Brandon
@optimismprime01.bsky.social
big ol nerd of: music/guitar, ttrpgs, pc games, sf/fantasy, politics, food.
not here for followers, if i don't follow you you'll get blocked.
not here for followers, if i don't follow you you'll get blocked.
Reposted by Brandon
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Why Elon Musk Needs Dungeons and Dragons to Be Racist
The fantastical roots of “scientific racism”
www.theatlantic.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The far right is obsessed with Lord of the Rings and Musk keeps posting about "hobbits" because modern scientific racism owes more to fantasy worlds and gaming systems than genetic science, and they see both as effective mediums for right-wing propaganda www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Brandon
Instead of folding like cheap chairs, Democrats should have forced the GOP to end the shutdown by killing the filibuster. Holding onto the archaic, antidemocratic tradition doesn't help them stop fascism, it makes them complicit to it.
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Democrats Should Have Let Republicans Kill the Filibuster
Instead of caving on the shutdown, Democrats should have waited for the GOP to cave on Trump’s demand to scotch this antidemocratic tactic.
www.thenation.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Instead of folding like cheap chairs, Democrats should have forced the GOP to end the shutdown by killing the filibuster. Holding onto the archaic, antidemocratic tradition doesn't help them stop fascism, it makes them complicit to it.
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
My latest in @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Reposted by Brandon
"Men in New York have done countless things throughout history"
Generative AI, ladies, gentlemen and gentlethems.
Generative AI, ladies, gentlemen and gentlethems.
November 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
"Men in New York have done countless things throughout history"
Generative AI, ladies, gentlemen and gentlethems.
Generative AI, ladies, gentlemen and gentlethems.
Reposted by Brandon
I'm going to have an aneurysm
Kim Kardashian slams psychics who told her she'd pass the bar exam: 'All fucking full of shit'
Kim Kardashian slams psychics who told her she'd pass the bar exam: 'All f---ing full of s---'
'All f---ing full of s---': Kim Kardashian has some choice words for the psychics who predicted she'd pass the bar exam.
ew.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM
I'm going to have an aneurysm
Reposted by Brandon
Since the Goodreads Choice Awards were posted last night, here's a reminder of how white these awards are (& why): bookriot.com/the-unbearab...
The Unbearable Whiteness of the Goodreads Choice Awards
There's one place online you can go to ensure a very white "best of" book list: The Goodreads Choice Awards.
bookriot.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Since the Goodreads Choice Awards were posted last night, here's a reminder of how white these awards are (& why): bookriot.com/the-unbearab...
Reposted by Brandon
it's genuinely hard to produce creative work in an environment of stress, threat, and sheer boiling ugliness. it's hard to flex when you're flinching
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 AM
it's genuinely hard to produce creative work in an environment of stress, threat, and sheer boiling ugliness. it's hard to flex when you're flinching
Reposted by Brandon
Senators look at Trump's shameless corruption and say "give us some of that"
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue Over Jack Smith Searches
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Senators look at Trump's shameless corruption and say "give us some of that"
Reposted by Brandon
Shocking
In the most predictable development ever, Mike Johnson is not committing to hold a House vote on ACA subsidies
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Shocking
Reposted by Brandon
It’s important to achieve bipartisanship with Republicans so they can arrest Barack Obama for something they read on the Epoch Times’ Facebook page written by a Chinese cult member in 2019.
Breaking MSNBC:
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
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 10:42 PM
It’s important to achieve bipartisanship with Republicans so they can arrest Barack Obama for something they read on the Epoch Times’ Facebook page written by a Chinese cult member in 2019.
Reposted by Brandon
Dem base that gave them a blue tsunami: DON'T CAVE
Majority of Dem elected officials: DON'T CAVE
The majority of Americans blame the GOP for the shutdown and higher costs...
8 Dem Centrists (and you better believe Schumer knows what's up): Nah, We'll cave.
I guarantee you calls came from donors.
Majority of Dem elected officials: DON'T CAVE
The majority of Americans blame the GOP for the shutdown and higher costs...
8 Dem Centrists (and you better believe Schumer knows what's up): Nah, We'll cave.
I guarantee you calls came from donors.
November 10, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Dem base that gave them a blue tsunami: DON'T CAVE
Majority of Dem elected officials: DON'T CAVE
The majority of Americans blame the GOP for the shutdown and higher costs...
8 Dem Centrists (and you better believe Schumer knows what's up): Nah, We'll cave.
I guarantee you calls came from donors.
Majority of Dem elected officials: DON'T CAVE
The majority of Americans blame the GOP for the shutdown and higher costs...
8 Dem Centrists (and you better believe Schumer knows what's up): Nah, We'll cave.
I guarantee you calls came from donors.
Reposted by Brandon
November 10, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Reposted by Brandon
This and the airline industry lobbyists are what did it. Not Americans starving and paying twice as much for healthcare.
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
More than 10,000 flights delayed in worst day of disruptions since shutdown
More than 2,800 flights were canceled Sunday, while Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the shutdown’s impact on airports is “only going to get worse.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:03 AM
This and the airline industry lobbyists are what did it. Not Americans starving and paying twice as much for healthcare.
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
www.washingtonpost.com/transportati...
Reposted by Brandon
Tonight Democrats proved that old quip.
If a genie gave Democrats 3 wishes, they'd negotiate it down to 1, and then wish for something they think Republicans will like.
We need a true opposition party now more than ever. Because this aint it.
If a genie gave Democrats 3 wishes, they'd negotiate it down to 1, and then wish for something they think Republicans will like.
We need a true opposition party now more than ever. Because this aint it.
November 10, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Tonight Democrats proved that old quip.
If a genie gave Democrats 3 wishes, they'd negotiate it down to 1, and then wish for something they think Republicans will like.
We need a true opposition party now more than ever. Because this aint it.
If a genie gave Democrats 3 wishes, they'd negotiate it down to 1, and then wish for something they think Republicans will like.
We need a true opposition party now more than ever. Because this aint it.
Reposted by Brandon
Glad I'm not the only one asking this question. This is what did it, folks.
How long till we learn American, United & Delta worked the phones on Senate Dems?
November 10, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Glad I'm not the only one asking this question. This is what did it, folks.
Reposted by Brandon
AOC needs to primary Schumer.
November 10, 2025 at 5:10 AM
AOC needs to primary Schumer.
Reposted by Brandon
Everyone’s like “so what do these pardons DO??” and honestly I’d say it probably has more to do with this than anything substantive, at least for now
It’s a communicative pardon
It’s a communicative pardon
Notably, this pardon comes just days ahead of a Nov. 14 deadline for the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia to appoint a replacement prosecutor for Fani Willis, who was disqualified from pursuing the case.
Trump’s pardon attorney Ed Martin claims Trump is pardoning his Georgia co-defendants and other “alternate electors.”
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
Note: Trump’s Georgia co-defendants are charged under state law. The president can’t pardon people for state crimes.
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Everyone’s like “so what do these pardons DO??” and honestly I’d say it probably has more to do with this than anything substantive, at least for now
It’s a communicative pardon
It’s a communicative pardon
thank you to @vanhollen.senate.gov and @alsobrooks.senate.gov for voting against this travesty
Cull the Democratic Party. Systematically chip away all the weak, corporate centrists and corrupt, gutless elected officials who refuse to fight and instead suck at the teat of the oligarchy.
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
thank you to @vanhollen.senate.gov and @alsobrooks.senate.gov for voting against this travesty
Reposted by Brandon
it's a complete fucking cave FOR A SIXTY DAY CR AND A PINKY PROMISE TO NOT FIRE FEDERAL WORKERS AGAIN bsky.app/profile/sahi...
Major concession from Democrats here is enhanced ACA funds aren’t extended. Preserving them was Dems’ central demand in this fight. They secured a promise of a vote (which Thune has been offering for weeks), but that could still fail. Even if it passes, Johnson has made no promise of a House vote.
Tentative Senate deal to end shutdown, multiple sources tell me & @frankthorp.bsky.social:
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
—CR through Jan 30
—Approps minibus
—Fully funds SNAP
—Reverses Trump’s shutdown RIFs
—Promise of Senate vote on ACA subsidies by Dec second week (details/outcome uncertain)
—Led by King/Shaheen/Hassan
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 AM
it's a complete fucking cave FOR A SIXTY DAY CR AND A PINKY PROMISE TO NOT FIRE FEDERAL WORKERS AGAIN bsky.app/profile/sahi...
Reposted by Brandon
Republicans are going to laugh at Democrats and do nothing on healthcare. They will continue helping Trump fulfill Project 2025.
Dems learn nothing.
Dems learn nothing.
a black and white drawing of charlie brown and lucy brown from the peanuts comic strip
ALT: a black and white drawing of charlie brown and lucy brown from the peanuts comic strip
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Republicans are going to laugh at Democrats and do nothing on healthcare. They will continue helping Trump fulfill Project 2025.
Dems learn nothing.
Dems learn nothing.
Reposted by Brandon
Centrists and moderates, what have you done for America lately?
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Centrists and moderates, what have you done for America lately?
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
Reminds me of the white moderates MLK warned about so many years ago.
Just useless.
Reposted by Brandon
To me among the most infuriating parts about the healthcare debate and ACA credits is this would not be an issue if we were like every developed country on Earth and GUARANTEED HEALTHCARE AS A HUMAN RIGHT.
We'd pay half per capita what we're paying now, have more coverage, & longer life expectancy.
We'd pay half per capita what we're paying now, have more coverage, & longer life expectancy.
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 AM
To me among the most infuriating parts about the healthcare debate and ACA credits is this would not be an issue if we were like every developed country on Earth and GUARANTEED HEALTHCARE AS A HUMAN RIGHT.
We'd pay half per capita what we're paying now, have more coverage, & longer life expectancy.
We'd pay half per capita what we're paying now, have more coverage, & longer life expectancy.
Reposted by Brandon
85-year-old democrats negotiating with the jaws of defeat: hey bud you hungry?
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
85-year-old democrats negotiating with the jaws of defeat: hey bud you hungry?
Reposted by Brandon
Dealer: alright everyone ante up
Chuck Schumer: I fold
Dealer: … we haven’t even dealt the hand yet
Chuck Schumer: I 👏 fold 👏
Chuck Schumer: I fold
Dealer: … we haven’t even dealt the hand yet
Chuck Schumer: I 👏 fold 👏
November 9, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Dealer: alright everyone ante up
Chuck Schumer: I fold
Dealer: … we haven’t even dealt the hand yet
Chuck Schumer: I 👏 fold 👏
Chuck Schumer: I fold
Dealer: … we haven’t even dealt the hand yet
Chuck Schumer: I 👏 fold 👏
Reposted by Brandon
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
November 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Dems backed Trump into a corner where he’s advocating for starving Americans and hemorrhaging support. If they vote to let him off the hook in exchange for nothing it’s a cataclysmic failure. I know people are in pain but insulating Republicans from political consequences is not the answer.
Reposted by Brandon
Schumer and the Dems are about to teach Trump the lesson that they’ll cave whenever he abuses power to sufficiently hurt people.
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Schumer and the Dems are about to teach Trump the lesson that they’ll cave whenever he abuses power to sufficiently hurt people.