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."
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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
This is a very, very bad decision from one of the two Reagan judges left on the Fifth Circuit, joined by one of the two most extreme Trump appointees on the court.
And, it is about the issue I walked through at Law Dork earlier this week, in the context of Minnesota: www.lawdork.com/i/186796727/...
And, it is about the issue I walked through at Law Dork earlier this week, in the context of Minnesota: www.lawdork.com/i/186796727/...
February 7, 2026 at 2:50 AM
This is a very, very bad decision from one of the two Reagan judges left on the Fifth Circuit, joined by one of the two most extreme Trump appointees on the court.
And, it is about the issue I walked through at Law Dork earlier this week, in the context of Minnesota: www.lawdork.com/i/186796727/...
And, it is about the issue I walked through at Law Dork earlier this week, in the context of Minnesota: www.lawdork.com/i/186796727/...
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
The major flaw with the claim that Trump's foreign policy is "realist" is the fact that it is so deeply ideological. There is no "realist" case for driving South Africa into China's embrace, rather than competing for its partnership. The only reason Trump is doing so is based on racist memes.
Facing high Trump tariffs, Africa's leading economy says it's close to a new trade deal with China
China and South Africa have signed a framework agreement for a new trade deal. It shows how Africa’s leading economy is looking for other options following the high U.S. import tariffs imposed on it b...
apnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:05 PM
The major flaw with the claim that Trump's foreign policy is "realist" is the fact that it is so deeply ideological. There is no "realist" case for driving South Africa into China's embrace, rather than competing for its partnership. The only reason Trump is doing so is based on racist memes.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
VA Gov. Spanberger (moderate, was in CIA) and NYC Mayor Mamdani (left, is in DSA) both taking steps to block local law enforcement from helping ICE as it violently violates people's rights is a good example of how the relevant divide in the Dem coalition isn't center-left, it's fight-don't fight.
February 6, 2026 at 6:40 PM
VA Gov. Spanberger (moderate, was in CIA) and NYC Mayor Mamdani (left, is in DSA) both taking steps to block local law enforcement from helping ICE as it violently violates people's rights is a good example of how the relevant divide in the Dem coalition isn't center-left, it's fight-don't fight.
We've only been aware of Trump's racism since a 1973 article about his real estate company refusing the rent apartments to black people, the first ever mention of his name in the NYT. That's why his Obama meme comes as a total shock. Who knew?
February 7, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
It’s a miracle that’s all it fell. I can’t imagine wanting to vacation here as a foreign citizen right now.
International travel to the US has plunged in the first year of Trump’s second term, as the president has overseen a dramatic expansion of immigration enforcement, mounting scrutiny at the border and global tariffs. The number of foreign visitors who travelled to the US in 2025 fell 4.2%.
Donald Trump’s policies dent international travel to US in blow to tourism sector
Foreign visitors to the US fell 4.2% in 2025, while international travel worldwide rose 4%
www.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:46 PM
It’s a miracle that’s all it fell. I can’t imagine wanting to vacation here as a foreign citizen right now.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
i think we all need to step back and realize that peak art was made when neolithic pot in the shape of a pig was fired
February 6, 2026 at 7:46 PM
i think we all need to step back and realize that peak art was made when neolithic pot in the shape of a pig was fired
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Trump says he was the one who decided to post the video with racist imagery of the Obamas, not an anonymous aide, but says he didn't watch to the end before sending it to "the people" to post for him. But he has no regrets. "No, I didn’t make a mistake." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/u...
‘I Didn’t Make a Mistake’: Trump Declines to Apologize for Racist Video of Obamas
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Trump says he was the one who decided to post the video with racist imagery of the Obamas, not an anonymous aide, but says he didn't watch to the end before sending it to "the people" to post for him. But he has no regrets. "No, I didn’t make a mistake." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/u...
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Reagan was the beginning of Trump, and you have to work pretty hard not to see trickle down. The modern GOP shift toward deregulation, culture war politics, and grievance driven messaging was built slowly while Democrats assumed the guardrails would hold.
Click pic to read and ty for subscribing 🤗👇🏼
Click pic to read and ty for subscribing 🤗👇🏼
Make America Stolen Again
From Ronald to Donald and The Mandate to Project 2025
open.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:09 AM
Reagan was the beginning of Trump, and you have to work pretty hard not to see trickle down. The modern GOP shift toward deregulation, culture war politics, and grievance driven messaging was built slowly while Democrats assumed the guardrails would hold.
Click pic to read and ty for subscribing 🤗👇🏼
Click pic to read and ty for subscribing 🤗👇🏼
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
“Please stay calm as we steal the election”.
February 6, 2026 at 7:53 PM
“Please stay calm as we steal the election”.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Thune threatening the country with a good time
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic” and warned that the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if they do not work with Republicans and the White House.
Homeland Security shutdown grows more likely as Republicans rebuff Democratic demands for ICE
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic” and warned that the Department of Homeland Secu…
trib.al
February 7, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Thune threatening the country with a good time
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Sociologist C. Wright Mills saw this coming—and tried to warn us—60+ years ago.
jacobin.com/2026/02/wrig...
jacobin.com/2026/02/wrig...
February 6, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Sociologist C. Wright Mills saw this coming—and tried to warn us—60+ years ago.
jacobin.com/2026/02/wrig...
jacobin.com/2026/02/wrig...
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
After 8 years writing the tech column
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
Geoffrey's Substack | Geoffrey Fowler | Substack
My personal Substack. Click to read Geoffrey's Substack, by Geoffrey Fowler, a Substack publication. Launched 16 hours ago.
geoffreyafowler.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:52 PM
After 8 years writing the tech column
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Despite judge’s order, ICE sent an immigrant to Mexico instead of back to Minnesota - The Minnesota Star Tribune
Despite judge’s order, ICE sent an immigrant to Mexico instead of back to Minnesota — The Minnesota Star Tribune
The government says the undocumented immigrant voluntarily left the U.S. His attorney is seeking a contempt of court finding as the federal courts remain overwhelmed by immigration cases.
apple.news
February 5, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Despite judge’s order, ICE sent an immigrant to Mexico instead of back to Minnesota - The Minnesota Star Tribune
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
At least half of America is this way, I wish the world would understand that the other half is just as appalled as they are.
Canadian journalist David Cochrane said it best “"America isn't the way it is because he's president. He's president because America is the way it is."
February 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM
At least half of America is this way, I wish the world would understand that the other half is just as appalled as they are.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
This is what we need if we want to fix this. Anything less will just cause it to be worse. And this is dependent on us winning the midterms; control of the house and senate so we can stop this train wreck. Once we have the WH then we can hold accountable, but first we have to slow this down.
The way forward for Dems is to abandon the "turn-the-page/turn-the-cheek ethos" and replace it with "proud accountability for enemies of democracy," says @brianbeutler.bsky.social.
Post-Trump era must be about accountability, not hollow reconciliation.
www.offmessage.net/p/immigratio...
Post-Trump era must be about accountability, not hollow reconciliation.
www.offmessage.net/p/immigratio...
Immigration, Fascism, And The Politics Of The American Creed
We have to protect what's best about America from ALL threats, not just the easiest scapegoats.
www.offmessage.net
February 6, 2026 at 5:53 PM
This is what we need if we want to fix this. Anything less will just cause it to be worse. And this is dependent on us winning the midterms; control of the house and senate so we can stop this train wreck. Once we have the WH then we can hold accountable, but first we have to slow this down.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
False sense of security, people will think the economy is better, just like the spending numbers. If they broke it down people will see the majority of the spend is coming from the 1%.
My opinion: Without Big Tech spending big money on hyperscalers, the U.S. economy would be contracting.
Four of the biggest US technology companies together have forecast capital expenditures that will reach about $650 billion in 2026 #EconSky t.ly/dCeJE
Four of the biggest US technology companies together have forecast capital expenditures that will reach about $650 billion in 2026 #EconSky t.ly/dCeJE
February 6, 2026 at 5:56 PM
False sense of security, people will think the economy is better, just like the spending numbers. If they broke it down people will see the majority of the spend is coming from the 1%.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Let’s move on from the Epstein files to the Epstein trials!
February 6, 2026 at 4:31 AM
Let’s move on from the Epstein files to the Epstein trials!
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
It’s nice to see support around the world against ICE and what is happening in the US. Thank you everyone that makes a public statement against them.
Team GB skier urinates ‘F--- ICE’ in snow before Winter Olympics opening ceremony
(Gift article, as I have a two week long freebie for installing the app)
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/59b6859...
(Gift article, as I have a two week long freebie for installing the app)
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/59b6859...
Team GB skier urinates ‘F--- ICE’ in snow before Winter Olympics opening ceremony
Gus Kenworthy should escape sanction for social media post as Italians launch protest against US agency in Milan
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
It’s nice to see support around the world against ICE and what is happening in the US. Thank you everyone that makes a public statement against them.
Reposted by Julie H. Hotard Ph.D., Disinfo expert
Thank you for writing this & for going on @lawrenceodonnell.bsky.social to share your knowledge.
If Thurgood Marshall said "No one is safe" in 1973 re the violent, racist culture & broad scope of Border Patrol, it is both pathetic & outrageous that Border Patrol wasn't reined in long before now.
If Thurgood Marshall said "No one is safe" in 1973 re the violent, racist culture & broad scope of Border Patrol, it is both pathetic & outrageous that Border Patrol wasn't reined in long before now.
I wrote about the long history of Border Patrol racism and violence for the New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/o...
Opinion | The Border Patrol Was Always Out of Control
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Thank you for writing this & for going on @lawrenceodonnell.bsky.social to share your knowledge.
If Thurgood Marshall said "No one is safe" in 1973 re the violent, racist culture & broad scope of Border Patrol, it is both pathetic & outrageous that Border Patrol wasn't reined in long before now.
If Thurgood Marshall said "No one is safe" in 1973 re the violent, racist culture & broad scope of Border Patrol, it is both pathetic & outrageous that Border Patrol wasn't reined in long before now.