Thomas Zimmerman
@tzimmerman.bsky.social
Space Policy & National Security. Raised in Austin. Live in DC. 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
European nations agree 30% boost in three-year space budget reut.rs/48hs2z5
European nations agree 30% boost in three-year space budget
European nations agreed on Thursday to increase spending on space over the next three years by about 30% to 22.1 billion euros, part of an effort to try to catch up to the U.S., China and private firms zooming ahead in the space race.
reut.rs
November 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
European nations agree 30% boost in three-year space budget reut.rs/48hs2z5
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
"We followed everything we were supposed to do"
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Legitimate green card applicants with US spouses are being
arrested by armed, masked men at scheduled immigration interviews, taken away from their children, sent to prison
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
❤️
Chosen by more than 85 astronauts to wear on the space shuttle, Seiko's A829 Sports 100 digital watch is set for a comeback...
Seiko relaunches NASA-approved, space shuttle-era 'Astronaut' watch
A digital watch that was chosen by many astronauts to wear on the space shuttle is getting a relaunch. Seiko has announced the return of its A829 Sports 100
www.collectspace.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
❤️
“Without US leadership there is no way we would have bent the HIV curve,” [John] Nkengasong says of the roughly $120bn marshalled by Pepfar since 2003. “Americans should be proud of that achievement in addressing one of the great health challenges the world has faced.”
on.ft.com/4ojiRFJ
on.ft.com/4ojiRFJ
What the closure of USAID is really costing the world
The abrupt withdrawal of American funding has stranded millions of patients and will be felt by countries for years to come
on.ft.com
August 7, 2025 at 11:36 AM
“Without US leadership there is no way we would have bent the HIV curve,” [John] Nkengasong says of the roughly $120bn marshalled by Pepfar since 2003. “Americans should be proud of that achievement in addressing one of the great health challenges the world has faced.”
on.ft.com/4ojiRFJ
on.ft.com/4ojiRFJ
Fascinating Read:
“Governments and experts have argued DeepSeek has few problems beyond small amounts of ‘half-baked censorship,’ and data security issues. They must take it more seriously as a threat to freedom of expression.”
“Governments and experts have argued DeepSeek has few problems beyond small amounts of ‘half-baked censorship,’ and data security issues. They must take it more seriously as a threat to freedom of expression.”
DeepSeek’s Democratic Deficit
Governments and companies are underestimating the power of the high-performing AI model as a propaganda tool.
open.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Fascinating Read:
“Governments and experts have argued DeepSeek has few problems beyond small amounts of ‘half-baked censorship,’ and data security issues. They must take it more seriously as a threat to freedom of expression.”
“Governments and experts have argued DeepSeek has few problems beyond small amounts of ‘half-baked censorship,’ and data security issues. They must take it more seriously as a threat to freedom of expression.”
“Without these magnets, the United States and its allies in Europe will struggle to refill recently depleted inventories of military hardware…China produces the entire world’s supply of samarium, a particularly obscure rare earth metal used almost entirely in military applications.“
China’s Chokehold on This Obscure Mineral Threatens the West’s Militaries
www.nytimes.com
June 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
“Without these magnets, the United States and its allies in Europe will struggle to refill recently depleted inventories of military hardware…China produces the entire world’s supply of samarium, a particularly obscure rare earth metal used almost entirely in military applications.“
“…citing more than 500 studies and other sources to back up its claims. Those citations, though, are rife with errors, from broken links to misstated conclusions. Seven of the cited sources don’t appear to exist at all.”
The MAHA Report Cites Studies That Don’t Exist
The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” report misinterprets some studies and cites others that don’t exist, according to the listed authors.
www.notus.org
May 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
“…citing more than 500 studies and other sources to back up its claims. Those citations, though, are rife with errors, from broken links to misstated conclusions. Seven of the cited sources don’t appear to exist at all.”
A reminder that we continue making policy choices that will surrender the market to Chinese auto manufacturers.
“Tesla's dwindling sales in Europe show a shift away from the brand toward Chinese competition.”
“Tesla's dwindling sales in Europe show a shift away from the brand toward Chinese competition.”
Tesla sales cut in half in Europe
April's sales of vehicles from Elon Musk's company were down by 49 percent compared to the same time last year.
www.newsweek.com
May 28, 2025 at 12:35 PM
A reminder that we continue making policy choices that will surrender the market to Chinese auto manufacturers.
“Tesla's dwindling sales in Europe show a shift away from the brand toward Chinese competition.”
“Tesla's dwindling sales in Europe show a shift away from the brand toward Chinese competition.”
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
Hackers. AI data scrapes. Government surveillance. Yeah, thinking about where to start when it comes to protecting your online privacy can be overwhelming. Here’s a simple guide for you—and anyone who claims they have nothing to hide. www.wired.com/story/guide-...
A Starter Guide to Protecting Your Data From Hackers and Corporations
Hackers. AI data scrapes. Government surveillance. Yeah, thinking about where to start when it comes to protecting your online privacy can be overwhelming. Here’s a simple guide for you—and anyone...
www.wired.com
May 26, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Hackers. AI data scrapes. Government surveillance. Yeah, thinking about where to start when it comes to protecting your online privacy can be overwhelming. Here’s a simple guide for you—and anyone who claims they have nothing to hide. www.wired.com/story/guide-...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
This is an insane, wildly counterproductive policy change that will do nothing but harm the national interest. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/u...
Trump Administration Halts Harvard’s Ability to Enroll International Students
www.nytimes.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:17 PM
This is an insane, wildly counterproductive policy change that will do nothing but harm the national interest. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/u...
Also, functionally banning medical care for as many trans people as possible. Just reprehensible.
Pro-AI, pro-pollution, pro-surveillance: what you should know about Trump’s budget - https://www.theverge.com/news/673015/trump-big-beautiful-bill-budget-reconciliation-ai-border-energy
Pro-AI, pro-pollution, pro-surveillance: what you should know about Trump’s budget
It still needs to pass the Senate.
www.theverge.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Also, functionally banning medical care for as many trans people as possible. Just reprehensible.
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
This is a big play at a time of American retreat and self-destruction. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
China to donate $500 million to WHO, stepping into gap left by U.S.
Beijing will replace the United States as the organization’s top state donor, expanding its influence as the U.S. retreats from international cooperation.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 21, 2025 at 9:24 AM
This is a big play at a time of American retreat and self-destruction. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
Pushback works
Massively good news: The provision that would have let the trump administration strip the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit organization they wanted simply by declaring them to be a "terrorist supporting organization" has been removed from the budget bill. Pushing back against these people works.
Nonprofit Killer Provision Quietly Disappears From Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill”
The infamous “nonprofit killer” provision quietly disappeared from Donald Trump’s "Big, Beautiful Bill" as it winds its way through Congress.
theintercept.com
May 21, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Pushback works
Some good news!
“Berlin has signalled to Paris it will no longer block French efforts to ensure nuclear power is treated on par with renewable energy in EU legislation, according to French and German officials.”
“Berlin has signalled to Paris it will no longer block French efforts to ensure nuclear power is treated on par with renewable energy in EU legislation, according to French and German officials.”
Germany drops opposition to nuclear power in rapprochement with France
Paris wins approval from Berlin to remove anti-nuclear bias in EU legislation, say officials
on.ft.com
May 20, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Some good news!
“Berlin has signalled to Paris it will no longer block French efforts to ensure nuclear power is treated on par with renewable energy in EU legislation, according to French and German officials.”
“Berlin has signalled to Paris it will no longer block French efforts to ensure nuclear power is treated on par with renewable energy in EU legislation, according to French and German officials.”
It’s almost like vaccines are effective…
“The increase in vaccinations, especially among infants, has contributed to the slowdown, with over 320,000 residents receiving at least one dose of the MMR vaccine since the beginning of the year through April, a 15% increase from the same period last year”
“The increase in vaccinations, especially among infants, has contributed to the slowdown, with over 320,000 residents receiving at least one dose of the MMR vaccine since the beginning of the year through April, a 15% increase from the same period last year”
Texas Measles Outbreak Slows After Big Push for Vaccinations
The rate of new measles infections in Texas has slowed as immunity to the virus builds and vaccinations rise.
www.bloomberg.com
May 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
It’s almost like vaccines are effective…
“The increase in vaccinations, especially among infants, has contributed to the slowdown, with over 320,000 residents receiving at least one dose of the MMR vaccine since the beginning of the year through April, a 15% increase from the same period last year”
“The increase in vaccinations, especially among infants, has contributed to the slowdown, with over 320,000 residents receiving at least one dose of the MMR vaccine since the beginning of the year through April, a 15% increase from the same period last year”
DOGE attempting to seize an entity outside the executive branch by force continues to be shocking.
NEWS: The courts have decided against DOGE and the US government in their legal battle to take full control of the United States Institute of Peace, including a headquarters building with an estimated value of $500 million. www.wired.com/story/usip-d...
DOGE Loses Battle to Take Over USIP—and Its $500 Million Headquarters
A federal judge called DOGE’s actions at the United States Institute of Peace ‘unlawful.’
www.wired.com
May 19, 2025 at 6:07 PM
DOGE attempting to seize an entity outside the executive branch by force continues to be shocking.
I’m struggling to even imagine what the “benefit of the doubt” justification for this move would be.
Russell Vought, acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has canceled plans to introduce new rules designed to limit the ability of US data brokers to sell Americans’ most sensitive data, credit history, and Social Security numbers.
CFPB Quietly Kills Rule to Shield Americans From Data Brokers
Russell Vought, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has canceled plans to more tightly regulate the sale of Americans’ sensitive personal data.
wrd.cm
May 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I’m struggling to even imagine what the “benefit of the doubt” justification for this move would be.
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
JUST IN: Judge Howell rules that the Trump/DOGE takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace was illegal and should be treated as null and void.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
May 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
JUST IN: Judge Howell rules that the Trump/DOGE takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace was illegal and should be treated as null and void.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
I just really like ANDOR. danieldrezner.substack.com/p/in-andor-r...
In Andor, Rebellions are Built on Hope
A worthy sci-fi successor to "The Expanse" comes to a satisfying, hopeful conclusion.
danieldrezner.substack.com
May 17, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I just really like ANDOR. danieldrezner.substack.com/p/in-andor-r...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
This is a terrible thing to see. I spent my life in the military defending the freedom of all Americans to read and say what they want. Pulling books out of libraries for political purpose is the opposite of what a military should be doing. www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
Pentagon orders military to pull all library books on diversity
It is the broadest and most detailed directive so far on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign to rid the military of DEI policies and materials.
www.militarytimes.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
This is a terrible thing to see. I spent my life in the military defending the freedom of all Americans to read and say what they want. Pulling books out of libraries for political purpose is the opposite of what a military should be doing. www.militarytimes.com/news/pentago...
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
I’m so glad papers like the Berkshire Eagle still exist. this reporter covered every detail of these arrests, including quashing a rumor that the building’s maintainance guy called ICE on these men (he didn’t). support your local journalists!
Masked, armed ICE agents arrest two men in Great Barrington apartment building as witnesses taunt, shoot video
The arrests this morning in Great Barrington were witnessed and videotaped by multiple bystanders in The Triplex Cinema parking lot. Tenants of the building say ICE has surveilled the building
www.berkshireeagle.com
May 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I’m so glad papers like the Berkshire Eagle still exist. this reporter covered every detail of these arrests, including quashing a rumor that the building’s maintainance guy called ICE on these men (he didn’t). support your local journalists!
In case you were curious about the administration's priorities. The number of times each phrase appears in the President's budget:
"Economy": 2
"National Security": 5
"LGBTQ": 6
"Economic": 19
"Business": 23
"DEI": 31
"Economy": 2
"National Security": 5
"LGBTQ": 6
"Economic": 19
"Business": 23
"DEI": 31
www.whitehouse.gov
May 2, 2025 at 5:11 PM
In case you were curious about the administration's priorities. The number of times each phrase appears in the President's budget:
"Economy": 2
"National Security": 5
"LGBTQ": 6
"Economic": 19
"Business": 23
"DEI": 31
"Economy": 2
"National Security": 5
"LGBTQ": 6
"Economic": 19
"Business": 23
"DEI": 31
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
Studio Ghibli has uploaded hundreds of beautiful still images from almost all of their films, including all of the major ones. These individual artworks are free to download “by individual fans to further enjoy Studio Ghibli films”. [kottke.org]
Hundreds of Free Images From Studio Ghibli Films
Well this is just wonderful: Studio Ghibli has uploaded hundreds of high-resolution still images from almost all of their films, including all of the major ones: Princess Mononoke, Sprited Away, M
kottke.org
April 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Studio Ghibli has uploaded hundreds of beautiful still images from almost all of their films, including all of the major ones. These individual artworks are free to download “by individual fans to further enjoy Studio Ghibli films”. [kottke.org]
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
"Even if the targeted companies aren’t actually guilty of anything, the accusations — repeated across Trump-friendly media sources... — cement the idea in the public’s head that they might be." Our policy desk kicks off The 100 Day Inferno with @karlbode.com
Brendan Carr’s FCC is an anti-consumer, rights-trampling harassment machine
The White House’s personal censor.
www.theverge.com
April 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"Even if the targeted companies aren’t actually guilty of anything, the accusations — repeated across Trump-friendly media sources... — cement the idea in the public’s head that they might be." Our policy desk kicks off The 100 Day Inferno with @karlbode.com
Reposted by Thomas Zimmerman
"The Trump administration has dismissed the hundreds of scientists and experts who had been compiling the federal government’s flagship report on how global warming is affecting the country." www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/c...
National Climate Assessment Authors Are Dismissed by Trump Administration
The Trump administration told researchers it was “releasing” them from their roles. It puts the future of the assessment, which is required by Congress, in doubt.
www.nytimes.com
April 29, 2025 at 1:35 AM
"The Trump administration has dismissed the hundreds of scientists and experts who had been compiling the federal government’s flagship report on how global warming is affecting the country." www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/c...