Michael Eisenstein
@eisensteinium.bsky.social
Science writer and editor. Philadelphian. Mostly a lurker. Not actually a capybara.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
JUST IN: Judge Boasberg won’t back off his planned contempt hearings next week and says the crime-fraud exception would overcome potential privileges. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
December 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
JUST IN: Judge Boasberg won’t back off his planned contempt hearings next week and says the crime-fraud exception would overcome potential privileges. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
#DHS called my nativity "offensive to Christians," and I've got a lot to say about that. What's offensive to Christians is the vile way that they treat bearers of the image of God - that's everybody. We've got to stand up to this secret police force with all we have before it's too late.
December 11, 2025 at 7:38 PM
#DHS called my nativity "offensive to Christians," and I've got a lot to say about that. What's offensive to Christians is the vile way that they treat bearers of the image of God - that's everybody. We've got to stand up to this secret police force with all we have before it's too late.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Hey, this is where those fucks from out of town who are kidnapping our friends are staying.
More than 100 people gathered outside the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Edina on Thursday to protest the hotel reportedly hosting ICE agents.
Hotel staff declined to comment.
Hotel staff declined to comment.
December 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Hey, this is where those fucks from out of town who are kidnapping our friends are staying.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
More than 100 people gathered outside the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Edina on Thursday to protest the hotel reportedly hosting ICE agents.
Hotel staff declined to comment.
Hotel staff declined to comment.
December 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
More than 100 people gathered outside the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Edina on Thursday to protest the hotel reportedly hosting ICE agents.
Hotel staff declined to comment.
Hotel staff declined to comment.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
ultimately, no one even grieved Charlie Kirk. he was just another thing for the worst people on earth to get outraged over. and when the outrage of real events wasn't enough, they invented new ones.
not even his wife saw his death as anything other than an opportunity.
not even his wife saw his death as anything other than an opportunity.
my read is they were trying to whip up the usual frenzy, but then the effort got blown up by Candace Owens saying The Jews did it
It’s kind of incredible how little has been published about this guy and how little conservatives seem to care. Did people just forget these people were screeching for civil war when they thought he was a liberal?
December 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
ultimately, no one even grieved Charlie Kirk. he was just another thing for the worst people on earth to get outraged over. and when the outrage of real events wasn't enough, they invented new ones.
not even his wife saw his death as anything other than an opportunity.
not even his wife saw his death as anything other than an opportunity.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
If what he's alleging is true (Nuzzi hasn't denied any of the accusations about her ethics as far as I'm aware), he should have come forward with it *sooner.* It's an extremely big deal that a national news reporter was actively aiding the campaign of an anti-vaxxer!
December 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
If what he's alleging is true (Nuzzi hasn't denied any of the accusations about her ethics as far as I'm aware), he should have come forward with it *sooner.* It's an extremely big deal that a national news reporter was actively aiding the campaign of an anti-vaxxer!
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
This should be the biggest story in the country right now. The sitting US President was extorting state lawmakers from his own party by threatening to withhold public money if they didn’t gerrymander for him.
I don’t know how else to say it…
I don’t know how else to say it…
December 12, 2025 at 4:21 AM
This should be the biggest story in the country right now. The sitting US President was extorting state lawmakers from his own party by threatening to withhold public money if they didn’t gerrymander for him.
I don’t know how else to say it…
I don’t know how else to say it…
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
the return of shame would be the best thing to happen so far this decade, unambiguously
December 12, 2025 at 12:17 AM
the return of shame would be the best thing to happen so far this decade, unambiguously
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
BREAKING: Democrats and Republicans in Congress just voted to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act to restore federal workers’ union rights – the first time the House has voted to overturn a Trump executive order in this term. https://bit.ly/4oNyBQc
December 11, 2025 at 10:06 PM
BREAKING: Democrats and Republicans in Congress just voted to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act to restore federal workers’ union rights – the first time the House has voted to overturn a Trump executive order in this term. https://bit.ly/4oNyBQc
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Indiana Republicans rejected a proposal to redraw the state's congressional maps despite a furious pressure campaign by Trump
Trump's Bid To Rig Indiana Congressional Map Goes Down In Flames
After two months of pressure and violent threats, Republican state senators voted against Trump's effort to eliminate two House seats held by Democrats.
www.huffpost.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Indiana Republicans rejected a proposal to redraw the state's congressional maps despite a furious pressure campaign by Trump
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
I will never forget and never forgive these actions. And there are so many, with so many people carrying these orders out while others laugh and clap and post excited selfies about it all.
Justice has to be served.
Justice has to be served.
Read to the end. NPR asked why the Trump team ended a low-cost program that cured millions of tropical diseases w drugs donated by pharma. The spokesperson replied with an NPR headline—“Farewell to USAID”—and said: “What do you think farewell meant?” www.npr.org/sections/goa...
The fight to beat neglected tropical diseases was going well. 2025 could change that
The campaign to prevent and treat these diseases has seen great success thanks to a USAID program. Now that program is gone.
www.npr.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I will never forget and never forgive these actions. And there are so many, with so many people carrying these orders out while others laugh and clap and post excited selfies about it all.
Justice has to be served.
Justice has to be served.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
December 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
BREAKING
Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be immediately RELEASED from immigration custody, a federal judge rules.
Story soon on All Rise News www.allrisenews.com/subscribe
Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be immediately RELEASED from immigration custody, a federal judge rules.
Story soon on All Rise News www.allrisenews.com/subscribe
December 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
BREAKING
Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be immediately RELEASED from immigration custody, a federal judge rules.
Story soon on All Rise News www.allrisenews.com/subscribe
Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be immediately RELEASED from immigration custody, a federal judge rules.
Story soon on All Rise News www.allrisenews.com/subscribe
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
The best moment in the History of the Word Caucasian came in a series of Supreme Court cases during the immigration panic of the 1920s.
The Naturalization Act of 1790 said that only "white" people could be naturalized as American citizens, but that only raised questions about what counted as white?
The Naturalization Act of 1790 said that only "white" people could be naturalized as American citizens, but that only raised questions about what counted as white?
It stems from a literal belief that white peoples descended from the Caucasus mountains after Noah’s ark
December 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The best moment in the History of the Word Caucasian came in a series of Supreme Court cases during the immigration panic of the 1920s.
The Naturalization Act of 1790 said that only "white" people could be naturalized as American citizens, but that only raised questions about what counted as white?
The Naturalization Act of 1790 said that only "white" people could be naturalized as American citizens, but that only raised questions about what counted as white?
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Stop printing lies in the newspaper. There need to be consequences for printing lies in the newspaper. He literally says and believes exactly this, several times per day and on camera.
December 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Stop printing lies in the newspaper. There need to be consequences for printing lies in the newspaper. He literally says and believes exactly this, several times per day and on camera.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
I went over the 'grain wage' conversions, which are more relevant here: bsky.app/profile/bret...
In calories, a modern minimum wage worker has something like 17 times Cratchit's buying power.
In calories, a modern minimum wage worker has something like 17 times Cratchit's buying power.
A good example of why direct inflation adjustment of this sort is more deceptive than clarifying when applied over very long stretches of time where consumption patterns are very different.
Basic foods (bread/grain) probably devours a third of Cratchet's income, but not the modern worker's.
Basic foods (bread/grain) probably devours a third of Cratchet's income, but not the modern worker's.
👇
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 AM
I went over the 'grain wage' conversions, which are more relevant here: bsky.app/profile/bret...
In calories, a modern minimum wage worker has something like 17 times Cratchit's buying power.
In calories, a modern minimum wage worker has something like 17 times Cratchit's buying power.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
ICE detain U.S. citizen for looking Somali—use illegal chokehold to tackle him to ground.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
December 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
ICE detain U.S. citizen for looking Somali—use illegal chokehold to tackle him to ground.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
It’s been two weeks since ICE took Yuanxin Zheng from his father. He is six years old. He’s still not home. This has to end.
December 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
It’s been two weeks since ICE took Yuanxin Zheng from his father. He is six years old. He’s still not home. This has to end.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Couple of things here:
1. Trump says he took another cognitive test recently
2. In front of "large numbers of doctors and experts"
3. He called the examinations "long...and very boring"
4. If you're given 3 cognitive exams in one year by panels of doctors, something is VERY wrong with you
1. Trump says he took another cognitive test recently
2. In front of "large numbers of doctors and experts"
3. He called the examinations "long...and very boring"
4. If you're given 3 cognitive exams in one year by panels of doctors, something is VERY wrong with you
December 10, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Couple of things here:
1. Trump says he took another cognitive test recently
2. In front of "large numbers of doctors and experts"
3. He called the examinations "long...and very boring"
4. If you're given 3 cognitive exams in one year by panels of doctors, something is VERY wrong with you
1. Trump says he took another cognitive test recently
2. In front of "large numbers of doctors and experts"
3. He called the examinations "long...and very boring"
4. If you're given 3 cognitive exams in one year by panels of doctors, something is VERY wrong with you
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Veteran detained by ICE: I identified myself as a US citizen and a veteran, but that didn't matter. Agents smashed my window, sprayed tear gas into my car, dragged me out. Even after I complied, I was held for 3 days without charges. No phone call, no lawyer, no medical care
December 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Veteran detained by ICE: I identified myself as a US citizen and a veteran, but that didn't matter. Agents smashed my window, sprayed tear gas into my car, dragged me out. Even after I complied, I was held for 3 days without charges. No phone call, no lawyer, no medical care
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
“She has marks on her neck and wrist from where agents restrained her. Agents cut off her wedding ring and held her in leg shackles at Whipple Federal Building for about five hours.”
Her crime: witnessing ICE, from a distance.
Her crime: witnessing ICE, from a distance.
Federal agents arrest citizen observer watching ICE detain neighbors on her north Minneapolis block
Susan Tincher, a 55-year-old American citizen, appears to be the first observer arrested by federal immigration enforcement officers since the agency launched an immigration surge in the Twin Cities l...
www.mprnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
“She has marks on her neck and wrist from where agents restrained her. Agents cut off her wedding ring and held her in leg shackles at Whipple Federal Building for about five hours.”
Her crime: witnessing ICE, from a distance.
Her crime: witnessing ICE, from a distance.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
'Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas being transported to Fossanova Abbey.'
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
December 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
I say this as someone whose entire job is finding the narrow use cases in which AI is actually useful:
All the fear about AI, all the reluctance to adopt it, is entirely legitimate, and a product of the fact that it's been foisted on the public with no consideration of its negative externalities.
All the fear about AI, all the reluctance to adopt it, is entirely legitimate, and a product of the fact that it's been foisted on the public with no consideration of its negative externalities.
I continue to have no sympathy left for whinging about how the public are rude about AI and feel threatened by it when the biggest players in the AI space have spent years very vocally and constantly *threatening the public*
December 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I say this as someone whose entire job is finding the narrow use cases in which AI is actually useful:
All the fear about AI, all the reluctance to adopt it, is entirely legitimate, and a product of the fact that it's been foisted on the public with no consideration of its negative externalities.
All the fear about AI, all the reluctance to adopt it, is entirely legitimate, and a product of the fact that it's been foisted on the public with no consideration of its negative externalities.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Jesus Christ, public opinion is not some static thing that has to be “respected” by politicians.
Politicians should work to shape it, to make the case for their priorities and positions, to win over voters to *their* ideas not convince voters that they agree with them.
Politicians should work to shape it, to make the case for their priorities and positions, to win over voters to *their* ideas not convince voters that they agree with them.
This exchange drives me nuts. Neither the interviewer nor Bazelon acknowledges that 1) abortion rights are really popular! and 2) what ICE is doing is hugely unpopular!
December 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Jesus Christ, public opinion is not some static thing that has to be “respected” by politicians.
Politicians should work to shape it, to make the case for their priorities and positions, to win over voters to *their* ideas not convince voters that they agree with them.
Politicians should work to shape it, to make the case for their priorities and positions, to win over voters to *their* ideas not convince voters that they agree with them.
Reposted by Michael Eisenstein
Harvard School of Public Health Dean Andrea A. Baccarelli is a coward. Mary Bassett is a public health legend. www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard Dismisses Director of FXB Center for Health and Human Rights | News | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard forced out the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights — another shakeup at a center whose programming on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a flashpoint...
www.thecrimson.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Harvard School of Public Health Dean Andrea A. Baccarelli is a coward. Mary Bassett is a public health legend. www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...