Kausik
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kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Kausik
@kausikdatta22.bsky.social
490 followers 850 following 1.3K posts
Dipping my toes in the azure firmament. Opinions mine & mine alone. Usual disclaimers apply, of course. He/Him, distinctly Brown, human to cats.
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kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Come hell or high water, one can ALWAYS trust Conservatives to be ready & willing to throw the most vulnerable under the bus. Tom Nichols has gladly joined the chorus to sing this tune because it aligns with the Conservative propensity for silencing those they deem undesirable & less than human.
Conservative academic and the Left’s darling Rightwinger Tom Nichols has joined the chorus to decry and delegitimize terms that are valuable and critical to describe the individual and collective experiences of oppressed people all around the world. Tom’s post says: “It would be a huge step forward for Democrats and for general clarity in political writing if these terms went away. These came mostly from academic hothouses.”
August 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
LOLOL 🤣 I know reporters at NYT don’t likely write their own headlines & subheads—but honestly, the ones accompanying Alan Rappeport’s reporting are fucking hilarious with the Susan Collins-worthy “Concern”…

Way to pretend that these ethical lapses aren’t the norm at this corrupt administration. 🤦🏽‍♂️
NYT report by Alan Rappeport has unintentionally hilarious header and subhead: “Bessent Has Yet to Fully Divest Assets, Raising Concern at Ethics Agency” and “The Treasury secretary has been slow to shed assets, including farmland, posing potential conflicts of interest.” Waaaay to pretend that these ethical lapses aren’t the norm at the corrupt Trump administration.
August 14, 2025 at 3:27 AM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
These days, any vision of Lindsey Graham sagely spewing MAGA propaganda dredges up memory of an observation I made long ago. I wished someone in the media would courageously quiz Graham on his stern anti-Trump invectives prior to ‘16 elections. That none in the media has had that courage bothers me.
Observation I made on Twitter in 2019: I wished someone in the media would have the courage to ask Lindsey Graham about his stern anti-Trump invectives posted on Twitter prior to the 2016 elections. Compilation of Lindsey Graham quotes on DJT in the run-up to the 2016 elections via the former Twitter. Compilation of Lindsey Graham quotes on DJT in the run-up to the 2016 elections via the former Twitter.
August 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
“…God isn’t on the side of billionaires & “bad shepherds.””—Thus spake @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social

God sure has a funny way of showing this… I mean, the Omnipotent-Omnipresent-Omniscient entity could step in ANY moment & alleviate the suffering of millions upon millions around the globe, no?
Screenshot of post by Diana Butler Bass: When Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, little flock,” it isn’t as pastoral as it sounds. Instead, it is a clarion call to resist the empire without fear. Because God isn’t on the side of billionaires and “bad shepherds.” Sunday Musings
August 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
And the distasteful (perhaps even hateful; exact words weren’t reported) words of ONE student were enough to stop providing succor to an entire segment of people in terrible distress in Gaza? In the land that celebrated the freedom of speech rights of Charlie Hebdo? 🤔 Such inhumane hypocrites! 🤦🏽‍♂️
Screengrab from CNN report: “(Sciences Po Lille) fights against all forms of racism, antisemitism, and discrimination, as well as against any type of call to hatred, against any population whatsoever,” the university said on X on Wednesday. Screengrab from CNN report: The college said it had annulled the student’s enrolment after consulting with several government agencies including the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, whose minister called the student’s alleged comments “extreme.” “France does not have to welcome international students who advocate for terrorism, crimes against humanity, and antisemitism. Whether they come from Gaza or elsewhere, international students holding or relaying such statements have no place in our country,” the minister, Philippe Baptiste, wrote on X.
August 1, 2025 at 3:08 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Ahh. Gut feeling. One of the greatest arbiters of moral clarity over any other means of empirically and objectively established facts.

Good grief.

“…someone who's very tall, looks like a man & has been exposed to high amounts of…” 🥱 much debunked trans panic assertions are much debunked.

Muting.
Random BlueSky user leaning into transphobic commentary says: “Yeah, sure. Scholarly articles are totally going to work to override the gut feeling that someone who's very tall, looks like a man and has been exposed to high amounts of what would be illegal doping for a woman might have some advantage over women. Which some scientifc studes back btw.”
July 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Thanks to you @lollardfish.bsky.social, I bought & finished the 2 book set of @gregrucka.com’s Old Guard. I loved it but my feeling’s a bit mixed in recalling our earlier convo… The book 2—the storyline in which has distinct differences from @netflix.com’s #OldGuard2 story—also left me hanging. 🤷🏾‍♂️
Greg Rucka’s hardcover that was just published (July 2025): the comic that inspired the hit Netflix movie starring Charlize Theron, The Old Guard, is the story of old soldiers who never die...and yet cannot seem to fade away. Cursed with immortality, Andromache of Scythia and her comrades-in-arms ply their trade for those who can find—and afford—their services. But in the 21st century, being immortal is a difficult secret to keep, and when one lives long enough, one learns that there are many fates far worse than death. Hitting shelves in time for the release of The Old Guard 2 on Netflix, this hardcover collects the first two stories of Andy, Nile, Nicky, Joe, and Booker—warriors who have, literally, stood the test of time. This hardcover comes with a few never-before published extras. Collects THE OLD GUARD #1-5 & THE OLD GUARD: FORCE MULTIPLIED #1-5.
July 28, 2025 at 2:50 AM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
@us.theguardian.com @thebetsy.bsky.social Have you considered some additional tiers of monthly support at lower prices?
E.g., I don’t mind seeing some ads—after all, print dailies have ads too—& don’t need “exclusive newsletters” or Feast App from Le Grauniad; can I get digital access for ~$8/month?
Screengrab of subscription plea from Guardian US. Has the face of Betsy Ross, Editor, Guardian US, on top. Tiers of monthly support are $5 (regular) and $15 (for All Access digital with ad-free reading on devices). Donations start from $1.
July 26, 2025 at 11:52 AM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Cartoonist at @seattltimes-rss.bsky.social, the brilliant David Horsey drew this in 2019 during a #measles outbreak in PNW enabled by rampant parental claims of “vaccine exemptions” against MMR vaccine for their children & fueled by #antivax #misinformation in social media.

STILL relevant 6y later.
This political cartoon by David Horsey, published in The Seattle Times in February 2019, addresses the issue of measles outbreaks and vaccine hesitancy, particularly highlighting the influence of misinformation found online. It depicts two children covered in what appears to be measles, asking their mother why they weren't vaccinated. "They're bad for you... I read that somewhere on Facebook," says the mother with a smug expression. The cartoon satirizes the spread of anti-vaccination sentiments and misinformation on social media platforms. It was published around the time of a measles outbreak in the Pacific Northwest, which led to discussions in Washington state legislature about potentially removing philosophical exemptions for vaccinations. It serves as a commentary on the consequences of vaccine hesitancy and the reliance on unverified online sources for health information.
July 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
May I request your recommendation for all three or first two or the omnibus volume to come out this month?
There are three main graphic novel collections available in the series: The Old Guard, Book One: Opening Fire: This collection contains the first five issues of the comic series (The Old Guard #1-5). It was first published in 2017 and collects the initial story arc. The Old Guard, Vol. 2: Force Multiplied: This collection gathers the second story arc (The Old Guard: Force Multiplied #1-5). It was released in 2020 and continues the story of the immortal group. The Old Guard: Tales Through Time: This volume is a collection of six issues (The Old Guard: Tales Through Time #1-6) that explore various periods in the immortals' history through different writers and artists. It was released in 2021. In July 2025, a deluxe hardcover edition titled The Old Guard: The Immortal Edition Volume 1 will be released, collecting the first two story arcs, Opening Fire and Force Multiplied, along with never-before-published extras. This coincides with the release of The Old Guard 2 film on Netflix.
July 9, 2025 at 2:14 AM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Kelly, so, so very sorry to hear of Care Bear’s passing. From your description, the same kind of facial tumor—an aggressive lymphoma—closed 1 eye of our orangeling Pudge & eventually took him from us last August. Upon our vet’s advice, we had him euthanized when he had extreme difficulty breathing.
Orange cat with folded paws
July 4, 2025 at 9:53 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
I followed Clara Jeffery because I followed Mother Jones. But within the past year, several times her takes on social media have given me pause due to their odd nature. But it’s incomprehensible to me how she can still simp for NYT defending its indefensible fash-adherence. Talk about “blind spots”!
Clara Jeffery writes (as a part of a thread defending the indefensible fash-adherence of NYT): For all its faults and blind spots the NYT is one of the last remaining sources of broad accountability and bulwarks against authoritarianism. But it would be better, and be received better, if it brought a measure of that accountability to itself.
July 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Again: just because I follow the @huffpost.com account for their legit reporting and analysis content, must I be subjected to their weird stream of countless ads disguised as “articles” on my #BlueSky🦋 timeline?

Example from just an hr ago below, 5 ads & 1 (likely) listicle on tick bite prevention.
No alt text possible really, just a composite image with 6 BlueSky posts from about an hour ago put up by the Huffington Post account. 5 (there were more on my TL) are advertisements disguised as feature articles, for antiperspirants, portable phone chargers, something called “nail oil”, “breast pillow”, “chest wrinkle patch”, and men’s clothing, while the 6th is likely a listicle related to tick bite prevention.
July 4, 2025 at 12:16 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Brilliant as usual, @deadder.bsky.social holding open a window to our weird contemporary times.
Brilliant as usual from Michael deAdder: six of the Conservative SCOTUS justices carrying their Orange King on their shoulders on the road to autocracy
July 3, 2025 at 2:23 AM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
So it begins!
Difficult to add alt text to this screengrab of changing numbers. At 9:17 pm, the Dem primary for NYC Mayoral race has Zohran Mandan at 43%, Cuomo at 34.2% and Brad Lander at 13.2% with 38% of votes in for the First Choice. Ranked Choice tallies are expected next Tuesday. (Numbers via NYT)
June 25, 2025 at 1:21 AM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Just received an unsolicited fundraising text message in the name of IL Congressman Subramanian Raja Krishnamoorthi. Context aside, as a fellow brown man & Indian-American citizen, I’m appalled by this weird self-debasement—for the sake of… what? Populism? Appeal?

“…brown guy with a funny name”? 🤦🏽‍♂️
Part of a fundraising text message received just now: I’m worried. My name is Raja Krishnamoorthi. I’m a congressman and a brown guy with a funny name from Peoria, Illinois.  𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲. I’m running for this open Senate seat because Donald Trump is out of control.  I’m angry — but if I’ve learned anything in my life as an immigrant in this country, it’s that success comes from translating anger and worry into action. That’s why I’m reaching out to you today. Will you rush just $5 to power my campaign from the very start and help me take back the US Senate from Trump’s loyalists? >> raja4.us/l/SUZZR4 Your support means everything,  Raja
June 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Various spins have already started pouring in.

Except we won’t likely find Liddl Marco referring to this pesky fact (immortalized in this May 2018 Der Speigel cartoon by Patrick Chappate):
This political cartoon by Patrick Chappatte, titled "Why Trump Hated the Iran Deal," depicts the reasons behind Donald Trump's withdrawal as 45 from the Iran Nuclear Deal (formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA). The cartoon shows a European official questioning Trump about his reasons for disliking the deal, to which Trump replies, "Obama's Signature". This suggests that Trump's primary motivation for withdrawing from the agreement was his opposition to policies associated with the previous administration, rather than specific flaws in the deal itself. The torn "Iran Nuclear Deal" document on the table symbolizes Trump's decision to unilaterally exit the agreement in May 2018. The cartoon highlights the political nature of the decision and the differing perspectives between the US and European allies on the Iran Nuclear Deal.
June 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Rolled my eyes so hard, I almost saw the back of my skull. What is up with this milquetoast anodyne messaging from senior Dem leadership? 🙄

Same energy as Senator Schumer’s sternly worded letter.

More fool us if we believed anything this administration “promised” beyond tax cuts for the über-rich.
Post from Senator Mark Warner (6/17/2025 3:24 pm) It’s telling that an administration that promised transparency is aggressively targeting news outlets that have held power to account. We must protect funding for NPR & PBS.—More fool us if we believed anything this administration “promised” beyond giving tax cuts to the über-wealthy.
June 17, 2025 at 8:04 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
You know it’s only on extremely rare occasions that I may even consider differing from you on your erudite takes, Rachel… But this time I believe your depiction of Old Sol as an evil clown is mistaken. Instead I am reminded of the much maligned blobfish—it’s the schnozz—albeit smiling for a change.
Left panel: photo courtesy NASA via Vincent Ledvina: coronal holes of solar cycle 25 that have survived for over NINE MONTHS, one of the most persistent coronal holes. Right Panel: Photo courtesy NPR 2013 (the original source page at NOAA Fisheries is no longer available): the infamously lugubrious blobfish, considered one of the fugliest animals ever.
June 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
(… And, of course, since online News sites change headlines all the time, via a web search here’s a screenshot of the previous WaPo headline that now reads quite differently…)
Washington Post headline “Trump military parade: D.C. streets see tanks, troops on Army’s birthday” via Google search, since it has been changed at the website by now.
June 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Shush @schooley.bsky.social… y’know, lest you should FORCE Mark Cuban the billionaire to post on X!

Le pauvre Mark has Teh Sadz about finding #BlueSky🦋 people not sufficiently appreciative when he wants to talk up his online discount pharmacy and discovering that folks don’t like AI. 🥺
Billionaire Mark Cuban is so bummed that BlueSky users aren’t getting him the level of engagement he wants on his fave topics, AI, business, healthcare (that is, his online pharmacy). He writes (6/8/2025): The replies on here may not be as racist as Twitter, but they damn sure are hateful. Talk AI: FU, AI sucks go away Talk Business: Go away Talk Healthcare: Crickets. Engagement went from great convos on many topics, to agree with me or you are a nazi fascist We are forcing posts to X Someone should dial Whine-1-1 and call him a Waahmbulance stat!
June 8, 2025 at 10:27 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
I’m curious, @moderation.bsky.app as to what EXACTLY in this pinned post in the #BlueSky🦋 profile of social activist @hansrajmeena.in qualified it for your “spam” label?! 🤔

(Also, why does this account name not autopopulate the list when searching?)

Any idea, @safety.bsky.app, @jay.bsky.team? 👀
Again, BlueSky moderation team or AI has seen it fit to cover themselves with glory. The pinned post in Indian social activist Hansraj Meena is now retroactively labeled as “Spam” for containing the following words: “Indigenous tribal Peoples are the world’s best forest guardians. They manage 33% of forests that hold 80% of the 🌏’s biodiversity. Protecting indigenous cultures is crucial for saving the world’s biodiversity. #WeAreIndigenous (December 9, 2024 at 7:53 AM)”… Why? We have no clue.
June 8, 2025 at 9:13 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Suspiciously same energy as THAT moment in time… Remember?
2018 NPR Report by Scott Neuman: Doctor: Trump Dictated Letter Attesting To His 'Extraordinary' Health. MAY 2, 2018 2:41 AM ET https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/02/607638733/doctor-trump-dictated-letter-attesting-to-his-extraordinary-health
June 6, 2025 at 9:49 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
Wait, is this an admission or confession of an amoral, unscrupulous billionaire’s direct influence on the entirety of electoral gains of the GOP leadershit in the last election cycle? 👀
#This_kvetched_the_billionaire
In the dead bird hellsite, the billionaire has kvetched saying that without him, “Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and Republicans would be 51-49 in the senate” and deploring the MAGA leadershit’s “ingratitude”…
June 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
kausikdatta22.bsky.social
I… I… don’t have words, at least ones that are not unparliamentary. Instead of Civil Servants, this ridiculous and risible step appears to be aiming for Uncivil Sycophants. 🤦🏽‍♂️

GS-5 and above, including Park Rangers and Firefighters. 👀
Federal Job Seekers Will Be Quizzed on Trump’s Executive Orders Gregory Korte May 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM EDT The Trump administration is adding four essay questions to applications for civil service jobs, asking applicants about their favorite executive orders and their commitment to government efficiency. The essay requirements apply even to relatively lower-level jobs starting at the GS-5 pay scale or above — positions that can begin at base salaries as low as $32,357. Those jobs include nursing assistants, park rangers and firefighters.
May 30, 2025 at 3:33 AM