining things about our era and about conservativism, is an inability to distinguish between like, the actual government, and mid-level marketing managers at Target (who choose "happy holidays" to avoid leaving out non-Christian customers)
In retrospect the Bush-era War On Christmas stuff seems more ominous than it did at the time. It was just cable news guys crying about dumb/fake shit, then and now; I mean the campaign to turn Christmas, which most everyone likes and feels warmly about, into just another thing to get mad about.
December 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I think one of the defining things about our era and about conservativism, is an inability to distinguish between like, the actual government, and mid-level marketing managers at Target (who choose "happy holidays" to avoid leaving out non-Christian customers)
Reposted by Max Kennerly
NORAD Santa tracker is Woke
December 25, 2025 at 2:28 AM
NORAD Santa tracker is Woke
Reposted by Max Kennerly
I want to ask the flipside question: what will it take for wealthy progressives to fund the infrastructure and entities needed to identify, support, and sustain emerging voices on *our* side of the aisle?
Anti-trans demagogue and fifth place swimmer Riley Gaines earned $470,000+ last year from a conservative non-profit.
Notably, $420k was incentive-based.
A neat little window into the way the transphobic grift is being compensated.
I wonder what the per-post rate is?
Notably, $420k was incentive-based.
A neat little window into the way the transphobic grift is being compensated.
I wonder what the per-post rate is?
December 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I want to ask the flipside question: what will it take for wealthy progressives to fund the infrastructure and entities needed to identify, support, and sustain emerging voices on *our* side of the aisle?
Reposted by Max Kennerly
This is why they have been attacking the Bluesky community so much. It sure matters.
@akalhan.bsky.social is a hero for getting the #Kavanaughstop party started
@akalhan.bsky.social is a hero for getting the #Kavanaughstop party started
Check out the Kavanaugh FN 4; I think it's pretty clear that the Kavanaugh Stop thing has gotten to him:
December 23, 2025 at 9:47 PM
This is why they have been attacking the Bluesky community so much. It sure matters.
@akalhan.bsky.social is a hero for getting the #Kavanaughstop party started
@akalhan.bsky.social is a hero for getting the #Kavanaughstop party started
Paper linked below. The grading criteria, given to students in advance, was based on whether the student demonstrated they read the article and if they provided a reaction to some aspect of it. The student made no effort to do either; they blathered about the Bible.
drive.google.com/file/d/1qxnV...
drive.google.com/file/d/1qxnV...
A graduate teaching assistant who gave a University of Oklahoma student a failing grade on a psychology essay will no longer be teaching at the university
Graduate instructor who gave failing grade to Samantha Fulnecky no longer teaching at OU
A graduate teaching assistant who gave a University of Oklahoma student a failing grade on a psychology essay will no longer be teaching at the university.
www.koco.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Paper linked below. The grading criteria, given to students in advance, was based on whether the student demonstrated they read the article and if they provided a reaction to some aspect of it. The student made no effort to do either; they blathered about the Bible.
drive.google.com/file/d/1qxnV...
drive.google.com/file/d/1qxnV...
Reposted by Max Kennerly
A few years back I asked a former intel analyst who worked this file about what kind of accountability (if any) he expected for Russian atrocities against Ukrainians.
His response:
“The Israeli model.”
His response:
“The Israeli model.”
⚡️ Moscow explosion kills 2 Russian police officers tied to Ukrainian POW abuse, intelligence source says.
Ukrainian intelligence sources said the officers had previously taken part in Russia's war against Ukraine and were implicated in the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
Ukrainian intelligence sources said the officers had previously taken part in Russia's war against Ukraine and were implicated in the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
Moscow explosion kills 2 Russian police officers tied to Ukrainian POW abuse, intelligence source says
Ukrainian intelligence sources said the officers had previously taken part in Russia's war against Ukraine and were implicated in the abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs).
kyivindependent.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A few years back I asked a former intel analyst who worked this file about what kind of accountability (if any) he expected for Russian atrocities against Ukrainians.
His response:
“The Israeli model.”
His response:
“The Israeli model.”
Reposted by Max Kennerly
Ötzi and a 45,000-year-old Siberian were both infected with a cancer-causing strain of HPV.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
Two ancient humans, including famed ‘Iceman,’ had cancer-causing virus
Findings from ancient DNA may shed light on HPV’s history in our species
www.science.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Ötzi and a 45,000-year-old Siberian were both infected with a cancer-causing strain of HPV.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
From @parkermolloy.com at New Republic. newrepublic.com/article/2047...
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
December 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
From @parkermolloy.com at New Republic. newrepublic.com/article/2047...
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
I'd go a bit further. The system needs no conspiracy to function. It just needs everyone to understand the direction things are going in. Bari Weiss was put there not to protect a legacy, but to align its politics differently.
Much of the opposition was about tourism; as a sometimes visitor to NYC, the place is so much nicer with less traffic. I am more prone to visit (and to linger and buy stuff) when I don't have to constantly risk a painful death from gridlocked cars in crosswalks jockeying for position.
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Much of the opposition was about tourism; as a sometimes visitor to NYC, the place is so much nicer with less traffic. I am more prone to visit (and to linger and buy stuff) when I don't have to constantly risk a painful death from gridlocked cars in crosswalks jockeying for position.
Y'know, if a member of Washington's Cabinet had said this to one of the signers of the Constitution, the response would be "cash me outside, how bout dat?"
Sean Duffy on blue states: "What I can do is I can pull their money. That's the leverage I do have ... I guarantee you that the federal taxpayer is not going to fund their roads and bridges and their systems when they are putting illegals on the roads."
December 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Y'know, if a member of Washington's Cabinet had said this to one of the signers of the Constitution, the response would be "cash me outside, how bout dat?"
Reposted by Max Kennerly
even if I’m putting on my very most cynical hat, it’s a very good thing that the establishment lane understands that they’re getting graded on this
@repdangoldman.bsky.social worked with advocates + attorneys to secure the release of 9 ICE detainees
“We don’t control the immigration system. We don’t control the courtrooms. But we have some power and we are going to aggressively use it in every way we can"
talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/how-...
“We don’t control the immigration system. We don’t control the courtrooms. But we have some power and we are going to aggressively use it in every way we can"
talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/how-...
How Rep. Dan Goldman’s Office Became a ‘Triage Center’ for ICE Detainees
It began in the spring, when Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) went to...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
even if I’m putting on my very most cynical hat, it’s a very good thing that the establishment lane understands that they’re getting graded on this
Reposted by Max Kennerly
the most notable thing JD Vance has done in the last five years is tell vicious racist lies about immigrants. If you think he hasn't taken a side on bigotry, you are an idiot. He's for it. He's very strongly for it.
December 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
the most notable thing JD Vance has done in the last five years is tell vicious racist lies about immigrants. If you think he hasn't taken a side on bigotry, you are an idiot. He's for it. He's very strongly for it.
Reposted by Max Kennerly
one of the critical things here is that 90 percent of journalism has been destroyed, and the remaining 10 percent is what was once the top 10 percent, highly status-driven, highly opinion-driven, and intensely New York/DC centered. there's no ladder to come up as a journeyman left.
i say this with nothing but love for all of you to whom this applies, but the moral rot in elite journalism is because journalism is a trade and it should be done by tradespeople and instead it's been professionalized in a way that makes it cozy to capital instead
December 23, 2025 at 4:17 AM
one of the critical things here is that 90 percent of journalism has been destroyed, and the remaining 10 percent is what was once the top 10 percent, highly status-driven, highly opinion-driven, and intensely New York/DC centered. there's no ladder to come up as a journeyman left.
I used to think these people don't understand art/movies/etc but it's broader than that. They don't understand culture, not even their own. Perhaps that's why they end up with politics with little consistent ideology, just reactionary grievance and whatever this is. Santa's not even an American!
ICE has posted a video of Santa Claus arresting immigrants. Your government is hijacking a symbol of charity to spread fear and hate. it’s up to all of us to defeat these twisted fascists.
December 23, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I used to think these people don't understand art/movies/etc but it's broader than that. They don't understand culture, not even their own. Perhaps that's why they end up with politics with little consistent ideology, just reactionary grievance and whatever this is. Santa's not even an American!
There's a fox outside my house repeatedly shrieking in a way that sounds just like the opening of "Sympathy for the Devil" (yoaw! ow!) and I don't know what to do with this information. Start playing the bongo part?
December 23, 2025 at 1:04 AM
There's a fox outside my house repeatedly shrieking in a way that sounds just like the opening of "Sympathy for the Devil" (yoaw! ow!) and I don't know what to do with this information. Start playing the bongo part?
Reposted by Max Kennerly
The full Weiss memo is dogshit
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
December 22, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The full Weiss memo is dogshit
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
-who cares if administration figures “regret” sending people to CECOT
-who cares about the criminal histories of the people we sent to CECOT, we sent them to a torture prison
—who cares about the “debate” over the legality of sending people to a torture prison
Reposted by Max Kennerly
The Olivia Nuzzi story and the Bari Weiss at CBS story are the same story, which is that the upper echelons of legacy media are absolutely rife with people who worship power and don't feel burdened by any sense of responsibility to their profession or the public.
December 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The Olivia Nuzzi story and the Bari Weiss at CBS story are the same story, which is that the upper echelons of legacy media are absolutely rife with people who worship power and don't feel burdened by any sense of responsibility to their profession or the public.
Pure fanaticism, just objectively bad policy especially while building all these new data centers. But also an opportunity for Democrats to say loudly, over and over again, that Trump and Republicans are making everything more expensive. Higher electricity costs impact everything.
Trump Halts Five Wind Farms Off the East Coast
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Pure fanaticism, just objectively bad policy especially while building all these new data centers. But also an opportunity for Democrats to say loudly, over and over again, that Trump and Republicans are making everything more expensive. Higher electricity costs impact everything.
To save you all the time of googling: yes, of course this guy is hopelessly unqualified, he's some Kristi Noem flunky with no experience particular to cybersecurity. He's a business IT guy whose first job at all relevant was appointment by Noem to be South Dakota's chief tech officer in August 2024.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Good god
“At least six career staffers at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were suspended with pay this summer after organizing a polygraph test that the agency’s acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, failed.”
Good god
“At least six career staffers at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were suspended with pay this summer after organizing a polygraph test that the agency’s acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, failed.”
Acting CISA director failed a polygraph. Career staff are now under investigation.
At least six career staff were placed on leave after DHS opened an investigation into whether they misled the agency’s acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, into taking the test.
www.politico.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
To save you all the time of googling: yes, of course this guy is hopelessly unqualified, he's some Kristi Noem flunky with no experience particular to cybersecurity. He's a business IT guy whose first job at all relevant was appointment by Noem to be South Dakota's chief tech officer in August 2024.