Marshall Herskovitz
@mherskovitz.bsky.social
Writer, producer, director - thirtysomething, Last Samurai, My So-Called Life, Dangerous Beauty. Let's build a future for our children - and their children. LA, PDX
I'm one of the few Democrats I know who has consistently opposed scrapping the filibuster. For just the reason we're witnessing now. Yes, reform it to make it less obstructionist, make it a protest of last resort - but getting rid of it opens the door to tyranny.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump urges Republicans to ditch filibuster rule in US Senate
Rule allows minority party to block legislation, but GOP is reluctant to scrap it as they could lose majority
www.theguardian.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
I'm one of the few Democrats I know who has consistently opposed scrapping the filibuster. For just the reason we're witnessing now. Yes, reform it to make it less obstructionist, make it a protest of last resort - but getting rid of it opens the door to tyranny.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
1) Khan's worker-training defense against AI is honorable, but will have as much effect as a plywood wall against a tank.
Unless cultural leaders stand together against the nihilistic advance of AI, we are doomed. There are many wonderful uses of AI, but--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
Unless cultural leaders stand together against the nihilistic advance of AI, we are doomed. There are many wonderful uses of AI, but--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
Opinion | A 1 Percent Solution to the Looming A.I. Job Apocalypse
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:53 PM
1) Khan's worker-training defense against AI is honorable, but will have as much effect as a plywood wall against a tank.
Unless cultural leaders stand together against the nihilistic advance of AI, we are doomed. There are many wonderful uses of AI, but--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
Unless cultural leaders stand together against the nihilistic advance of AI, we are doomed. There are many wonderful uses of AI, but--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/o...
In professions like law and the news, even the perception of conflict of interest is material. And the perception of Bari Weiss' conflict of interest mortally damages her in her new position.
When even the Wall Street Journal agrees, she should know she's in trouble.
www.wsj.com/opinion/bari...
When even the Wall Street Journal agrees, she should know she's in trouble.
www.wsj.com/opinion/bari...
Opinion | Bari Weiss Delivers for CBS’s Parent
The Ellison family is getting what it paid for when it acquired the journalistic mouthpiece.
www.wsj.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
In professions like law and the news, even the perception of conflict of interest is material. And the perception of Bari Weiss' conflict of interest mortally damages her in her new position.
When even the Wall Street Journal agrees, she should know she's in trouble.
www.wsj.com/opinion/bari...
When even the Wall Street Journal agrees, she should know she's in trouble.
www.wsj.com/opinion/bari...
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
This Christmas, perhaps we can all say a prayer for the immigrants languishing in ICE detention-cruelly separated from their families for months and forced to endure subhuman conditions
At least 30 immigrants have died in custody this year-the most in over 20 years
At least 30 immigrants have died in custody this year-the most in over 20 years
December 25, 2025 at 8:39 PM
This Christmas, perhaps we can all say a prayer for the immigrants languishing in ICE detention-cruelly separated from their families for months and forced to endure subhuman conditions
At least 30 immigrants have died in custody this year-the most in over 20 years
At least 30 immigrants have died in custody this year-the most in over 20 years
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
Extremely funny to call the pope “holier-than-thou”
December 25, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Extremely funny to call the pope “holier-than-thou”
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
"It's A Wonderful Life" isn't just a feel-good holiday classic (and my favorite movie of all time).
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
Robert Reich Reacts: “It's a Wonderful Life”
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"It's A Wonderful Life" isn't just a feel-good holiday classic (and my favorite movie of all time).
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
It's also a warning about what happens when greed runs the economy.
It was obvious from the first week that DOGE was not simply a disaster, but a corrupt, cruel, and stupid disaster, killing millions across the globe, using govt power to go after Musk's enemies, and undermining US leadership in research and the sciences.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
How Did DOGE Disrupt So Much While Saving So Little?
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
It was obvious from the first week that DOGE was not simply a disaster, but a corrupt, cruel, and stupid disaster, killing millions across the globe, using govt power to go after Musk's enemies, and undermining US leadership in research and the sciences.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...
TikTok has signed a deal to sell its U.S. operations to a group of investors led by Larry Ellison, the billionaire ally of Trump whose family media and entertainment empire just got bigger. n.pr/4p9IPdQ
The Ellisons, TikTok and Paramount
TikTok has signed a deal to sell its U.S. operations to a group of investors led by Larry Ellison, the billionaire ally of Trump whose family media and entertainment empire just got bigger.
n.pr
December 22, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
Expect a "revolt" among 60 Minutes staff over Bari Weiss pulling the CECOT segment at the last minute, one network insider told me.
Another CBS News reporter added that a Rubicon had been crossed with this decision, which 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi called "political" and not editorial.
Another CBS News reporter added that a Rubicon had been crossed with this decision, which 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi called "political" and not editorial.
December 22, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Expect a "revolt" among 60 Minutes staff over Bari Weiss pulling the CECOT segment at the last minute, one network insider told me.
Another CBS News reporter added that a Rubicon had been crossed with this decision, which 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi called "political" and not editorial.
Another CBS News reporter added that a Rubicon had been crossed with this decision, which 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi called "political" and not editorial.
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
1) Having spent much time between the worlds of right and left, I can guess that Bari Weiss isn't concerned about the factuality of this 60 Minutes piece so much as how the facts will be received by the right. In other words, she is extraordinarily--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
‘60 Minutes’ Pulled a Segment. A Correspondent Calls It ‘Political.’
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:50 AM
1) Having spent much time between the worlds of right and left, I can guess that Bari Weiss isn't concerned about the factuality of this 60 Minutes piece so much as how the facts will be received by the right. In other words, she is extraordinarily--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/b...
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
This aligns w/ recent research showing how Twitter (just prior to becoming X in early 2023) gave outsized visibility to content (via algorithmic recommendations) from politically right-leaning influencers. Influencers influence. And the right is algorithmically advantaged. arxiv.org/abs/2512.06129
Rabble-Rousers in the New King's Court: Algorithmic Effects on Account Visibility in Pre-X Twitter
Algorithmic effects on social media platforms have come under recent scrutiny, with several works reporting that right-leaning accounts tend to receive more exposure. In this paper, we expand upon thi...
arxiv.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:52 PM
This aligns w/ recent research showing how Twitter (just prior to becoming X in early 2023) gave outsized visibility to content (via algorithmic recommendations) from politically right-leaning influencers. Influencers influence. And the right is algorithmically advantaged. arxiv.org/abs/2512.06129
It will only take a few Republican members of Congress to save us from the worst horrors of an imminent Vance presidency. Let’s hope his combination of odiousness and zero charisma allows them to find their spines.
Vance: "We believe in honoring your father and mother rather than shipping all their money off to Ukraine"
A truly repulsive demagogue.
A truly repulsive demagogue.
December 21, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It will only take a few Republican members of Congress to save us from the worst horrors of an imminent Vance presidency. Let’s hope his combination of odiousness and zero charisma allows them to find their spines.
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
Vance: "We believe in honoring your father and mother rather than shipping all their money off to Ukraine"
A truly repulsive demagogue.
A truly repulsive demagogue.
December 21, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Vance: "We believe in honoring your father and mother rather than shipping all their money off to Ukraine"
A truly repulsive demagogue.
A truly repulsive demagogue.
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
I am furious that DOJ ignored the new federal law requiring release of the Epstein Files. I am equally angry that so many in legacy media seem not to care.
My latest for Democracy Docket lays out the case. Sign up now to access this and all premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
My latest for Democracy Docket lays out the case. Sign up now to access this and all premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
December 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I am furious that DOJ ignored the new federal law requiring release of the Epstein Files. I am equally angry that so many in legacy media seem not to care.
My latest for Democracy Docket lays out the case. Sign up now to access this and all premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
My latest for Democracy Docket lays out the case. Sign up now to access this and all premium content. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Da Costa, an antisemite at 18, is 33 now, married to a Jew, raising her kids Jewish, and still must resign? Really? Apparently, cancel culture is alive and well, and how sad the ADL no longer recognizes that personal growth is one of the core teachings of Judaism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/n...
Mamdani Appointee Resigns After Decade-Old Antisemitic Posts Re-emerge
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Da Costa, an antisemite at 18, is 33 now, married to a Jew, raising her kids Jewish, and still must resign? Really? Apparently, cancel culture is alive and well, and how sad the ADL no longer recognizes that personal growth is one of the core teachings of Judaism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/n...
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
Washington Post's new headline is still wrong.
1. The release was not "huge."
2. DOJ missed the deadline to release all the files.
3, No mention of extensive redactions.
Support independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
1. The release was not "huge."
2. DOJ missed the deadline to release all the files.
3, No mention of extensive redactions.
Support independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
December 20, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Washington Post's new headline is still wrong.
1. The release was not "huge."
2. DOJ missed the deadline to release all the files.
3, No mention of extensive redactions.
Support independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
1. The release was not "huge."
2. DOJ missed the deadline to release all the files.
3, No mention of extensive redactions.
Support independent, pro-democracy media. hubs.ly/Q03CbHTt0
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
December 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
This story on Sam Altman by @moreperfectunion.bsky.social is really well done and packed with solid information:
youtu.be/l0K4XPu3Qhg?...
youtu.be/l0K4XPu3Qhg?...
What Sam Altman Doesn't Want You To Know
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 9:11 PM
This story on Sam Altman by @moreperfectunion.bsky.social is really well done and packed with solid information:
youtu.be/l0K4XPu3Qhg?...
youtu.be/l0K4XPu3Qhg?...
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
"There is not a Mary-sized man in town, and Mary Hatch does not do anything just because it’s what might be expected of her. Her story in this counterfactual is a sad one, but it is not one of passive submission to circumstance."
There Is No Mary Problem in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
George’s vision of his wife without him is essential to the film, but critics continue to miss its true—and profound—meaning.
lnk.thebulwark.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:30 AM
"There is not a Mary-sized man in town, and Mary Hatch does not do anything just because it’s what might be expected of her. Her story in this counterfactual is a sad one, but it is not one of passive submission to circumstance."
Any work made with AI - written, visual, audio - should be mandated by law to carry a disclaimer when published or sold. This will not infringe on free speech. AI companies can still spew their garbage, just as food companies can still use trans fats.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
Opinion | Will Creative Work Survive A.I.?
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Any work made with AI - written, visual, audio - should be mandated by law to carry a disclaimer when published or sold. This will not infringe on free speech. AI companies can still spew their garbage, just as food companies can still use trans fats.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
A sociopathic narcissist exploits tragedy/suffering of others to satisfy his dysfunctionally competitive, vindictive need to "win"....and to Self Aggrandize.
In this one statement, Trump exhibits 7 of 9 symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and 6 of 7 for Anti-Social PD (sociopathy).
1/
In this one statement, Trump exhibits 7 of 9 symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and 6 of 7 for Anti-Social PD (sociopathy).
1/
The timing of this post and the reference to the murders being "due to the anger ... caused others through … TDS" suggests strongly that Trump believed that **one or more of his supporters** had committed the murders—and that they had committed the atrocity **justifiably**.
December 16, 2025 at 1:18 PM
A sociopathic narcissist exploits tragedy/suffering of others to satisfy his dysfunctionally competitive, vindictive need to "win"....and to Self Aggrandize.
In this one statement, Trump exhibits 7 of 9 symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and 6 of 7 for Anti-Social PD (sociopathy).
1/
In this one statement, Trump exhibits 7 of 9 symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and 6 of 7 for Anti-Social PD (sociopathy).
1/
1) The obscene excesses of our billionaire class are an inevitable outgrowth of the 45-year neoliberal era, which deified profit untempered by any concern for the public good.
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" move farther out of reach--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" move farther out of reach--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
Opinion | The Billionaires Have Gone Full Louis XV
www.nytimes.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:25 PM
1) The obscene excesses of our billionaire class are an inevitable outgrowth of the 45-year neoliberal era, which deified profit untempered by any concern for the public good.
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" move farther out of reach--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" move farther out of reach--
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/o...
Reposted by Marshall Herskovitz
DOJ has sued Maine, Oregon, California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington, Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont for access to its most sensitive voter data.
My firm has moved to intervene in 10 of those cases. We are working on the last 4.
My firm has moved to intervene in 10 of those cases. We are working on the last 4.
December 12, 2025 at 5:29 PM
DOJ has sued Maine, Oregon, California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington, Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Vermont for access to its most sensitive voter data.
My firm has moved to intervene in 10 of those cases. We are working on the last 4.
My firm has moved to intervene in 10 of those cases. We are working on the last 4.
@nytimes.com piece on how new corporate tax breaks will help the economy NEVER ONCE MENTIONS that 80% of Trump's 2017 corporate tax cuts went to stock buy-backs and dividends instead of the new investments breathlessly promised here.
Did no one edit this piece?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Did no one edit this piece?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Big Businesses Are Cashing In on Trump’s Tax Cuts
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
@nytimes.com piece on how new corporate tax breaks will help the economy NEVER ONCE MENTIONS that 80% of Trump's 2017 corporate tax cuts went to stock buy-backs and dividends instead of the new investments breathlessly promised here.
Did no one edit this piece?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Did no one edit this piece?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...