Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
@patrickdowns.bsky.social
Democracy enthusiast and anti-autocrat. 4 more years of this rubbish? Hold fast. Lapsed (LAT) photojournalist, still snapping. Chief dog walker and wife-assister. Audiophile. Must read more books!
Pinned
"We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."
—Elie Wiesel
—Elie Wiesel
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Bombshell! - Caleb Nelson, one of the most respected originalist scholars in the country, comes out against the unitary executive interpretation of Article II democracyproject.org/posts/must-a...
September 29, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Bombshell! - Caleb Nelson, one of the most respected originalist scholars in the country, comes out against the unitary executive interpretation of Article II democracyproject.org/posts/must-a...
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
You know, if you can spare the money, a Bluetooth speaker hidden inside a trash can and blaring the Imperial March at full volume can be a fun little thing.
“How can Portland POSSIBLY stand against the might of the federal government?!”
“Let me introduce you to our frog.”
“Let me introduce you to our frog.”
October 5, 2025 at 11:53 PM
You know, if you can spare the money, a Bluetooth speaker hidden inside a trash can and blaring the Imperial March at full volume can be a fun little thing.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Hello journalists. If you report this you gotta say that under the Constitution he has no power to do it. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
August 7, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Hello journalists. If you report this you gotta say that under the Constitution he has no power to do it. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Prof. Wurman has found another place where a dissenting interpretation favors absolute government power and disfavors immigrants, wow what a weird coincidence, he sure is concerned about academic discourse, thanks to all the profs here telling me to take him very seriously
This is not how I understand the unconstitutional conditions doctrine at all. And it in no way comports with the actual guarantees of Free Speech, Due Process, and Equal Protection. This is turning the Constitution on its head so the Trump Administration can do whatever it wants.
August 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Prof. Wurman has found another place where a dissenting interpretation favors absolute government power and disfavors immigrants, wow what a weird coincidence, he sure is concerned about academic discourse, thanks to all the profs here telling me to take him very seriously
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Here's an idea: Trump's fight with Harvard is a proxy for his fight with elite universities everywhere. He thinks (probably correctly) that if he can beat Harvard into submission then all the rest will fall into line. So Harvard's victory is essential, not just for Harvard but also for /1
May 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Here's an idea: Trump's fight with Harvard is a proxy for his fight with elite universities everywhere. He thinks (probably correctly) that if he can beat Harvard into submission then all the rest will fall into line. So Harvard's victory is essential, not just for Harvard but also for /1
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Our strategy of mild, triangulated, focus group-tested talking points got us within 2 points of defeating the most dangerous man to ever hold the presidency. Why on earth would we change tactics?
by Chuck Schumer, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and David Plouffe
by Chuck Schumer, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and David Plouffe
May 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Our strategy of mild, triangulated, focus group-tested talking points got us within 2 points of defeating the most dangerous man to ever hold the presidency. Why on earth would we change tactics?
by Chuck Schumer, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and David Plouffe
by Chuck Schumer, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and David Plouffe
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
The Pentagon has hired yet another openly antisemitic staffer. Remember, liberals, it takes an antisemite to stop an antisemite.
May 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Pentagon has hired yet another openly antisemitic staffer. Remember, liberals, it takes an antisemite to stop an antisemite.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Feeling like your civilization is about to collapse? This sheet-pan beer bread will make you feel like you're in late Bronze Age Egypt.
May 27, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Feeling like your civilization is about to collapse? This sheet-pan beer bread will make you feel like you're in late Bronze Age Egypt.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
This is a senior Justice Department official.
Who is in charge of pardons.
And also in charge of investigating the “politicization” of the Justice Department.
Who is in charge of pardons.
And also in charge of investigating the “politicization” of the Justice Department.
May 27, 2025 at 2:28 AM
This is a senior Justice Department official.
Who is in charge of pardons.
And also in charge of investigating the “politicization” of the Justice Department.
Who is in charge of pardons.
And also in charge of investigating the “politicization” of the Justice Department.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Staggering: Trump lost 96% of federal court cases in May. Even GOP-appointed judges ruled against him 72% of the time.
May 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Staggering: Trump lost 96% of federal court cases in May. Even GOP-appointed judges ruled against him 72% of the time.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Current and former U.S. military pilots expressed bewilderment after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to acknowledge that he should not have disclosed sensitive information in an unsecured group chat.
“If you can’t admit when you’re wrong, you’re going to kill somebody,” one pilot said.
“If you can’t admit when you’re wrong, you’re going to kill somebody,” one pilot said.
Signal Chat Leak Angers U.S. Military Pilots
Men and women who have taken to the air on behalf of the United States expressed bewilderment after the leak of attack plans. “You’re going to kill somebody,” one pilot said.
www.nytimes.com
March 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Current and former U.S. military pilots expressed bewilderment after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to acknowledge that he should not have disclosed sensitive information in an unsecured group chat.
“If you can’t admit when you’re wrong, you’re going to kill somebody,” one pilot said.
“If you can’t admit when you’re wrong, you’re going to kill somebody,” one pilot said.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
BREAKING: DOGE is starting to put together a team to migrate the SSA's computer systems entirely off one of its oldest programming languages in a matter of months, potentially putting the integrity of the system—and the benefits on which tens of millions of Americans rely—at risk.
DOGE Plans to Rebuild SSA Codebase In Months, Risking Benefits and System Collapse
Social Security systems contain tens of millions of lines of code written in COBOL, an archaic programming language. Safely rewriting that code would take years—DOGE wants it done in months.
www.wired.com
March 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
BREAKING: DOGE is starting to put together a team to migrate the SSA's computer systems entirely off one of its oldest programming languages in a matter of months, potentially putting the integrity of the system—and the benefits on which tens of millions of Americans rely—at risk.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
An advance look at Barry Blitt’s “Left to Their Own Devices,” the cover for next week’s issue. #NewYorkerCovers
March 28, 2025 at 2:31 PM
An advance look at Barry Blitt’s “Left to Their Own Devices,” the cover for next week’s issue. #NewYorkerCovers
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
DOGE “seemed unsure” of what USAID programs they cut and is now attempting to reverse some of the cuts, says @propublica.org reporter Brett Murphy. “This is the opposite of a careful review."
March 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
DOGE “seemed unsure” of what USAID programs they cut and is now attempting to reverse some of the cuts, says @propublica.org reporter Brett Murphy. “This is the opposite of a careful review."
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
With his permission, I'm sharing Dean Treanor's response to Ed Martin's letter:
March 6, 2025 at 8:17 PM
With his permission, I'm sharing Dean Treanor's response to Ed Martin's letter:
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
A Whole Bunch of Bad Stuff Is Coming
When things are dark, the only way through is together.
By Jonathan V. Last
www.thebulwark.com/p/a-whole-bu...
When things are dark, the only way through is together.
By Jonathan V. Last
www.thebulwark.com/p/a-whole-bu...
A Whole Bunch of Bad Stuff Is Coming
When things are dark, the only way through is together.
www.thebulwark.com
January 23, 2025 at 10:14 PM
A Whole Bunch of Bad Stuff Is Coming
When things are dark, the only way through is together.
By Jonathan V. Last
www.thebulwark.com/p/a-whole-bu...
When things are dark, the only way through is together.
By Jonathan V. Last
www.thebulwark.com/p/a-whole-bu...
GOOD CONVERSATION!
Listen to: A landlord and man seeking Section 8 housing have an unexpected moment of connection - one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5252...
Listen to: A landlord and man seeking Section 8 housing have an unexpected moment of connection - one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5252...
🔊 Listen Now: A landlord and man seeking Section 8 housing have an unexpected moment of connection
Morning Edition on NPR One | 5:06
one.npr.org
January 16, 2025 at 4:27 PM
GOOD CONVERSATION!
Listen to: A landlord and man seeking Section 8 housing have an unexpected moment of connection - one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5252...
Listen to: A landlord and man seeking Section 8 housing have an unexpected moment of connection - one.npr.org/i/nx-s1-5252...
GIFT ARTICLE 🎁
Special Counsel Jack Smith's Report Says Trump Would Have Been CONVICTED in Election Case
The report, which said the special counsel’s office stood “fully behind” merits of the prosecution, amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the president-elect.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/u...
Special Counsel Jack Smith's Report Says Trump Would Have Been CONVICTED in Election Case
The report, which said the special counsel’s office stood “fully behind” merits of the prosecution, amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the president-elect.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/u...
Special Counsel Report Says Trump Would Have Been Convicted in Election Case (Gift Article)
The report, which said the special counsel’s office stood “fully behind” the merits of the prosecution, amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the president-elect.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2025 at 8:36 AM
GIFT ARTICLE 🎁
Special Counsel Jack Smith's Report Says Trump Would Have Been CONVICTED in Election Case
The report, which said the special counsel’s office stood “fully behind” merits of the prosecution, amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the president-elect.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/u...
Special Counsel Jack Smith's Report Says Trump Would Have Been CONVICTED in Election Case
The report, which said the special counsel’s office stood “fully behind” merits of the prosecution, amounted to an extraordinary rebuke of the president-elect.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/u...
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Donald Trump would have been convicted in his election case if his re-election had not made a trial impossible, the special counsel report said.
Special Counsel Report Says Trump Would Have Been Convicted in Election Case
“But for Mr. Trump’s election and imminent return to the presidency, the office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial,” the report said.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Donald Trump would have been convicted in his election case if his re-election had not made a trial impossible, the special counsel report said.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
sometimes a picture (or magazine cover) is all you need
January 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM
sometimes a picture (or magazine cover) is all you need
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
In any other democratic country, including the UK, Donald Trump would have been convicted in 2020 or soon after.
It would not have taken over four years for a functioning justice system to find he encouraged a violent riot.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
It would not have taken over four years for a functioning justice system to find he encouraged a violent riot.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Donald Trump would have been convicted over 2020 election, special counsel report says
Newly released report by Jack Smith states the ‘evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction’ of Trump had he not been elected in 2024
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2025 at 7:46 AM
In any other democratic country, including the UK, Donald Trump would have been convicted in 2020 or soon after.
It would not have taken over four years for a functioning justice system to find he encouraged a violent riot.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
It would not have taken over four years for a functioning justice system to find he encouraged a violent riot.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Pete Hegseth isn't just a Christian nationalist, he's FAR to the theological right of anybody even close to national power in modern history. Ted Cruz is Ned Flanders next to Hegseth. I've been reporting on the Christian Right for 20+ years. This isn't just "another one"; this is new & worse.
January 13, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Pete Hegseth isn't just a Christian nationalist, he's FAR to the theological right of anybody even close to national power in modern history. Ted Cruz is Ned Flanders next to Hegseth. I've been reporting on the Christian Right for 20+ years. This isn't just "another one"; this is new & worse.
Reposted by Paddy O'Mugwump ⚠️ (Patrick Downs)
Trump team apparentrly saying Hegseth FBI file too terrifying to let all but a couple of senators see it
www.axios.com/2025/01/14/t...
www.axios.com/2025/01/14/t...
Scoop: Trump team sets red line on Hegseth's FBI background check
That means no FBI file access for rank-and-file senators.
www.axios.com
January 14, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Trump team apparentrly saying Hegseth FBI file too terrifying to let all but a couple of senators see it
www.axios.com/2025/01/14/t...
www.axios.com/2025/01/14/t...