Ralf W
@raflw.bsky.social
"We collectively need to remind ourselves that the arc of history only stays bent if we are constantly pushing on it." –Gwen Snyder
Peripatetic pessimist-optimist.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
Peripatetic pessimist-optimist.
Hanger-on at Balloon Juice.
MSP / CO / WI
HCR newsletter:
Bloomberg reports 62% of Americans polled say the cost of everyday items has climbed over the past month and 55% of workers say they’re worried about losing their job.
Also notes international stocks are outperforming the U.S. S&P stock index by the widest margin in 16 years.
Bloomberg reports 62% of Americans polled say the cost of everyday items has climbed over the past month and 55% of workers say they’re worried about losing their job.
Also notes international stocks are outperforming the U.S. S&P stock index by the widest margin in 16 years.
November 14, 2025 at 8:48 AM
HCR newsletter:
Bloomberg reports 62% of Americans polled say the cost of everyday items has climbed over the past month and 55% of workers say they’re worried about losing their job.
Also notes international stocks are outperforming the U.S. S&P stock index by the widest margin in 16 years.
Bloomberg reports 62% of Americans polled say the cost of everyday items has climbed over the past month and 55% of workers say they’re worried about losing their job.
Also notes international stocks are outperforming the U.S. S&P stock index by the widest margin in 16 years.
Spectacular dinner in a tiny 23 seat Venitian osteria. And the bartender/pastry maker is wearing a Duff Beer shirt!
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
November 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Spectacular dinner in a tiny 23 seat Venitian osteria. And the bartender/pastry maker is wearing a Duff Beer shirt!
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
The kitchen was like the size of a medium apartment kitchen! Amazing.
Reposted by Ralf W
The issue as I see: it strains credulity to assume that NYT benched then fired a reporter for unethical conduct *relating to Epstein* but somehow failed to review that reporter's email correspondence with Epstein, where they would have found a trove of evidence linking Trump to Epstein
November 13, 2025 at 3:50 AM
The issue as I see: it strains credulity to assume that NYT benched then fired a reporter for unethical conduct *relating to Epstein* but somehow failed to review that reporter's email correspondence with Epstein, where they would have found a trove of evidence linking Trump to Epstein
Reposted by Ralf W
It is high past time for the Democrats to go full-send on a rampaging, ferocious, fire and brimstone anti-corruption push.
The people thirst for it.
The people thirst for it.
i’ve said this before and i remain convinced it’s true, the 2028 platform that would deliver obama 08 results is “i am gonna
bring the hammer down on the corrupt self-dealing politicians and their rich friends and there are no sacred cows id give a pass”
bring the hammer down on the corrupt self-dealing politicians and their rich friends and there are no sacred cows id give a pass”
November 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
It is high past time for the Democrats to go full-send on a rampaging, ferocious, fire and brimstone anti-corruption push.
The people thirst for it.
The people thirst for it.
So Medicare isn't going broke because of use, it's being starved by massive tax-dodges.
NYT: “.. Through that structure, Mr. Bessent avoided paying roughly $910,000 in Medicare taxes on money he made running his hedge fund in 2021, 2022 and 2023 ..”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
November 13, 2025 at 2:50 PM
So Medicare isn't going broke because of use, it's being starved by massive tax-dodges.
"He makes more than $800,000 a year. He manages a budget of $100 million. He has a doctorate in history."
Doesn't mean he isn't actually aware of Carlson's far right inflammatory crap.
Doesn't mean he isn't actually aware of Carlson's far right inflammatory crap.
“Who could believe that the head of a think tank doesn’t think?” -- In Explaining His Gaffe, Heritage Foundation Leader Pleads Ignorance www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
In Explaining His Gaffe, Heritage Foundation Leader Pleads Ignorance
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:23 PM
"He makes more than $800,000 a year. He manages a budget of $100 million. He has a doctorate in history."
Doesn't mean he isn't actually aware of Carlson's far right inflammatory crap.
Doesn't mean he isn't actually aware of Carlson's far right inflammatory crap.
Doesn't this just sum it all up?
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
November 13, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Doesn't this just sum it all up?
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
Venice Bienniale in Architecture
I know everything is off the rails back home. But Venice continues to be wildly beautiful.
November 12, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I know everything is off the rails back home. But Venice continues to be wildly beautiful.
Reposted by Ralf W
the only thing democrats should be saying today is “the entire republican party is engaged in a coverup of the most notorious child sex trafficking ring in world history”
November 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
the only thing democrats should be saying today is “the entire republican party is engaged in a coverup of the most notorious child sex trafficking ring in world history”
Very significant detail on the BBC departures.
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 12, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Very significant detail on the BBC departures.
Reposted by Ralf W
"here’s what makes this moment particularly maddening: this is an elite failure, not a popular one. The Democratic base understands what’s at stake. Grassroots activists, organizers, and voters have shown they’re willing to fight."
What’s the difference between compromise and capitulation? Compromise trades concessions. Capitulation pays ransom to stop deliberate suffering, and teaches your opponent that coercion works. There are effective responses to coercive bargaining. What we saw was not one of them.
The Compassion Trap: How the Shutdown Weaponized Democratic Values Against Democracy Itself
When Opposition Parties Stop Fighting Because the Cruelty Becomes Unbearable. And Why They Shouldn't.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"here’s what makes this moment particularly maddening: this is an elite failure, not a popular one. The Democratic base understands what’s at stake. Grassroots activists, organizers, and voters have shown they’re willing to fight."
Democrats should be running on a full-throttle anti corruption platform RIGHT NOW.
The latest in an endless river of corrupt Trump pardons for wealthy and well-connected Republican criminals.
November 11, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Democrats should be running on a full-throttle anti corruption platform RIGHT NOW.
Peggy Flanagan!!
that's right, Smith is retiring, I forgot
that sucks! she's good! replace her with someone who is also good!
that sucks! she's good! replace her with someone who is also good!
Smith is retiring.
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Peggy Flanagan!!
Reposted by Ralf W
F**ing stupid if 10 Senate Dems do this. The people out protesting No Kings may also start getting up in Democrats grills.
I see nothing in here that would require the White House to actually spend any available funds, prevent rescissions or withholding of payments, or do anything to change what has become an unsettling status quo in this calendar year.
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 AM
F**ing stupid if 10 Senate Dems do this. The people out protesting No Kings may also start getting up in Democrats grills.
When Thune's magic beans amount to nothing, what's the next move, Chuckles?
Millions of people will loose their ACA subsidies, and some smaller slice might, possibly, some day get a voucher.
Which will screw institutions we rely on, just like school vouchers have.
Millions of people will loose their ACA subsidies, and some smaller slice might, possibly, some day get a voucher.
Which will screw institutions we rely on, just like school vouchers have.
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
When Thune's magic beans amount to nothing, what's the next move, Chuckles?
Millions of people will loose their ACA subsidies, and some smaller slice might, possibly, some day get a voucher.
Which will screw institutions we rely on, just like school vouchers have.
Millions of people will loose their ACA subsidies, and some smaller slice might, possibly, some day get a voucher.
Which will screw institutions we rely on, just like school vouchers have.
Reposted by Ralf W
this ends your career. you sold out your caucus. maybe you did it for heroic reasons. maybe you did it for selfish reasons. doesn’t matter, you’re done.
November 10, 2025 at 7:28 AM
this ends your career. you sold out your caucus. maybe you did it for heroic reasons. maybe you did it for selfish reasons. doesn’t matter, you’re done.
F**ing stupid if 10 Senate Dems do this. The people out protesting No Kings may also start getting up in Democrats grills.
I see nothing in here that would require the White House to actually spend any available funds, prevent rescissions or withholding of payments, or do anything to change what has become an unsettling status quo in this calendar year.
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 AM
F**ing stupid if 10 Senate Dems do this. The people out protesting No Kings may also start getting up in Democrats grills.
If you can make two phone calls, do it tonight. Fill every Senate Democrats voice mail box.
Call their district offices around your state and leave voicemails there, this staffers tend not to get as many calls, and hearing an avalanche of (polite!) negativity about caving on ACA is crucial tonight.
Call their district offices around your state and leave voicemails there, this staffers tend not to get as many calls, and hearing an avalanche of (polite!) negativity about caving on ACA is crucial tonight.
November 9, 2025 at 11:37 PM
If you can make two phone calls, do it tonight. Fill every Senate Democrats voice mail box.
Call their district offices around your state and leave voicemails there, this staffers tend not to get as many calls, and hearing an avalanche of (polite!) negativity about caving on ACA is crucial tonight.
Call their district offices around your state and leave voicemails there, this staffers tend not to get as many calls, and hearing an avalanche of (polite!) negativity about caving on ACA is crucial tonight.
Reposted by Ralf W
Last night, the Trump Administration sent a letter suggesting Wisconsin should return our FoodShare payments.
My response ⬇️
My response ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Last night, the Trump Administration sent a letter suggesting Wisconsin should return our FoodShare payments.
My response ⬇️
My response ⬇️
Hey, newsers:
Here's a giant news peg you can hang some deep analysis on. Not vague 'some experts say' crap that never has much impact.
Here's a Reagan appointee, with a long record, quitting a job he loves to speak up forcefully about the corrosion of the rule of law.
>This is really important!
Here's a giant news peg you can hang some deep analysis on. Not vague 'some experts say' crap that never has much impact.
Here's a Reagan appointee, with a long record, quitting a job he loves to speak up forcefully about the corrosion of the rule of law.
>This is really important!
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 9, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Hey, newsers:
Here's a giant news peg you can hang some deep analysis on. Not vague 'some experts say' crap that never has much impact.
Here's a Reagan appointee, with a long record, quitting a job he loves to speak up forcefully about the corrosion of the rule of law.
>This is really important!
Here's a giant news peg you can hang some deep analysis on. Not vague 'some experts say' crap that never has much impact.
Here's a Reagan appointee, with a long record, quitting a job he loves to speak up forcefully about the corrosion of the rule of law.
>This is really important!
Total incompetence.
In service to starving especially the elderly & kids.
There's something deeply immoral about these people!
In service to starving especially the elderly & kids.
There's something deeply immoral about these people!
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
Trump Administration Demands States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamps
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Total incompetence.
In service to starving especially the elderly & kids.
There's something deeply immoral about these people!
In service to starving especially the elderly & kids.
There's something deeply immoral about these people!
Please start at the top. This thread is really upsetting, but we have to see what is being done. It's deeply wrong.
11/ Theo Bovens, the chairman of the Black Liberators in the Netherlands foundation and also leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Appeal party, says that he intends to raise the removal with the new US Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joe Popolo.
November 9, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Please start at the top. This thread is really upsetting, but we have to see what is being done. It's deeply wrong.
Reposted by Ralf W
11/ Theo Bovens, the chairman of the Black Liberators in the Netherlands foundation and also leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Appeal party, says that he intends to raise the removal with the new US Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joe Popolo.
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
11/ Theo Bovens, the chairman of the Black Liberators in the Netherlands foundation and also leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Appeal party, says that he intends to raise the removal with the new US Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joe Popolo.
Reposted by Ralf W
oh so these people do pay attention to who politicians follow on social media, they just don’t care that the vice president follows a bunch of actual neo-nazis
Axios tried to bust James Talarico for following adult content creators on Instagram and I'm genuinely impressed by his campaign's response
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
oh so these people do pay attention to who politicians follow on social media, they just don’t care that the vice president follows a bunch of actual neo-nazis
Reposted by Ralf W
UPDATE: Reached out to the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist minister who was there that day and has been active in religious demonstrations at Broadview.
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
November 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
UPDATE: Reached out to the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist minister who was there that day and has been active in religious demonstrations at Broadview.
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”
“They are making it clear that they are scared of prayer … it speaks the truth that what they are doing in that building is evil.”