Ben 🇨🇦
@benwastaken.bsky.social
Erm. Just here to follow interesting people.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
James Comer is bringing Hillary Clinton before his committee to testify about Epstein despite having zero contact with him, but not Epstein’s neighbor Howard Lutnick who lied about his connections to Epstein over many years which is proven in the files.
February 4, 2026 at 1:36 AM
James Comer is bringing Hillary Clinton before his committee to testify about Epstein despite having zero contact with him, but not Epstein’s neighbor Howard Lutnick who lied about his connections to Epstein over many years which is proven in the files.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
The cost of government ministers (whatever their party) using ‘National Security‘ as an excuse to not disclose things is that at times like this Members of Parliament simply do not believe ministers.
In the past MPs may have nodded along, but today they rightly insisted on independent assessments.
In the past MPs may have nodded along, but today they rightly insisted on independent assessments.
February 4, 2026 at 4:39 PM
The cost of government ministers (whatever their party) using ‘National Security‘ as an excuse to not disclose things is that at times like this Members of Parliament simply do not believe ministers.
In the past MPs may have nodded along, but today they rightly insisted on independent assessments.
In the past MPs may have nodded along, but today they rightly insisted on independent assessments.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Men who made hundreds of millions of dollars from a lifetime of obsessing over Jeffrey Epstein now have all the evidence they need to connect the most powerful figures in politics and tech together into a real conspiracy.
Yet they're folding in pretzels to do cover any angle other than Trump
Yet they're folding in pretzels to do cover any angle other than Trump
February 4, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Men who made hundreds of millions of dollars from a lifetime of obsessing over Jeffrey Epstein now have all the evidence they need to connect the most powerful figures in politics and tech together into a real conspiracy.
Yet they're folding in pretzels to do cover any angle other than Trump
Yet they're folding in pretzels to do cover any angle other than Trump
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
One might interpret the Washington Post news as consistent with my ongoing claim that our legacy institutions, once thought to be the bulwark of civil society, will not save our democracy. They are simply too vulnerable to the extortion leveled by the ruling regime.
February 4, 2026 at 4:13 PM
One might interpret the Washington Post news as consistent with my ongoing claim that our legacy institutions, once thought to be the bulwark of civil society, will not save our democracy. They are simply too vulnerable to the extortion leveled by the ruling regime.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Aftenposten confirms that Epstein was sharing photographs of Norwegian royals with Russian intelligence in real time, in one case during and after a visit to Epstein in Palm Beach. The photos marked "mette" were sent shortly after the Crown Princess's Palm Beach visit.
Russisk kontakt delte «mette»-bildefil med Epstein etter Mette-Marits overnatting i Epsteins hus
Bildene merket med «mette» ble sendt kort tid etter kronprinsessens Palm Beach-besøk. Den russiske kontakten bekrefter at bildene var av den norske kronprinsessen.
www.aftenposten.no
February 2, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Aftenposten confirms that Epstein was sharing photographs of Norwegian royals with Russian intelligence in real time, in one case during and after a visit to Epstein in Palm Beach. The photos marked "mette" were sent shortly after the Crown Princess's Palm Beach visit.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
like this is absurd, get over yourselves
February 2, 2026 at 1:57 PM
like this is absurd, get over yourselves
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...
www.propublica.org
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
I looked for Halifax and Nova Scotia in the Epstein files; here’s what I found
Morning File by @timbousquet.bsky.social
Morning File by @timbousquet.bsky.social
I looked for Halifax and Nova Scotia in the Epstein files; here's what I found - Halifax Examiner
Some came to Epstein for financial support. Some came for his connections. Some came for the sex.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
February 2, 2026 at 2:37 PM
I looked for Halifax and Nova Scotia in the Epstein files; here’s what I found
Morning File by @timbousquet.bsky.social
Morning File by @timbousquet.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
There is a similar outrage in the UK, Poland, and even in Czechia about Trump's throwaway comment that NATO allies "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan
Trump's gratuitous smear of Danish soldiers who fell in service to America have the entire nation in a state of outrage, continuing now for many days. American media ignore this.
February 1, 2026 at 11:16 PM
There is a similar outrage in the UK, Poland, and even in Czechia about Trump's throwaway comment that NATO allies "stayed a little back, a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Residential parking permits have been in the news lately, so a casual reminder that the one reason we charge for parking where we do is to discourage people living in low income, high demand areas near commercial centers to not park their cars on the street
(So people from the suburbs can instead)
(So people from the suburbs can instead)
January 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Residential parking permits have been in the news lately, so a casual reminder that the one reason we charge for parking where we do is to discourage people living in low income, high demand areas near commercial centers to not park their cars on the street
(So people from the suburbs can instead)
(So people from the suburbs can instead)
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Four VCs for UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two of them posthumous. An obvious question for his British admirers.
Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front lines."
January 22, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Four VCs for UK forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two of them posthumous. An obvious question for his British admirers.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Oh look, another one
January 21, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Oh look, another one
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Good evening 🥁:
Again banging the drum that the fact we are threatening the territorial sovereignty of our closest allies is not only a gross violation of our UN & NATO treaty obligations & poses a massive threat to national security & world order but also should immediately end this presidency.
Again banging the drum that the fact we are threatening the territorial sovereignty of our closest allies is not only a gross violation of our UN & NATO treaty obligations & poses a massive threat to national security & world order but also should immediately end this presidency.
The head of Denmark’s army should not be in Greenland, working to deter US attack. That is a bad use of his time, weakening everyone in NATO, Denmark and the US very much included.
Or, rather, it would be a bad use of his time, except the US president decided to threaten conquest against US allies.
Or, rather, it would be a bad use of his time, except the US president decided to threaten conquest against US allies.
Footage shows Danish troops arriving in Greenland as part of a new military deployment. Among the personnel who landed on the island is Major General Peter H. Boysen, Chief of the Danish Army Command. #Greenland
January 20, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Good evening 🥁:
Again banging the drum that the fact we are threatening the territorial sovereignty of our closest allies is not only a gross violation of our UN & NATO treaty obligations & poses a massive threat to national security & world order but also should immediately end this presidency.
Again banging the drum that the fact we are threatening the territorial sovereignty of our closest allies is not only a gross violation of our UN & NATO treaty obligations & poses a massive threat to national security & world order but also should immediately end this presidency.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Europe is pulling back on Chinese EV tariffs, instead looking at vehicles on a case-by-case basis as sales of Chinese cars continues to increase across the continent.
Time for Canada to start taking a more pragmatic approach on this, especially as the US tries to destroy auto manufacturing.
Time for Canada to start taking a more pragmatic approach on this, especially as the US tries to destroy auto manufacturing.
Why the EU is ready to drop high tariffs on China-made EVs
Europe’s shift toward cooperation over protectionism on Chinese EVs is more political than business-driven.
restofworld.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Europe is pulling back on Chinese EV tariffs, instead looking at vehicles on a case-by-case basis as sales of Chinese cars continues to increase across the continent.
Time for Canada to start taking a more pragmatic approach on this, especially as the US tries to destroy auto manufacturing.
Time for Canada to start taking a more pragmatic approach on this, especially as the US tries to destroy auto manufacturing.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
This is important and, also, not not new. There were reports of this in LA, Portland, and Chicago, at least, as well.
Just so people outside of MN know - a lot of the US citizens getting “arrested” by ICE never get processed at Whipple. They are roughed up during the arrest and then often dropped off miles from where they were picked up. It means we don’t know the true scale of what ICE is doing based on ICE stats
January 15, 2026 at 7:04 PM
This is important and, also, not not new. There were reports of this in LA, Portland, and Chicago, at least, as well.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
you know, its funny, but america is (was?) really at the height of its imperial power in the period preceding the trump era. its just that ruling the world doesnt get these guys hard unless they get to murder people
"Like an elderly man whose powers are failing, the Habsburg Monarchy sought to recover its youth by a display of vitality...internal action had come to nothing; action in foreign affairs had to take its place."
January 15, 2026 at 3:25 AM
you know, its funny, but america is (was?) really at the height of its imperial power in the period preceding the trump era. its just that ruling the world doesnt get these guys hard unless they get to murder people
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Agree with James here. Hooligan/racist fans is a 2nd order issue and hardly specific to this case.
The UK, and other advanced democracies, should be treating Israel as we did South Africa -economic sanctions and a sporting/cultural boycott.
The UK, and other advanced democracies, should be treating Israel as we did South Africa -economic sanctions and a sporting/cultural boycott.
January 15, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Agree with James here. Hooligan/racist fans is a 2nd order issue and hardly specific to this case.
The UK, and other advanced democracies, should be treating Israel as we did South Africa -economic sanctions and a sporting/cultural boycott.
The UK, and other advanced democracies, should be treating Israel as we did South Africa -economic sanctions and a sporting/cultural boycott.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
They also just reported, without further comment, the phrase ‘X say they take a zero tolerance policy on the posting of child sexual abusive material on the site’ and it makes me feel insane - IT’S THEM POSTING IT, AND THEY HAVEN’T STOPPED!
January 15, 2026 at 7:07 AM
They also just reported, without further comment, the phrase ‘X say they take a zero tolerance policy on the posting of child sexual abusive material on the site’ and it makes me feel insane - IT’S THEM POSTING IT, AND THEY HAVEN’T STOPPED!
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
BBC report at a headline level that Grok will now not make sexually exploitative images any more. An actual reporter comes on and explains that it will do no such thing, and will just make the images invisible in the UK. These are two very, very different things.
January 15, 2026 at 6:44 AM
BBC report at a headline level that Grok will now not make sexually exploitative images any more. An actual reporter comes on and explains that it will do no such thing, and will just make the images invisible in the UK. These are two very, very different things.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Unchecked, imbalanced.
Breaking:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans defeat Venezuela war powers resolution, bowing to Trump’s pressure as Vance casts tie-breaking vote.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans defeat Venezuela war powers resolution, bowing to Trump’s pressure as Vance casts tie-breaking vote.
January 14, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Unchecked, imbalanced.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Luckily VPNs haven't been invented.
X Safety have posted that they have now made some changes to operate within the law.
This includes "geoblocking the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal".
This includes "geoblocking the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal".
January 15, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Luckily VPNs haven't been invented.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
American-owned Toronto Sun advocating for US annexation of Greenland
January 13, 2026 at 2:19 PM
American-owned Toronto Sun advocating for US annexation of Greenland
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
In polls, 28% of Americans say they support ICE killing Renee Good. Even if we assume another 5% like it but lied, that's still just 1/3 of Americans.
The regime tries to make up for its lack of support with bluster, lying in an effort to get others to give up. No one should help them with that.
The regime tries to make up for its lack of support with bluster, lying in an effort to get others to give up. No one should help them with that.
When you say that “most Americans support the murder of Renee Good (or most other awful MAGA actions,” you are doing Trump’s propaganda work for him.
Polling makes it very clear that most Americans do NOT support this shit.
Polling makes it very clear that most Americans do NOT support this shit.
January 13, 2026 at 5:04 PM
In polls, 28% of Americans say they support ICE killing Renee Good. Even if we assume another 5% like it but lied, that's still just 1/3 of Americans.
The regime tries to make up for its lack of support with bluster, lying in an effort to get others to give up. No one should help them with that.
The regime tries to make up for its lack of support with bluster, lying in an effort to get others to give up. No one should help them with that.
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Worth noting that X hasn't even made the Grok nudification feature available to paying users only. Any user, free or paid, can still use the tool on Grok's dedicated site; the bit that's behind the paywall is specifically being able to tweet @-grok to generate pics
Scathing words from No 10 on X making the Grok image tool available only to paying users: “That simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service. It's not a solution. In fact, it's insulting to victims of misogyny and sexual violence."
January 9, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Worth noting that X hasn't even made the Grok nudification feature available to paying users only. Any user, free or paid, can still use the tool on Grok's dedicated site; the bit that's behind the paywall is specifically being able to tweet @-grok to generate pics
Reposted by Ben 🇨🇦
Modest proposal: any minister claiming the government “needs” to be on X should have to read out the top ten comments on their department’s most recent post.
How government engagement on X works. A wholly typical post and a wholly typical reply.
January 9, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Modest proposal: any minister claiming the government “needs” to be on X should have to read out the top ten comments on their department’s most recent post.