Justin E
@ellisj2.bsky.social
Rick Steves is so cool
It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans.
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December 21, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Rick Steves is so cool
Reposted by Justin E
Jane Austen used 'however' at the beginning of a sentence, and so can you.
December 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Jane Austen used 'however' at the beginning of a sentence, and so can you.
Reposted by Justin E
every time i read about one of these college presidents promising to reinvent the liberal arts education i think of "marge v. the monorail"
Yes we all agree that this is the reason colleges are in trouble
December 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
every time i read about one of these college presidents promising to reinvent the liberal arts education i think of "marge v. the monorail"
Reposted by Justin E
Year-end critics’ lists exist for people to fight over, so I’m happy when people complain about them. But the complaint I will never get is, “I’ve never heard of most of these movies/albums/shows.” Yes, and? Why be mad about learning about stuff you didn’t know before from the news?
December 2, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Year-end critics’ lists exist for people to fight over, so I’m happy when people complain about them. But the complaint I will never get is, “I’ve never heard of most of these movies/albums/shows.” Yes, and? Why be mad about learning about stuff you didn’t know before from the news?
Reposted by Justin E
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
November 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Reposted by Justin E
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Reposted by Justin E
being married is like being an anthropologist of one person in particular, and the field work only ends when one of you dies
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 PM
being married is like being an anthropologist of one person in particular, and the field work only ends when one of you dies
Reposted by Justin E
I appreciate all reporting on ICE detention, it's necessary, but there's a desperation aspect present when it's a European white detainee that makes me uncomfortable because I know they're featuring that person so prominently because a lot of white Americans won't care when it's non-white detainees.
November 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I appreciate all reporting on ICE detention, it's necessary, but there's a desperation aspect present when it's a European white detainee that makes me uncomfortable because I know they're featuring that person so prominently because a lot of white Americans won't care when it's non-white detainees.
Reposted by Justin E
Here's wishing them all coal in their stockings and a well funded primary opponent
These 20 House Democrats just joined Republicans in voting to fully repeal DC's police reform laws.
Wiping off the books critical laws on use of force, transparency, and preventing violent cops from getting rehired.
They think that they should have more say over DC police than the people of DC.
Wiping off the books critical laws on use of force, transparency, and preventing violent cops from getting rehired.
They think that they should have more say over DC police than the people of DC.
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Here's wishing them all coal in their stockings and a well funded primary opponent
Reposted by Justin E
Given what we’ve seen on America’s streets, it’s worth repeating what the court says here:
Needlessly pointing a firearm at someone can violate the Fourth Amendment, even if the officer never pulls the trigger.
Needlessly pointing a firearm at someone can violate the Fourth Amendment, even if the officer never pulls the trigger.
Fourth Circuit publishes an opinion to make a point that otherwise would go unseen.
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
November 14, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Given what we’ve seen on America’s streets, it’s worth repeating what the court says here:
Needlessly pointing a firearm at someone can violate the Fourth Amendment, even if the officer never pulls the trigger.
Needlessly pointing a firearm at someone can violate the Fourth Amendment, even if the officer never pulls the trigger.
This is horrible
Bovino: "Whether they were criminals or individuals that were taking jobs from Americans -- you name it, that's what they were doing. And I'll tell you what's gonna happen. We're gonna go even harder on the streets. If he releases those 650, we're gonna apprehend 1,650 on the streets of Chicago."
November 13, 2025 at 8:54 PM
This is horrible
Reposted by Justin E
✅ he was extremely close friends with Epstein
✅ Epstein had like 11 ways to contact Trump
✅ Epstein sourced teens from maralago
✅ Epstein introduced Melania to Trump
✅ the DoJ combed evidence looking only for Trump and did a u-turn on releasing files
✅ Trump has been found guilty of sex crimes
✅ Epstein had like 11 ways to contact Trump
✅ Epstein sourced teens from maralago
✅ Epstein introduced Melania to Trump
✅ the DoJ combed evidence looking only for Trump and did a u-turn on releasing files
✅ Trump has been found guilty of sex crimes
November 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
✅ he was extremely close friends with Epstein
✅ Epstein had like 11 ways to contact Trump
✅ Epstein sourced teens from maralago
✅ Epstein introduced Melania to Trump
✅ the DoJ combed evidence looking only for Trump and did a u-turn on releasing files
✅ Trump has been found guilty of sex crimes
✅ Epstein had like 11 ways to contact Trump
✅ Epstein sourced teens from maralago
✅ Epstein introduced Melania to Trump
✅ the DoJ combed evidence looking only for Trump and did a u-turn on releasing files
✅ Trump has been found guilty of sex crimes
Ms. Rachel is killin it over on Instagram. It’s so great to see someone using their platform in this way
she's sharing all sorts of NYT receipts on IG, highly recommend taking a look: www.instagram.com/msrachelforl...
Ms Rachel says The New York Times asked her if she’s funded by Hamas
November 10, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Ms. Rachel is killin it over on Instagram. It’s so great to see someone using their platform in this way
Reposted by Justin E
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
Hey, a lot of people are talking about changing affiliation from Democratic to Independent.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
Reposted by Justin E
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Reposted by Justin E
I rode the wave in 2018 and got elected to a local board (and have been re-elected twice). Running when there is momentum is easier! If you want to run for local office, now is a great time to start thinking about it and planning.
HUGE: Nearly 3000 people have signed up with @runforsomething.net to run for office since Tuesday night. runforwhat.net
Run for Something
Find offices you can run for
runforwhat.net
November 8, 2025 at 11:43 PM
I rode the wave in 2018 and got elected to a local board (and have been re-elected twice). Running when there is momentum is easier! If you want to run for local office, now is a great time to start thinking about it and planning.
Reposted by Justin E
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
190. SNAP WTF?
A very quick explainer on what (and why) Justice Jackson issued an "administrative stay" in the SNAP case late on Friday night, and on what's likely to happen next
www.stevevladeck.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Reposted by Justin E
“Just hear me out. Pastrami on rye.”
“Hey, guys, we actually need to talk about the law.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re a panini lover.”
12 Hangry Men
“Hey, guys, we actually need to talk about the law.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re a panini lover.”
12 Hangry Men
November 6, 2025 at 8:54 PM
“Just hear me out. Pastrami on rye.”
“Hey, guys, we actually need to talk about the law.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re a panini lover.”
12 Hangry Men
“Hey, guys, we actually need to talk about the law.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re a panini lover.”
12 Hangry Men
Reposted by Justin E
100% correct. The Dem ads about Trump weren't just "orange man bad." They were: I'm focused on lowering costs while my GOP opponent is serving Trump, who is raising costs with tariffs, canceling infrastructure, etc.
The bizarre media narrative that Dems must choose between anti-Trump and affordability politics reflects a broad reluctance to accept that Trump is really unpopular. The way forward is a fusion of the two. They are often one and the same. 8/
(h/t @jamellebouie.net)
newrepublic.com/article/2027...
(h/t @jamellebouie.net)
newrepublic.com/article/2027...
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 PM
100% correct. The Dem ads about Trump weren't just "orange man bad." They were: I'm focused on lowering costs while my GOP opponent is serving Trump, who is raising costs with tariffs, canceling infrastructure, etc.
Reposted by Justin E
Good morning.
Last night was a referendum on Trump's corruption, cruelty, and chaos.
But it's also not a coincidence these big wins came at the exact moment when Democrats are using our power to stand for something and be strong.
A huge risk to not learn that lesson.
Last night was a referendum on Trump's corruption, cruelty, and chaos.
But it's also not a coincidence these big wins came at the exact moment when Democrats are using our power to stand for something and be strong.
A huge risk to not learn that lesson.
November 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Good morning.
Last night was a referendum on Trump's corruption, cruelty, and chaos.
But it's also not a coincidence these big wins came at the exact moment when Democrats are using our power to stand for something and be strong.
A huge risk to not learn that lesson.
Last night was a referendum on Trump's corruption, cruelty, and chaos.
But it's also not a coincidence these big wins came at the exact moment when Democrats are using our power to stand for something and be strong.
A huge risk to not learn that lesson.
Reposted by Justin E
Does the Speaker of the House know what's going on in the country?
It's not clear that he does, as Mike Johnson's communication strategy seems to rely heavily on being unaware.
When faced with questions he should be able to answer, he has a reliable response: "I don't know."
It's not clear that he does, as Mike Johnson's communication strategy seems to rely heavily on being unaware.
When faced with questions he should be able to answer, he has a reliable response: "I don't know."
October 22, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Does the Speaker of the House know what's going on in the country?
It's not clear that he does, as Mike Johnson's communication strategy seems to rely heavily on being unaware.
When faced with questions he should be able to answer, he has a reliable response: "I don't know."
It's not clear that he does, as Mike Johnson's communication strategy seems to rely heavily on being unaware.
When faced with questions he should be able to answer, he has a reliable response: "I don't know."
Reposted by Justin E
I can’t stress this enough: you cannot understand politics without reading this paragraph about why there’s no such thing as a 1/3rd pound hamburger
October 30, 2025 at 2:26 AM
I can’t stress this enough: you cannot understand politics without reading this paragraph about why there’s no such thing as a 1/3rd pound hamburger
Reposted by Justin E
This video from Portland is a metaphor for what is going on in America. ICE trying so hard to get Americans to cross a line and if they don't, dragging them across the line and violently attacking.
October 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This video from Portland is a metaphor for what is going on in America. ICE trying so hard to get Americans to cross a line and if they don't, dragging them across the line and violently attacking.
Reposted by Justin E
Mike Johnson doesn't know sh*t
October 22, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Mike Johnson doesn't know sh*t
Reposted by Justin E
video stores aren't "good," but going out and engaging with the world is good, while staying home half-watching the latest garbage the Netflix algorithm shoved at you while scrolling through your Insta feed is a form of cultural and spiritual malnourishment encouraged by corporate psychopaths
Yeah, I think I see the problem here - it's not that the video store was good, it's that you miss being a teenager
October 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
video stores aren't "good," but going out and engaging with the world is good, while staying home half-watching the latest garbage the Netflix algorithm shoved at you while scrolling through your Insta feed is a form of cultural and spiritual malnourishment encouraged by corporate psychopaths