Douglas Farrar
@douglasfarrar.bsky.social
Opinions expressed are mine and should be adopted by you immediately.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
This week Open AI walked back a call for the govt to backstop financing for its trillion dollar investments in data centers. This was only the tip of the iceberg; a slow bailout for AI firms is already underway. Read more from @ambakak.bsky.social and I in @wsj.com: www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
Opinion | You May Already Be Bailing Out the AI Business
Washington is treating the industry as if it’s too big to fail, even as the market sends lukewarm signals.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:56 PM
This week Open AI walked back a call for the govt to backstop financing for its trillion dollar investments in data centers. This was only the tip of the iceberg; a slow bailout for AI firms is already underway. Read more from @ambakak.bsky.social and I in @wsj.com: www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Whatever else is in the deal, agreeing to merely have a vote on ACA is a fig leaf. Even if it passes the Senate, it won't in the House, which also makes it an easy yes vote for the Senate Rs who might want to, defusing it as an attack on them.
It is a stupid ask even on Team Schumer's own terms.
It is a stupid ask even on Team Schumer's own terms.
November 10, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Whatever else is in the deal, agreeing to merely have a vote on ACA is a fig leaf. Even if it passes the Senate, it won't in the House, which also makes it an easy yes vote for the Senate Rs who might want to, defusing it as an attack on them.
It is a stupid ask even on Team Schumer's own terms.
It is a stupid ask even on Team Schumer's own terms.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Josh Hawley says he supports ending the filibuster
November 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Josh Hawley says he supports ending the filibuster
Lina Khan in conversation with @hcrichardson.bsky.social about the history of antitrust and the future of the Democrats. Watch! 📺
substack.com/@linamkhan/n...
substack.com/@linamkhan/n...
Live with Heather Cox Richardson
A recording from Lina Khan and Heather Cox Richardson's live video
substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Lina Khan in conversation with @hcrichardson.bsky.social about the history of antitrust and the future of the Democrats. Watch! 📺
substack.com/@linamkhan/n...
substack.com/@linamkhan/n...
Let’s do it.
In the long run it might create more democratic accountability in government and get the Congress back engaged with actually governing.
In the long run it might create more democratic accountability in government and get the Congress back engaged with actually governing.
October 31, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Let’s do it.
In the long run it might create more democratic accountability in government and get the Congress back engaged with actually governing.
In the long run it might create more democratic accountability in government and get the Congress back engaged with actually governing.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Anthropic’s partnership with the DOE to keep Claude from building a nuclear weapon makes for good headlines. @heidykhlaaf.bsky.social calls it security theater. The real risk is AI firms gaining access to national security data.
www.wired.com/story/anthro...
www.wired.com/story/anthro...
Anthropic Has a Plan to Keep Its AI From Building a Nuclear Weapon. Will It Work?
Anthropic partnered with the US government to create a filter meant to block Claude from helping someone build a nuke. Experts are divided on whether its a necessary protection—or a protection at all.
www.wired.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Anthropic’s partnership with the DOE to keep Claude from building a nuclear weapon makes for good headlines. @heidykhlaaf.bsky.social calls it security theater. The real risk is AI firms gaining access to national security data.
www.wired.com/story/anthro...
www.wired.com/story/anthro...
This is a big case to watch. We could end up seeing internal DOGE staff discussions about cancelling federal grants, and why.
I'm predicting: foolish, ham-fisted, possibly some AI assisted sloppy decisions using keywords...
That's why they are trying so hard to keep it out of the record.
I'm predicting: foolish, ham-fisted, possibly some AI assisted sloppy decisions using keywords...
That's why they are trying so hard to keep it out of the record.
After the Trump administration sought to privately email some crucial spreadsheets instead of filing them on the public docket, a judge scolds:
"We have no secrets here. The government needs to file everything publicly and needs to do so now." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
"We have no secrets here. The government needs to file everything publicly and needs to do so now." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is a big case to watch. We could end up seeing internal DOGE staff discussions about cancelling federal grants, and why.
I'm predicting: foolish, ham-fisted, possibly some AI assisted sloppy decisions using keywords...
That's why they are trying so hard to keep it out of the record.
I'm predicting: foolish, ham-fisted, possibly some AI assisted sloppy decisions using keywords...
That's why they are trying so hard to keep it out of the record.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
👀 Just Now -- President Trump in the Oval Office said a government shutdown gives his administration the power to cut benefit programs, which include Social Security and Medicare.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
September 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
👀 Just Now -- President Trump in the Oval Office said a government shutdown gives his administration the power to cut benefit programs, which include Social Security and Medicare.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Lina Khan points out especial risks when monopolies start to control mainstream media. www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/w... h/t @douglasfarrar.bsky.social
Lina Khan on media, mergers, & muzzling dissent
When FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC over a controversial monologue by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, his show was suspended hours later by the network. Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan w...
www.msnbc.com
September 20, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Lina Khan points out especial risks when monopolies start to control mainstream media. www.msnbc.com/ali-velshi/w... h/t @douglasfarrar.bsky.social
They say a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich, but it’s harder to get them to indict…a hero?! 🥪 🤣
I’m sorry but the statute of limitations on ham sandwich jokes has expired.
Please wait until the next failed indictment to try again. Thank you.
Please wait until the next failed indictment to try again. Thank you.
August 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM
They say a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich, but it’s harder to get them to indict…a hero?! 🥪 🤣
What Alford claims is happening at DOJ Antitrust Division is the inverse of economic populism.
Biden antitrust officials sought to shift economic power towards people through legit law enforcement.
Under Trump, economic power is held by a handful of well-connected elites.
Biden antitrust officials sought to shift economic power towards people through legit law enforcement.
Under Trump, economic power is held by a handful of well-connected elites.
August 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
What Alford claims is happening at DOJ Antitrust Division is the inverse of economic populism.
Biden antitrust officials sought to shift economic power towards people through legit law enforcement.
Under Trump, economic power is held by a handful of well-connected elites.
Biden antitrust officials sought to shift economic power towards people through legit law enforcement.
Under Trump, economic power is held by a handful of well-connected elites.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Must watch from the former FTC Chair and "Lebron James of Government" according to a random person on Twitter.
Should corporations be able to weaponize your personal data to rip you off?
Well, they may already be doing that thanks to a shady tactic called “surveillance pricing.”
Former FTC Chair Lina Khan explains what we can do about it. youtu.be/-cbtUYshYM8?...
Well, they may already be doing that thanks to a shady tactic called “surveillance pricing.”
Former FTC Chair Lina Khan explains what we can do about it. youtu.be/-cbtUYshYM8?...
The Shady World of Surveillance Pricing (Ft. Lina Khan)
YouTube video by Robert Reich
youtu.be
June 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Must watch from the former FTC Chair and "Lebron James of Government" according to a random person on Twitter.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Lot of talk today upon Musk’s departure about how little money he saved us. True but irrelevant.
This was a land grab. Musk is leaving because he got what he came for. This Palantir story is just the beginning. We’ll watch the long tail of this destruction unfold over years to come.
This was a land grab. Musk is leaving because he got what he came for. This Palantir story is just the beginning. We’ll watch the long tail of this destruction unfold over years to come.
“.. raising questions over whether [Trump] might compile a master list of personal information on Americans that could give him untold surveillance power.”
@nytimes.com $PLTR
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/t...
@nytimes.com $PLTR
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/t...
May 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Lot of talk today upon Musk’s departure about how little money he saved us. True but irrelevant.
This was a land grab. Musk is leaving because he got what he came for. This Palantir story is just the beginning. We’ll watch the long tail of this destruction unfold over years to come.
This was a land grab. Musk is leaving because he got what he came for. This Palantir story is just the beginning. We’ll watch the long tail of this destruction unfold over years to come.
Bad news on that front if it’s anything like what the FTC found under Biden happened after COVID supply chain shocks.
April 30, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Bad news on that front if it’s anything like what the FTC found under Biden happened after COVID supply chain shocks.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Commissioner Slaughter and I wrote for the @financialtimes.com about the downstream effects of the president’s attempt to fire us. www.ft.com/content/7607...
Trump’s move to fire us is a terrible warning for the US economy
Our case is about whether America is ruled by laws or political whims
www.ft.com
April 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Commissioner Slaughter and I wrote for the @financialtimes.com about the downstream effects of the president’s attempt to fire us. www.ft.com/content/7607...
By illegally firing FTC commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya President Trump moves closer to bringing all economic regulation and monetary policy under his corrupt control.
Dangerous and costly times ahead for American businesses and consumers.
Dangerous and costly times ahead for American businesses and consumers.
April 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM
By illegally firing FTC commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya President Trump moves closer to bringing all economic regulation and monetary policy under his corrupt control.
Dangerous and costly times ahead for American businesses and consumers.
Dangerous and costly times ahead for American businesses and consumers.
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
🔥 @ninajankowicz.com: "Mr Taibbi said when he was first searching through the so-called Twitter files he didn't know what he was looking at. Well, he still doesn't. Everything looks like a conspiracy when you don't know how anything works."
April 1, 2025 at 3:08 PM
🔥 @ninajankowicz.com: "Mr Taibbi said when he was first searching through the so-called Twitter files he didn't know what he was looking at. Well, he still doesn't. Everything looks like a conspiracy when you don't know how anything works."
When your global business empire takes a tumble thanks to your crazy political views and unpopular public policies, one way to juice your stock is just pay yourself with billions in taxpayer money.
I predict massive corruption incoming.
I predict massive corruption incoming.
March 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
When your global business empire takes a tumble thanks to your crazy political views and unpopular public policies, one way to juice your stock is just pay yourself with billions in taxpayer money.
I predict massive corruption incoming.
I predict massive corruption incoming.
Here is a problem worth considering:
Republicans say they are the party of workers, and lots of workers believe it and reward them with votes.
Democrats, on policy, are often the pro-business party and businesses don't care, or actively oppose Democrats.
At some point Dems need to wake tf up.
Republicans say they are the party of workers, and lots of workers believe it and reward them with votes.
Democrats, on policy, are often the pro-business party and businesses don't care, or actively oppose Democrats.
At some point Dems need to wake tf up.
March 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Here is a problem worth considering:
Republicans say they are the party of workers, and lots of workers believe it and reward them with votes.
Democrats, on policy, are often the pro-business party and businesses don't care, or actively oppose Democrats.
At some point Dems need to wake tf up.
Republicans say they are the party of workers, and lots of workers believe it and reward them with votes.
Democrats, on policy, are often the pro-business party and businesses don't care, or actively oppose Democrats.
At some point Dems need to wake tf up.
Is there a suggestion box for waste, fraud and abuse? I’d like to make a submission
www.wired.com/story/doge-g...
www.wired.com/story/doge-g...
Some DOGE Staffers Are Drawing Six-Figure Government Salaries
Engineers and executives at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency are drawing healthy taxpayer-funded salaries—sometimes from the very agencies they are cutting.
www.wired.com
March 4, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Is there a suggestion box for waste, fraud and abuse? I’d like to make a submission
www.wired.com/story/doge-g...
www.wired.com/story/doge-g...
Reposted by Douglas Farrar
Massive encroachment by Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section - makes clear dissenting views will not be published
I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know
I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know
February 26, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Massive encroachment by Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section - makes clear dissenting views will not be published
I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know
I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know
WaPo opinion is going to become a second tier WSJ Opinion section. Strange decision for the paper of record in Washington, D.C.
I always felt the Post was there to hold federal agencies to account, not shill for a set of political principles.
I always felt the Post was there to hold federal agencies to account, not shill for a set of political principles.
SCOOP: WaPo Opinion editor David Shipley is out. Jeff Bezos emails staff about a change to Post Opinions: "We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets."
February 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
WaPo opinion is going to become a second tier WSJ Opinion section. Strange decision for the paper of record in Washington, D.C.
I always felt the Post was there to hold federal agencies to account, not shill for a set of political principles.
I always felt the Post was there to hold federal agencies to account, not shill for a set of political principles.
A big problem for the "Biden created inflation" Jason Furman types is how big of a percent of demand comes from the richest 10% of Americans.
The problem with economics that doesn't consider power dynamics (in this case vast income inequality) is that they miss the forest from the trees.
The problem with economics that doesn't consider power dynamics (in this case vast income inequality) is that they miss the forest from the trees.
February 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A big problem for the "Biden created inflation" Jason Furman types is how big of a percent of demand comes from the richest 10% of Americans.
The problem with economics that doesn't consider power dynamics (in this case vast income inequality) is that they miss the forest from the trees.
The problem with economics that doesn't consider power dynamics (in this case vast income inequality) is that they miss the forest from the trees.