Brian Gocial
@briangocial.bsky.social
Grandson of Holocaust Survivors (גאטשל-רוס, Poland 🇵🇱 ), Son of Immigrants (Sweden 🇸🇪-Cuba 🇨🇺), 1st Gen American (Philly 🦅 🇺🇸). Watching the world crumble, again.
Pinned
Brian Gocial
@briangocial.bsky.social
· Oct 14
“Many of us, indeed, have a feeling that we are living in a country where fanatics, hooligans and eccentrics have got the upper hand.”
-British Ambassador to Berlin, June 30, 1933
-British Ambassador to Berlin, June 30, 1933
“The old system, whatever its merits, is clearly and unequivocally broken and something new has to be built in its place. Something stronger, something more ready to use and comfortable using political power.”
Towards a Deeper Understanding of Our Age of Monsters and Predators talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/towar...
Towards a Deeper Understanding of Our Age of Monsters and Predators
I got a fascinating array of responses to my Tuesday post about...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:41 AM
“The old system, whatever its merits, is clearly and unequivocally broken and something new has to be built in its place. Something stronger, something more ready to use and comfortable using political power.”
Reposted by Brian Gocial
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
The 25th anniversary of Bush v Gore is today. The conspiracy mongering & corruption of the GOP has been brewing for a long time.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Here's Sandra Day O'Connor endorsing News Max levels of voter fraud conspiracies in the 2000 election.
December 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
Reposted by Brian Gocial
“.. We have shattered the halo that has existed around the United States for much of the world across the eight decades since World War II .. closing our doors to the world’s brightest .. by embracing corruption in government ..”
@vermontgmg.bsky.social
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/donald-tru...
@vermontgmg.bsky.social
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/donald-tru...
December 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
“.. We have shattered the halo that has existed around the United States for much of the world across the eight decades since World War II .. closing our doors to the world’s brightest .. by embracing corruption in government ..”
@vermontgmg.bsky.social
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/donald-tru...
@vermontgmg.bsky.social
www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/donald-tru...
What this government has done to this man - and countless others - is evil.
Judge Xinis in blocking re-detention of Abrego Garcia: "The public retains keen interest in ensuring that government agencies comply with court orders'
More: www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Order: tmsnrt.rs/4a7iBVD
More: www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Order: tmsnrt.rs/4a7iBVD
December 12, 2025 at 1:54 PM
What this government has done to this man - and countless others - is evil.
Reposted by Brian Gocial
This. This was the formative event of my generation & our entire politics in 🇺🇸. The structural break after which we were no longer a full democracy, when 5 Wizards In Robes decided they were a super-legislature & counting all the actual votes didn’t matter. The rest has been 25 years of commentary.
25 years ago today, SCOTUS elected George W Bush president of the United States by blocking completion of a voting canvass in Florida. A subsequent canvass by the Associated Press showed that Bush's rival, Al Gore, had won the race in Florida—and thus the contest for the presidency—by 700 votes.
December 12, 2025 at 7:50 AM
This. This was the formative event of my generation & our entire politics in 🇺🇸. The structural break after which we were no longer a full democracy, when 5 Wizards In Robes decided they were a super-legislature & counting all the actual votes didn’t matter. The rest has been 25 years of commentary.
Reposted by Brian Gocial
NATO SEC GEN: “.. We are Russia’s next target. And we are already in harm’s way.”
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
December 12, 2025 at 11:57 AM
NATO SEC GEN: “.. We are Russia’s next target. And we are already in harm’s way.”
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
Reposted by Brian Gocial
America Alone.
Denmark’s military intelligence service has for the first time classified the US as a security risk, a striking shift in how one of Washington’s closest European allies assesses the transatlantic relationship.
Danish intelligence classifies Trump’s America as a security risk
Denmark sounds the alarm about the U.S.’s increasingly antagonistic posture toward Europe.
www.politico.eu
December 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM
America Alone.
Reposted by Brian Gocial
I saw an ICE raid today in Cedar-Riverside. The man they took said repeatedly he was a U.S. Citizen and had ID. They put him in a car they sped off at an unsafe speed. Not that I expected much, but I called 911 and reported their behavior. The dispatcher asked "what I wanted them to do about it."
December 9, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I saw an ICE raid today in Cedar-Riverside. The man they took said repeatedly he was a U.S. Citizen and had ID. They put him in a car they sped off at an unsafe speed. Not that I expected much, but I called 911 and reported their behavior. The dispatcher asked "what I wanted them to do about it."
Quite the kicker. Burying the lead.
“U.S. intelligence did not conclude the drugs were heading to the U.S. Rather it showed that the boat was traveling toward Suriname, and was eventually heading to Europe or Africa.”
“U.S. intelligence did not conclude the drugs were heading to the U.S. Rather it showed that the boat was traveling toward Suriname, and was eventually heading to Europe or Africa.”
EXCLUSIVE: Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S. military on Sept. 2 to kill all 11 people on a suspected drug-smuggling boat because they were on an internal list of military targets, the commander overseeing the operation told lawmakers, according to multiple sources.
Admiral told lawmakers everyone on alleged drug boat was on a list of military targets
Adm. Frank Bradley said U.S. intelligence had identified the 11 people on the boat and determined the military was authorized to kill them as part of Trump’s campaign against alleged drug-smuggling vessels.
nbcnews.to
December 7, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Quite the kicker. Burying the lead.
“U.S. intelligence did not conclude the drugs were heading to the U.S. Rather it showed that the boat was traveling toward Suriname, and was eventually heading to Europe or Africa.”
“U.S. intelligence did not conclude the drugs were heading to the U.S. Rather it showed that the boat was traveling toward Suriname, and was eventually heading to Europe or Africa.”
Reposted by Brian Gocial
Holy shit.
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
December 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Holy shit.
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reposted by Brian Gocial
this sentence alone, my goodness
“She showed up as scheduled, and when she arrived, officers were asking everyone what country they were from, and if they said a certain country, they were told to step out of line and that their oath ceremonies were canceled.”
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2... @gbhnews.bsky.social
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:56 PM
this sentence alone, my goodness
Reposted by Brian Gocial
I'll never get used to sheer, unadulterated meanness of this administration. They're completely unconcerned about lifting people up and solely focused on tearing people down. It is a movement that is absolutely devoid of a moral center. We need to present a clear moral vision in opposition.
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered. n.pr/48HypvT
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I'll never get used to sheer, unadulterated meanness of this administration. They're completely unconcerned about lifting people up and solely focused on tearing people down. It is a movement that is absolutely devoid of a moral center. We need to present a clear moral vision in opposition.
👀
BREAKING: Election Advocates Demand Recount in Tennessee
open.substack.com/pub/narativ/...
open.substack.com/pub/narativ/...
BREAKING: Election Advocates Demand Recount in Tennessee
They’re questioning how 31,000 additional votes appeared with 99.4% votes counted - and that's not all.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
👀
Reposted by Brian Gocial
"We take for granted the degree of peace that we’ve enjoyed over the past eight decades. We think that’s the norm. The norm is actually a lot more like what the world looked like before 1945. I don’t think people are ready for the world that we’re now moving into."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Chaos Is Coming
America helped keep the (relative) peace for 80 years. Not anymore.
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM
"We take for granted the degree of peace that we’ve enjoyed over the past eight decades. We think that’s the norm. The norm is actually a lot more like what the world looked like before 1945. I don’t think people are ready for the world that we’re now moving into."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Seems important:
The intense combat operations “led to a numbness among the crew” and some sailors “lost sight of the purpose of their role to the mission.”
The 4 preventable mishaps cost the Navy over $100M in three lost aircraft and damage to the Truman as well as injuries to multiple sailors.
The intense combat operations “led to a numbness among the crew” and some sailors “lost sight of the purpose of their role to the mission.”
The 4 preventable mishaps cost the Navy over $100M in three lost aircraft and damage to the Truman as well as injuries to multiple sailors.
I can't stress this enough.
This is what happens when an addy junkie appoints a gd alcoholic to a position of power that they should've never had.
They literally wreck the hell out of everything, and then leave it to everyone else to fix.
#SheShed
apnews.com/article/navy...
This is what happens when an addy junkie appoints a gd alcoholic to a position of power that they should've never had.
They literally wreck the hell out of everything, and then leave it to everyone else to fix.
#SheShed
apnews.com/article/navy...
Stress of Houthi combat was a key factor in series of costly Navy mishaps, investigations show
Investigative reports into a series of high-profile Navy mishaps during a U.S.-led campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels reveal the operation's toll on ships and personnel.
apnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Seems important:
The intense combat operations “led to a numbness among the crew” and some sailors “lost sight of the purpose of their role to the mission.”
The 4 preventable mishaps cost the Navy over $100M in three lost aircraft and damage to the Truman as well as injuries to multiple sailors.
The intense combat operations “led to a numbness among the crew” and some sailors “lost sight of the purpose of their role to the mission.”
The 4 preventable mishaps cost the Navy over $100M in three lost aircraft and damage to the Truman as well as injuries to multiple sailors.
Reposted by Brian Gocial
Trump "National Security Strategy" document is Nazism.
Referring to Europe:
"migration policies...transforming the continent"
"loss of national identities"
"continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years"
Needs to "regain its civilizational self-confidence"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Referring to Europe:
"migration policies...transforming the continent"
"loss of national identities"
"continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years"
Needs to "regain its civilizational self-confidence"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Trump "National Security Strategy" document is Nazism.
Referring to Europe:
"migration policies...transforming the continent"
"loss of national identities"
"continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years"
Needs to "regain its civilizational self-confidence"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Referring to Europe:
"migration policies...transforming the continent"
"loss of national identities"
"continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years"
Needs to "regain its civilizational self-confidence"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Brian Gocial
Yeah, a House member needs to send up that impeachment flag. This is illegal, immoral, dangerous behavior — that is also likely unconstitutional as well.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces another boat strike in response to a request/wish from Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet.
December 5, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Yeah, a House member needs to send up that impeachment flag. This is illegal, immoral, dangerous behavior — that is also likely unconstitutional as well.
Sadistic
BREAKING: Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans & intersex people, memo says. A DOJ memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) do not align with Trump’s Jan. 20 anti-trans executive order, @byadamrhodes.bsky.social reports.
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people
A Department of Justice memo says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s executive order
prismreports.org
December 5, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Sadistic
Reposted by Brian Gocial
At some point you realize that the prominent, powerful people you see on your screens are mostly morons who either got lucky or are saying things billionaires want to hear, and that nobody smart or competent is in charge, and we're all just collectively flailing, and it's a miracle anything works.
The co-founder of Kalshi says: " The long-term vision is to financialize everything and create a tradable asset out of any difference in opinion."
December 4, 2025 at 6:34 AM
At some point you realize that the prominent, powerful people you see on your screens are mostly morons who either got lucky or are saying things billionaires want to hear, and that nobody smart or competent is in charge, and we're all just collectively flailing, and it's a miracle anything works.
Reposted by Brian Gocial
"Trump and his top aides are re-creating in America the conditions and terrors of failed states," George Packer writes, by "erasing the distinction between the perpetrators and victims of violence":
Condemning Millions for One Man’s Crime
The sanctity of the individual is an essential Western value.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 1:15 AM
"Trump and his top aides are re-creating in America the conditions and terrors of failed states," George Packer writes, by "erasing the distinction between the perpetrators and victims of violence":
Reposted by Brian Gocial
“.. I believe these threats are a result of the redistricting pressure on Indiana," state Sen. Jean Leising said Monday in a statement, saying that she was the target of a pipe bomb threat over the weekend.
@nbcnews.com #redistrict
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
@nbcnews.com #redistrict
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
December 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
“.. I believe these threats are a result of the redistricting pressure on Indiana," state Sen. Jean Leising said Monday in a statement, saying that she was the target of a pipe bomb threat over the weekend.
@nbcnews.com #redistrict
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
@nbcnews.com #redistrict
www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Brian Gocial
Reposted by Brian Gocial
One day, these will be the incredibly dark moments we read about in the history books.
November 28, 2025 at 5:52 PM
One day, these will be the incredibly dark moments we read about in the history books.
Reposted by Brian Gocial
It's weird to not only have lived through an information revolution but also now living through its undoing, all within less than a generation.
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
It's weird to not only have lived through an information revolution but also now living through its undoing, all within less than a generation.