RJ Sheperd
@rjsheperd.com
Sentient human interested in all things Cycling / Transit / Cities / Decentralized Web / Lisp / Clojure / Geospatial.
📍 Portland, OR
Check out: #RailSky #WalkNRoll #PDXBikes #BikeBus #Transit #YIMBY #DWeb #Clojure #GIS #maps
📍 Portland, OR
Check out: #RailSky #WalkNRoll #PDXBikes #BikeBus #Transit #YIMBY #DWeb #Clojure #GIS #maps
Pinned
RJ Sheperd
@rjsheperd.com
· Jun 27
#HB2025 funding for roads, transit & rail needs your help! If you or people you know live in the Oregon Coast or Eastern Oregon, please ask contact these legislators: Sen. Todd Nash, Sen Suzanne Weber, and Sen. Dick Anderson.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Opinion | Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:26 AM
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
If Pam Bondi had any decency, she would resign.
February 11, 2026 at 10:06 PM
If Pam Bondi had any decency, she would resign.
Love being told that I, a non-car-owner, need to pay the same rate as my neighbors who own four 5+ ton death machines that will continue to rip up our roads.
Having to cough up $150/year to subsidize "free" parking, Autonomous Tesla pedo-mobiles and monster-sized SUV's/Trucks is NO from me.
Having to cough up $150/year to subsidize "free" parking, Autonomous Tesla pedo-mobiles and monster-sized SUV's/Trucks is NO from me.
February 11, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Love being told that I, a non-car-owner, need to pay the same rate as my neighbors who own four 5+ ton death machines that will continue to rip up our roads.
Having to cough up $150/year to subsidize "free" parking, Autonomous Tesla pedo-mobiles and monster-sized SUV's/Trucks is NO from me.
Having to cough up $150/year to subsidize "free" parking, Autonomous Tesla pedo-mobiles and monster-sized SUV's/Trucks is NO from me.
GTFO off of Google.
Your data is not your data if it's in a GMail/Google Drive.
It's just another surveillance program masquerading as a tech product.
#DeGoogle
Your data is not your data if it's in a GMail/Google Drive.
It's just another surveillance program masquerading as a tech product.
#DeGoogle
February 11, 2026 at 12:57 AM
GTFO off of Google.
Your data is not your data if it's in a GMail/Google Drive.
It's just another surveillance program masquerading as a tech product.
#DeGoogle
Your data is not your data if it's in a GMail/Google Drive.
It's just another surveillance program masquerading as a tech product.
#DeGoogle
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad
February 10, 2026 at 8:18 PM
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
"construction jobs are way up" [EXTREMELY LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER]
February 10, 2026 at 9:44 PM
"construction jobs are way up" [EXTREMELY LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER]
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
"The most important lesson about local speed mitigation tactics is that they save lives; researchers don’t doubt effectiveness. Even better, many residents are eager to see them implemented. The missing link: policymakers courageous enough to do the right thing." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The Best Tactics for Tackling Speeders
Drivers who exceed speed limits are the cause of about one-third of all crash deaths in the US. To slow them down and save lives, cities have several effective tools.
www.bloomberg.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:20 PM
"The most important lesson about local speed mitigation tactics is that they save lives; researchers don’t doubt effectiveness. Even better, many residents are eager to see them implemented. The missing link: policymakers courageous enough to do the right thing." www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate
US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.
www.aljazeera.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:29 PM
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
Listen to this. Not a penny more for this. Abolish and prosecute anyone who had anything to do with it.
"A modern-day concentration camp ... People have been killed by the staff here." Irish citizen Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention since September, despite having a valid work permit and his own business in the US.
February 10, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Listen to this. Not a penny more for this. Abolish and prosecute anyone who had anything to do with it.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
It is so fundamentally obscene and offensive that any data centre developer feels brave enough to tout "jobs created" as selling point when the core selling point of the product they offer is to explicitly cut as many jobs as possible
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Telstra to axe more than 200 jobs amid AI rollout
Some jobs will be moved offshore in wake of telco’s $700m joint venture with tech consultancy Accenture
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:15 PM
It is so fundamentally obscene and offensive that any data centre developer feels brave enough to tout "jobs created" as selling point when the core selling point of the product they offer is to explicitly cut as many jobs as possible
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
I hear a lot about a future of "shared" AVs where riders travel with strangers. Not gonna happen.
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
February 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM
I hear a lot about a future of "shared" AVs where riders travel with strangers. Not gonna happen.
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Most people -- esp women, as per this study -- don't want to sit alone with someone stinky or creepy. Nor are they willing to let others' itineraries dictate their route.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tr...
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
have never seen popular public opinion shift so fast about a surveillance product than the fallout from ring's super bowl "search party" ad. they'll teach this in advertising courses one day. chef's kiss baby www.404media.co/with-ring-am...
With Ring, American Consumers Built a Surveillance Dragnet
Ring's 'Search Party' is dystopian surveillance accelerationism.
www.404media.co
February 10, 2026 at 3:14 PM
have never seen popular public opinion shift so fast about a surveillance product than the fallout from ring's super bowl "search party" ad. they'll teach this in advertising courses one day. chef's kiss baby www.404media.co/with-ring-am...
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
[frantically raising hand] ooh, ooh. I know. Because Americans have a constitutional right to vote but don't have a right to open a bank account or drive a car.
Mike Johnson: "Americans need an ID to drive, to open a bank account, to buy cold medicine, to file govt assistance, even to attend the DNC. So why would voting be any different? They can't answer that question."
February 10, 2026 at 3:32 PM
[frantically raising hand] ooh, ooh. I know. Because Americans have a constitutional right to vote but don't have a right to open a bank account or drive a car.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
When I worked in a cafe in NE Seattle, I saw that the bulk of our customers were from the neighborhood and just walked to our location. Most of the cars parked in front were by people who never frequented our or any other store. Cars do not drive business (pun intended).
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:58 PM
When I worked in a cafe in NE Seattle, I saw that the bulk of our customers were from the neighborhood and just walked to our location. Most of the cars parked in front were by people who never frequented our or any other store. Cars do not drive business (pun intended).
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
Every city that I know of that’s established an in-house team to deliver ‘missing middle’ small-capital projects has had huge success.
Our crew-built work is one big way that we’re delivering the Seattle Transportation Levy.
By using in-house construction crews, we complete improvements that you’ve requested with lower costs and faster timelines.
Here are 9 recently completed projects from our inspector’s camera roll:
By using in-house construction crews, we complete improvements that you’ve requested with lower costs and faster timelines.
Here are 9 recently completed projects from our inspector’s camera roll:
February 5, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Every city that I know of that’s established an in-house team to deliver ‘missing middle’ small-capital projects has had huge success.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
I don't think the average Californian fully appreciates how bad this situation has become. We're essentially sitting on a ticking time bomb.
The current exposure for the California FAIR plan (California’s insurer of last resort) sits at $724 billion. Its liability almost doubled in two years and is now more than double the state’s annual budget. In its most recent financial reporting it had about $1.5 billion on hand.
February 3, 2026 at 11:06 PM
I don't think the average Californian fully appreciates how bad this situation has become. We're essentially sitting on a ticking time bomb.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
Right now: the federal government has to help these folks and get the power back on, and if they can’t, they should resign
After that: we need a Grid New Deal and rebuild the grid for this century
After that: we need a Grid New Deal and rebuild the grid for this century
Tens of thousands of people across Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana have gone a week without power or heat after a brutal ice storm. At least three dozen people have died in connection with the storm, officials have said.
Fear and Anger Grow as Thousands Remain Without Power in the South
More than 30 people have died across three Southern states in connection with last week’s storm, and thousands remain without power.
nyti.ms
February 2, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Right now: the federal government has to help these folks and get the power back on, and if they can’t, they should resign
After that: we need a Grid New Deal and rebuild the grid for this century
After that: we need a Grid New Deal and rebuild the grid for this century
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
In many of the first generation of modern concentration camp systems (near the turn of the twentieth century), the vast majority of deaths were caused by disease and malnutrition. Most of the victims were women and children.
It appears there is now a measles outbreak at the Dilley family detention facility. www.sacurrent.com/news/san-ant...
Source: Measles outbreak reported at ICE's Dilley family detention facility
DPS troopers stand guard in front of the Dilley detention center during a protest last weekend. After a week of public outcry over the Dilley, Texas South
www.sacurrent.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:29 AM
In many of the first generation of modern concentration camp systems (near the turn of the twentieth century), the vast majority of deaths were caused by disease and malnutrition. Most of the victims were women and children.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
Not only are these folks making a roundabout doing more to protect people than MPLS police, they’re also doing more than city‘s traffic engineers.
In the south side of Minneapolis, community members have started setting up filter blockades- which are make shift roundabouts. The intent is to slow down the erratic ICE driving behavior among other things. Full report to come on @statuscoupnews.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Not only are these folks making a roundabout doing more to protect people than MPLS police, they’re also doing more than city‘s traffic engineers.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
People say we can't compare this to the Third Reich because of the atrocities but we only found out about the atrocities after the fact when it was all said and done and we're not done with this yet so I am sure the worst stomach churning shit has yet to be revealed.
ICYMI: The US is currently holding three times as many people in immigrant detention as were detained in the Nazi concentration camp system in spring 1939 — six years into the Third Reich, and just before the start of World War II.
February 1, 2026 at 10:26 PM
People say we can't compare this to the Third Reich because of the atrocities but we only found out about the atrocities after the fact when it was all said and done and we're not done with this yet so I am sure the worst stomach churning shit has yet to be revealed.
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
note to national Democrats: you can do this too when you have the majority
there is nothing stopping court expansion other than norms that have long since become obsolete in the face of a radical, out of control majority currently enabling a fascist lunatic
there is nothing stopping court expansion other than norms that have long since become obsolete in the face of a radical, out of control majority currently enabling a fascist lunatic
The Utah governor just signed a bill to expand his state's supreme court by two seats.
Conservatives have been angry at a series of judicial rulings, including one that safeguarded direct democracy in 2024 & one that struck down their gerrymander. 1st step of their retaliation.
Conservatives have been angry at a series of judicial rulings, including one that safeguarded direct democracy in 2024 & one that struck down their gerrymander. 1st step of their retaliation.
February 1, 2026 at 4:53 PM
note to national Democrats: you can do this too when you have the majority
there is nothing stopping court expansion other than norms that have long since become obsolete in the face of a radical, out of control majority currently enabling a fascist lunatic
there is nothing stopping court expansion other than norms that have long since become obsolete in the face of a radical, out of control majority currently enabling a fascist lunatic
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
Thought we should check in on the total list of legislative flips during Trump 2.0. The tally so far (including tonight):
Democrats: 26 flips
Republicans: 0 flips
Democrats: 26 flips
Republicans: 0 flips
February 1, 2026 at 5:19 AM
Thought we should check in on the total list of legislative flips during Trump 2.0. The tally so far (including tonight):
Democrats: 26 flips
Republicans: 0 flips
Democrats: 26 flips
Republicans: 0 flips
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
If your children got tear gassed today I want to hear from you, even if you don’t live in my district. You can contact my office at councilor.green@portlandoregon.gov
February 1, 2026 at 6:06 AM
If your children got tear gassed today I want to hear from you, even if you don’t live in my district. You can contact my office at councilor.green@portlandoregon.gov
Reposted by RJ Sheperd
I join my City Councilors in calling for prosecution of ICE for this flagrant violation of city and state law. This is illegal, and if ICE does this to families and children on a sunny peaceful daytime protest, I shudder to think what they do without that kind of daylight and public scrutiny.
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 5:11 AM
I join my City Councilors in calling for prosecution of ICE for this flagrant violation of city and state law. This is illegal, and if ICE does this to families and children on a sunny peaceful daytime protest, I shudder to think what they do without that kind of daylight and public scrutiny.