Ridge Cook
@ridgecook.bsky.social
"Blues were here when the world was born." -JL Hooker
“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” — Pablo Casals
“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” — Pablo Casals
Pinned
Ridge Cook
@ridgecook.bsky.social
· Nov 12
🧵1/Before and during the deep Depression, US did not lose its optimism. Various World Fair offered an idea of what may be coming in World of Tomorrow or Cities of the Future displays.
Reposted by Ridge Cook
Yes. Frogs are smarter. But capture of mainstream media, like capture of SCOTUS, has been a longterm goal of the right. This most explicitly dates back to the Reagan era when Reagan and Roy Cohn brought in Rupert Murdoch and killed the Fairness Doctrine and media antitrust. See also Buckley v Valeo
“When the crisis constantly [gets] worse, why do media cover it with the same monotonous…drumbeat?
The media’s desire to sedate its audience is evidenced by NBC News’ new slogan: “Facts. Clarity. Calm.” This is not the time to be calm.
If we start thinking what’s happening is routine, we’re doomed”
The media’s desire to sedate its audience is evidenced by NBC News’ new slogan: “Facts. Clarity. Calm.” This is not the time to be calm.
If we start thinking what’s happening is routine, we’re doomed”
That old metaphor about the frog and the boiling water isn’t true: If you put a frog in a pot of water and slowly raise the heat, the frog will jump out before it gets boiled to death.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
The question now is whether American journalists are smarter than frogs.
My Stop the Presses newsletter.
November 10, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Yes. Frogs are smarter. But capture of mainstream media, like capture of SCOTUS, has been a longterm goal of the right. This most explicitly dates back to the Reagan era when Reagan and Roy Cohn brought in Rupert Murdoch and killed the Fairness Doctrine and media antitrust. See also Buckley v Valeo
Reposted by Ridge Cook
Security researchers believe Landfall was used in the Middle East to target individuals for surveillance, though it is currently unclear who was behind the attacks.
Commercial spyware “Landfall” ran rampant on Samsung phones for almost a year
Targeted attack could steal all of a phone’s data and activate camera or mic.
arstechnica.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Security researchers believe Landfall was used in the Middle East to target individuals for surveillance, though it is currently unclear who was behind the attacks.
As I struggled through the Lords tempest to get my wife sustanence from Kentucky Fried, I was reminded of WC Field's recreation of the old Vaudeville sketch, That Fatal Glass of Beer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJV...
It Ain't A Fit Night Out For Man Or Beast
YouTube video by joe mckechnie
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:43 PM
As I struggled through the Lords tempest to get my wife sustanence from Kentucky Fried, I was reminded of WC Field's recreation of the old Vaudeville sketch, That Fatal Glass of Beer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJV...
This has been the plan since Reagan. Transfer the wealth of the Nation from the 99% to the 1 %. Turn the US into a S American "Republic" in service to Elites.
American middle class is being pushed out of existence: loss of good jobs, loss of workplaces, loss of income, loss of formerly guaranteed benefits, loss of affordable health insurance, loss of health providers, loss of ATCs, loss of FEMA $, loss of data for govt needs to govern, loss of trust...
a woman in a brown jacket says so what happens now hudson and rex
ALT: a woman in a brown jacket says so what happens now hudson and rex
media.tenor.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
This has been the plan since Reagan. Transfer the wealth of the Nation from the 99% to the 1 %. Turn the US into a S American "Republic" in service to Elites.
Still life-Sunday Afternoon Porch.
November 9, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Still life-Sunday Afternoon Porch.
Reposted by Ridge Cook
Just what goes on in those “houses of worship” these days that facilitates their conspicuously hypocritical actions, behaviors, and beliefs? #USDemocracy
November 9, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Just what goes on in those “houses of worship” these days that facilitates their conspicuously hypocritical actions, behaviors, and beliefs? #USDemocracy
Personal recollection-
Living in 3 floor slum apartment/rehearsal space above Verb's bar in Huntington, played LP sitting with Marvin Huffman (local band Jackels fame). Another local band, Not Shakespeare (ironic New Wave stuff) had gone to Calif & Marvin said, "They are going against these guys?" 😁
Living in 3 floor slum apartment/rehearsal space above Verb's bar in Huntington, played LP sitting with Marvin Huffman (local band Jackels fame). Another local band, Not Shakespeare (ironic New Wave stuff) had gone to Calif & Marvin said, "They are going against these guys?" 😁
🧵
1/ Listened to a record on the drive yesterday, it being a compilation of Calif punk from early 80s. I got it when it came out with no clue what was on it but loved the graphics. These were kids immersed in the Reagan Calif governor, then Pres, Republican Administrations.
1/ Listened to a record on the drive yesterday, it being a compilation of Calif punk from early 80s. I got it when it came out with no clue what was on it but loved the graphics. These were kids immersed in the Reagan Calif governor, then Pres, Republican Administrations.
November 9, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Personal recollection-
Living in 3 floor slum apartment/rehearsal space above Verb's bar in Huntington, played LP sitting with Marvin Huffman (local band Jackels fame). Another local band, Not Shakespeare (ironic New Wave stuff) had gone to Calif & Marvin said, "They are going against these guys?" 😁
Living in 3 floor slum apartment/rehearsal space above Verb's bar in Huntington, played LP sitting with Marvin Huffman (local band Jackels fame). Another local band, Not Shakespeare (ironic New Wave stuff) had gone to Calif & Marvin said, "They are going against these guys?" 😁
🧵
1/ Listened to a record on the drive yesterday, it being a compilation of Calif punk from early 80s. I got it when it came out with no clue what was on it but loved the graphics. These were kids immersed in the Reagan Calif governor, then Pres, Republican Administrations.
1/ Listened to a record on the drive yesterday, it being a compilation of Calif punk from early 80s. I got it when it came out with no clue what was on it but loved the graphics. These were kids immersed in the Reagan Calif governor, then Pres, Republican Administrations.
November 9, 2025 at 3:50 AM
🧵
1/ Listened to a record on the drive yesterday, it being a compilation of Calif punk from early 80s. I got it when it came out with no clue what was on it but loved the graphics. These were kids immersed in the Reagan Calif governor, then Pres, Republican Administrations.
1/ Listened to a record on the drive yesterday, it being a compilation of Calif punk from early 80s. I got it when it came out with no clue what was on it but loved the graphics. These were kids immersed in the Reagan Calif governor, then Pres, Republican Administrations.
Reposted by Ridge Cook
Been buying Electro-Voice EVM 12L guitar speakers. Sound great in open back cabinets. But there's a specific design calculated to work directly with the speaker's measured characteristics.
Came in & got a chance to look at it. Follows plans. Kid added removeable batting to try with or without.
Came in & got a chance to look at it. Follows plans. Kid added removeable batting to try with or without.
November 8, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Been buying Electro-Voice EVM 12L guitar speakers. Sound great in open back cabinets. But there's a specific design calculated to work directly with the speaker's measured characteristics.
Came in & got a chance to look at it. Follows plans. Kid added removeable batting to try with or without.
Came in & got a chance to look at it. Follows plans. Kid added removeable batting to try with or without.
I think younger Democrats, or at least those out of the calcified leadership, are beginning to recognize that Corporate Media is not neutral. Often they are less than 5% of revenue and a tool for the remaining 95% of the Conglomerate & its owners.
A tool for the Corporation's, not Nation's, benefit.
A tool for the Corporation's, not Nation's, benefit.
For various reasons, dems have long refused to have the appropriate contempt for our horrible news outlets. More like this
I saw the Washington Post editorial on redistricting today and this is my official response.
November 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I think younger Democrats, or at least those out of the calcified leadership, are beginning to recognize that Corporate Media is not neutral. Often they are less than 5% of revenue and a tool for the remaining 95% of the Conglomerate & its owners.
A tool for the Corporation's, not Nation's, benefit.
A tool for the Corporation's, not Nation's, benefit.
I used to drive with windows open and heat blasting while listening to Beethoven. But as I approach dotage, I keep the windows closed 😁
Driving at night, listening to music and smoking a cigar is the way to travel.
As an aside, the availability of heating and air conditioning has made some blues lyrics archaic.
🎵"Raise your window baby
I an't going out that door
---
There's a man downstairs
It may be your husband
I don't know"🎵
As an aside, the availability of heating and air conditioning has made some blues lyrics archaic.
🎵"Raise your window baby
I an't going out that door
---
There's a man downstairs
It may be your husband
I don't know"🎵
November 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I used to drive with windows open and heat blasting while listening to Beethoven. But as I approach dotage, I keep the windows closed 😁
Driving at night, listening to music and smoking a cigar is the way to travel.
As an aside, the availability of heating and air conditioning has made some blues lyrics archaic.
🎵"Raise your window baby
I an't going out that door
---
There's a man downstairs
It may be your husband
I don't know"🎵
As an aside, the availability of heating and air conditioning has made some blues lyrics archaic.
🎵"Raise your window baby
I an't going out that door
---
There's a man downstairs
It may be your husband
I don't know"🎵
November 8, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Driving at night, listening to music and smoking a cigar is the way to travel.
As an aside, the availability of heating and air conditioning has made some blues lyrics archaic.
🎵"Raise your window baby
I an't going out that door
---
There's a man downstairs
It may be your husband
I don't know"🎵
As an aside, the availability of heating and air conditioning has made some blues lyrics archaic.
🎵"Raise your window baby
I an't going out that door
---
There's a man downstairs
It may be your husband
I don't know"🎵
Reposted by Ridge Cook
Murdering humans in the Caribbean Sea. Risking starvation of tens of millions of Americans. Urging abusive federal agents to use deadly force.
Can Americans agree to never again elect a man who could not care less about human life, except for his own?
Can Americans agree to never again elect a man who could not care less about human life, except for his own?
November 8, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Murdering humans in the Caribbean Sea. Risking starvation of tens of millions of Americans. Urging abusive federal agents to use deadly force.
Can Americans agree to never again elect a man who could not care less about human life, except for his own?
Can Americans agree to never again elect a man who could not care less about human life, except for his own?
Is there any surprise?
The Corrupt Roberts Court will bend in any direction to support Trump and the Supine GOP.
The Corrupt Roberts Court will bend in any direction to support Trump and the Supine GOP.
November 8, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Is there any surprise?
The Corrupt Roberts Court will bend in any direction to support Trump and the Supine GOP.
The Corrupt Roberts Court will bend in any direction to support Trump and the Supine GOP.
Reposted by Ridge Cook
Every fucking week this shit crosses my damn phone and we still don't have a valid explanation on why are we dropping shot on fishing boats?
November 7, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Every fucking week this shit crosses my damn phone and we still don't have a valid explanation on why are we dropping shot on fishing boats?
Reposted by Ridge Cook
A lot more than it is today.
This is really almost an obsessive belief that democracy is dead in a country were democracy is very clearly alive.
This is really almost an obsessive belief that democracy is dead in a country were democracy is very clearly alive.
How imperfect does it have to be before it stops being one?
November 7, 2025 at 3:55 AM
A lot more than it is today.
This is really almost an obsessive belief that democracy is dead in a country were democracy is very clearly alive.
This is really almost an obsessive belief that democracy is dead in a country were democracy is very clearly alive.
Zohran showed how to win in NYC with its issues.
There is *NO* one size fits all. Each state and district has its own character and issues. The best candidates will address those. The mediocre will listen to advice from DC consultants trying to shoehorn them into an unnatural pose and lose.
There is *NO* one size fits all. Each state and district has its own character and issues. The best candidates will address those. The mediocre will listen to advice from DC consultants trying to shoehorn them into an unnatural pose and lose.
Dear Bluesky
Zohran Mamdani showed the Democratic party exactly how to win, but I fear they will totally deny the lesson. Meanwhile, ballroom boy has already pivoted to affordability. Please don’t let the old guard lose yet another election due to corruption and incompetence.
Thanks,
God
Zohran Mamdani showed the Democratic party exactly how to win, but I fear they will totally deny the lesson. Meanwhile, ballroom boy has already pivoted to affordability. Please don’t let the old guard lose yet another election due to corruption and incompetence.
Thanks,
God
November 7, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Zohran showed how to win in NYC with its issues.
There is *NO* one size fits all. Each state and district has its own character and issues. The best candidates will address those. The mediocre will listen to advice from DC consultants trying to shoehorn them into an unnatural pose and lose.
There is *NO* one size fits all. Each state and district has its own character and issues. The best candidates will address those. The mediocre will listen to advice from DC consultants trying to shoehorn them into an unnatural pose and lose.
Because DC based consultants can't sell their wares in 50 states and dozens and dozens of districts. If only one size fit all, then invoicing would be much, much easier.
I don’t understand camps saying: Dems need to follow the Mamdani model to win the midterms; or Dems need to follow the Spanberger model to win. It’s a big country. Different approaches work in different places. Candidates who connect w/their specific constituencies is the model.
November 7, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Because DC based consultants can't sell their wares in 50 states and dozens and dozens of districts. If only one size fit all, then invoicing would be much, much easier.
Ha!
Yes the usual suspects came out on election day but there were some surprised in the results. Is it pure Trump distain?
The images of tearing down the White House had a greater impact than the "smart" people in DC thought.
(and he is stiffing the contractor, as usual).
Yes the usual suspects came out on election day but there were some surprised in the results. Is it pure Trump distain?
The images of tearing down the White House had a greater impact than the "smart" people in DC thought.
(and he is stiffing the contractor, as usual).
"if it werent for all those durn liberals in nellysford we wouldnt have lost nelson county"
November 7, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Ha!
Yes the usual suspects came out on election day but there were some surprised in the results. Is it pure Trump distain?
The images of tearing down the White House had a greater impact than the "smart" people in DC thought.
(and he is stiffing the contractor, as usual).
Yes the usual suspects came out on election day but there were some surprised in the results. Is it pure Trump distain?
The images of tearing down the White House had a greater impact than the "smart" people in DC thought.
(and he is stiffing the contractor, as usual).
When there is a Democratic Congress and Admin, all the subsidies to Elmo's companies and other business which can award such astronomical salaries & bonuses need to be reviewed.
If they have the money to do that, they don't need our tax revenue.
If they have the money to do that, they don't need our tax revenue.
I've got nothing witty or insightful, just this -- fuck Musk. Just, fuck that guy. Wotta asshole. Saying it while we can. Everybody on earth would have to say it 125 times to equal his salary. I dunno, maybe worth a shot.
To put this in scale, Elon Musk's salary from Tesla alone could fund the SNAP program for the entire country into 2034.
November 7, 2025 at 12:41 AM
When there is a Democratic Congress and Admin, all the subsidies to Elmo's companies and other business which can award such astronomical salaries & bonuses need to be reviewed.
If they have the money to do that, they don't need our tax revenue.
If they have the money to do that, they don't need our tax revenue.
Reposted by Ridge Cook
ICYMI (click to the footage of Pritzker)
@11tulips.bsky.social @dennowayne.bsky.social @beachpebblegirl.bsky.social @stevesawyer12.bsky.social @halfmarshall.bsky.social @jakichantler.bsky.social @tepizep.bsky.social @sailormichael.bsky.social @ridgecook.bsky.social @davidhemond.bsky.social
@11tulips.bsky.social @dennowayne.bsky.social @beachpebblegirl.bsky.social @stevesawyer12.bsky.social @halfmarshall.bsky.social @jakichantler.bsky.social @tepizep.bsky.social @sailormichael.bsky.social @ridgecook.bsky.social @davidhemond.bsky.social
Not to replace substance with message but I genuinely do not think that the GOP establishment is prepared, nor capable, of regulating itself in a world where all high profile democrats are directly staring into a camera and telling Trump to go fuck himself.
From the top rope
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
"Let them eat carpet"
incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty
November 6, 2025 at 6:12 PM
"Let them eat carpet"
Reposted by Ridge Cook
Reposted by Ridge Cook
It's very common to label everything for dementia patients...
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 AM
It's very common to label everything for dementia patients...