Swenson
@swenson.bsky.social
Retired regional scientist & university lecturer. Runner, hiker, meanderer, antifascist, free-thinker, Army veteran, and sadly, too often an invasive species.
Chip off the old block?
Showed my teen my one good TikTok and she was like “it’s so weird you still have to post for attention in your 40s” so excuse me while I walk into the ocean
November 23, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Chip off the old block?
I use Gemini AI occasionally to get a deeper reply to more complex questions. I am pleased to report that it is an adherent of the serial (Oxford) comma.
November 22, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I use Gemini AI occasionally to get a deeper reply to more complex questions. I am pleased to report that it is an adherent of the serial (Oxford) comma.
Reposted by Swenson
November 22, 2025 at 2:37 AM
RFK Jr is a plague
NEW: Officials at the Indian Health Service have deemed terms like “immunizations” and “vaccines” risky “buzzwords” that require approval to be used in social media posts, pamphlets and presentations for patients.
The Indian Health Service Is Flagging Vaccine-Related Speech. Doctors Say They’re Being Censored.
Officials have deemed terms like “immunizations” and “vaccines” risky “buzzwords” that require approval to be used in social media posts, pamphlets and presentations.
www.propublica.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:35 PM
RFK Jr is a plague
Reversal? Did I miss something? www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
In reversal, Coast Guard again classifies swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The new order came hours after The Post reported the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive” under guidelines set for release next month.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Reversal? Did I miss something? www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Swenson
"Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life." .. (John F Kennedy).. (Cartoon David Horsey)
November 19, 2025 at 11:47 PM
"Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life." .. (John F Kennedy).. (Cartoon David Horsey)
Reposted by Swenson
NEW: Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about.
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
www.lawdork.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:26 AM
NEW: Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about.
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
Tonight, at Law Dork:
Reposted by Swenson
Reposted by Swenson
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Jones himself posted this side by side comparison. I think he’s got the messaging figured out.
November 16, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Jones himself posted this side by side comparison. I think he’s got the messaging figured out.
Reposted by Swenson
They’re calling her Megyn R. Kelly on TikTok
November 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
They’re calling her Megyn R. Kelly on TikTok
Reposted by Swenson
a lot of people regretting the 'this shoulda been an email' advice rn lol
November 13, 2025 at 3:57 AM
a lot of people regretting the 'this shoulda been an email' advice rn lol
Reposted by Swenson
The Republican president is a pedophile who has doubled my healthcare costs and let scores of violent criminals out of jail. But a Democratic mayor-elect wants to make busses free in a city I don't live in. I have never felt more politically homeless.
November 13, 2025 at 12:47 PM
The Republican president is a pedophile who has doubled my healthcare costs and let scores of violent criminals out of jail. But a Democratic mayor-elect wants to make busses free in a city I don't live in. I have never felt more politically homeless.
Reposted by Swenson
Idiom Origin
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
January 20, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Idiom Origin
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
“pull yourself up by your bootstraps”
This was originally *sarcasm* & meant to convey that the act was impossible.
A boot strap is a loop used to help put your boot on.
This 1921 cartoon from the “Nonpartisan Leader” showcases that you can’t pull upward on your boots to levitate.
I was a soldier once, and an antifascist forever
November 11, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I was a soldier once, and an antifascist forever
Reposted by Swenson
Tonight’s dumb napkin cartoon…
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Tonight’s dumb napkin cartoon…
Reposted by Swenson
A lot of farm families are about to find out that the health insurance that their accountant helped them apply for has been Obama Care all along.
November 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
A lot of farm families are about to find out that the health insurance that their accountant helped them apply for has been Obama Care all along.
Reposted by Swenson
Resign.
Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
November 10, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Resign.
Reposted by Swenson
One thing that hasn't been tried yet: good politicians. It could theoretically work
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
One thing that hasn't been tried yet: good politicians. It could theoretically work
Reposted by Swenson
November 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
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Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
Reposted by Swenson
November 10, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Fuck that, and fuck them all
It's official - 8 D AYEs
Durbin
Hassan
King
Cortez Masto
Kaine
Shaheen
Rosen
Fetterman
Durbin
Hassan
King
Cortez Masto
Kaine
Shaheen
Rosen
Fetterman
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Fuck that, and fuck them all