Roger Provost
@rprovost.bsky.social
Retired chemist, microbiologist (PhD). Can we keep our struggling democratic republic (AKA democracy)?
Reposted by Roger Provost
"Putin is in the real estate business in Ukraine the same way Hitler was in the real estate business in Poland. . . In that kind of situation, having a bunch of 'real estate deal guys' as America’s negotiators is a liability, not an advantage."--Thomas Friedman
December 5, 2025 at 3:36 AM
"Putin is in the real estate business in Ukraine the same way Hitler was in the real estate business in Poland. . . In that kind of situation, having a bunch of 'real estate deal guys' as America’s negotiators is a liability, not an advantage."--Thomas Friedman
Reposted by Roger Provost
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff spent five hours with Putin. No State Department. No Secretary of State. No NATO partners. No cameras. They walked in with “peace” talking points and walked out with nothing. There was no real negotiation, no plan. Every serious proposal was rejected.
December 5, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff spent five hours with Putin. No State Department. No Secretary of State. No NATO partners. No cameras. They walked in with “peace” talking points and walked out with nothing. There was no real negotiation, no plan. Every serious proposal was rejected.
Reposted by Roger Provost
It's wild but not surprising that last week the White House was leaning into "these seditious Democrats dared suggest that troops were receiving illegal orders!!!" and this week they are scrambling to figure out who to blame for issuing illegal orders.
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 AM
It's wild but not surprising that last week the White House was leaning into "these seditious Democrats dared suggest that troops were receiving illegal orders!!!" and this week they are scrambling to figure out who to blame for issuing illegal orders.
Reposted by Roger Provost
Kushner’s literal defense of managing $2 billion of Saudi dollars was that he would no longer again participate in government
December 1, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Kushner’s literal defense of managing $2 billion of Saudi dollars was that he would no longer again participate in government
Reposted by Roger Provost
This explains so much of what we are seeing.
After years of struggling to find enough workers for some of the nation’s toughest lockups, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is facing a new challenge: Corrections officers are jumping ship for more lucrative jobs at ICE.
By @keribla.bsky.social
By @keribla.bsky.social
As Federal Prisons Run Low on Food and Toilet Paper, Corrections Officers Leave in Droves for ICE
Many of the problems the agency is facing now are not new, but staff and prisoners fear an exodus of officers could make life behind bars even worse.
www.propublica.org
November 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
This explains so much of what we are seeing.
Reposted by Roger Provost
If the Venezuelan sailors were enemy combatants, then the 2nd strike is a war crime.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
November 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
If the Venezuelan sailors were enemy combatants, then the 2nd strike is a war crime.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
Reposted by Roger Provost
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
November 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
Reposted by Roger Provost
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
Apparently she offered to cover other people's shifts so they could go home to their families for the holiday.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
Two National Guard members were tasked with serving the nation. One is dead as the other fights for his life after shooting | CNN
On a day when many families gather across the country to give thanks, a National Guard member’s family is mourning her death after an ambush-style shooting in Washington, DC, as her colleague fights f...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
Reposted by Roger Provost
National Guard aren’t ICE or Border Patrol. They didn’t sign up looking to harass and repress people. They’re volunteers, part time, in case of emergency. They didn’t ask for this.
West Virginia National Guard shouldn’t have been deployed in Washington DC.
Victims of the shooter and the president.
West Virginia National Guard shouldn’t have been deployed in Washington DC.
Victims of the shooter and the president.
November 28, 2025 at 3:06 AM
National Guard aren’t ICE or Border Patrol. They didn’t sign up looking to harass and repress people. They’re volunteers, part time, in case of emergency. They didn’t ask for this.
West Virginia National Guard shouldn’t have been deployed in Washington DC.
Victims of the shooter and the president.
West Virginia National Guard shouldn’t have been deployed in Washington DC.
Victims of the shooter and the president.
Reposted by Roger Provost
Can someone show the White House Press Corpse a montage of the reporters who covered previous administrations, the ones who weren't complete cowards?
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan
November 28, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Can someone show the White House Press Corpse a montage of the reporters who covered previous administrations, the ones who weren't complete cowards?
Reposted by Roger Provost
No one wants to be the first. I guarantee that once someone breaks the seal and says something, others will feel more confident doing so moving forward. Courage is contagious
I can’t tell if it’s cowardice or some fucked up sense of decorum that makes no sense in the current environment with this fuckin guy
November 28, 2025 at 2:23 AM
No one wants to be the first. I guarantee that once someone breaks the seal and says something, others will feel more confident doing so moving forward. Courage is contagious
Reposted by Roger Provost
I can’t believe people in the room don’t push back. It doesn’t matter if he’s the president, part of holding him accountable is standing up to his bullying— especially if he’s doing it right in front of your face
“You’re a stupid person” — Trump lashes out at a reporter who presses him on the fact that the suspected DC shooter was actually thoroughly vetted before he was let in the US from Afghanistan
November 28, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I can’t believe people in the room don’t push back. It doesn’t matter if he’s the president, part of holding him accountable is standing up to his bullying— especially if he’s doing it right in front of your face
Reposted by Roger Provost
Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines “dangerous,” has been named the second in command at the CDC.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
C.D.C. Quietly Appoints Doctor Critical of Vaccines as Second in Command
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines “dangerous,” has been named the second in command at the CDC.
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
(Gift article)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
Reposted by Roger Provost
"It is against the TOS to be talked into suicide by our LLM" is possibly the most evil tech bro thing I've ever read
Additionally, OpenAI argues its not liable because Raine, by using ChatGPT for self-harm, broke its terms of service
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
"It is against the TOS to be talked into suicide by our LLM" is possibly the most evil tech bro thing I've ever read
Reposted by Roger Provost
I hope folks realize that between Trump, Kushner, Hegseth, Witkoff, Noem, RFK, Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard, this country is almost entirely undefended.
Q: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I hope folks realize that between Trump, Kushner, Hegseth, Witkoff, Noem, RFK, Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard, this country is almost entirely undefended.
Reposted by Roger Provost
Previous multiple sclerosis, now the potential role of Epstein Barr virus for driving lupus (SLE)
science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 12, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Previous multiple sclerosis, now the potential role of Epstein Barr virus for driving lupus (SLE)
science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Roger Provost
The cruelty is the point.
"USDA emailed grocery stores around the country telling them not to offer special discounts or deals to SNAP recipients."
"USDA emailed grocery stores around the country telling them not to offer special discounts or deals to SNAP recipients."
SNAP update: USDA tells grocery stores not to give discounts to customers
The USDA told grocery stores not to give SNAP recipients special discounts as benefits remain unpaid amid the government shutdown.
www.newsweek.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The cruelty is the point.
"USDA emailed grocery stores around the country telling them not to offer special discounts or deals to SNAP recipients."
"USDA emailed grocery stores around the country telling them not to offer special discounts or deals to SNAP recipients."
Reposted by Roger Provost
It's been 41 days since Adelita Grijalva was elected by the people of Arizona's seventh congressional district to represent them in Congress.
Mike Johnson still refuses to swear her in.
Mike Johnson still refuses to swear her in.
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
It's been 41 days since Adelita Grijalva was elected by the people of Arizona's seventh congressional district to represent them in Congress.
Mike Johnson still refuses to swear her in.
Mike Johnson still refuses to swear her in.
Reposted by Roger Provost
they’ve made it easier to build concentration camps.
Looking to speed up building network of migrant detention centers, Trump administration turns to the US Navy | CNN Politics
The Department of Homeland Security is funneling $10 billion through the Navy to help facilitate the construction of a sprawling network of migrant detention centers across the US in an arrangement ai...
www.cnn.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:18 AM
they’ve made it easier to build concentration camps.
Reposted by Roger Provost
Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko called on Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers to make Russia’s immobilized bank reserves available for Ukraine from the beginning of 2026, in a meeting held on Oct. 15 in Washington, D.C.
Ukraine finance minister calls for use of Russian frozen assets from 2026
Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko called on Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers to make Russia’s immobilized bank reserves available for Ukraine from the beginning of 2026, in a meeting he...
kyivindependent.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko called on Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers to make Russia’s immobilized bank reserves available for Ukraine from the beginning of 2026, in a meeting held on Oct. 15 in Washington, D.C.
Reposted by Roger Provost
here’s more context to the videos DHS is putting out from Chicago.
October 15, 2025 at 12:39 AM
here’s more context to the videos DHS is putting out from Chicago.
Reposted by Roger Provost
How Chicago managed to defeat Stephen Miller's propaganda, at least so far.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlv...
Stephen Miller's Fever Dreams
YouTube video by emptywheel
www.youtube.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:15 PM
How Chicago managed to defeat Stephen Miller's propaganda, at least so far.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlv...
Reposted by Roger Provost
Watch this, y'all. Stresses the importance of our local indie media and citizens filming these abuses. See you Saturday at No Kings!
How Chicago managed to defeat Stephen Miller's propaganda, at least so far.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlv...
Stephen Miller's Fever Dreams
YouTube video by emptywheel
www.youtube.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Watch this, y'all. Stresses the importance of our local indie media and citizens filming these abuses. See you Saturday at No Kings!
Reposted by Roger Provost
They’re doing the banana costumes!!! 🍌
Un-presidented brass band at city hall in Portland tonight celebrating the release of their clarinet player from federal custody
October 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
They’re doing the banana costumes!!! 🍌
Reposted by Roger Provost
ICYMI — Trump lied that Chicago had “4000” murders, when it’s projected to have 380 this year (way down from last year)
If it’s so bad there why does he have to keep lying about it?
If it’s so bad there why does he have to keep lying about it?
October 12, 2025 at 2:37 AM
ICYMI — Trump lied that Chicago had “4000” murders, when it’s projected to have 380 this year (way down from last year)
If it’s so bad there why does he have to keep lying about it?
If it’s so bad there why does he have to keep lying about it?