Paula Schaap
@redsonja.bsky.social
Writer and editor. Also lawyer. Also, I play poker. And yes, that is my actual dog in the avatar. Her name is Muppet, the name she came with; we couldn't figure out a better one. Opinions my own; usual disclaimers.
This is a very strange photo choice.
While Trump has spent a lifetime promoting his personal brand, what he is doing in his second term as president comes closer to building a cult of personality the likes of which has never been seen in American history. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/u...
Trump’s Relentless Self-Promotion Fosters an American Cult of Personality
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 9:08 PM
This is a very strange photo choice.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
While Trump has spent a lifetime promoting his personal brand, what he is doing in his second term as president comes closer to building a cult of personality the likes of which has never been seen in American history. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/u...
Trump’s Relentless Self-Promotion Fosters an American Cult of Personality
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:07 PM
While Trump has spent a lifetime promoting his personal brand, what he is doing in his second term as president comes closer to building a cult of personality the likes of which has never been seen in American history. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/u...
Reposted by Paula Schaap
"Users need personalization" is the most brain dead executive take out there for a reason: it's easy to simply assume that personalization will make things "better" without understanding what users might want to adjust and why!
It killed WaPo and it's going to kill your business too!
It killed WaPo and it's going to kill your business too!
I wrote about this back in January when the strategy was first announced. This is the AI 2nd wind of the transformation that everyone has already tried and failed: a vague notion that "personalization" will unlock huge revenues, without any idea of what is so "impersonal" about the product today.
Tools for not-thinking
User research would have prevented this week's extremely expensive mistakes - but leaders are determined to keep making them.
productpicnic.beehiiv.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:27 PM
"Users need personalization" is the most brain dead executive take out there for a reason: it's easy to simply assume that personalization will make things "better" without understanding what users might want to adjust and why!
It killed WaPo and it's going to kill your business too!
It killed WaPo and it's going to kill your business too!
Reposted by Paula Schaap
First flycatcher nest in LA County reported. Last year I spent more time obsessing with capturing videos of the nest feeding, over 40 hours during a work week, this year I'm planning to excel at buddy flycatcher season instead.
We're in my favorite era of a vermilion flycatchers life which I call "buddy flycatcher season" - these are the days following leaving the nest where they juveniles CAN fly, but CAN NOT catch, so their pudgy little selves just sit in trees begging, often nudging against their sibling 🥰😭🪶🐣
February 15, 2026 at 7:23 PM
First flycatcher nest in LA County reported. Last year I spent more time obsessing with capturing videos of the nest feeding, over 40 hours during a work week, this year I'm planning to excel at buddy flycatcher season instead.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
We need this in Maryland.
nj1015.com/nj-ice-porta...
nj1015.com/nj-ice-porta...
NJ ICE Video Portal Sparks Fury and Praise Across the Garden State. Here is how it works.
New Jersey's new portal encourages residents to upload video of ICE interactions. Here is how the site works, and what it does and does not do.
nj1015.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:52 PM
We need this in Maryland.
nj1015.com/nj-ice-porta...
nj1015.com/nj-ice-porta...
Reposted by Paula Schaap
This city is home to people of countless faiths. But no matter what you believe, one thing unites us: we are all New Yorkers. We will not allow ICE to terrorize our neighbors.
youtu.be/uoU9Img_B40
youtu.be/uoU9Img_B40
Welcome The Stranger
YouTube video by NYC Mayor's Office
youtu.be
February 15, 2026 at 5:15 PM
This city is home to people of countless faiths. But no matter what you believe, one thing unites us: we are all New Yorkers. We will not allow ICE to terrorize our neighbors.
youtu.be/uoU9Img_B40
youtu.be/uoU9Img_B40
Reposted by Paula Schaap
Note: Allegations of racial profiling aren’t just coming from congressional Democrats.
Over the past month, Cardinal Cupich, who oversees the Archdiocese of Chicago, has repeatedly claimed that his own priests have been racially profiled by DHS agents. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
Over the past month, Cardinal Cupich, who oversees the Archdiocese of Chicago, has repeatedly claimed that his own priests have been racially profiled by DHS agents. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
February 15, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Note: Allegations of racial profiling aren’t just coming from congressional Democrats.
Over the past month, Cardinal Cupich, who oversees the Archdiocese of Chicago, has repeatedly claimed that his own priests have been racially profiled by DHS agents. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
Over the past month, Cardinal Cupich, who oversees the Archdiocese of Chicago, has repeatedly claimed that his own priests have been racially profiled by DHS agents. religionnews.com/2026/02/10/c...
Reposted by Paula Schaap
Reposted by Paula Schaap
They've got a fever, and the only prescription is more protectionist cowbell:
"White House proposes new taxes to boost US shipbuilding" rollcall.com/2026/02/13/w...
"White House proposes new taxes to boost US shipbuilding" rollcall.com/2026/02/13/w...
February 15, 2026 at 3:47 PM
They've got a fever, and the only prescription is more protectionist cowbell:
"White House proposes new taxes to boost US shipbuilding" rollcall.com/2026/02/13/w...
"White House proposes new taxes to boost US shipbuilding" rollcall.com/2026/02/13/w...
I know this is unfair, but if you're well into adulthood and you still haven't figured out how to use "that" and "which" correctly, I'm going to take what you have to say less seriously.
February 15, 2026 at 3:56 PM
I know this is unfair, but if you're well into adulthood and you still haven't figured out how to use "that" and "which" correctly, I'm going to take what you have to say less seriously.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
The Atlantic: can we tell you again about how the mellon foundation is the problem for the humanities?
NEW: Read this terrific piece @virginiaheffernan.bsky.social for @thenerve.news in which she unpicks Edge.org, the hugely influential 'salon' funded by Epstein & threaded through with race science & eugenics.
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
The billionaires' eugenics project: how Epstein infiltrated Harvard, muzzled the humanities and preached master-race science
Edge - Jeffrey Epstein's favourite intellectual salon - was sold to me as a gathering of the world's finest minds, writes Virginia Heffernan. The files reveal it was something far darker: a decades-lo...
www.thenerve.news
February 15, 2026 at 2:17 PM
The Atlantic: can we tell you again about how the mellon foundation is the problem for the humanities?
Reposted by Paula Schaap
Did you see this loooorge bear contently floating?
Franzi Schimmer captured this Grizzly bear in Brooks Falls, Alaska just floating along, tippy-tapping down the river, browsing the salmon.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
Prior to hibernation, up to 40% of a bear's body mass is fat, which is less dense than water (~0.9 g/cm^2), so the murder-monster is also a floaty-boaty.
February 15, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Did you see this loooorge bear contently floating?
Reposted by Paula Schaap
steve bannon joined the war on child sex abuse in the catholic church on the side of child sex abuse
For years I have received pushback when I said that an animating principle of the modern right is a belief that being queer is worse than being a pedophile.
I rest my case.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/14/w...
I rest my case.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/14/w...
Steve Bannon courted Epstein in his efforts to ‘take down’ Pope Francis | CNN
Steve Bannon, a longtime adviser to US President Donald Trump, discussed opposition strategies with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein against Pope Francis, with Bannon saying he hoped to “take down” the pontiff, according to newly released files from the US Department of Justice.
www.cnn.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:26 PM
steve bannon joined the war on child sex abuse in the catholic church on the side of child sex abuse
Reposted by Paula Schaap
Today, it’s immigrants. Tomorrow, it could be anyone whose identity the administration deems threatening—activists, protesters, political opponents, journalists, anyone on their database.
Concentration Camps, Amazon Prime-Style | LOLGOP Studios
Get more from LOLGOP Studios on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Today, it’s immigrants. Tomorrow, it could be anyone whose identity the administration deems threatening—activists, protesters, political opponents, journalists, anyone on their database.
I'm a reader, rather than a listener, so I generally don't do podcasts. But this one was impossible to resist.
new episode Wednesday!
we're joined by the amazing Nancy Thebaut and Melanie Holcomb to talk about the OUT-STANDING "Spectrum of Desire" exhibition at the Cloisters Museum in NYC.
just in time for Valentine's Day, you can learn about the spanky plate and medievals having sex. enjoy! #medievalsky
we're joined by the amazing Nancy Thebaut and Melanie Holcomb to talk about the OUT-STANDING "Spectrum of Desire" exhibition at the Cloisters Museum in NYC.
just in time for Valentine's Day, you can learn about the spanky plate and medievals having sex. enjoy! #medievalsky
Spectrum of Desire with Nancy Thebaut and Melanie Holcomb
Podcast Episode · American Medieval · 02/11/2026 · 52m
podcasts.apple.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:15 PM
I'm a reader, rather than a listener, so I generally don't do podcasts. But this one was impossible to resist.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
Did you know that I have a podcast with @multitude.productions? Did you know that each week there’s a hex expert and we talk about some interesting, little-know bit of the Middle Ages? Did you know it’s free to listen? Did you know I have a face for radio? Boom-shake-laka #medievalsky
new episode Wednesday!
we're joined by the amazing Nancy Thebaut and Melanie Holcomb to talk about the OUT-STANDING "Spectrum of Desire" exhibition at the Cloisters Museum in NYC.
just in time for Valentine's Day, you can learn about the spanky plate and medievals having sex. enjoy! #medievalsky
we're joined by the amazing Nancy Thebaut and Melanie Holcomb to talk about the OUT-STANDING "Spectrum of Desire" exhibition at the Cloisters Museum in NYC.
just in time for Valentine's Day, you can learn about the spanky plate and medievals having sex. enjoy! #medievalsky
Spectrum of Desire with Nancy Thebaut and Melanie Holcomb
Podcast Episode · American Medieval · 02/11/2026 · 52m
podcasts.apple.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Did you know that I have a podcast with @multitude.productions? Did you know that each week there’s a hex expert and we talk about some interesting, little-know bit of the Middle Ages? Did you know it’s free to listen? Did you know I have a face for radio? Boom-shake-laka #medievalsky
Reposted by Paula Schaap
SSPC, subacute schlerosing panencephalitis, strikes a very few kids who survive measles many years afterwards. They suffer cognitive decline, possible personality changes, twitching and jerking, and eventually death. And nothing can be done to save the child. Nothing.
Vaccination prevents this.
Vaccination prevents this.
February 14, 2026 at 11:12 PM
SSPC, subacute schlerosing panencephalitis, strikes a very few kids who survive measles many years afterwards. They suffer cognitive decline, possible personality changes, twitching and jerking, and eventually death. And nothing can be done to save the child. Nothing.
Vaccination prevents this.
Vaccination prevents this.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
Who are these people who don't vaccinate their kids? I just don't understand it.
Kids will die from measles. But, as @joho.bsky.social always says, death isn't the only bad outcome. Their immune memory will be wiped. They can lose sight or hearing. Or they can die of pan-sclerosing encephalitis.
Kids will die from measles. But, as @joho.bsky.social always says, death isn't the only bad outcome. Their immune memory will be wiped. They can lose sight or hearing. Or they can die of pan-sclerosing encephalitis.
Vermont and New York health officials are reporting their first measles cases of the year.
The new diagnoses bring the total number of measles cases in the United States this year to 910 (CDC). The United States reported 2,280 measles cases last year, the largest number in three decades.
The new diagnoses bring the total number of measles cases in the United States this year to 910 (CDC). The United States reported 2,280 measles cases last year, the largest number in three decades.
February 14, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Who are these people who don't vaccinate their kids? I just don't understand it.
Kids will die from measles. But, as @joho.bsky.social always says, death isn't the only bad outcome. Their immune memory will be wiped. They can lose sight or hearing. Or they can die of pan-sclerosing encephalitis.
Kids will die from measles. But, as @joho.bsky.social always says, death isn't the only bad outcome. Their immune memory will be wiped. They can lose sight or hearing. Or they can die of pan-sclerosing encephalitis.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
I think the fact black journalists were put into metro , sports, foreign, or web coverage while white journalists got the hill and White House bears explains quite a lot.
“The numbers tell a painful story. The impact on journalists of color is staggering and devastating,” the Post Guild said in its statement on Friday. “We cannot ignore what this means for equity, representation, and the future of this organization.”
www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/wash...
www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/wash...
Washington Post layoffs disproportionately affected union members of color, preliminary Guild data shows
"We cannot ignore what this means for equity, representation, and the future of this organization."
www.niemanlab.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:02 PM
I think the fact black journalists were put into metro , sports, foreign, or web coverage while white journalists got the hill and White House bears explains quite a lot.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
Utterly unacceptable in a democracy. In a sane world, House Republicans would be drafting impeachment articles today and Senate Republicans would be preparing for a trial to convict and remove him from office
February 14, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Utterly unacceptable in a democracy. In a sane world, House Republicans would be drafting impeachment articles today and Senate Republicans would be preparing for a trial to convict and remove him from office
Hey, while you're at it, stay down there, while we work on giving Florida back to Spain.
N757AF Landed in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Apx. flt. time 1 h 7 min.
February 14, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Hey, while you're at it, stay down there, while we work on giving Florida back to Spain.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
N757AF Landed in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Apx. flt. time 1 h 7 min.
February 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
N757AF Landed in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. Apx. flt. time 1 h 7 min.
Reposted by Paula Schaap
AAAAH THIS WAS MY FAVORITE ONE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY SQUEEEE!!!!!!!
It's baby seal time! This little one really wanted its mom to wake up and play, but mom really just wanted to sleep in for once on a Saturday.
#photography #wildlife #mammals
#photography #wildlife #mammals
February 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
AAAAH THIS WAS MY FAVORITE ONE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY SQUEEEE!!!!!!!
I'm reposting even though my first reaction was, Oh, come on. But as I read further, I remembered Rudy Giuliani standing across from the porn video store in front of a gardening outlet screaming about election fraud with hair dye running down his face.
🚨 President Trump’s Claim of an “Irrefutable” Argument Supporting His Right to Unilaterally Impose Voter ID and Election Rules May Be Based on Insane Claim that Marriott Hotel Manager Found Secret Text in the Shadows of a Microfilm Copy of the U.S. Constitution electionlawblog.org?p=154326
President Trump's Claim of an "Irrefutable" Argument Supporting His Right to Unilaterally Impose Voter ID and Election Rules May Be Based on Insane Claim that Marriott Hotel Manager Found Secret Text ...
Yesterday I noted the latest set of unhinged social media posts from President Trump in which he declared that voter id requirements and other election changes would be imposed in the midterms via exe...
electionlawblog.org
February 14, 2026 at 9:10 PM
I'm reposting even though my first reaction was, Oh, come on. But as I read further, I remembered Rudy Giuliani standing across from the porn video store in front of a gardening outlet screaming about election fraud with hair dye running down his face.