ephilman
@ephilman.bsky.social
U.S. Army Veteran (84C). Retired Union Autoworker. I curate and amplify messages of love, tolerance and democracy. Occasional snark. 💙🇺🇸🇺🇦
Reposted by ephilman
Trump has given a full and unconditional pardon to entertainment executive Tim Leiweke—whom his own Justice Department indicted on charges of “orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university” in Austin. trib.al/qU7UmJr
December 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Trump has given a full and unconditional pardon to entertainment executive Tim Leiweke—whom his own Justice Department indicted on charges of “orchestrating a conspiracy to rig the bidding process for an arena at a public university” in Austin. trib.al/qU7UmJr
Reposted by ephilman
9 House Republicans could choose to take away Johnson’s gavel today if they wanted.
December 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM
9 House Republicans could choose to take away Johnson’s gavel today if they wanted.
Reposted by ephilman
Hegseth stonewalled IG, refusing 1) to provide his phone for IG to probe other uses of Signal; 2) to sit for interview w/ IG. We only know about Yemeni Signal chat b/ Waltz added Goldberg to it by mistake. The scale and scope of Hegseth's security breaches still remain unknown even after IG report.
Officials reported the Secretary used additional Signal chats for DoD business. IG couldn’t verify content because he refused to provide phone access.
December 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Hegseth stonewalled IG, refusing 1) to provide his phone for IG to probe other uses of Signal; 2) to sit for interview w/ IG. We only know about Yemeni Signal chat b/ Waltz added Goldberg to it by mistake. The scale and scope of Hegseth's security breaches still remain unknown even after IG report.
Reposted by ephilman
Cheaper for Big Oil to buy Congress than to pay taxes. Let alone pay for the harm of their pollution.
American Big Oil Pays More in Taxes Abroad
A new report details how fossil fuel lobbyists have won huge U.S. tax giveaways.
inequality.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Cheaper for Big Oil to buy Congress than to pay taxes. Let alone pay for the harm of their pollution.
Reposted by ephilman
Behold the greatest economy in the history of the world
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Behold the greatest economy in the history of the world
Reposted by ephilman
I cannot imagine the level of moral bankruptcy to describe the actions of people whose boat has just been hit by a missile from nowhere (this was the FIRST such strike) and who were most likely making a desperate attempt not to drown in the ocean as trying to "stay in the fight."
Q: What did you see in the second strike?
Cotton: "I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat -- loaded with drugs, bound for the United States -- back over, so they could stay in the fight."
Cotton: "I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat -- loaded with drugs, bound for the United States -- back over, so they could stay in the fight."
December 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I cannot imagine the level of moral bankruptcy to describe the actions of people whose boat has just been hit by a missile from nowhere (this was the FIRST such strike) and who were most likely making a desperate attempt not to drown in the ocean as trying to "stay in the fight."
Reposted by ephilman
Citizens nationwide and in NW Ohio are asking important questions on data centers. They're worried that facilities demand massive amounts of energy, eat up farmland, cede local ownership and control, and drive up utility costs even more. Ask questions first!
December 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Citizens nationwide and in NW Ohio are asking important questions on data centers. They're worried that facilities demand massive amounts of energy, eat up farmland, cede local ownership and control, and drive up utility costs even more. Ask questions first!
Reposted by ephilman
Just philosophically opposed to doing ANY prep-work WHATSOEVER.
December 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Just philosophically opposed to doing ANY prep-work WHATSOEVER.
Reposted by ephilman
The Trump Administration is gutting America’s science engine, wiping out thousands of grants in cancer, aging, engineering and more. Our district’s world-class researchers feel these cuts every single day.
December 4, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The Trump Administration is gutting America’s science engine, wiping out thousands of grants in cancer, aging, engineering and more. Our district’s world-class researchers feel these cuts every single day.
Reposted by ephilman
A big deal (or it should be):
New: “Eric Trump Has Gotten 10 Times Richer Since Dad’s Election”
@kylekhanmullins.bsky.social for @forbes.com
@kylekhanmullins.bsky.social for @forbes.com
Here’s How Much Eric Trump Is Worth
Crypto took the real estate heir’s fortune and supersized it, briefly making the president’s second-oldest son a billionaire in early September.
www.forbes.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
A big deal (or it should be):
Reposted by ephilman
Reposted by ephilman
This is my big soap box. We gave the presidency too much power with the PATRIOT Act, extrajudicial drone strikes, indefinite detention and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Trump is just using executive authority Congress gave to the presidency after 9/11 to maximum effect.
Congress, in my opinion has ceded too much of its authority to the Executive Branch in the last nearly quarter of a century. What the administration has been doing is simply part the Post 9/11 legacy. It’s got to stop. I say this as a GWOT era veteran.
Credit to Rand Paul. He hated extrajudicial drone strike killings under Obama and he HATES them under Trump where Congress has given no authorization.
December 4, 2025 at 8:07 PM
This is my big soap box. We gave the presidency too much power with the PATRIOT Act, extrajudicial drone strikes, indefinite detention and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Trump is just using executive authority Congress gave to the presidency after 9/11 to maximum effect.
Reposted by ephilman
Heather Cox Richardson: What’s Happening to U.S. Intelligence Under the Second Trump Administration? | Senator Mark Warner
11K Views, 1.5K Likes, 2 Hours Ago (December 4 2025)
11K Views, 1.5K Likes, 2 Hours Ago (December 4 2025)
What’s Happening to U.S. Intelligence Under the Second Trump Administration? | Senator Mark Warner
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Heather Cox Richardson: What’s Happening to U.S. Intelligence Under the Second Trump Administration? | Senator Mark Warner
11K Views, 1.5K Likes, 2 Hours Ago (December 4 2025)
11K Views, 1.5K Likes, 2 Hours Ago (December 4 2025)
Reposted by ephilman
1. I’m HIGHLY skeptical of this whole thing.
2. No details or motive given.
3. Comes days after scathing reports showing Patel’s incompetence, corruption, and malfeasance.
4. He uses his statement to promote himself and claim a huge win to save his job.
2. No details or motive given.
3. Comes days after scathing reports showing Patel’s incompetence, corruption, and malfeasance.
4. He uses his statement to promote himself and claim a huge win to save his job.
December 4, 2025 at 8:32 PM
1. I’m HIGHLY skeptical of this whole thing.
2. No details or motive given.
3. Comes days after scathing reports showing Patel’s incompetence, corruption, and malfeasance.
4. He uses his statement to promote himself and claim a huge win to save his job.
2. No details or motive given.
3. Comes days after scathing reports showing Patel’s incompetence, corruption, and malfeasance.
4. He uses his statement to promote himself and claim a huge win to save his job.
Reposted by ephilman
Breaking news: President Trump replaced the architect he handpicked to design his $300 million White House ballroom.
It is unclear whether he was fired or resigned.
It is unclear whether he was fired or resigned.
Trump hires new White House ballroom architect
Although the two had clashed over the size of the project, the decisive factor was the small firm’s limited capacity to handle such an enormous project.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Breaking news: President Trump replaced the architect he handpicked to design his $300 million White House ballroom.
It is unclear whether he was fired or resigned.
It is unclear whether he was fired or resigned.
Reposted by ephilman
Under Trump’s leadership, electricity costs are going up nationwide.
17% in North Carolina.
15% in Georgia.
13% in Pennsylvania.
12% in Michigan.
And Republicans are doing nothing about it.
17% in North Carolina.
15% in Georgia.
13% in Pennsylvania.
12% in Michigan.
And Republicans are doing nothing about it.
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Under Trump’s leadership, electricity costs are going up nationwide.
17% in North Carolina.
15% in Georgia.
13% in Pennsylvania.
12% in Michigan.
And Republicans are doing nothing about it.
17% in North Carolina.
15% in Georgia.
13% in Pennsylvania.
12% in Michigan.
And Republicans are doing nothing about it.
Reposted by ephilman
Yep. Murder.
I mean, this is an execution
December 5, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Yep. Murder.
Reposted by ephilman
The Roberts Court will go down in history as having upheld the desires of Donald Trump and the GOP, rather than its commitment to justice, precedent or the rule of law.
Today’s ruling — which substitutes its own fact finding for that of the lower court — is yet another example.
Today’s ruling — which substitutes its own fact finding for that of the lower court — is yet another example.
BREAKING: Supreme Court lets Texas use Trump-backed gerrymandered maps in 2026
December 5, 2025 at 12:17 AM
The Roberts Court will go down in history as having upheld the desires of Donald Trump and the GOP, rather than its commitment to justice, precedent or the rule of law.
Today’s ruling — which substitutes its own fact finding for that of the lower court — is yet another example.
Today’s ruling — which substitutes its own fact finding for that of the lower court — is yet another example.
Reposted by ephilman
The boat was split in half.
They were clinging to a capsized PORTION
Cotton: "I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat -- loaded with drugs, bound for the United States -- back over, so they could stay in the fight"
They were clinging to a capsized PORTION
Cotton: "I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat -- loaded with drugs, bound for the United States -- back over, so they could stay in the fight"
December 5, 2025 at 1:10 AM
The boat was split in half.
They were clinging to a capsized PORTION
Cotton: "I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat -- loaded with drugs, bound for the United States -- back over, so they could stay in the fight"
They were clinging to a capsized PORTION
Cotton: "I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat -- loaded with drugs, bound for the United States -- back over, so they could stay in the fight"
Reposted by ephilman
listen
I don't have any illusions about the United States military, what it does, or how many times this has happened before
but the fact that they sat there for 41 minutes, watched two scared, human beings desperately struggling to stay alive, and then murdered them has fucked me up so deeply
I don't have any illusions about the United States military, what it does, or how many times this has happened before
but the fact that they sat there for 41 minutes, watched two scared, human beings desperately struggling to stay alive, and then murdered them has fucked me up so deeply
December 5, 2025 at 2:33 AM
listen
I don't have any illusions about the United States military, what it does, or how many times this has happened before
but the fact that they sat there for 41 minutes, watched two scared, human beings desperately struggling to stay alive, and then murdered them has fucked me up so deeply
I don't have any illusions about the United States military, what it does, or how many times this has happened before
but the fact that they sat there for 41 minutes, watched two scared, human beings desperately struggling to stay alive, and then murdered them has fucked me up so deeply
Reposted by ephilman
SPLIT IN HALF?
The boat was capsized and SPLIT IN HALF?
I got nothing folks.
Trials. Prison. Everyone.
If you told me this was a psy-op to make me rethink my moral opposition to the death penalty, I would at least have to think hard about you being right.
The boat was capsized and SPLIT IN HALF?
I got nothing folks.
Trials. Prison. Everyone.
If you told me this was a psy-op to make me rethink my moral opposition to the death penalty, I would at least have to think hard about you being right.
I mean, this is an execution
December 5, 2025 at 2:39 AM
SPLIT IN HALF?
The boat was capsized and SPLIT IN HALF?
I got nothing folks.
Trials. Prison. Everyone.
If you told me this was a psy-op to make me rethink my moral opposition to the death penalty, I would at least have to think hard about you being right.
The boat was capsized and SPLIT IN HALF?
I got nothing folks.
Trials. Prison. Everyone.
If you told me this was a psy-op to make me rethink my moral opposition to the death penalty, I would at least have to think hard about you being right.
Reposted by ephilman
Lots of interest here, and I will write about it. But what jumped out at me was ZM's observation that the laws we need are already on the books. We just need to enforce them. I mean, OF COURSE, but... it needs to be said.
I had the absolute pleasure of joining @hcrichardson.bsky.social for a conversation yesterday: www.youtube.com/watch?v=N15L...
American Conversations: Zohran Mamdani
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Lots of interest here, and I will write about it. But what jumped out at me was ZM's observation that the laws we need are already on the books. We just need to enforce them. I mean, OF COURSE, but... it needs to be said.
Reposted by ephilman
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes says
NO to ICE collaboration: "We're not here to tear families apart." Chief Barnes is taking a bold stand - refusing to use local police resources to help federal immigration enforcement.
"Our job is to protect and serve everyone in this community, not act as ICE.”
NO to ICE collaboration: "We're not here to tear families apart." Chief Barnes is taking a bold stand - refusing to use local police resources to help federal immigration enforcement.
"Our job is to protect and serve everyone in this community, not act as ICE.”
December 5, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes says
NO to ICE collaboration: "We're not here to tear families apart." Chief Barnes is taking a bold stand - refusing to use local police resources to help federal immigration enforcement.
"Our job is to protect and serve everyone in this community, not act as ICE.”
NO to ICE collaboration: "We're not here to tear families apart." Chief Barnes is taking a bold stand - refusing to use local police resources to help federal immigration enforcement.
"Our job is to protect and serve everyone in this community, not act as ICE.”
Reposted by ephilman
SCOTUS has spoken. Right? Every blue state needs to get onboard with this. And hurry the hell up.
If gerrymandering were illegal nationwide, Republicans would struggle to hold the House at all. The only thing propping them up all these years are rigged maps.
If gerrymandering were illegal nationwide, Republicans would struggle to hold the House at all. The only thing propping them up all these years are rigged maps.
December 5, 2025 at 1:07 AM
SCOTUS has spoken. Right? Every blue state needs to get onboard with this. And hurry the hell up.
If gerrymandering were illegal nationwide, Republicans would struggle to hold the House at all. The only thing propping them up all these years are rigged maps.
If gerrymandering were illegal nationwide, Republicans would struggle to hold the House at all. The only thing propping them up all these years are rigged maps.
Reposted by ephilman
Housing
The person in charge of the Federal Housing Finance Agency is already under investigation
He is making mega-profits
Does he give a fluff?
He will care when the investigation finds all of his illegal activities
But pardons for pals are handed out like candy
The person in charge of the Federal Housing Finance Agency is already under investigation
He is making mega-profits
Does he give a fluff?
He will care when the investigation finds all of his illegal activities
But pardons for pals are handed out like candy
NEW: "The Government Accountability Office, an independent and nonpartisan investigative watchdog for Congress, says it has opened an investigation into Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte."
www.nbcnews.com/business/rea...
www.nbcnews.com/business/rea...
Government Accountability Office opens investigation into FHFA chief Bill Pulte
Senate Democrats wrote to the agency in November asking it to review Pulte's referrals to the Justice Department alleging mortgage fraud.
www.nbcnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Housing
The person in charge of the Federal Housing Finance Agency is already under investigation
He is making mega-profits
Does he give a fluff?
He will care when the investigation finds all of his illegal activities
But pardons for pals are handed out like candy
The person in charge of the Federal Housing Finance Agency is already under investigation
He is making mega-profits
Does he give a fluff?
He will care when the investigation finds all of his illegal activities
But pardons for pals are handed out like candy