Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
@upine.bsky.social
Analysis of effects of disinfo on social systems, writer http://Medium.com/@upine "All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do bothsidesism."
Pinned
How People Try to Solve Problems in a Libertarian Culture
There once was a land without environmental regulations. So various companies routinely poisoned the air, the water and the land. Everyone…
upine.medium.com
Right Wing Domination of Media & Politics Keeps Us Stuck in Disinformation and Right Wing Government
(I found a better named for this article later, after I first wrote it, and so I retitled it, which is why the title now comes out wrong when I type in the url.)
upine.medium.com/how-people-t...
(I found a better named for this article later, after I first wrote it, and so I retitled it, which is why the title now comes out wrong when I type in the url.)
upine.medium.com/how-people-t...
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Welcome to the Driftglass Learning Annex course on why David Brooks is a hack and always has been. bobcescashow.com @driftglass.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Welcome to the Driftglass Learning Annex course on why David Brooks is a hack and always has been. bobcescashow.com @driftglass.bsky.social
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
"To Serve Jeff Bezos" isn't our constitution, it's a cookbook!
We found that Jeff Bezos paid *zero* taxes in 2007 and 2011.
In fact, he reported making so little in 2011 that he even claimed and received a $4,000 tax credit for his children.
This is how he did it (published 2021):
In fact, he reported making so little in 2011 that he even claimed and received a $4,000 tax credit for his children.
This is how he did it (published 2021):
The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax
ProPublica has obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, ev...
www.propublica.org
February 6, 2026 at 12:31 PM
"To Serve Jeff Bezos" isn't our constitution, it's a cookbook!
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
The rich and their friends obviously want to create a society in which laws don't apply to them @driftglass.bsky.social and @bobcesca.bsky.social discussed this on www.bobcesca.com/the-bob-cesc... I presume DG would call that the Ayn Rand Society Exception-Or as the British would say 'ARSE'.
The Bob Cesca Interview: Driftglass 2/4/26
Please consider supporting the show by subscribing to our bonus content on Patreon. Driftglass — You’ll notice Blue Gal isn’t here today. She had to take a day job in order to aff…
www.bobcesca.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:58 PM
The rich and their friends obviously want to create a society in which laws don't apply to them @driftglass.bsky.social and @bobcesca.bsky.social discussed this on www.bobcesca.com/the-bob-cesc... I presume DG would call that the Ayn Rand Society Exception-Or as the British would say 'ARSE'.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Butchers carving up the world? www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Zelensky says U.S. is readying huge economic deals with Russia
The Ukrainian president said he had intelligence indicating that the U.S. and Russia were readying $12 trillion in economic agreements some involving Ukrainian interests.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Butchers carving up the world? www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Tech deployed at the border “includes everything from hyper-visible tethered aerostats — massive blimp-like detection platforms hovering thousands of feet over the desert — to stealthy devices like unattended ground sensors to detect footsteps, and license plate scanners disguised as traffic cones.”
How AI Surveillance Tech is Creeping From the Southern Border Into the Rest of the Country
Surveillance technology has long been part of policing the border. ICE’s growing raids are bringing it to many other areas.
www.themarshallproject.org
February 7, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Tech deployed at the border “includes everything from hyper-visible tethered aerostats — massive blimp-like detection platforms hovering thousands of feet over the desert — to stealthy devices like unattended ground sensors to detect footsteps, and license plate scanners disguised as traffic cones.”
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
2/5/26 TrumpRX goes live claiming reduced costs to consumers on name brand drugs from manufacturers.
2/6/26 HHS general counsel refers Hims the online compounding pharmacy/telehealth company to the justice department for investigation.
2/6/26 HHS general counsel refers Hims the online compounding pharmacy/telehealth company to the justice department for investigation.
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 PM
2/5/26 TrumpRX goes live claiming reduced costs to consumers on name brand drugs from manufacturers.
2/6/26 HHS general counsel refers Hims the online compounding pharmacy/telehealth company to the justice department for investigation.
2/6/26 HHS general counsel refers Hims the online compounding pharmacy/telehealth company to the justice department for investigation.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
bitcoin might be the only thing in the world where its cultural value could go up if the people who loved it the most never opened their mouths
February 7, 2026 at 4:26 PM
bitcoin might be the only thing in the world where its cultural value could go up if the people who loved it the most never opened their mouths
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
This is scathing. Kash Patel and anyone else involved in this must be impeached.
Gift article:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/us/renee-good-investigation-minnesota-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.KVA.pAnP.FE6p37Nwd1TA&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Gift article:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/us/renee-good-investigation-minnesota-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.KVA.pAnP.FE6p37Nwd1TA&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:46 AM
This is scathing. Kash Patel and anyone else involved in this must be impeached.
Gift article:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/us/renee-good-investigation-minnesota-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.KVA.pAnP.FE6p37Nwd1TA&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Gift article:
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/us/renee-good-investigation-minnesota-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.KVA.pAnP.FE6p37Nwd1TA&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
It really pays to remind ourselves frequently that this whole immigration "crisis" is made up out of whole cloth. There was no emergency,danger or problem, only a demagogue stirring up racist grievances for political advantage.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Pretty big deal in Los Angeles as Nithya Raman jumps into the mayor's race at the deadline. She's one to watch. Good to see some actual competition in our typically top-down local politics.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
Rising Progressive Star Shakes Up Race for Los Angeles Mayor
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Pretty big deal in Los Angeles as Nithya Raman jumps into the mayor's race at the deadline. She's one to watch. Good to see some actual competition in our typically top-down local politics.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) stepped down from his position as Senate Minority Leader position after praising Strom Thurmond’s 1948 Dixiecrat presidential campaign in 2002.
Today Republicans are defending and deflecting the president’s post of a video depicting a Black President and First Lady as apes.
Today Republicans are defending and deflecting the president’s post of a video depicting a Black President and First Lady as apes.
February 7, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) stepped down from his position as Senate Minority Leader position after praising Strom Thurmond’s 1948 Dixiecrat presidential campaign in 2002.
Today Republicans are defending and deflecting the president’s post of a video depicting a Black President and First Lady as apes.
Today Republicans are defending and deflecting the president’s post of a video depicting a Black President and First Lady as apes.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
US have Most Corrupt, by FAR, political system in Developed world🤬😈
DISGUSTING amounts of involved money - campaigning is 7th largest industry in US!!
In All other developed countries, No Public fundraising & campaigns are Mere 6-8 weeks events & then 'back to life' for next few years🤩
DISGUSTING amounts of involved money - campaigning is 7th largest industry in US!!
In All other developed countries, No Public fundraising & campaigns are Mere 6-8 weeks events & then 'back to life' for next few years🤩
February 7, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
This is not an exaggeration.
My latest: Applauding community defense is not enough. We are organizing resistance to a concentration camp regime. The front lines are everywhere.
(Plus resources and my must-reads list!)
(Plus resources and my must-reads list!)
When the Headlines Change but the Violence Doesn’t
“This is not a cruel novelty project. It’s infrastructure, designed for permanence and expansion.”
organizingmythoughts.org
February 7, 2026 at 6:02 PM
This is not an exaggeration.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Wow, NBC edited out the audience booing JD Vance at the Olympics. And this is one of the few remaining news outlets NOT owned by right-wing billionaire Trump sycophants
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
NBC appears to cut crowd’s booing of JD Vance from Winter Olympics broadcast
The US vice-president, JD Vance, was greeted by a chorus of boos during when he appeared at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan on Friday
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Wow, NBC edited out the audience booing JD Vance at the Olympics. And this is one of the few remaining news outlets NOT owned by right-wing billionaire Trump sycophants
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Sarcasm about GOP excuses
Oh, so it’s illegal to share a conversation with a friend now? Really? I can’t let my friends know what I’m talking about? It’s illegal to have a group call with my closest friends just because they’re from another country? Are we also going to make it illegal to have a good time with your friends??
This is a blockbuster report. Last spring, the National Security Agency (NSA) detected evidence of an unusual phone call between an individual associated with foreign intelligence and a person close to Donald Trump, according to a whistleblower’s attorney briefed on the existence of the call.
February 8, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Sarcasm about GOP excuses
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
In which Jeffrey Epstein, who laundered money for the Russians, explains how Donald Trump was doing exactly the same thing, and how this accounts for most of his wealth.
February 7, 2026 at 4:34 PM
In which Jeffrey Epstein, who laundered money for the Russians, explains how Donald Trump was doing exactly the same thing, and how this accounts for most of his wealth.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
We are deciding right now whether we want to be a country with ethnic cleansing and concentration camps.
The banality of evil is shocking. An ex-Big Lots warehouse for cheap consumer junk is bought by ICE to ship as many as 7,500 handcuffed human beings, as the Trump regime builds a U.S. gulag archipelago
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
The unthinkable comes to Pa. coal country. My special report www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
From Big Lots to warehousing humans: ICE plan sparks fear in Schuylkill County | Will Bunch
A massive warehouse in Tremont. Pa. that once moved cheap goods will now detain migrants in an $119 million ICE deal.
www.inquirer.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:26 PM
We are deciding right now whether we want to be a country with ethnic cleansing and concentration camps.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
VA Senate president responds to Ted crying about VA’s redistricting, which should add 4 new Dem seats.
February 7, 2026 at 12:17 PM
VA Senate president responds to Ted crying about VA’s redistricting, which should add 4 new Dem seats.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Can't say it enough, if you are going to build ANYTHING, you are going to be criticized much more than you will be praised. Do not be deterred. Build what you want to exist. Find your people and seek their counsel. Keep it moving.
February 7, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Can't say it enough, if you are going to build ANYTHING, you are going to be criticized much more than you will be praised. Do not be deterred. Build what you want to exist. Find your people and seek their counsel. Keep it moving.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Here's an image in the Epstein Files that Epstein sent himself an email confirming that in 2015, Epstein went to dinner with Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk & Peter Thiel
This was AFTER Epstein was convicted of a Pedo in 2008
This was AFTER Epstein was convicted of a Pedo in 2008
February 7, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Here's an image in the Epstein Files that Epstein sent himself an email confirming that in 2015, Epstein went to dinner with Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk & Peter Thiel
This was AFTER Epstein was convicted of a Pedo in 2008
This was AFTER Epstein was convicted of a Pedo in 2008
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
NEW: House Republicans unveiled a new version of their voter suppression bill that would erect unprecedented barriers for those hoping to register while imposing a nationwide photo ID requirement for voters.
The changes would gravely undermine the right to vote in the U.S. before the 2026 midterms.
The changes would gravely undermine the right to vote in the U.S. before the 2026 midterms.
New version of GOP suppression bill would impose nationwide proof of citizenship, photo ID requirements
The bill would undermine the right to vote in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 midterms.
www.democracydocket.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:14 PM
NEW: House Republicans unveiled a new version of their voter suppression bill that would erect unprecedented barriers for those hoping to register while imposing a nationwide photo ID requirement for voters.
The changes would gravely undermine the right to vote in the U.S. before the 2026 midterms.
The changes would gravely undermine the right to vote in the U.S. before the 2026 midterms.
Sarcasm about mainstream media columns.
Has America become fascist? The answer might surprise you.
February 8, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Sarcasm about mainstream media columns.
Sarcasm about mainstream media's both siderism, feeling obliged to note that only some ppl are unhappy about Trump's racism.
President Trump posted a provocative image today of Barack and Michele Obama as monkeys in a jungle. Not everyone is happy about it.
February 8, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Sarcasm about mainstream media's both siderism, feeling obliged to note that only some ppl are unhappy about Trump's racism.