Tom Swanson
@swansontea.bsky.social
Retired clockmaker of the atomic persuasion. Formerly at the US Naval Observatory.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Seriously, though:
We know billionaires are skilled at using their wealth to shield themselves from any consequences.
Can they use their wealth to expose ICE (or the federal government directing them) to appropriate consequences?
We know billionaires are skilled at using their wealth to shield themselves from any consequences.
Can they use their wealth to expose ICE (or the federal government directing them) to appropriate consequences?
Hey rich guys, what have you been doing to stand up to masked agents of the government targeting actually vulnerable communities?
Have you even tried to get your billionaire buddies to stop arming ICE with weapons and surveillance tech?
Have you even tried to get your billionaire buddies to stop arming ICE with weapons and surveillance tech?
February 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Seriously, though:
We know billionaires are skilled at using their wealth to shield themselves from any consequences.
Can they use their wealth to expose ICE (or the federal government directing them) to appropriate consequences?
We know billionaires are skilled at using their wealth to shield themselves from any consequences.
Can they use their wealth to expose ICE (or the federal government directing them) to appropriate consequences?
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Please CHRIST look at the UK; Starmer’s Labour didn’t win the last election; the Conservatives lost it. The thing to do is to *BURN AWAY* Schumer, Jeffries et al through direct action, protests, primaries. You and I are in charge (sorry! but also: congrats!) Catch up with us, Dems, or be retired.
the thing is, the way it looks right now democrats are going to do really well even by default. dont have to go on record promising anything, dont need to be bold, dont need to put themselves out there and theyll probably get control
thats just not good enough
thats just not good enough
February 1, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Please CHRIST look at the UK; Starmer’s Labour didn’t win the last election; the Conservatives lost it. The thing to do is to *BURN AWAY* Schumer, Jeffries et al through direct action, protests, primaries. You and I are in charge (sorry! but also: congrats!) Catch up with us, Dems, or be retired.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Some jawdropping CBP crime statistics here...
February 1, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Some jawdropping CBP crime statistics here...
It must be tough to work at NIST and not be able to pet the standard corgi, owing to it being kept in a triple-layer bell jar
I can officially confirm that the snow in NC is roughly one (1) corgi deep
February 1, 2026 at 4:54 PM
It must be tough to work at NIST and not be able to pet the standard corgi, owing to it being kept in a triple-layer bell jar
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Americans will use anything but the metric system. (complimentary)
I can officially confirm that the snow in NC is roughly one (1) corgi deep
January 31, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Americans will use anything but the metric system. (complimentary)
Reposted by Tom Swanson
If the Epstein files are this vile and incriminating already, just imagine all the stuff they’re still hiding.
February 1, 2026 at 12:28 AM
If the Epstein files are this vile and incriminating already, just imagine all the stuff they’re still hiding.
A name from Succession? My first thought was baseball - the only unassisted triple play in World Series history
We already have the early vote, which shows Democrat Taylor Rehmet leading Leigh Wambsganss (no, it's not just a name from Succession!) 56-44.
Unusually, during the first round, Dems did *better* with the E-day vote than the early vote. If that pattern holds...
Unusually, during the first round, Dems did *better* with the E-day vote than the early vote. If that pattern holds...
February 1, 2026 at 4:23 PM
A name from Succession? My first thought was baseball - the only unassisted triple play in World Series history
Reposted by Tom Swanson
given that all these people have had, you know, at LEAST seven years to prepare a vigorous and well-argued defense for appearing in the epstein files, it’s remarkable how much flailing is happening in public
February 1, 2026 at 2:12 AM
given that all these people have had, you know, at LEAST seven years to prepare a vigorous and well-argued defense for appearing in the epstein files, it’s remarkable how much flailing is happening in public
Reposted by Tom Swanson
sure they’re tear-gassing toddlers but what do the polls say
February 1, 2026 at 4:32 AM
sure they’re tear-gassing toddlers but what do the polls say
Reposted by Tom Swanson
"why are these rich freaks so bad at writing emails?"
because they've never had to be good enough at it to keep paying rent
because they've never had to be good enough at it to keep paying rent
January 31, 2026 at 3:50 PM
"why are these rich freaks so bad at writing emails?"
because they've never had to be good enough at it to keep paying rent
because they've never had to be good enough at it to keep paying rent
Picked up a beer bottle in my driveway this morning, meaning some POS opened their window at highway speeds and subzero (F) temperature to toss it last night while presumably drinking and driving. Excellent judgement in all areas
February 1, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Picked up a beer bottle in my driveway this morning, meaning some POS opened their window at highway speeds and subzero (F) temperature to toss it last night while presumably drinking and driving. Excellent judgement in all areas
Reposted by Tom Swanson
remember when the panama papers came out and we found out every rich person on earth was committing tax fraud and then nothing happened
January 31, 2026 at 12:23 PM
remember when the panama papers came out and we found out every rich person on earth was committing tax fraud and then nothing happened
Reposted by Tom Swanson
People keep saying "Getting arrested is bad, actually" and while I'd certainly prefer not to be, the administration's entire strategy is built around the idea that I will live in fear of it, and shape my behavior to avoid it, and cry in shame if I am. That is how THEY CONTROL YOU.
January 31, 2026 at 12:48 AM
People keep saying "Getting arrested is bad, actually" and while I'd certainly prefer not to be, the administration's entire strategy is built around the idea that I will live in fear of it, and shape my behavior to avoid it, and cry in shame if I am. That is how THEY CONTROL YOU.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
real question is which prominent trump administration figures *aren't* in the epstein files?
January 31, 2026 at 4:35 PM
real question is which prominent trump administration figures *aren't* in the epstein files?
Next up: Free copy of American Canto if you buy a ticket to Melania
Seen at midtown Barnes & Noble: @letsgomathias.bsky.social’s new book at full price next to tabloid filth at 50% off
January 31, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Next up: Free copy of American Canto if you buy a ticket to Melania
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Also trying to parse all the emails that read like they were written by a concussed golden retriever I think I finally get why these guys are so enthusiastic about getting chatbots to write for them
January 31, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Also trying to parse all the emails that read like they were written by a concussed golden retriever I think I finally get why these guys are so enthusiastic about getting chatbots to write for them
Reposted by Tom Swanson
I think it's important to keep in mind that (1) all of these people are rich and (2) sex work is legal and regulated in some nations. If this were about sex, any one of those people could have booked a lovely vacation in Amsterdam and quietly enjoyed themselves.
January 31, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I think it's important to keep in mind that (1) all of these people are rich and (2) sex work is legal and regulated in some nations. If this were about sex, any one of those people could have booked a lovely vacation in Amsterdam and quietly enjoyed themselves.
I like big utz and I cannot lie
January 31, 2026 at 4:52 PM
I like big utz and I cannot lie
I like to think each “Aaaah” in “Time of the Season” by The Zombies was someone sipping a cool, refreshing drink.
The belches were edited out
The belches were edited out
January 30, 2026 at 9:21 PM
I like to think each “Aaaah” in “Time of the Season” by The Zombies was someone sipping a cool, refreshing drink.
The belches were edited out
The belches were edited out
My only critique of the Mamdani budget video is the editing - I find short snippets, especially with camera angle changes, to be incredibly distracting. Almost vertigo-inducing. (Do another take, if needed)
YMMV
YMMV
January 30, 2026 at 9:19 PM
My only critique of the Mamdani budget video is the editing - I find short snippets, especially with camera angle changes, to be incredibly distracting. Almost vertigo-inducing. (Do another take, if needed)
YMMV
YMMV
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Wild that there was an open lane called "what if we just explain things clearly to people?" and he's the first one to ever fill it
The City’s Budget is our future. And you deserve to know how it works.
January 30, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Wild that there was an open lane called "what if we just explain things clearly to people?" and he's the first one to ever fill it
“What can we do except vote for whatever Trump wants?”
would be nice if the arrest of journalists for doing journalism resulted in dems in congress saying "asbolutely fucking not" and completely shutting this shit down but ah well nevertheless
January 30, 2026 at 8:41 PM
“What can we do except vote for whatever Trump wants?”
Reposted by Tom Swanson
"Sorry, wrong picture"
the foreign descriptions of what is going on are hilarious and terrifying
www.youtube.com/shorts/SfzuV...
www.youtube.com/shorts/SfzuV...
#donaldtrump #minneapolis #ice #protest #immigration
YouTube video by mrcodydahler
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:31 PM
"Sorry, wrong picture"
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Minneapolis should press its momentum and demand not only withdrawal but start talking about the need for immediate reparations, loudly, with the total certainty that only winners have. "You have wronged us terribly and must pay recompense" and let them argue the second part.
January 30, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Minneapolis should press its momentum and demand not only withdrawal but start talking about the need for immediate reparations, loudly, with the total certainty that only winners have. "You have wronged us terribly and must pay recompense" and let them argue the second part.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
As longtime observers of struggles to establish peace and justice in the US and around the world, The Nation is honored to nominate the city of Minneapolis and its people for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
“The Nation” Nominates Minneapolis for the Nobel Peace Prize
With their resistance to violent authoritarianism, the people of Minneapolis have renewed the spirit of Dr. King’s call for “the positive affirmation of peace.”
www.thenation.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:48 PM
As longtime observers of struggles to establish peace and justice in the US and around the world, The Nation is honored to nominate the city of Minneapolis and its people for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.