riffle
@riffle.bsky.social
Skeltering, without helter, in place. That place is US America.
"America: Premodern Leadership for Postmodern Times."
"America: Premodern Leadership for Postmodern Times."
Pinned
riffle
@riffle.bsky.social
· Feb 5
So much bad news recently I've been burying my head in the sand.
Today I wish I'd used flammable sand.
Today I wish I'd used flammable sand.
Reposted by riffle
Five days ago: georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/23/f...
Today, the FBI raided Fulton Count, GA's elections office to take voter information, despite losing a lawsuit for access to that information.
Today, the FBI raided Fulton Count, GA's elections office to take voter information, despite losing a lawsuit for access to that information.
January 29, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Five days ago: georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/23/f...
Today, the FBI raided Fulton Count, GA's elections office to take voter information, despite losing a lawsuit for access to that information.
Today, the FBI raided Fulton Count, GA's elections office to take voter information, despite losing a lawsuit for access to that information.
Reposted by riffle
Kristi Noem is precisely the kind of person you'll want to prohibit from holding federal office again in the future.
This can't be resign OR face impeachment. It really has to be both.
This can't be resign OR face impeachment. It really has to be both.
It's been a while, but here's another reminder that it can be both.
Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached after his resignation.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached after his resignation.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Democrats' calls for Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment grow louder
Eight more Democrats have joined a resolution to impeach the homeland security secretary after the latest fatal shooting by a federal agent.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Kristi Noem is precisely the kind of person you'll want to prohibit from holding federal office again in the future.
This can't be resign OR face impeachment. It really has to be both.
This can't be resign OR face impeachment. It really has to be both.
Reposted by riffle
Would like to see more descriptive work on what people really mean when they tell pollsters that the Democratic and Republican parties are "out of touch." People in DC interpret this as an ideological statement, but they're just committing the Strategist's Fallacy substack.com/@gelliottmor...
G. Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris)
One thing I’d like to see more work on (and slotting this into a survey soon) is exploring what people mean when they say the Dem and Rep parties are “out of touch.” There is an assumption in DC that…
substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Would like to see more descriptive work on what people really mean when they tell pollsters that the Democratic and Republican parties are "out of touch." People in DC interpret this as an ideological statement, but they're just committing the Strategist's Fallacy substack.com/@gelliottmor...
Reposted by riffle
It is a super safe vaccine against CANCER.
Why is our govt attacking vaccines that prevent cancer?
Why is our govt attacking vaccines that prevent cancer?
I am hearing that RFK Jr.’s minions are going to go after HPV vaccines. I’ve got problems with these people and now you’re going to hear about them, first from a personal perspective and then from a professional one.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
It all boils down to this: WE HAVE A SAFE VACCINE THAT PREVENTS CANCER.
January 28, 2026 at 9:02 PM
It is a super safe vaccine against CANCER.
Why is our govt attacking vaccines that prevent cancer?
Why is our govt attacking vaccines that prevent cancer?
Reposted by riffle
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Stay free
Stay free
Reposted by riffle
An important message from King Philip II of Spain:
"A massive Armada is heading to England. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great flagship San Martín, than any previously sent against heretics or rebels."
"A massive Armada is heading to England. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great flagship San Martín, than any previously sent against heretics or rebels."
January 28, 2026 at 4:13 PM
An important message from King Philip II of Spain:
"A massive Armada is heading to England. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great flagship San Martín, than any previously sent against heretics or rebels."
"A massive Armada is heading to England. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great flagship San Martín, than any previously sent against heretics or rebels."
Reposted by riffle
This is why I have real fucking problem with blithe criticisms of "polarization" or "congressional dysfunction." We have a Republican member blaming his colleague for being attacked.
The problem isn't polarization or dysfunction. It's the Republican Party.
The problem isn't polarization or dysfunction. It's the Republican Party.
Rep. Randy Fine on Ilhan Omar getting attacked: "I blame Ilhan Omar for what happened"
January 28, 2026 at 4:00 PM
This is why I have real fucking problem with blithe criticisms of "polarization" or "congressional dysfunction." We have a Republican member blaming his colleague for being attacked.
The problem isn't polarization or dysfunction. It's the Republican Party.
The problem isn't polarization or dysfunction. It's the Republican Party.
Reposted by riffle
The “Week in Pictures” when it comes to international trade — Starmer in Beijing, Von der Leyen with Modi — have nothing to do with the US.
January 28, 2026 at 4:15 PM
The “Week in Pictures” when it comes to international trade — Starmer in Beijing, Von der Leyen with Modi — have nothing to do with the US.
Reposted by riffle
A clock that counts down how much time we have left to replace the Doomsday Clock
The Doomsday Clock was designed for a world where scientists could step outside the institutions that created existential threats and speak with independent authority. We may no longer live in that world. The question is what we build to replace it — and how much time we have left to do so.
Who do you believe about the end of the world?
The Doomsday Clock is keeping time for a world that no longer exists.
www.vox.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:45 PM
A clock that counts down how much time we have left to replace the Doomsday Clock
Reposted by riffle
Story time!
once upon a time I worked at a local comics shop in an Southern college town. Upstart business run by an enthusiast. His business partner left to deal drugs and left him in the lurch, so half the time I took my pay in store credit.
Cal was okay but he had this anger problem we were always workin on
Cal was okay but he had this anger problem we were always workin on
January 28, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Story time!
Reposted by riffle
Real great having a President who doesn’t have the first fucking clue how the country is run and whose theory of government is “I love bribes and my current urges have the force of Law”.
January 28, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Real great having a President who doesn’t have the first fucking clue how the country is run and whose theory of government is “I love bribes and my current urges have the force of Law”.
Reposted by riffle
As always, Sean Doolittle is speaking out, connecting allllllllll the dots.
(dear white mlb players, please start being more like Sean & Strider and much, much, much less like Chipper Jones & Matt Shaw. Please. *yes I know this is a gigantic/almost impossible ask*)
#MLB
(dear white mlb players, please start being more like Sean & Strider and much, much, much less like Chipper Jones & Matt Shaw. Please. *yes I know this is a gigantic/almost impossible ask*)
#MLB
January 28, 2026 at 2:16 PM
As always, Sean Doolittle is speaking out, connecting allllllllll the dots.
(dear white mlb players, please start being more like Sean & Strider and much, much, much less like Chipper Jones & Matt Shaw. Please. *yes I know this is a gigantic/almost impossible ask*)
#MLB
(dear white mlb players, please start being more like Sean & Strider and much, much, much less like Chipper Jones & Matt Shaw. Please. *yes I know this is a gigantic/almost impossible ask*)
#MLB
Reposted by riffle
DC comrades, vigil for Alex Pretti at the VA headquarters on Vermont Ave at 5:30. I don't blame anyone who doesn't want to go out in this but just in case.
January 28, 2026 at 2:41 PM
DC comrades, vigil for Alex Pretti at the VA headquarters on Vermont Ave at 5:30. I don't blame anyone who doesn't want to go out in this but just in case.
Reposted by riffle
Trump’s fundraisers are now using the threat of dispatching ICE against citizens as an email engagement tactic.
January 28, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Trump’s fundraisers are now using the threat of dispatching ICE against citizens as an email engagement tactic.
Reposted by riffle
I'm a reporter and editor with Task & Purpose. I want to talk to VA employees, better yet Minneapolis VA ones. What has the VA said to you after Alex Pretti's death? Has there been any message? Any asks not to discuss? What? Will protect sources, use 1st names only, etc. Signal handle is nslayton.12
January 28, 2026 at 4:30 AM
I'm a reporter and editor with Task & Purpose. I want to talk to VA employees, better yet Minneapolis VA ones. What has the VA said to you after Alex Pretti's death? Has there been any message? Any asks not to discuss? What? Will protect sources, use 1st names only, etc. Signal handle is nslayton.12
Reposted by riffle
So Berube looks like this due to a gym accident, he won't say what happened other than that it was "stupid"
Craig Berube learned a simple lesson over the Leafs’ 0-4-1 homestand 😬
January 28, 2026 at 4:04 AM
So Berube looks like this due to a gym accident, he won't say what happened other than that it was "stupid"
Reposted by riffle
Best read (if at all) after refreshing one's recollection about the rants in his interview with Isaac Chotiner www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
![Q: You wrote last week, “In the United States, if the total death toll increases at about the same rate, the current 67 deaths should translate into about 500 deaths at the end.” We are currently at eight hundred deaths—over eight hundred deaths. [This was true when we spoke; the number is now over two thousand.]
A: First of all, let me just say I wrote an amendment to that, the thing I regret most in that whole paper. But I was not so much interested in explaining why my number was right. I was interested in explaining why the other projections were wrong.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kfaxgen4pxdnmtho7tj4tijr/bafkreifbfwxns7onmah7cemgwdhmwpuv3canhd3wwo65e7kg55o2vbpfsy@jpeg)
January 28, 2026 at 4:47 AM
Best read (if at all) after refreshing one's recollection about the rants in his interview with Isaac Chotiner www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
Just watched an eccentric and enjoyable film: "The Plot Against Harry," about a minor Jewish gangster's life after prison. It's funny and a bit touching.
Packs plenty of incident into 81 minutes and is ripe with late 60s NYC and NY Jewish culture. Charmed me.
m.imdb.com/title/tt0064...
Packs plenty of incident into 81 minutes and is ripe with late 60s NYC and NY Jewish culture. Charmed me.
m.imdb.com/title/tt0064...
The Plot Against Harry (1971) ⭐ 7.0 | Comedy, Crime
1h 21m
m.imdb.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Just watched an eccentric and enjoyable film: "The Plot Against Harry," about a minor Jewish gangster's life after prison. It's funny and a bit touching.
Packs plenty of incident into 81 minutes and is ripe with late 60s NYC and NY Jewish culture. Charmed me.
m.imdb.com/title/tt0064...
Packs plenty of incident into 81 minutes and is ripe with late 60s NYC and NY Jewish culture. Charmed me.
m.imdb.com/title/tt0064...
Reposted by riffle
In response to announcement that he will be a new CBS contributor, Andrew Huberman tweeted “I’ve always gone issue-by-issue on health & science, spoken to experts w/a range of takes & presented where I see the center of (data) mass pointed. I’ll do the same with @CBSNews”. In Sept he posted this:
January 28, 2026 at 1:44 AM
In response to announcement that he will be a new CBS contributor, Andrew Huberman tweeted “I’ve always gone issue-by-issue on health & science, spoken to experts w/a range of takes & presented where I see the center of (data) mass pointed. I’ll do the same with @CBSNews”. In Sept he posted this:
Reposted by riffle
Pro tip for any Hill journos, the Speaker can approve 24hr protection for Members who are under heightened threat. Omar used to have this, but Mike Johnson took it away. You should ask him about that
January 28, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Pro tip for any Hill journos, the Speaker can approve 24hr protection for Members who are under heightened threat. Omar used to have this, but Mike Johnson took it away. You should ask him about that
Reposted by riffle
A reminder that ICE hasn’t slowed down in Minneapolis at all.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
January 27, 2026 at 7:57 PM
A reminder that ICE hasn’t slowed down in Minneapolis at all.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Outside of Minnesota, it might feel like everything has changed since Alex Pretti’s murder. But ICE hasn’t actually lost any power and they’re continuing to terrorize our communities.
Reposted by riffle
Something important to understand about ICE thugs in the Twin Cities is that they're harassing innocent kids and parents at bus stops and schools every single day. Even after the Pretti shooting. It's terrorism.
January 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Something important to understand about ICE thugs in the Twin Cities is that they're harassing innocent kids and parents at bus stops and schools every single day. Even after the Pretti shooting. It's terrorism.
Reposted by riffle
Only took a few days to go from invincible fascist dictatorship to "I was just following orders"
"Noem has complained to others that she feels she's being hung out to dry over the episode and has made sure to emphasize she took direction from Miller and the president"
www.axios.com/2026/01/27/t...
www.axios.com/2026/01/27/t...
Scoop: Stephen Miller behind misleading claim that Alex Pretti wanted to "massacre" agents
The episode illustrates the sheer power of Miller, Trump's close and longest-serving political adviser
www.axios.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Only took a few days to go from invincible fascist dictatorship to "I was just following orders"
Reposted by riffle
You're all focused on the first sentence, but I want to talk about the second sentence, featuring what might be the weakest ever constituency link.
January 27, 2026 at 8:43 PM
You're all focused on the first sentence, but I want to talk about the second sentence, featuring what might be the weakest ever constituency link.
Reposted by riffle
Once again, they are telling on their own vulnerabilities: social opprobrium. But there's a reason why the protesters largely aren't masked and the DHS officials largely are: only the latter has shameful behavior to hide.
TOM HOMAN: “We’re going to create a database where those people that are arrested for interference, impeding and assault, we’re going to make them famous. We’re going to put their face on TV. We’re going to let their employers, in their neighborhoods, in their schools, know who these people are.”
Story: www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/u...
January 27, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Once again, they are telling on their own vulnerabilities: social opprobrium. But there's a reason why the protesters largely aren't masked and the DHS officials largely are: only the latter has shameful behavior to hide.