Rufus Algonquin
@exile1965.bsky.social
Explicit atheist. Open minded on most other matters.
Pinned
Rufus Algonquin
@exile1965.bsky.social
· Nov 21
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Bari Weiss just sent this Christmas Eve email to the CBS News staff about "building trust," which includes her tripling down on spiking the CECOT piece "to make sure it's comprehensive and fair."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
December 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Bari Weiss just sent this Christmas Eve email to the CBS News staff about "building trust," which includes her tripling down on spiking the CECOT piece "to make sure it's comprehensive and fair."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
I’m writing an obituary. Is butt plug one word or two
November 26, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I’m writing an obituary. Is butt plug one word or two
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
I will give Marjorie Taylor Greene credit for one thing: deciding she’s had enough and getting out, rather than thinking nothing matters more than staying in Congress and doing anything to get along.
On that specifically, it would be better if more politicians were like her.
On that specifically, it would be better if more politicians were like her.
November 22, 2025 at 3:59 AM
I will give Marjorie Taylor Greene credit for one thing: deciding she’s had enough and getting out, rather than thinking nothing matters more than staying in Congress and doing anything to get along.
On that specifically, it would be better if more politicians were like her.
On that specifically, it would be better if more politicians were like her.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Most people think the President of the United States can snap his fingers and do what he wants. Trump is eager to reinforce this, in principle and practice. If you fold now, he gets the credit. Go back on your terms or not at all. Sometimes politics is a slow bleed.
November 9, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Most people think the President of the United States can snap his fingers and do what he wants. Trump is eager to reinforce this, in principle and practice. If you fold now, he gets the credit. Go back on your terms or not at all. Sometimes politics is a slow bleed.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
The replies write themselves
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
The replies write themselves
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
I’d like to hear more about this intriguing theory, actually.
October 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I’d like to hear more about this intriguing theory, actually.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Today’s Randy Newman-centric episode of Testify! is in the archives at wfmu.org/playlists/TG #radio #freeform @wfmu.bsky.social @gtdradio.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Today’s Randy Newman-centric episode of Testify! is in the archives at wfmu.org/playlists/TG #radio #freeform @wfmu.bsky.social @gtdradio.bsky.social
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
WFMU's Hellraiser Fundraiser starts today, and runs through October! There will be many DJ specials, new swag, and events throughout the month celebrating WFMU. If you can, help us out with a donation and grab one of two new Hellraiser T-shirts. Pledge here: pledge.wfmu.org
October 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
WFMU's Hellraiser Fundraiser starts today, and runs through October! There will be many DJ specials, new swag, and events throughout the month celebrating WFMU. If you can, help us out with a donation and grab one of two new Hellraiser T-shirts. Pledge here: pledge.wfmu.org
60 years old today. Doesn’t hurt as bad as I thought it might.
October 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
60 years old today. Doesn’t hurt as bad as I thought it might.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
How quickly they forget how they’ve contributed to the actual thing they’re condemning.
September 13, 2025 at 3:17 PM
How quickly they forget how they’ve contributed to the actual thing they’re condemning.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Sad thing recent events have made me accept: a lot of US elites are weak, amoral people, whose guiding star is "what does power want?" mixed with "what's easiest for me in the short-term?" And that unfortunately means we can't appeal to principle or patriotism, we need to structure their incentives.
I think the answer to the “paradox” of Trump consolidating dictatorial power despite being incompetent and unpopular lies in Democrats rattling their sabers at people and entities who capitulate to Trump over the objections of the American majority. But first they’ll have to find those sabers!
Trump Is a Weak and Failing President, and It’s Time to Say So
It’s possible for Trump to be an inept buffoon—but still extremely dangerous. And it shouldn’t be so hard to make that case.
newrepublic.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Sad thing recent events have made me accept: a lot of US elites are weak, amoral people, whose guiding star is "what does power want?" mixed with "what's easiest for me in the short-term?" And that unfortunately means we can't appeal to principle or patriotism, we need to structure their incentives.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
This is an absolute must read by Lawrence Hurley @lawrencehurley.bsky.social - federal judges spoke to him about their frustrations with the Supreme Court (how it's enabling Trump's attacks on them, how it's making a hash of the law on the shadow docket, etc.)
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
In rare interviews, federal judges criticize Supreme Court's handling of Trump cases
Ten judges tell NBC News the Supreme Court needs to explain its rulings better, with some urging Chief Justice John Roberts to do more to defend the judiciary against external criticism.
www.nbcnews.com
September 4, 2025 at 1:13 PM
This is an absolute must read by Lawrence Hurley @lawrencehurley.bsky.social - federal judges spoke to him about their frustrations with the Supreme Court (how it's enabling Trump's attacks on them, how it's making a hash of the law on the shadow docket, etc.)
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Mussolini didn’t actually make the trains run on time. That’s propaganda.
20th century fascists did “sheer vandalism” and elevated superstitions above science, often in self-harming ways.
The competence of fascists is another of their self-aggrandizing myths. It’s just that destroying is easy.
20th century fascists did “sheer vandalism” and elevated superstitions above science, often in self-harming ways.
The competence of fascists is another of their self-aggrandizing myths. It’s just that destroying is easy.
That Trump and Trumpism are fascist doesn’t explain the sheer vandalism of unleashing mass murdering mayhem via RFK to replace medical/scientific institutions of immense value and prestige with medieval peasant superstitions. That is a criminal madness facilitated by but above and beyond fascism.
August 31, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Mussolini didn’t actually make the trains run on time. That’s propaganda.
20th century fascists did “sheer vandalism” and elevated superstitions above science, often in self-harming ways.
The competence of fascists is another of their self-aggrandizing myths. It’s just that destroying is easy.
20th century fascists did “sheer vandalism” and elevated superstitions above science, often in self-harming ways.
The competence of fascists is another of their self-aggrandizing myths. It’s just that destroying is easy.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Every time anybody calls any politically charged event or decision "a distraction" from some other thing, a jack in the box should pop up and punch them in the mouth
August 25, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Every time anybody calls any politically charged event or decision "a distraction" from some other thing, a jack in the box should pop up and punch them in the mouth
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Justice Jackson used “Calvinball” in an official Supreme Court dissent.
It really is the best term for the unprincipled, inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, frequently un-American bullshit the Roberts court has foisted upon us, unsubtly putting ideology and partisan outcomes over facts and law.
It really is the best term for the unprincipled, inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, frequently un-American bullshit the Roberts court has foisted upon us, unsubtly putting ideology and partisan outcomes over facts and law.
May this portion of the dissent by Ketanji Brown Jackson haunt John Roberts forever and be the final word on his tenure as Chief Justice.
August 22, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Justice Jackson used “Calvinball” in an official Supreme Court dissent.
It really is the best term for the unprincipled, inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, frequently un-American bullshit the Roberts court has foisted upon us, unsubtly putting ideology and partisan outcomes over facts and law.
It really is the best term for the unprincipled, inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, frequently un-American bullshit the Roberts court has foisted upon us, unsubtly putting ideology and partisan outcomes over facts and law.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Picked this up at a used bookstore today. It was published in 2012 and now we know that it’s even worse than It’s Even Worse Than it Looks.
August 17, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Picked this up at a used bookstore today. It was published in 2012 and now we know that it’s even worse than It’s Even Worse Than it Looks.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Look what you made me do, explained the secret police as they violently violated someone's rights.
While masked agents were violently attacking a delivery worker this morning, bystanders repeatedly asked to see their badge numbers but they refused.
Bystander: You guys are ruining this country, you know that, right?
Agent: Liberals already ruined it.
Bystander: You guys are ruining this country, you know that, right?
Agent: Liberals already ruined it.
August 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Look what you made me do, explained the secret police as they violently violated someone's rights.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
"This is considered impolite to point out in many mainstream venues, but to be a Republican in good standing today, you have to believe, or at least go along with, an insane amount of lies."
Firing the BLS Director for reporting monthly jobs data institutionalizes that lying, imposing it on others.
Firing the BLS Director for reporting monthly jobs data institutionalizes that lying, imposing it on others.
To Live Inside a Lie
Firing the top labor statistics official for doing the normal monthly jobs report is only the last attempt to force everyone else to abandon reality too
www.arcdigital.media
August 3, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"This is considered impolite to point out in many mainstream venues, but to be a Republican in good standing today, you have to believe, or at least go along with, an insane amount of lies."
Firing the BLS Director for reporting monthly jobs data institutionalizes that lying, imposing it on others.
Firing the BLS Director for reporting monthly jobs data institutionalizes that lying, imposing it on others.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
I am old enough to remember cigarette machines that took (lots of) quarters & sound it made when you pulled the knob towards you & it snapped back into place and the pack landed in the little trough
I've heard that these still exist, but I can't remember the last time I saw one in the wild
I've heard that these still exist, but I can't remember the last time I saw one in the wild
July 27, 2025 at 2:38 AM
I am old enough to remember cigarette machines that took (lots of) quarters & sound it made when you pulled the knob towards you & it snapped back into place and the pack landed in the little trough
I've heard that these still exist, but I can't remember the last time I saw one in the wild
I've heard that these still exist, but I can't remember the last time I saw one in the wild
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Silhouette of dead tree with green heron.
July 20, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Silhouette of dead tree with green heron.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
SecState Rubio’s explanation for why the US must use economic and other means to punish Brazil for following its own laws to prosecute a coup attempt is cancel culture.
I’m not kidding. He claims that Brazil, by acting in Brazil, has somehow censored Americans. And that this requires drastic action.
I’m not kidding. He claims that Brazil, by acting in Brazil, has somehow censored Americans. And that this requires drastic action.
July 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
SecState Rubio’s explanation for why the US must use economic and other means to punish Brazil for following its own laws to prosecute a coup attempt is cancel culture.
I’m not kidding. He claims that Brazil, by acting in Brazil, has somehow censored Americans. And that this requires drastic action.
I’m not kidding. He claims that Brazil, by acting in Brazil, has somehow censored Americans. And that this requires drastic action.
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
#GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of the #1 record of 1975, "Love Will Keep Us Together" with this LIVE singalong episode (from Sid Gold’s Request Room in NYC) and tribute to songwriter/guest NEIL SEDAKA (and others)! Hear it NOW at gilbertpodcast.com! @franksantopadre.bsky.social
July 10, 2025 at 12:04 PM
#GGACP celebrates the 50th anniversary of the #1 record of 1975, "Love Will Keep Us Together" with this LIVE singalong episode (from Sid Gold’s Request Room in NYC) and tribute to songwriter/guest NEIL SEDAKA (and others)! Hear it NOW at gilbertpodcast.com! @franksantopadre.bsky.social
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
Now when your Tesla autopilot crashes your car, you'll hear a helpful reminder to blame the Jews.
And not just any accusation, but one tailored by AI to your specific crash circumstances.
Order are coming in fast, so goose-step your way to the dealer and get a brand new Tesla Blood Libel today!
And not just any accusation, but one tailored by AI to your specific crash circumstances.
Order are coming in fast, so goose-step your way to the dealer and get a brand new Tesla Blood Libel today!
July 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Now when your Tesla autopilot crashes your car, you'll hear a helpful reminder to blame the Jews.
And not just any accusation, but one tailored by AI to your specific crash circumstances.
Order are coming in fast, so goose-step your way to the dealer and get a brand new Tesla Blood Libel today!
And not just any accusation, but one tailored by AI to your specific crash circumstances.
Order are coming in fast, so goose-step your way to the dealer and get a brand new Tesla Blood Libel today!
Reposted by Rufus Algonquin
My question exactly.
Why Do So Many People Think That Trump Is Good?
The work of the moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre helps illuminate some central questions of our time.
www.theatlantic.com
July 9, 2025 at 4:43 AM
My question exactly.
