Unreconstructed Curmudgeon
@ems1944.bsky.social
Husband, father and, really, nothing else matters. Retired publisher & consultant.
This is moving into the sort of surveillance China has constructed throughout itself.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Immigration Agents Are Using Air Passenger Data for Deportation Effort
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
This is moving into the sort of surveillance China has constructed throughout itself.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Reposted by Unreconstructed Curmudgeon
In the interest of transparency, we will continue to release photos from the Epstein estate. We have released an additional 70+ photos sent to our Committee. More to come. See them using the link below. ⬇️
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fq3vn...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fq3vn...
Dropbox
www.dropbox.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
In the interest of transparency, we will continue to release photos from the Epstein estate. We have released an additional 70+ photos sent to our Committee. More to come. See them using the link below. ⬇️
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fq3vn...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fq3vn...
Josh Marshall grows in stature as a writer, analyst, publisher, and first-rate political observer.
I'm slavish in my admiration for this piece.
I'm slavish in my admiration for this piece.
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 12, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Josh Marshall grows in stature as a writer, analyst, publisher, and first-rate political observer.
I'm slavish in my admiration for this piece.
I'm slavish in my admiration for this piece.
Excellent summary of what's going on with Boasberg and the DofJ
The Trump administration is trying to shut down Judge Boasberg’s contempt of court inquiry in the original Alien Enemies Act case and end the only chance of real accountability for an executive branch that ran roughshod over the judicial branch.
Trump DOJ Desperate to Keep Its Lawyers From Testifying In Contempt Inquiry
A lot has been flying around today in some of the key...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Excellent summary of what's going on with Boasberg and the DofJ
Boasberg's got cojones larger than Trump or the DofJ.
This will make SCOTUS *extremely* uncomfortable. This is zugzwang on a massive scale (Zugzwang, a chess term meaning being in a position where there's no good choice, only a Hobson's.)
This will make SCOTUS *extremely* uncomfortable. This is zugzwang on a massive scale (Zugzwang, a chess term meaning being in a position where there's no good choice, only a Hobson's.)
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 8:04 PM
Boasberg's got cojones larger than Trump or the DofJ.
This will make SCOTUS *extremely* uncomfortable. This is zugzwang on a massive scale (Zugzwang, a chess term meaning being in a position where there's no good choice, only a Hobson's.)
This will make SCOTUS *extremely* uncomfortable. This is zugzwang on a massive scale (Zugzwang, a chess term meaning being in a position where there's no good choice, only a Hobson's.)
Reposted by Unreconstructed Curmudgeon
With evidentiary hearings set for Mon and Tue, the Trump administration asks DC Circuit Court of Appeals to block Judge Boasberg from continuing with contempt of court inquiry in the original Alien Enemies Act case
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS: www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741...
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS: www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741...
Notice (Other) – #206 in J.G.G. v. TRUMP (D.D.C., 1:25-cv-00766) – CourtListener.com
NOTICE (Service of Mandamus Petition) by PAMELA J. BONDI, PETER B. HEGSETH, KRISTI L. NOEM, MARCO A. RUBIO, MADISON SHEAHAN, DONALD J. TRUMP, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SE...
www.courtlistener.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
With evidentiary hearings set for Mon and Tue, the Trump administration asks DC Circuit Court of Appeals to block Judge Boasberg from continuing with contempt of court inquiry in the original Alien Enemies Act case
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS: www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741...
PETITION FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS: www.courtlistener.com/docket/69741...
1) My wife and I had gone off on a golf outing with friends - staunch Dems, as we are - to Canyon Ranch. We went to bed secure Gore had won the election, and woke up and found out Republicans cheat way better than Democrats.
That single SCOTUS decision (Kavanaugh, Barrett, &
That single SCOTUS decision (Kavanaugh, Barrett, &
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 12:40 PM
1) My wife and I had gone off on a golf outing with friends - staunch Dems, as we are - to Canyon Ranch. We went to bed secure Gore had won the election, and woke up and found out Republicans cheat way better than Democrats.
That single SCOTUS decision (Kavanaugh, Barrett, &
That single SCOTUS decision (Kavanaugh, Barrett, &
Reposted by Unreconstructed Curmudgeon
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
Curiourser and curiouser. Vitek, a political science professor, knows the law here. What we don’t know is whether the facts are straight, and/or why this happens it did
This does actually change the entire story. Assuming it's correct, it was an entirely lawful seizure.
December 11, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Curiourser and curiouser. Vitek, a political science professor, knows the law here. What we don’t know is whether the facts are straight, and/or why this happens it did
No point in mocking this. Our government, along with Russia, has gone rogue. What's next is anyone's guess, but Venezuela can't allow this to stand because it's government would fall immediately.
No one knows what to say, and Congress appears to have lost any agency it once might have had.
No one knows what to say, and Congress appears to have lost any agency it once might have had.
December 11, 2025 at 12:21 AM
No point in mocking this. Our government, along with Russia, has gone rogue. What's next is anyone's guess, but Venezuela can't allow this to stand because it's government would fall immediately.
No one knows what to say, and Congress appears to have lost any agency it once might have had.
No one knows what to say, and Congress appears to have lost any agency it once might have had.
This can't and won't be the last event. Venezuela has to do something, even if they fully understand they're in a massive Zugzwang.
Nothing to like about what's coming.
Nothing to like about what's coming.
December 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM
This can't and won't be the last event. Venezuela has to do something, even if they fully understand they're in a massive Zugzwang.
Nothing to like about what's coming.
Nothing to like about what's coming.
Don't look now, but the last NY sports team to win a championship was the NY Giants 2012 winners over the patriots.
Last Knicks championship? 1973.
Last Mets championship? 1986. Last Rangers? 1994. Last Jets? 1969. Last Islanders? 1983? Devils? 2003.
...and then, there's the Nets.... :: sob ::
Last Knicks championship? 1973.
Last Mets championship? 1986. Last Rangers? 1994. Last Jets? 1969. Last Islanders? 1983? Devils? 2003.
...and then, there's the Nets.... :: sob ::
December 10, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Don't look now, but the last NY sports team to win a championship was the NY Giants 2012 winners over the patriots.
Last Knicks championship? 1973.
Last Mets championship? 1986. Last Rangers? 1994. Last Jets? 1969. Last Islanders? 1983? Devils? 2003.
...and then, there's the Nets.... :: sob ::
Last Knicks championship? 1973.
Last Mets championship? 1986. Last Rangers? 1994. Last Jets? 1969. Last Islanders? 1983? Devils? 2003.
...and then, there's the Nets.... :: sob ::
1) Dodgers get Diaz, Orioles get Alonso, Mets get Marcus Siemen????
Totes clear Stearns and Cohen had no confidence in the core of the team that folded so crisply Jeeves would have been proud.
www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/orio...
Totes clear Stearns and Cohen had no confidence in the core of the team that folded so crisply Jeeves would have been proud.
www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/orio...
Orioles, Pete Alonso Agree To Five-Year Deal
The Orioles are signing Pete Alonso to a five-year deal worth more than $150MM. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.
www.mlbtraderumors.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
1) Dodgers get Diaz, Orioles get Alonso, Mets get Marcus Siemen????
Totes clear Stearns and Cohen had no confidence in the core of the team that folded so crisply Jeeves would have been proud.
www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/orio...
Totes clear Stearns and Cohen had no confidence in the core of the team that folded so crisply Jeeves would have been proud.
www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/orio...
1) Marshall's piece should be seen and read as essential as long as one understands the wider context next within this phenomena resides.
Getting rid of modern nabobs is, in itself, possible because, as the more historically inclined of you might remember,
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/will-...
Getting rid of modern nabobs is, in itself, possible because, as the more historically inclined of you might remember,
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/will-...
Will the 21st Century Nabobs Win Their War on Public Accountability?
A friend of mine ran an analogy by me which really resonated....
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
1) Marshall's piece should be seen and read as essential as long as one understands the wider context next within this phenomena resides.
Getting rid of modern nabobs is, in itself, possible because, as the more historically inclined of you might remember,
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/will-...
Getting rid of modern nabobs is, in itself, possible because, as the more historically inclined of you might remember,
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/will-...
1) Some people, one of whom is my son, a well-informed amd obsessed baseball fan (he was raised properly) see Diaz' turning his back and going the Dodgers over a pittance (well..a pittance in baseball terms. $3 million is still $3million) as a rebuke of Stearns.
December 10, 2025 at 11:35 AM
1) Some people, one of whom is my son, a well-informed amd obsessed baseball fan (he was raised properly) see Diaz' turning his back and going the Dodgers over a pittance (well..a pittance in baseball terms. $3 million is still $3million) as a rebuke of Stearns.
1) Sunstein's trying to lock the barn door after the horse's been stolen, but the key, latch, and support mechanisms have been securely grasped by SCOTUS.
Sunstein's admission is real, but the underlying problem is immense. The Unitary Executive theory removes the scalpel
Sunstein's admission is real, but the underlying problem is immense. The Unitary Executive theory removes the scalpel
Sunstein posted an admirably frank essay yesterday on the Unitary Executive Theory:
How he participated in this elite bipartisan political consensus —
and how he has been persuaded by overwhelming historical evidence that he & other high-ranking lawyers were wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/casssuns...
How he participated in this elite bipartisan political consensus —
and how he has been persuaded by overwhelming historical evidence that he & other high-ranking lawyers were wrong.
open.substack.com/pub/casssuns...
The Unitary Executive
Notes on how people know things
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
1) Sunstein's trying to lock the barn door after the horse's been stolen, but the key, latch, and support mechanisms have been securely grasped by SCOTUS.
Sunstein's admission is real, but the underlying problem is immense. The Unitary Executive theory removes the scalpel
Sunstein's admission is real, but the underlying problem is immense. The Unitary Executive theory removes the scalpel
1) Since there's no legal reason for the Court to hear thus - the plain text of the Amendment has been upheld forever - the point here would be destroying constitutional law as the juridical basis for the US Justice System. Should SCOTUS overturn birthright citizenship, the US will
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 8, 2025 at 12:46 AM
1) Since there's no legal reason for the Court to hear thus - the plain text of the Amendment has been upheld forever - the point here would be destroying constitutional law as the juridical basis for the US Justice System. Should SCOTUS overturn birthright citizenship, the US will
1) Prof. Farrell's tone is a lot lighter than his content.
Even if all the gross stupidity and cupidity magically evaporated, the Trump administration lacks the institutional bandwidth to execute the sweeping changes that it proposes."
open.substack.com/pub/programm...
Even if all the gross stupidity and cupidity magically evaporated, the Trump administration lacks the institutional bandwidth to execute the sweeping changes that it proposes."
open.substack.com/pub/programm...
America has identified its greatest enemy: Western Europe
Trump's new National Security Strategy: what if groypers cosplayed George Kennan?
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
1) Prof. Farrell's tone is a lot lighter than his content.
Even if all the gross stupidity and cupidity magically evaporated, the Trump administration lacks the institutional bandwidth to execute the sweeping changes that it proposes."
open.substack.com/pub/programm...
Even if all the gross stupidity and cupidity magically evaporated, the Trump administration lacks the institutional bandwidth to execute the sweeping changes that it proposes."
open.substack.com/pub/programm...
I've thought from inception Trump has a direct line into SCOTUS. The administration has taken foolhardy leaps in decision-making seemingly secure the High Court would mostly support...and it has via the Shadow Docket, e.g. Kavanaugh Stops.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/it-sure...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/it-sure...
It Sure Looks Like the Trump Admin Is Prepping for SCOTUS To Demolish Its Tariff Policy
President Donald Trump’s foreign trade policy has been marked by contradiction from...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:08 PM
I've thought from inception Trump has a direct line into SCOTUS. The administration has taken foolhardy leaps in decision-making seemingly secure the High Court would mostly support...and it has via the Shadow Docket, e.g. Kavanaugh Stops.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/it-sure...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/it-sure...
Pigs, apparently, are flying
Axel Springer, SE, a right-wing German publishing company, owns Politico, and yet, this article savages Trump as a vacuous, selfish pre-adolescent boy.
It would appear Trump's earning his lame-duck status a mite early.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Axel Springer, SE, a right-wing German publishing company, owns Politico, and yet, this article savages Trump as a vacuous, selfish pre-adolescent boy.
It would appear Trump's earning his lame-duck status a mite early.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The President Who Never Grew Up
Instead of focusing on governing, Trump spends his days chasing entertainment, attention and renovation projects that reflect a presidency stuck in adolescence.
www.politico.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Pigs, apparently, are flying
Axel Springer, SE, a right-wing German publishing company, owns Politico, and yet, this article savages Trump as a vacuous, selfish pre-adolescent boy.
It would appear Trump's earning his lame-duck status a mite early.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Axel Springer, SE, a right-wing German publishing company, owns Politico, and yet, this article savages Trump as a vacuous, selfish pre-adolescent boy.
It would appear Trump's earning his lame-duck status a mite early.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
1) Three salient points:
• A number of savvy lawyers have said Bradley was probably advised to say he used his own judgment. An admission he followed an illegal order would hang the lot of 'em.
• He's an admiral he knows the Navy manual. He knows what
• A number of savvy lawyers have said Bradley was probably advised to say he used his own judgment. An admission he followed an illegal order would hang the lot of 'em.
• He's an admiral he knows the Navy manual. He knows what
BREAKING: A Navy admiral tells lawmakers there was no "kill them all" order from Hegseth in the Sept. 2 attack that killed two drug boat survivors.
Live updates: Navy admiral tells lawmakers there was no ‘kill all’ order in attack that killed drug boat survivors
Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley, who reportedly issued orders for the U.S. military to fire upon survivors of an attack, told lawmakers there was no “kill them all” order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
bit.ly
December 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
1) Three salient points:
• A number of savvy lawyers have said Bradley was probably advised to say he used his own judgment. An admission he followed an illegal order would hang the lot of 'em.
• He's an admiral he knows the Navy manual. He knows what
• A number of savvy lawyers have said Bradley was probably advised to say he used his own judgment. An admission he followed an illegal order would hang the lot of 'em.
• He's an admiral he knows the Navy manual. He knows what
Reposting because anyone interested in what's happening needs to follow every good legal reporter out there. Geidner's first rate. I subscribe. There are others worth following/subscribing to, as well. Starting with Geidner is an excellent way to get into this.
Seriously, subscribe to Law Dork. I can't do everything the big publications can do, but at least I'll never do this.
(And, this weekend, you can get a paid subscription for 15% off for a year: $51 for the year or $5.10 a month!) www.lawdork.com/blackfriday
(And, this weekend, you can get a paid subscription for 15% off for a year: $51 for the year or $5.10 a month!) www.lawdork.com/blackfriday
lol. lmao even
November 30, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Reposting because anyone interested in what's happening needs to follow every good legal reporter out there. Geidner's first rate. I subscribe. There are others worth following/subscribing to, as well. Starting with Geidner is an excellent way to get into this.
1) Boasberg's already been through the mill, but probably fair to say the Federal Courts are aflame with judicial contempt for the DofJ and DHS.
That will matter to SCOTUs. Leaving aside Alito and Thomas, the High Court has blindly driven itself into a cult-de-sac,
That will matter to SCOTUs. Leaving aside Alito and Thomas, the High Court has blindly driven itself into a cult-de-sac,
BREAKING: As part of his contempt inquiry, Judge Boasberg orders DHS Sec Kristi Noem and other officials to submit declarations by 12/5 attesting to their actions relating to the decision not to turn around March 15 Alien Enemies Act flights.
Background: www.lawdork.com/p/aclu-lawye...
Background: www.lawdork.com/p/aclu-lawye...
![United States v. Young, 107 F.3d 903, 907 (D.C. Cir. 1997) (quoting United States v. NYNEX
Corp., 8 F.3d 52, 54 (D.C. Cir. 1993)).
In conducting such inquiry, Plaintiffs submit that the Court should "require the
government to promptly file declarations) identifying all individuals involved in the decision not
to halt the transfer of class members out of U.S. physical custody on March 15 and 16, 2025." ECF No. 193 (Pl. Resp.) at 1. "[O]nce these declarations are filed and depending on what
information they disclose, the Court should then determine the appropriate sequence of witness
testimony, and the manner in which that testimony should be provided." Id. The Government
similarly notes: "If the Court believes any further information is needed for [its inquiry],
Defendants respectfully request an opportunity to provide that information to the Court by way
of declarations in the first instance (as even Plaintiffs agree is appropriate)." Def. Resp. at 1.
The Court will adopt the parties' agreement on starting with declarations; it will then
assess the need for witness testimony. It therefore ORDERS that by December 5, 2025, the
Government shall submit declarations from all individuals involved in the decision not to halt the
transfer of class members out of U.S. physical custody on March 15 and 16, 2025. Such
declarations shall detail their roles in such decision.
/s/ James E. Boasberg
JAMES E. BOASBERG
Chief Judge](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreicx7z6kdhaurlvb57itwjpbfpf5odxbgnqxt5lv2ohefi24atmw4a@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM
1) Boasberg's already been through the mill, but probably fair to say the Federal Courts are aflame with judicial contempt for the DofJ and DHS.
That will matter to SCOTUs. Leaving aside Alito and Thomas, the High Court has blindly driven itself into a cult-de-sac,
That will matter to SCOTUs. Leaving aside Alito and Thomas, the High Court has blindly driven itself into a cult-de-sac,
1) Re: the killing of survivors story
No one, least of all me, knows whether Hegseth issued those orders on his own, or whether it was ordered by someone else. Stephen Miller comes to mind. Whenever thought it up committed an act of irretrievable stupidity, turning the
No one, least of all me, knows whether Hegseth issued those orders on his own, or whether it was ordered by someone else. Stephen Miller comes to mind. Whenever thought it up committed an act of irretrievable stupidity, turning the
November 28, 2025 at 10:01 PM
1) Re: the killing of survivors story
No one, least of all me, knows whether Hegseth issued those orders on his own, or whether it was ordered by someone else. Stephen Miller comes to mind. Whenever thought it up committed an act of irretrievable stupidity, turning the
No one, least of all me, knows whether Hegseth issued those orders on his own, or whether it was ordered by someone else. Stephen Miller comes to mind. Whenever thought it up committed an act of irretrievable stupidity, turning the
1) This is precisely why a peaceful transition of power is highly unlikely.
There's no legal definition, whatever law one may consult, where this isn't murder/war crime. Everyone associated with this is liable for severe punishment, whether by US courts or
There's no legal definition, whatever law one may consult, where this isn't murder/war crime. Everyone associated with this is liable for severe punishment, whether by US courts or
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:38 PM
1) This is precisely why a peaceful transition of power is highly unlikely.
There's no legal definition, whatever law one may consult, where this isn't murder/war crime. Everyone associated with this is liable for severe punishment, whether by US courts or
There's no legal definition, whatever law one may consult, where this isn't murder/war crime. Everyone associated with this is liable for severe punishment, whether by US courts or