Sam G. Howard
@samghoward.riliberator.com
Rhode Islander, education union data organizer and Democratic ward committee member. Recovering comms pro, RI's leading vexillologist (probably). Occasionally blogs at riliberator.com
British politics is so incredibly two-faced.
February 10, 2026 at 9:01 PM
British politics is so incredibly two-faced.
Party bosses very quickly figured out that the state-run primary was not the end of the line for them that reformers had promised.
February 10, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Party bosses very quickly figured out that the state-run primary was not the end of the line for them that reformers had promised.
We also don't do it because party nominations are generally run by the state (primaries) and state-run primaries (and exclusive rules about who gets to use a state-run primary) benefit the dominant national parties. Not the case for closed-off, small membership-based political organizations.
Do people not realize it is illegal for parties to do this in the United States because we decided around the turn of the last century that we didn't want unaccountable party bosses to decide who we could vote for
People pay because they want their ideology to win
February 10, 2026 at 8:53 PM
We also don't do it because party nominations are generally run by the state (primaries) and state-run primaries (and exclusive rules about who gets to use a state-run primary) benefit the dominant national parties. Not the case for closed-off, small membership-based political organizations.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
It's time to start socially shaming everyone who places bets on Kalshi and Polymarket.
Gambling should be like cigarettes: legal, but unadvertised and inaccessible.
open.substack.com/pub/davekarp...
Gambling should be like cigarettes: legal, but unadvertised and inaccessible.
open.substack.com/pub/davekarp...
We are all going to regret Kalshi and Polymarket.
Gambling should be like cigarettes: Legal but inaccessible.
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:15 PM
It's time to start socially shaming everyone who places bets on Kalshi and Polymarket.
Gambling should be like cigarettes: legal, but unadvertised and inaccessible.
open.substack.com/pub/davekarp...
Gambling should be like cigarettes: legal, but unadvertised and inaccessible.
open.substack.com/pub/davekarp...
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
Why is Starmer such a uniquely unpopular prime minister?
The answer is actually really straightforward: www.owenjones.news/p/why-is-sta...
The answer is actually really straightforward: www.owenjones.news/p/why-is-sta...
February 10, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Why is Starmer such a uniquely unpopular prime minister?
The answer is actually really straightforward: www.owenjones.news/p/why-is-sta...
The answer is actually really straightforward: www.owenjones.news/p/why-is-sta...
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
The tyranny of relative prices. As the abundance of a factor of production increases, its relative price decreases, and the relative price of the scarce factor increases.
Be the thing that the computer cannot be: a friend, a thinker, a poet, a logician, an artist, an athlete. Liberal arts FTW.
Be the thing that the computer cannot be: a friend, a thinker, a poet, a logician, an artist, an athlete. Liberal arts FTW.
I've been hearing people who are witnessing the impacts of AI on coding saying, "Aside from physical labor, the thing people should be focusing on is...mmm...I don't know what to call it..."
...and then they haltingly describe a liberal arts education.
...and then they haltingly describe a liberal arts education.
February 10, 2026 at 7:36 PM
The tyranny of relative prices. As the abundance of a factor of production increases, its relative price decreases, and the relative price of the scarce factor increases.
Be the thing that the computer cannot be: a friend, a thinker, a poet, a logician, an artist, an athlete. Liberal arts FTW.
Be the thing that the computer cannot be: a friend, a thinker, a poet, a logician, an artist, an athlete. Liberal arts FTW.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
we almost never saw pieces like this when the prevailing epstein accusations were based on totally made up claims from the right. now that the actual evidence in the files implicates trump and other right wing figures, we get 5 articles like this a day.
Last week the far right started peddling a narrative that the outrage over Epstein is a moral panic. Today, like clockwork, a more polite version of that narrative appears in the Atlantic.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
February 10, 2026 at 1:36 PM
we almost never saw pieces like this when the prevailing epstein accusations were based on totally made up claims from the right. now that the actual evidence in the files implicates trump and other right wing figures, we get 5 articles like this a day.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
OPB has been the gold standard of journalism in this state for so many years, it's incredibly disheartening to hear what's been happening behind the scenes, especially from someone whose work I respect enormously!
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:04 PM
OPB has been the gold standard of journalism in this state for so many years, it's incredibly disheartening to hear what's been happening behind the scenes, especially from someone whose work I respect enormously!
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
I Had a Dream Journalism Job. Here's Why I Quit.
The rot that hollowed out trust in corporate media finally reached OPB. I had to go.
westernedgemedia.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:58 PM
This is easily the hardest thing I've ever had to write.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
#Breaking: The Mount Hope Bridge is closed due to a crash. Drivers are urged to find alternate routes.
Mount Hope Bridge closed due to crash
Drivers who use the Mount Hope Bridge will have to find a different route to get to their destination.
www.wpri.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
#Breaking: The Mount Hope Bridge is closed due to a crash. Drivers are urged to find alternate routes.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
I think 37 is a new low for YouGov?
And note the 27% approval among independents 👀
And new low for Trump on immigration
And note the 27% approval among independents 👀
And new low for Trump on immigration
NEW Economist/YouGov Feb 6-9
% who approve | disapprove of Trump's job handling
U.S. adult citizens 37% | 56% (-19)
Last week 40% | 54% (-14)
Start of term 49% | 43%
Dem 4% | 94%
Ind 27% | 61%
Rep 82% | 14%
18-29: 25% | 67%
65+: 43% | 55%
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
% who approve | disapprove of Trump's job handling
U.S. adult citizens 37% | 56% (-19)
Last week 40% | 54% (-14)
Start of term 49% | 43%
Dem 4% | 94%
Ind 27% | 61%
Rep 82% | 14%
18-29: 25% | 67%
65+: 43% | 55%
today.yougov.com/politics/art...
February 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
I think 37 is a new low for YouGov?
And note the 27% approval among independents 👀
And new low for Trump on immigration
And note the 27% approval among independents 👀
And new low for Trump on immigration
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
he sounds legitimately pissed off lol
BIG NEWS FROM NJ-11: former Rep. Tom Malinowski concedes, congratulates Analilia Mejia on a positive and well-run campaign, blames AIPAC for his loss, and promises to vigorously oppose anyone AIPAC backs against Mejia in June
February 10, 2026 at 3:45 PM
he sounds legitimately pissed off lol
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
Always a great sign for how things are going in your country when 21-year-olds are like “hey, I innovated a system to play bagpipes in tear gas”
Jack Duffy attaches a respirator to his bagpipes to play through tear gas. “I always play it whenever the police retreat because it's like, ‘You fucking ran while we stayed,’” he says.
The full story: lataco.com/protest-bagp...
By Julianne Le
The full story: lataco.com/protest-bagp...
By Julianne Le
February 10, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Always a great sign for how things are going in your country when 21-year-olds are like “hey, I innovated a system to play bagpipes in tear gas”
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
people born in america probably don’t realize how cool america used to be. the death of US soft power is going to have long term consequences we are only beginning to see
February 10, 2026 at 3:23 PM
people born in america probably don’t realize how cool america used to be. the death of US soft power is going to have long term consequences we are only beginning to see
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
New from @awhf.bsky.social & @alixgouldwerth.bsky.social
at Can We Still Govern?
Did you know that your former employers can contest your unemployment benefits? They have a strong incentive to do so, and private companies like Equifax are helping them. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/why-your-b...
at Can We Still Govern?
Did you know that your former employers can contest your unemployment benefits? They have a strong incentive to do so, and private companies like Equifax are helping them. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/why-your-b...
Why Your Boss Can Block Your Unemployment Benefits
And what it means for worker wellbeing and access to the safety net
donmoynihan.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:43 PM
New from @awhf.bsky.social & @alixgouldwerth.bsky.social
at Can We Still Govern?
Did you know that your former employers can contest your unemployment benefits? They have a strong incentive to do so, and private companies like Equifax are helping them. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/why-your-b...
at Can We Still Govern?
Did you know that your former employers can contest your unemployment benefits? They have a strong incentive to do so, and private companies like Equifax are helping them. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/why-your-b...
In the linked Guardian article about his released WhatsApp messages, this is how they described his relationship with Mandelson. Also notice the placement of the link to his op-ed. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
![On the left, a text box feature a picture of Wes Streeting smiling with the headline "Ignore the smears: I was never a close friend of Peter Mandelson. And I fully understand the lessons we must learn" - by Wes Streeting.
On right, text from a Guardian article about his message exchanges with Mandelson:
[Highlighted by me] "Streeting, regarded as a potential leadership contender should Starmer go, had a close friendship with Mandelson that, after the scandal that erupted last week, threatened to be a significant liability to his ambitions. [end highlighting]
Allies of the health secretary said the WhatsApp messages, sent between August 2024 and October last year, showed he had “nothing to hide” about their relationship.
The scandal has already led to the departure of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, who advised the prime minister to proceed with Mandelson’s appointment.
Streeting publicly backed the embattled prime minister on Monday, joining the rest of the cabinet in an effort to dampen speculation over Starmer’s precarious position."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:dg2ijmcypzdhghffaezfhxht/bafkreidsvmxbjceew4ivvfrtkajdyqsju7j6waperpmfuskrd2xxinjjri@jpeg)
February 10, 2026 at 3:15 PM
In the linked Guardian article about his released WhatsApp messages, this is how they described his relationship with Mandelson. Also notice the placement of the link to his op-ed. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Hmm... not the end of the world for me.
February 10, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Hmm... not the end of the world for me.
Does anyone have a good dental practice in Providence/RI? Since the place was sold it’s been a mess and the hygienist I trusted finally retired.
February 10, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Does anyone have a good dental practice in Providence/RI? Since the place was sold it’s been a mess and the hygienist I trusted finally retired.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
this is incredibly frustrating. By framing this as a policy demand Dems are aiding a disinformation campaign that is intended to confuse the public about what is constitutionally required.
This is literally what CURRENT LAW requires. It’s in the Constitution! www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 10, 2026 at 2:11 PM
this is incredibly frustrating. By framing this as a policy demand Dems are aiding a disinformation campaign that is intended to confuse the public about what is constitutionally required.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
This is the 38th time that the U.S. military has unlawfully killed civilians on the orders of Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump. At least 130 people — never charged with crimes, their identities unknown to their executioners — are now dead.
We are murdering people and it is basically just background noise at this point. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/u...
U.S. Boat Strike Kills 2 in Pacific, With One Survivor
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:29 AM
This is the 38th time that the U.S. military has unlawfully killed civilians on the orders of Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump. At least 130 people — never charged with crimes, their identities unknown to their executioners — are now dead.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
this makes sense once you remember that Klein is, by the nature of his profession and career trajectory, friends with the Epstein class.
February 10, 2026 at 3:06 AM
this makes sense once you remember that Klein is, by the nature of his profession and career trajectory, friends with the Epstein class.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
maybe California should stop throwing tax dollars at a scammer who won't shut up about how much he hates the state, just a thought
"Nevertheless, the reservation of vouchers effectively limited access to funding for other manufacturers with production-ready electric trucks, as HVIP operates on a first-come, first-served basis and funding rounds are typically oversubscribed within days."
Always frustrating.
Always frustrating.
$165m at stake: California backs Tesla Semi before series production - electrive.com
California’s clean-truck incentive programme has reserved around $165 million for the Tesla Semi, even though the electric truck has yet to enter series
www.electrive.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:04 PM
maybe California should stop throwing tax dollars at a scammer who won't shut up about how much he hates the state, just a thought
I genuinely thought they were going all Ian Banks with storm names until I realized it was a *type* of storm.
February 10, 2026 at 2:01 AM
I genuinely thought they were going all Ian Banks with storm names until I realized it was a *type* of storm.
“Yup, looks like we’ve got a Downeast Breezer mixing with a classic New England Soupie to create an Ultimate Stormcloud. Hold onto your butts people, could be up to a half inch of rain.”
February 10, 2026 at 1:55 AM
“Yup, looks like we’ve got a Downeast Breezer mixing with a classic New England Soupie to create an Ultimate Stormcloud. Hold onto your butts people, could be up to a half inch of rain.”
An “Alberta Clipper”?? Now, we’re just making up storm types.
Storm Team 10 says an Alberta Clipper is set to drop up to a coating to one inch across Rhode Island and Bristol County, Massachusetts.
https://bit.ly/46uSOUB
https://bit.ly/46uSOUB
Brief round of snow Tuesday, gradually turning milder this week
It has been a remarkably cold and snowy stretch for Southern New England, but brighter (and warmer) days are ahead that'll help counter some of the recent anoma
bit.ly
February 10, 2026 at 1:41 AM
An “Alberta Clipper”?? Now, we’re just making up storm types.