Ben Speggen
@benspeggen.bsky.social
Generalist. Enthusiast. Perpetually curious. Think tank VP. Alt-weekly editor. More at: BenSpeggen.Substack.com
ICYMI, @booker.senate.gov is taking a stand: www.npr.org/2025/04/01/n...
Cory Booker's anti-Trump speech on the Senate floor has lasted 19 hours and counting
The New Jersey Democrat has been criticizing the Trump administration's policies on immigration, education, the economy and more since 7 p.m. ET Monday. Here's what to know about his marathon speech.
www.npr.org
April 1, 2025 at 9:17 PM
ICYMI, @booker.senate.gov is taking a stand: www.npr.org/2025/04/01/n...
An excellent, not to be overlooked point here (i.e., just because you have a security clearance, doesn't mean you have unfettered access; 'need to know' means exactly that.)
Important thing about this jaw-dropping story is that even if Jeff Goldberg hadn't been invited into the chat, Hegseth was sending out detailed military stuff over a civilian app that *even the other people in the conversation probably didn't need to know about*
"Need to know" means "need."
"Need to know" means "need."
March 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
An excellent, not to be overlooked point here (i.e., just because you have a security clearance, doesn't mean you have unfettered access; 'need to know' means exactly that.)
This is wild...
American war planning usually takes place in highly secure facilities. But the Trump administration planned its strikes on the Houthis using a group chat—and accidentally included The Atlantic’s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. theatln.tc/IuULQFiY
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans
U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.
theatln.tc
March 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
This is wild...
On 'Men in Crisis':
In 2023, I had the chance to moderate a conversation w/ Richard Reeves, the founding president of the @aibm.bsky.social during the Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit: youtu.be/ID1ZbrLTBzs?...
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In 2023, I had the chance to moderate a conversation w/ Richard Reeves, the founding president of the @aibm.bsky.social during the Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit: youtu.be/ID1ZbrLTBzs?...
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GS XV - Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It
YouTube video by Jefferson Educational Society Of Erie
youtu.be
March 6, 2025 at 9:31 PM
On 'Men in Crisis':
In 2023, I had the chance to moderate a conversation w/ Richard Reeves, the founding president of the @aibm.bsky.social during the Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit: youtu.be/ID1ZbrLTBzs?...
1/4
In 2023, I had the chance to moderate a conversation w/ Richard Reeves, the founding president of the @aibm.bsky.social during the Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit: youtu.be/ID1ZbrLTBzs?...
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Reposted by Ben Speggen
Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE have touted billions of savings in canceled government contracts. But government spending isn't a secret and goes through bid processes to avoid fraud and waste. Here's how you can explore these contracts yourself: www.instagram.com/reel/DGn9XQQ...
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE have touted billions of savings in canceled government contracts. But government spending isn't a secret and goes through bid processes to avoid fraud and waste. Here's how you can explore these contracts yourself: www.instagram.com/reel/DGn9XQQ...
Reposted by Ben Speggen
“You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” Representative Al Green was escorted out of Congress during President Trump's speech to the joint session on Tuesday. Green, a Texas Democrat, introduced the first articles of impeachment against Trump in 2017. nyti.ms/4h7iiKi
March 5, 2025 at 3:23 AM
“You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” Representative Al Green was escorted out of Congress during President Trump's speech to the joint session on Tuesday. Green, a Texas Democrat, introduced the first articles of impeachment against Trump in 2017. nyti.ms/4h7iiKi
Reposted by Ben Speggen
Everything you need to know about Trump's tax cuts.
March 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Everything you need to know about Trump's tax cuts.
Yup.
March 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Yup.
Correction: Green ‘was removed’
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) just heckled Trump, standing up, shaking his cane at him and telling him, “You don’t have a mandate!” Republicans almost immediately drowned him out with “USA, USA, USA” chants. Green has left the chamber.
Follow live updates:
Follow live updates:
Trump’s address to Congress 2025: Live speech updates and analysis
Follow live updates and analysis from Washington Post reporters as President Donald Trump delivers an address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Correction: Green ‘was removed’
Although not officially a therapy dog, Gus kicked into therapy mode tonight… woof.
March 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Although not officially a therapy dog, Gus kicked into therapy mode tonight… woof.
In case you were wondering about those Social Security numbers…
hey guess what trump's numbers about social security are total horseshit www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
March 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
In case you were wondering about those Social Security numbers…
More education is a good thing, period. (And data suggest a super majority of Americans want their children to go to college)
Here, @jcaustin.bsky.social makes an excellent case, citing two excellent state-level initiatives -- one from Tennessee, the other from Michigan:
Here, @jcaustin.bsky.social makes an excellent case, citing two excellent state-level initiatives -- one from Tennessee, the other from Michigan:
Democrats lament loss of good-paying low-skill jobs. Republicans attack universities and work elites. Neither party proposes the one thing that can deliver economic security. A great higher education for everyone. My latest in @timeshighered.bsky.social www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/if-r...
If Republicans really want to help their voters, they should boost HE
Raging against the ‘woke elites’ running US universities won’t help the millions of Americans who lack decent, family-sustaining jobs, says John Austin
www.timeshighereducation.com
March 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
More education is a good thing, period. (And data suggest a super majority of Americans want their children to go to college)
Here, @jcaustin.bsky.social makes an excellent case, citing two excellent state-level initiatives -- one from Tennessee, the other from Michigan:
Here, @jcaustin.bsky.social makes an excellent case, citing two excellent state-level initiatives -- one from Tennessee, the other from Michigan:
I'm speechless. I'm glad President Zelensky wasn't.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on Friday, a public confrontation unlike any seen between an American president and foreign leader in modern times. Here are key excerpts from the heated exchange.
Excerpts From the Fiery Exchange Between Trump and Zelensky at the White House
During the Oval Office meeting, President Trump told the Ukrainian leader: “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”
www.nytimes.com
February 28, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I'm speechless. I'm glad President Zelensky wasn't.
'The truth is ugly, but it’s necessary to face it.' On today's sad-for-America and stark-wake-up-call-for-democracies-and-US-allies Oval Office meeting:
Sunk in shame for this un-American administration and its cowardly enablers. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
At Least Now We Know the Truth
The truth is ugly, but it’s necessary to face it.
www.theatlantic.com
February 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
'The truth is ugly, but it’s necessary to face it.' On today's sad-for-America and stark-wake-up-call-for-democracies-and-US-allies Oval Office meeting:
Highly recommend subscribing:
I'll be posting a story shortly on that ghastly White House meeting. It will also go out in today's
@theatlantic.com Daily, so if you want to read it for free, sign up for the Daily here. (It's free and in your mailbox every day.)
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
@theatlantic.com Daily, so if you want to read it for free, sign up for the Daily here. (It's free and in your mailbox every day.)
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
The Atlantic Daily
Sign up for the The Atlantic Daily newsletter by David A. Graham, available Weekday Evenings and Sunday Mornings.
www.theatlantic.com
February 28, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Highly recommend subscribing:
Reposted by Ben Speggen
NEW: In November, I wrote a Guardian column headlined 'How to Survive the Broligarchy'. Pretty much everything predicted has now come true. What I'm launching today is part handbook, how to protect ourselves? And part manifesto, how to fight back? Please join me.
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open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
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open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
How to Survive the Broligarchy
Three months ago, I warned we were entering the age of technoauthoritarianism. It's now here. We can and must fight back.
open.substack.com
February 24, 2025 at 11:47 AM
NEW: In November, I wrote a Guardian column headlined 'How to Survive the Broligarchy'. Pretty much everything predicted has now come true. What I'm launching today is part handbook, how to protect ourselves? And part manifesto, how to fight back? Please join me.
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
1/
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Another governor — Janet Mills of Maine — taking a stand rather than bending a knee:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
February 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Another governor — Janet Mills of Maine — taking a stand rather than bending a knee:
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Ben Speggen
TRUMP: The NCAA has complied immediately. That's good. But I understand Maine -- is the governor of Maine here?
JANET MILLS: Yeah I'm here
TRUMP: Are you not gonna comply?
JM: I'm going to comply with state and federal law
T: You better do it bc you're not gonna get any federal funding at all
JANET MILLS: Yeah I'm here
TRUMP: Are you not gonna comply?
JM: I'm going to comply with state and federal law
T: You better do it bc you're not gonna get any federal funding at all
February 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
TRUMP: The NCAA has complied immediately. That's good. But I understand Maine -- is the governor of Maine here?
JANET MILLS: Yeah I'm here
TRUMP: Are you not gonna comply?
JM: I'm going to comply with state and federal law
T: You better do it bc you're not gonna get any federal funding at all
JANET MILLS: Yeah I'm here
TRUMP: Are you not gonna comply?
JM: I'm going to comply with state and federal law
T: You better do it bc you're not gonna get any federal funding at all
What is social and community infrastructure, and why is it important? What are the unique community challenges in “left-behind places” that are often overlooked and can derail economic recovery?
New report answering those questions and why they matter:
www.jeserie.org/uploads/BUIL...
New report answering those questions and why they matter:
www.jeserie.org/uploads/BUIL...
www.jeserie.org
February 21, 2025 at 9:55 PM
What is social and community infrastructure, and why is it important? What are the unique community challenges in “left-behind places” that are often overlooked and can derail economic recovery?
New report answering those questions and why they matter:
www.jeserie.org/uploads/BUIL...
New report answering those questions and why they matter:
www.jeserie.org/uploads/BUIL...
A must-watch video of @govpritzker.illinois.gov to inspire and remind us how we tamp down the flames of hatred, attempts at oppression, and the threatening rise of tyranny and continue to give democracy the oxygen it needs to survive, and thrive.
Extended clip here: www.nbcnews.com/video/illino...
Extended clip here: www.nbcnews.com/video/illino...
February 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
A must-watch video of @govpritzker.illinois.gov to inspire and remind us how we tamp down the flames of hatred, attempts at oppression, and the threatening rise of tyranny and continue to give democracy the oxygen it needs to survive, and thrive.
Extended clip here: www.nbcnews.com/video/illino...
Extended clip here: www.nbcnews.com/video/illino...
ALERT FROM ME: My work email address (JESErie) was hacked overnight, and apparently thousands of emails were sent with a link to a SharePoint that wasn't mine.
I'm 'back at the controls', but working through to regain access to my inbox, which I still don't have full access to.
1/
I'm 'back at the controls', but working through to regain access to my inbox, which I still don't have full access to.
1/
February 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
ALERT FROM ME: My work email address (JESErie) was hacked overnight, and apparently thousands of emails were sent with a link to a SharePoint that wasn't mine.
I'm 'back at the controls', but working through to regain access to my inbox, which I still don't have full access to.
1/
I'm 'back at the controls', but working through to regain access to my inbox, which I still don't have full access to.
1/
A reminder/context: It is Feb. 1, and Inauguration Day was Jan. 20.
An eye-opener this morning: A @washingtonpost review of more than 8,000 federal webpages that changed since Inauguration Day found 662 examples of deletions and additions that reflect policy changes at the heart of Trump’s campaign. You can read the story here: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
How federal agencies have already changed their websites under Trump
“Diversity” has been deleted. “Climate resilience” is now a popular substitute for “climate change.” And “pregnant people” has been replaced by “pregnant women.”
www.washingtonpost.com
February 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A reminder/context: It is Feb. 1, and Inauguration Day was Jan. 20.
Reposted by Ben Speggen
This is crucial reporting from @katherinejwu.com.
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
CDC Data Are Disappearing
The agency has already removed scientific data from public view. More could follow.
www.theatlantic.com
February 1, 2025 at 3:53 AM
This is crucial reporting from @katherinejwu.com.
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
I shared this elsewhere earlier this week. Sharing here now as it is still a good, important read given the timing:
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “content of their character” quote has proved to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the effort to airbrush his legacy, Jonathan Eig writes.
“[But] King never wanted White Americans to get comfortable with discrimination.” wapo.st/3CfLAIh
“[But] King never wanted White Americans to get comfortable with discrimination.” wapo.st/3CfLAIh
January 24, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I shared this elsewhere earlier this week. Sharing here now as it is still a good, important read given the timing: