m2c4
@thesoundings.bsky.social
Politics and economics with sidelights in photography, astronomy, tennis, and the Canadiens...
Pinned
m2c4
@thesoundings.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Official Video)
YouTube video by Talking Heads
www.youtube.com
"The Supreme Court has turned the Constitution on its head...The Constitution and its institutions have failed our democracy." Read if for free: thesoundings.com/2025/10/well...
of throw me some $$ here: tidalsoundings.medium.com/well-how-did...
Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsS...
of throw me some $$ here: tidalsoundings.medium.com/well-how-did...
Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsS...
Reposted by m2c4
Remarkable. Seems pretty clear that someone wanted to make an example of him.
at one point, i watched a cook county sheriff’s officer (who appears to be in charge) point out a priest in the crowd.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
he and a couple officers then went into the crowd , dragged him into the street, and arrested him.
situation is still tense as crowd jostles with police to get into the street.
November 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Remarkable. Seems pretty clear that someone wanted to make an example of him.
Reposted by m2c4
And maybe there's some older Democrats who still long for the 90s, but in every conversation I've had with progressives about this, they aren't just fine with Bill Clinton going down, but they are hoping for it. Because he's a symbolic albatross at this point.
November 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
And maybe there's some older Democrats who still long for the 90s, but in every conversation I've had with progressives about this, they aren't just fine with Bill Clinton going down, but they are hoping for it. Because he's a symbolic albatross at this point.
Reposted by m2c4
Another sign they're moving away from "he's innocent" to "raping young girls isn't a crime." The purpose of this is to imply everyone does it.
The smart reaction from the left, of course, is to say everyone who committed a crime should go to prison.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
The smart reaction from the left, of course, is to say everyone who committed a crime should go to prison.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
Trump calls for DOJ probe into other Epstein ties, including Clinton
Trump is directing the DOJ to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's connections to high-profile Democrats.
abcnews.go.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Another sign they're moving away from "he's innocent" to "raping young girls isn't a crime." The purpose of this is to imply everyone does it.
The smart reaction from the left, of course, is to say everyone who committed a crime should go to prison.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
The smart reaction from the left, of course, is to say everyone who committed a crime should go to prison.
abcnews.go.com/Politics/tru...
Reposted by m2c4
Academics who have advised a graduate student from China over the past years would be banned from federal funding. This would give the federal government one more lever to attack scientists. And how long before they expand the list of "hostile foreign" countries?
November 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Academics who have advised a graduate student from China over the past years would be banned from federal funding. This would give the federal government one more lever to attack scientists. And how long before they expand the list of "hostile foreign" countries?
Reposted by m2c4
“Do Democrats really want to enter divided government with the meaning of the election unclear? After spending a year treating Trump’s corruption as immaterial? Where Trump can concede $20 billion in health-insurance subsidies and call it even with the voters?” www.offmessage.net/p/force-a-re...
Force A Referendum On The Epstein Coverup
It divides Republicans much more than "affordability" or any other economic issue.
www.offmessage.net
November 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
“Do Democrats really want to enter divided government with the meaning of the election unclear? After spending a year treating Trump’s corruption as immaterial? Where Trump can concede $20 billion in health-insurance subsidies and call it even with the voters?” www.offmessage.net/p/force-a-re...
Reposted by m2c4
NEW: Pope Leo XIV will share a meal this Sunday with Alessia Nobile and four fellow transgender Catholic activists, during the Vatican’s Jubilee of the Poor — marking the most significant public encounter shared between a pope and the trans community.
NEW: Transgender Activists to Dine with Pope Leo XIV during Sunday's Jubilee for the Poor
Papal luncheon with trans advocate Alessia Nobile set for Sunday at Vatican’s Jubilee of the Poor, highlighting a legacy of outreach and hopes for continued inclusion.
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:05 AM
NEW: Pope Leo XIV will share a meal this Sunday with Alessia Nobile and four fellow transgender Catholic activists, during the Vatican’s Jubilee of the Poor — marking the most significant public encounter shared between a pope and the trans community.
Reposted by m2c4
Basically saying "if you do crime for me, I won't only pardon you--I'll give you millions of dollars of public money." Truly unprecedented level of corruption
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Michael Flynn, DOJ in Settlement Talks Over $50 Million Claim
The Justice Department has been discussing settlements with two former officials from Donald Trump’s first term who — like the president — claim they’re owed major payouts from the US government as vi...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Basically saying "if you do crime for me, I won't only pardon you--I'll give you millions of dollars of public money." Truly unprecedented level of corruption
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by m2c4
Flynn pled guilty!!!
November 14, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Flynn pled guilty!!!
Reposted by m2c4
It’s the hottest economy in history with $21 trillion coming in.
Also: we need the Fed to cut rates and “prop up this economy.” 🤪
@atrupar.com
Also: we need the Fed to cut rates and “prop up this economy.” 🤪
@atrupar.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
It’s the hottest economy in history with $21 trillion coming in.
Also: we need the Fed to cut rates and “prop up this economy.” 🤪
@atrupar.com
Also: we need the Fed to cut rates and “prop up this economy.” 🤪
@atrupar.com
Reposted by m2c4
This shit goes back to the news showing car crashes and "crime" stories constantly (and even further) "because the audience wants it." Who told you your job was to give people the salacious things that they supposedly want? Don't put your greed on us man.
November 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
This shit goes back to the news showing car crashes and "crime" stories constantly (and even further) "because the audience wants it." Who told you your job was to give people the salacious things that they supposedly want? Don't put your greed on us man.
Reposted by m2c4
They’re all just looting the treasury now
November 14, 2025 at 6:07 PM
They’re all just looting the treasury now
Reposted by m2c4
the story is about how the American elite is rotten to its very marrow, to the extent that half of it was plotting and scheming about how to use Trump to advance their own venal interests before he even won
November 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
the story is about how the American elite is rotten to its very marrow, to the extent that half of it was plotting and scheming about how to use Trump to advance their own venal interests before he even won
Reposted by m2c4
Voluntary, mutually beneficial partnerships brought the US and US allies so much benefit. Every single one is an asset.
But if I had to pick the closest, most valuable US ally over the years, the top two are the UK and Canada, both of which the Trump regime is antagonizing for stupid reasons.
But if I had to pick the closest, most valuable US ally over the years, the top two are the UK and Canada, both of which the Trump regime is antagonizing for stupid reasons.
November 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Voluntary, mutually beneficial partnerships brought the US and US allies so much benefit. Every single one is an asset.
But if I had to pick the closest, most valuable US ally over the years, the top two are the UK and Canada, both of which the Trump regime is antagonizing for stupid reasons.
But if I had to pick the closest, most valuable US ally over the years, the top two are the UK and Canada, both of which the Trump regime is antagonizing for stupid reasons.
Reposted by m2c4
America's network of democratic alliances was a jewel. Never before had a great power relied on cultivating voluntary relationships, leading to the richest, most powerful country in history, and benefitting the world relative to the alternative.
Then America decided to throw it away. And for what?
Then America decided to throw it away. And for what?
Homan: "I don't think the UK is a friend to this country and friend of the president"
November 14, 2025 at 6:38 PM
America's network of democratic alliances was a jewel. Never before had a great power relied on cultivating voluntary relationships, leading to the richest, most powerful country in history, and benefitting the world relative to the alternative.
Then America decided to throw it away. And for what?
Then America decided to throw it away. And for what?
Reposted by m2c4
Donald Trump’s presidency hinges on loyalty, which depends on the perception of power. As a lame duck, that perception is already eroding — and the Epstein scandal is now accelerating it.
Opinion | The Epstein divisions among Republicans are hastening Trump's lame-duck status
These polls suggest the issue is a bigger problem than the president wants to admit.
www.msnbc.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Donald Trump’s presidency hinges on loyalty, which depends on the perception of power. As a lame duck, that perception is already eroding — and the Epstein scandal is now accelerating it.
Reposted by m2c4
Look, I'm sure the money was a key reason why so many people were willing to associate with Epstein. But we're not really short of wealthy donors in this country. Clearly, a lot of Epstein's connections genuinely liked him, didn't think he did anything all that bad, and even sympathized with him.
did not have Harvard English professor Elisa New emailing Jeffrey Epstein about Lolita on my 2025 bingo card
November 14, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Look, I'm sure the money was a key reason why so many people were willing to associate with Epstein. But we're not really short of wealthy donors in this country. Clearly, a lot of Epstein's connections genuinely liked him, didn't think he did anything all that bad, and even sympathized with him.
Reposted by m2c4
“Our country needs religious leaders of all different faiths to reach deep within their traditions and find the strength to resist tyranny … For clergy w/privilege like me, now is the time to use it to protect our neighbors and fight for their freedom. I fear that if we wait, it will be too late.”
For more on Rev. Woolf, who appears to have been arrested today: he published an editorial with @rns.org literally this week titled “Why clergy should risk assault to protest ICE” —> religionnews.com/2025/11/13/w...
November 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
“Our country needs religious leaders of all different faiths to reach deep within their traditions and find the strength to resist tyranny … For clergy w/privilege like me, now is the time to use it to protect our neighbors and fight for their freedom. I fear that if we wait, it will be too late.”
Reposted by m2c4
*offer of “your angry? We’ll write about it” only applies to the hundreds of thousands of Tea Partiers, does not apply to the millions of people willing to come out and protest Trump
You'll ignore this, but every time you tweet angrily about crap like that Nuzzi piece you're confirming NYT editors' intuitions/incentivizing more of it. The entire intellectual/journo model here is, "Does this person get people angry? Yes? OK they're provocative/get talked about. Write about her."
November 14, 2025 at 6:02 PM
*offer of “your angry? We’ll write about it” only applies to the hundreds of thousands of Tea Partiers, does not apply to the millions of people willing to come out and protest Trump
Reposted by m2c4
I'm kind of baffled how the "moderates" have apparently all decided to turn against climate policy at once, just as China reaches green electrostate liftoff mode. I thought these people were all about National Greatness and making Hard Choices
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I'm kind of baffled how the "moderates" have apparently all decided to turn against climate policy at once, just as China reaches green electrostate liftoff mode. I thought these people were all about National Greatness and making Hard Choices
Reposted by m2c4
"When media allies such as Megyn Kelly publicly try to finesse the differences between having sex with a 5-year-old and having sex with a 15-year-old, that’s not a good sign."
Good from @mjtoma.bsky.social noting that this one really is different from all the others:
newrepublic.com/post/203207/...
Good from @mjtoma.bsky.social noting that this one really is different from all the others:
newrepublic.com/post/203207/...
The One Move That Tells Us How
Crazy-Panicked Trump Is About Epstein
LBJ used to have a bourbon with stubborn members of Congress. Trump locks them in the Situation Room.
newrepublic.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
"When media allies such as Megyn Kelly publicly try to finesse the differences between having sex with a 5-year-old and having sex with a 15-year-old, that’s not a good sign."
Good from @mjtoma.bsky.social noting that this one really is different from all the others:
newrepublic.com/post/203207/...
Good from @mjtoma.bsky.social noting that this one really is different from all the others:
newrepublic.com/post/203207/...
Reposted by m2c4
Beyond that, the answer to almost all AI shit is "have an imagination." My mom has been gone for 7 years and I talk to her all the time! And in my head, she gives far more accurate responses than any chatbot ever would. This app is offensive to the very concept of being human
The latest iteration of this doomed cycle is... a product that shows us what it would be like if you could pull up an avatar of a dead loved one on your phone whenever you wanted to and "talk" with them. www.welcometohellworld.com/for-all-thei...
November 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Beyond that, the answer to almost all AI shit is "have an imagination." My mom has been gone for 7 years and I talk to her all the time! And in my head, she gives far more accurate responses than any chatbot ever would. This app is offensive to the very concept of being human
Reposted by m2c4
Nuzzi, like TCW, exists as a kind of simulacrum of the midcentury public intellectual. Not even ripping off the writers of that era, but imitating a sort of half-remembered, half-invented idea of what those writers were sort of like and what their general vibe was.
November 14, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Nuzzi, like TCW, exists as a kind of simulacrum of the midcentury public intellectual. Not even ripping off the writers of that era, but imitating a sort of half-remembered, half-invented idea of what those writers were sort of like and what their general vibe was.
Reposted by m2c4
An anti-abortion protester has shot someone outside of a South Carolina Planned Parenthood.
My source says one person was injured and taken to the hospital—and that the protester was arrested.
More soon.
My source says one person was injured and taken to the hospital—and that the protester was arrested.
More soon.
November 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
An anti-abortion protester has shot someone outside of a South Carolina Planned Parenthood.
My source says one person was injured and taken to the hospital—and that the protester was arrested.
More soon.
My source says one person was injured and taken to the hospital—and that the protester was arrested.
More soon.
Reposted by m2c4
Summers is NOT the person who should be leading the economic plank to combat fascism, regardless of his relationship with Epstein.
Neoliberal economic policies are part of what got us here.
Neoliberal economic policies are part of what got us here.
NEW: Before the recent Epstein disclosures, Larry Summers was poised to lead the economic policy plank for the Democrats' "Project 2029" effort at the Center for American Progress. He signed off on a housing policy paper CAP was prepping for next week.
prospect.org/2025/11/14/e...
prospect.org/2025/11/14/e...
Epstein Confidant Larry Summers Guiding Democrats’ ‘Project 2029’ - The American Prospect
Summers was overseeing the economic policy plank of the Center for American Progress’s effort. Emails released this week show him in regular contact with Jeffrey Epstein.
prospect.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Summers is NOT the person who should be leading the economic plank to combat fascism, regardless of his relationship with Epstein.
Neoliberal economic policies are part of what got us here.
Neoliberal economic policies are part of what got us here.
Reposted by m2c4
The graft oozing out of every corner of this administration is incredible. According to @propublica.org, a $220 million DHS ad campaign awarded without competitive bidding went to consultants tightly connected to Kristi Noem.
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rule...
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The graft oozing out of every corner of this administration is incredible. According to @propublica.org, a $220 million DHS ad campaign awarded without competitive bidding went to consultants tightly connected to Kristi Noem.