Tholom 🦋
@notthatimportant66.bsky.social
🇧🇪 | International Politics | Sports | Tech | I block AI bot accounts, don't even try to follow
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
“There was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. “And that is not forgivable.”
(Published Dec. 2025)
(Published Dec. 2025)
After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death
“Brutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.
www.propublica.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:25 PM
“There was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. “And that is not forgivable.”
(Published Dec. 2025)
(Published Dec. 2025)
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
“Remigration” is the far-right’s rebranding of ethnic cleansing, and it’s moving rapidly to the center of power. Rooted in the Great Replacement conspiracy, it’s now echoed in Trump rhetoric, discussed inside U.S. agencies, and amplified by European extremists.
Read more:
Read more:
Remigration: How A European Ethnic Cleansing Proposal Devised by White Supremacists Became Official Trump Policy
A white supremacist blueprint for ethnic cleansing has crossed the Atlantic and become U.S. immigration policy. “Remigration,” devised by European neo-Nazis as a response to the “Great Replacement” co...
globalextremism.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
“Remigration” is the far-right’s rebranding of ethnic cleansing, and it’s moving rapidly to the center of power. Rooted in the Great Replacement conspiracy, it’s now echoed in Trump rhetoric, discussed inside U.S. agencies, and amplified by European extremists.
Read more:
Read more:
De Belgische Bsky community kan nog wat groeien.
I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
bluesky-map.theo.io
I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail
Bluesky Map
Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.
bluesky-map.theo.io
February 9, 2026 at 7:04 AM
De Belgische Bsky community kan nog wat groeien.
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
Much of the GOP's approach to immigration for decades has been plagued by a zero-sum mindset
"Immigrants (legal or illegal) take jobs/resources/money from REAL Americans"
Immigration can and does benefit both US citizens and immigrants, and the GOP's nativism/nationalism/racism cannot accept that
"Immigrants (legal or illegal) take jobs/resources/money from REAL Americans"
Immigration can and does benefit both US citizens and immigrants, and the GOP's nativism/nationalism/racism cannot accept that
Gonzales on Liam Ramos and his family: "They're not gonna qualify for asylum. So what do you do with all the people that go through the process and do not qualify for asylum? You deport them. I understand that 5-year-old and it breaks my heart. I also think, what about that 5-year-old US citizen?"
February 8, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Much of the GOP's approach to immigration for decades has been plagued by a zero-sum mindset
"Immigrants (legal or illegal) take jobs/resources/money from REAL Americans"
Immigration can and does benefit both US citizens and immigrants, and the GOP's nativism/nationalism/racism cannot accept that
"Immigrants (legal or illegal) take jobs/resources/money from REAL Americans"
Immigration can and does benefit both US citizens and immigrants, and the GOP's nativism/nationalism/racism cannot accept that
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
"Some of the key stories it reveals are areas that have been my specialist interest for years. The Kremlin. Silicon Valley. MAGA and the European far right. Israeli intelligence.
open.substack.com/pu...
1/2
open.substack.com/pu...
1/2
We all live in Jeffrey Epstein's world
The most disturbing revelation so far
open.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:42 PM
"Some of the key stories it reveals are areas that have been my specialist interest for years. The Kremlin. Silicon Valley. MAGA and the European far right. Israeli intelligence.
open.substack.com/pu...
1/2
open.substack.com/pu...
1/2
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
Ban addictive designs, ban illegal content, regulate companies.
Don't ban teenagers from digital platforms
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
Don't ban teenagers from digital platforms
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
Can Europe get kids off social media?
[FREE TO READ] Move follows Australia’s decision to introduce age restrictions over child safety concerns
www.ft.com
February 8, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Ban addictive designs, ban illegal content, regulate companies.
Don't ban teenagers from digital platforms
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
Don't ban teenagers from digital platforms
www.ft.com/content/cf46...
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
"Being a convicted sex offender did not make Mr. Epstein an outcast, not when he seemed to have something to offer. His transactional amorality actually seemed to add to his appeal to people who were convinced that the rules didn’t apply to them." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/o...
Opinion | Now We Know What All Those People Got From Epstein
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:41 PM
"Being a convicted sex offender did not make Mr. Epstein an outcast, not when he seemed to have something to offer. His transactional amorality actually seemed to add to his appeal to people who were convinced that the rules didn’t apply to them." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/o...
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
The 12-axis graph is the best I’ve seen for tracking our descent from democracy to autocracy
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...htt
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...htt
Opinion | ICE and Minnesota Have Pushed the U.S. Closer to Autocracy
Measuring America’s slide toward democratic erosion.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:12 AM
The 12-axis graph is the best I’ve seen for tracking our descent from democracy to autocracy
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...htt
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...htt
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
Europa staat op een digitaal kantelpunt: de afhankelijkheid van Amerikaanse technologie wringt steeds meer. Maar zelfs wanneer er andere keuzes zijn voor bedrijven als Meta, Microsoft of Google, blijven mensen vasthouden aan wat ze kennen, omdat iedereen daar zit.
vrtnws.be/p.939E8oGwv
vrtnws.be/p.939E8oGwv
Van Gmail tot YouTube, dit zijn alternatieven voor Big Tech: "We zijn slaven geworden van technologie die we niet controleren" | VRT NWS: nieuws
Europa staat op een digitaal kantelpunt: de afhankelijkheid van Amerikaanse technologie wringt steeds meer. Maar zelfs wanneer er andere keuzes zijn voor bedrijven als Meta, Microsoft of Google, blijv...
vrtnws.be
February 7, 2026 at 7:15 AM
Europa staat op een digitaal kantelpunt: de afhankelijkheid van Amerikaanse technologie wringt steeds meer. Maar zelfs wanneer er andere keuzes zijn voor bedrijven als Meta, Microsoft of Google, blijven mensen vasthouden aan wat ze kennen, omdat iedereen daar zit.
vrtnws.be/p.939E8oGwv
vrtnws.be/p.939E8oGwv
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
Just had a fabulous talk with John Sipher, one of the most experienced CIA officers of his generation. We went into the Epstein files, what they say about Epstein and Russian intelligence, how Epstein kompromat might work to influence Trump… substack.com/@phillipspob...
Live with Phillips P. OBrien and John Sipher
A recording from Phillips P. OBrien's live video
substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Just had a fabulous talk with John Sipher, one of the most experienced CIA officers of his generation. We went into the Epstein files, what they say about Epstein and Russian intelligence, how Epstein kompromat might work to influence Trump… substack.com/@phillipspob...
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
Rs are “worried about private polling that paints a dire picture of the midterms—& it's not just the House they're afraid of losing, it's also the Senate.” (Rs are thus DESPERATE to (a) pass their voter suppression bill & (b) create a pretext to “federalize” the election by ginning up BS re 2020) 1/
GOP's new fear: Losing the Senate in November
A Democratic takeover of the Senate would be a political earthquake — and neuter Trump's last two years in office.
www.axios.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Rs are “worried about private polling that paints a dire picture of the midterms—& it's not just the House they're afraid of losing, it's also the Senate.” (Rs are thus DESPERATE to (a) pass their voter suppression bill & (b) create a pretext to “federalize” the election by ginning up BS re 2020) 1/
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
February 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
It's happening !
Spain to ban social media access for children under 16 reut.rs/4rNX6in
Spain to ban social media access for children under 16
Spain will ban access to social media for minors under 16 and platforms will be required to implement age verification systems, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Tuesday at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
reut.rs
February 3, 2026 at 8:35 PM
It's happening !
The central lesson of the current crises—both the Epstein case and the broader one facing the United States—is that a certain group operates beyond all boundaries: the law for thee, but not for me.
February 3, 2026 at 7:18 AM
The central lesson of the current crises—both the Epstein case and the broader one facing the United States—is that a certain group operates beyond all boundaries: the law for thee, but not for me.
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
🇧🇪🇺🇸 Belgian PM Bart De Wever:
Trump is hostile to the idea of the EU. When he says he loves Europe, he actually means he loves 27 separate countries that would live in vassalage or drift toward slavery.
The only economy large enough to stand up to him is the economy of EU — he doesn’t like that.
Trump is hostile to the idea of the EU. When he says he loves Europe, he actually means he loves 27 separate countries that would live in vassalage or drift toward slavery.
The only economy large enough to stand up to him is the economy of EU — he doesn’t like that.
February 1, 2026 at 6:49 PM
🇧🇪🇺🇸 Belgian PM Bart De Wever:
Trump is hostile to the idea of the EU. When he says he loves Europe, he actually means he loves 27 separate countries that would live in vassalage or drift toward slavery.
The only economy large enough to stand up to him is the economy of EU — he doesn’t like that.
Trump is hostile to the idea of the EU. When he says he loves Europe, he actually means he loves 27 separate countries that would live in vassalage or drift toward slavery.
The only economy large enough to stand up to him is the economy of EU — he doesn’t like that.
This one is more "Garfield" than the original! 😂😺
February 2, 2026 at 5:03 PM
This one is more "Garfield" than the original! 😂😺
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
I testified Friday before Gov. Pritzker's commission studying abuses of ICE and CBP and tried to explain how the agencies went so far off track. It's actually way worse than I ever realized. Please read and share my testimony as Congress considers reform: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Accountability for ICE and CBP
However bad you think the corruption and misconduct at ICE and CBP is — the reality is far far worse.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 1, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I testified Friday before Gov. Pritzker's commission studying abuses of ICE and CBP and tried to explain how the agencies went so far off track. It's actually way worse than I ever realized. Please read and share my testimony as Congress considers reform: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
It took the Islamic State two days, but as expected - the terrorists needed this time to prepare propaganda of Niamey airport assault and deal a blow to the Nigerien junta as I was warning. ISGS was able to locate drone storage facilities and destroy some of them. #Niger
February 1, 2026 at 8:57 PM
It took the Islamic State two days, but as expected - the terrorists needed this time to prepare propaganda of Niamey airport assault and deal a blow to the Nigerien junta as I was warning. ISGS was able to locate drone storage facilities and destroy some of them. #Niger
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
Some key points from this excellent short piece by @jeffkopstein.bsky.social & Hanson:
1. This is a patrimonial regime that is undoing modern statehood.
2. Gaffes, dementia, inconsistencies, and the courts won't stop it. Some of these actually bolster it.
1/2
1. This is a patrimonial regime that is undoing modern statehood.
2. Gaffes, dementia, inconsistencies, and the courts won't stop it. Some of these actually bolster it.
1/2
America Is Now a Family Business
Trump is transforming the constitutional republic into a patrimonial regime before our eyes.
www.persuasion.community
February 1, 2026 at 6:39 AM
Some key points from this excellent short piece by @jeffkopstein.bsky.social & Hanson:
1. This is a patrimonial regime that is undoing modern statehood.
2. Gaffes, dementia, inconsistencies, and the courts won't stop it. Some of these actually bolster it.
1/2
1. This is a patrimonial regime that is undoing modern statehood.
2. Gaffes, dementia, inconsistencies, and the courts won't stop it. Some of these actually bolster it.
1/2
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
An important lesson for the U.S. here. To compete with China effectively, we absolutely must get serious about undermining their education system
How China scales genius - really fascinating read from Zijing Wu on the country's extraordinary system to identify and develop extremely bright people, one factor behind its rise in AI www.ft.com/content/68f6...
China’s genius plan to win the AI race is already paying off
A network of ultra-competitive high-school talent streams has been turning out the leading lights of science and tech
www.ft.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:02 AM
An important lesson for the U.S. here. To compete with China effectively, we absolutely must get serious about undermining their education system
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
Musk killed more people with DOGE than the US in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, but we are not ready for this discussion, especially with everyone self-censoring themselves.
February 1, 2026 at 11:06 AM
Musk killed more people with DOGE than the US in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, but we are not ready for this discussion, especially with everyone self-censoring themselves.
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
The Trumpists will continue to escalate. But in Minneapolis, we can see the limits of MAGA’s assault.
Trump’s authoritarian desires are limitless. But his ability to impose them on America is not.
My new piece for @zeit.de - and some thoughts, since it is in German (gift link):
Trump’s authoritarian desires are limitless. But his ability to impose them on America is not.
My new piece for @zeit.de - and some thoughts, since it is in German (gift link):
US-Regierung: Wie der Widerstand gegen Maga eine Chance hat
Der Minneapolis-Moment offenbart die Schwächen der Trumpisten. Und er zeigt, wo der Widerstand gegen den US-Präsidenten in Zukunft erfolgreich ansetzen kann.
www.zeit.de
January 31, 2026 at 2:32 PM
The Trumpists will continue to escalate. But in Minneapolis, we can see the limits of MAGA’s assault.
Trump’s authoritarian desires are limitless. But his ability to impose them on America is not.
My new piece for @zeit.de - and some thoughts, since it is in German (gift link):
Trump’s authoritarian desires are limitless. But his ability to impose them on America is not.
My new piece for @zeit.de - and some thoughts, since it is in German (gift link):
Reposted by Tholom 🦋
In this long post in Hebrew, Moshe Ya'alon, Israel's Defense Minister from 2013 to 2016, compares the ideology of the Israeli right to Nazi racial ideology. His words, not mine.
Under the IHRA definition of antisemitism, this makes Israel's former Defense Minister antisemitic. x.com/bogie_yaalon...
Under the IHRA definition of antisemitism, this makes Israel's former Defense Minister antisemitic. x.com/bogie_yaalon...
משה 'בּוֹגִי' יעלון on X: "ביום שלישי האחרון בערב השתתפתי בארוע לציון יום השואה הבינלאומי. כאשר הגעתי הביתה, קבלתי הודעה על פוגרומיסטים יהודים שתוקפים פלסטינים בדרום הר חברון, גונבים את צאנם ושורפים את רכושם. ״אי אפשר להשוות!״… לאחר שאמבולנסים, שניסו להגיע למקום, עוכבו על-ידי הטרוריסטים היהודים, שלושה" / X
ביום שלישי האחרון בערב השתתפתי בארוע לציון יום השואה הבינלאומי. כאשר הגעתי הביתה, קבלתי הודעה על פוגרומיסטים יהודים שתוקפים פלסטינים בדרום הר חברון, גונבים את צאנם ושורפים את רכושם. ״אי אפשר להשוות!״… לאחר שאמבולנסים, שניסו להגיע למקום, עוכבו על-ידי הטרוריסטים היהודים, שלושה
x.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:25 PM
In this long post in Hebrew, Moshe Ya'alon, Israel's Defense Minister from 2013 to 2016, compares the ideology of the Israeli right to Nazi racial ideology. His words, not mine.
Under the IHRA definition of antisemitism, this makes Israel's former Defense Minister antisemitic. x.com/bogie_yaalon...
Under the IHRA definition of antisemitism, this makes Israel's former Defense Minister antisemitic. x.com/bogie_yaalon...