Landon D. C. Elkind
@logicalatomist.bsky.social
Western Kentucky University’s resident logical atomist and Assistant Professor of Philosophy in the Department of Political Science. Most of my current research focuses on the Principia Rewrite and PM-MATS projects.
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
404 Media reports on the license plate reader company building a massive surveillance network that could help police more easily track people without a warrant or court order.
www.404media.co/lice...
www.404media.co/lice...
License Plate Reader Company Flock Is Building a Massive People Lookup Tool, Leak Shows
Flock, which has license plate readers (LPRs) all around the country, wants police to be able to “jump from LPR to person,” according to leaked audio obtained by 404 Media.
www.404media.co
May 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
404 Media reports on the license plate reader company building a massive surveillance network that could help police more easily track people without a warrant or court order.
www.404media.co/lice...
www.404media.co/lice...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
🧵
The political theory behind IRA was roughly as follows: We have lost control of the information landscape and can no longer win rhetorical or purely political battles; however, if we make substantive policy progress that directly touches voters' lives, they will notice and reward us.
May 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
🧵
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
Questions around the right of Kentucky students to sue for a better public education system were heard in Franklin Circuit Court Tuesday.
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2025/05/13/k...
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2025/05/13/k...
KY students' lawyer tells judge they have right to sue for better public education • Kentucky Lantern
Judge hears arguments on the rights of Kentucky students to sue for better public education in lawsuit harkening back to landmark decision.
kentuckylantern.com
May 13, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Questions around the right of Kentucky students to sue for a better public education system were heard in Franklin Circuit Court Tuesday.
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2025/05/13/k...
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/2025/05/13/k...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
Advance Financial’s Flex Loan charges 279.5% interest, trapping thousands of borrowers in debts that end up in court, where the company has won over $200 million in judgments since 2015.
By @friedmanadam5.bsky.social, w/ @tennesseelookout.com
By @friedmanadam5.bsky.social, w/ @tennesseelookout.com
This Lender Said Its Loans Would Help Tennesseans. It Has Sued More Than 110,000 of Them.
The Flex Loan, a type of payday loan pioneered by Advance Financial, has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders. Tennessee lawmakers declined to rein in the lending bu...
www.propublica.org
May 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Advance Financial’s Flex Loan charges 279.5% interest, trapping thousands of borrowers in debts that end up in court, where the company has won over $200 million in judgments since 2015.
By @friedmanadam5.bsky.social, w/ @tennesseelookout.com
By @friedmanadam5.bsky.social, w/ @tennesseelookout.com
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
California lawmakers passed legislation to limit probation against kids in 2022, but Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the reform. Advocates are trying again this year.
The California Ballot Measure That Could End Forced Prison Labor - Bolts
Prop 6 would amend California's constitution to ban “involuntary servitude” and prohibit state prisons from punishing incarcerated people for refusing a work assignment.
boltsmag.org
May 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
California lawmakers passed legislation to limit probation against kids in 2022, but Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the reform. Advocates are trying again this year.
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
If you are at all interested in WKU history, you will want to read this.
wkuherald.com/84638/news/f...
wkuherald.com/84638/news/f...
Faculty House faces demolition alongside Cherry Hall renovations - WKUHerald.com
Editor’s note: In a previous version of this story, the captions refer to the Faculty House as 125 years old. The Faculty House is 105 years old. The Herald regrets this error. As a casualty to many ...
wkuherald.com
May 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
If you are at all interested in WKU history, you will want to read this.
wkuherald.com/84638/news/f...
wkuherald.com/84638/news/f...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
"If recognition from the employer is off the table, we have to be able to build power through collective action instead. The reality is: There’s still so much workers can do!" Republished from @organizeworkers.bsky.social blog: labornotes.org/blogs/2025/0...
How Federal Workers Without a Union Can Still Act Like a Union
The reality for over 1.3 million federal government workers leading up to the second Trump Administration has been collective bargaining through unions recognized by the Federal Labor Relations Author...
labornotes.org
May 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
"If recognition from the employer is off the table, we have to be able to build power through collective action instead. The reality is: There’s still so much workers can do!" Republished from @organizeworkers.bsky.social blog: labornotes.org/blogs/2025/0...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
NEW: Columbia University has agreed to a $750M settlement with nearly 600 patients of Robert Hadden, a former doctor who sexually abused them while working at the school.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
Columbia Will Pay Survivors of Abusive Doctor $750 Million After ProPublica Revealed University’s Failures
The sweeping deal means the Ivy League school’s settlements will total more than $1 billion for over 1,000 claims of sexual abuse by former patients of OB-GYN Robert Hadden, who worked at the universi...
www.propublica.org
May 8, 2025 at 7:37 PM
NEW: Columbia University has agreed to a $750M settlement with nearly 600 patients of Robert Hadden, a former doctor who sexually abused them while working at the school.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
A 2023 ProPublica investigation revealed how the school shielded the OB-GYN for decades.
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss.”
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.”
Via @grist.org
grist.org/biking/one-m...
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.”
Via @grist.org
grist.org/biking/one-m...
One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss
Copenhagen, the bicycle-friendliest place on the planet, publishes a biannual Bicycle Account, and buried in its pages is a rather astonishing fact.
grist.org
May 5, 2025 at 11:25 PM
“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss.”
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.”
Via @grist.org
grist.org/biking/one-m...
“Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.”
Via @grist.org
grist.org/biking/one-m...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
Two years after Arizona officials uncovered a $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans seeking treatment for addictions, the state has recouped just a fraction of the taxpayer funds lost to fraud.
With @propublica.org.
With @propublica.org.
Arizona has recovered 5% of taxpayer dollars lost in $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme
The state has so far indicted more than 100 individuals and recouped $125 million. But despite state and federal efforts, it’s likely that most of the stolen taxpayer money won’t be recovered, officia...
azcir.org
May 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Two years after Arizona officials uncovered a $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans seeking treatment for addictions, the state has recouped just a fraction of the taxpayer funds lost to fraud.
With @propublica.org.
With @propublica.org.
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
NEWS: Reeling from Trump/DOGE cuts and chaos, energy data agency cancels major international report, deletes analytical centerpiece of its flagship U.S. energy outlook. www.propublica.org/article/the-...
The Latest Trump and DOGE Casualty: Energy Data
The Energy Information Administration has long provided reliable data on everything from oil and gas to alternative energy. Now one of its signature reports has been slashed and a second one canceled ...
www.propublica.org
May 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
NEWS: Reeling from Trump/DOGE cuts and chaos, energy data agency cancels major international report, deletes analytical centerpiece of its flagship U.S. energy outlook. www.propublica.org/article/the-...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
Scientists just found a way to break through climate apathy.
In a field of muddy results, it's among the clearest findings.
grist.org/science/brea...
#Science #Climate #Communication #Psychology #Greensky
In a field of muddy results, it's among the clearest findings.
grist.org/science/brea...
#Science #Climate #Communication #Psychology #Greensky
Scientists just found a way to break through climate apathy
In a field of muddy results, it's among the clearest findings that one cognitive scientist has seen in his career.
grist.org
May 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Scientists just found a way to break through climate apathy.
In a field of muddy results, it's among the clearest findings.
grist.org/science/brea...
#Science #Climate #Communication #Psychology #Greensky
In a field of muddy results, it's among the clearest findings.
grist.org/science/brea...
#Science #Climate #Communication #Psychology #Greensky
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
NEW: The Energy Information Administration has long provided reliable data on everything from oil and gas to alternative energy. Now one of its signature reports has been slashed and a second one canceled entirely amid sweeping job reductions and turmoil.
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
The Latest Trump and DOGE Casualty: Energy Data
The Energy Information Administration has long provided reliable data on everything from oil and gas to alternative energy. Now one of its signature reports has been slashed and a second one canceled…
www.propublica.org
May 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
NEW: The Energy Information Administration has long provided reliable data on everything from oil and gas to alternative energy. Now one of its signature reports has been slashed and a second one canceled entirely amid sweeping job reductions and turmoil.
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
By @peterelkind.bsky.social
"Look, if we prevent farmers from killing themselves, then we'll have to prevent everyone from killing themselves. Is that what we really want to do as a society?"
Presented with data on the high suicide rates for Utah farmers, a state lawmaker said he doesn’t think the legislature would be interested in funding a program intended to help one specific profession.
Targeting certain professions would create a “battle for funding," he claimed.
Targeting certain professions would create a “battle for funding," he claimed.
Utah Farmers Signed Up for Federally Funded Therapy. Then the Money Stopped.
Farmers are dying by suicide at the third-highest rate by vocation in Utah. But after a federal program offering mental health support ran out of money, the state did not continue it.
www.propublica.org
May 1, 2025 at 10:45 AM
"Look, if we prevent farmers from killing themselves, then we'll have to prevent everyone from killing themselves. Is that what we really want to do as a society?"
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
New reports highlighted by the Kentucky Education Association show that pay for public school teachers in the state fell in national rankings again this year.
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/briefs/kentu...
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/briefs/kentu...
Kentucky's average public school teacher pay ranks 42nd in the nation, education group says • Kentucky Lantern
New reports highlighted by the Kentucky Education Association show that pay for public school teachers fell in national rankings again.
kentuckylantern.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
New reports highlighted by the Kentucky Education Association show that pay for public school teachers in the state fell in national rankings again this year.
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/briefs/kentu...
@mckennahorsley.bsky.social
kentuckylantern.com/briefs/kentu...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
For no particular reason, let's look at how much money EA execs made recently
aftermath.site/electronic-a...
aftermath.site/electronic-a...
April 29, 2025 at 9:50 PM
For no particular reason, let's look at how much money EA execs made recently
aftermath.site/electronic-a...
aftermath.site/electronic-a...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
One product that got a tariff exemption is PET resin, used for plastic bottles.
Reyes Holdings, a Coca-Cola bottler owned by two politically connected brothers, recently hired lobbyists with close ties to the Trump White House to advocate on tariffs.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
Reyes Holdings, a Coca-Cola bottler owned by two politically connected brothers, recently hired lobbyists with close ties to the Trump White House to advocate on tariffs.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
Politically Connected Firms Benefit From Trump Tariff Exemptions Amid Secrecy, Confusion
The administration’s lack of transparency about tariff exemptions has experts concerned that some firms might be winning narrow carve-outs behind closed doors. “It could be corruption, but it could…
www.propublica.org
April 27, 2025 at 11:00 PM
One product that got a tariff exemption is PET resin, used for plastic bottles.
Reyes Holdings, a Coca-Cola bottler owned by two politically connected brothers, recently hired lobbyists with close ties to the Trump White House to advocate on tariffs.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
Reyes Holdings, a Coca-Cola bottler owned by two politically connected brothers, recently hired lobbyists with close ties to the Trump White House to advocate on tariffs.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
April 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
Texas law requires that sheriffs order an outside investigation when someone dies in custody. Bolts learned this is not happening in one of Texas' biggest counties—and the state agency in charge of oversight says it's powerless to make officials comply. boltsmag.org/texas-j...
Officials Play “Accountability Ping Pong” With Jail Deaths in Texas
A bipartisan push for more oversight comes after a sheriff flouted state law mandating independent investigations of jail deaths.
boltsmag.org
April 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Texas law requires that sheriffs order an outside investigation when someone dies in custody. Bolts learned this is not happening in one of Texas' biggest counties—and the state agency in charge of oversight says it's powerless to make officials comply. boltsmag.org/texas-j...
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
NEW: A Treasury Department inspector general is probing efforts by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE to obtain private taxpayer data and other sensitive information, internal communications reviewed by ProPublica show.
Inspector General Probes Whether Trump, DOGE Sought Private Taxpayer Information or Sensitive IRS Material
The request, spelled out in an email obtained by ProPublica, comes amid concerns that DOGE has overstepped its bounds in seeking highly restricted private information about taxpayers, public employees...
www.propublica.org
April 25, 2025 at 9:06 PM
NEW: A Treasury Department inspector general is probing efforts by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE to obtain private taxpayer data and other sensitive information, internal communications reviewed by ProPublica show.
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
New: A former senior Treasury official told @propublica.org the probe could lead to a criminal investigation if reviewers find evidence of lawbreaking.
But
That same official said it’s possible those leading the review could face political repercussions.
But
That same official said it’s possible those leading the review could face political repercussions.
Inspector General Probes Whether Trump, DOGE Sought Private Taxpayer Information or Sensitive IRS Material
The request, spelled out in an email obtained by ProPublica, comes amid concerns that DOGE has overstepped its bounds in seeking highly restricted private information about taxpayers, public employees...
www.propublica.org
April 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
New: A former senior Treasury official told @propublica.org the probe could lead to a criminal investigation if reviewers find evidence of lawbreaking.
But
That same official said it’s possible those leading the review could face political repercussions.
But
That same official said it’s possible those leading the review could face political repercussions.
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
NEW: Nike has made an expansive effort to convince consumers, investors and others that it is improving the lives of factory workers who make its products, not exploiting them. A rare view of wages at one Cambodian factory tests this claim.
With @oregonian.com
With @oregonian.com
Nike Says Its Factory Workers Earn Nearly Double the Minimum Wage. At This Cambodian Factory, 1% Made That Much.
Nike has made an expansive effort to convince consumers, investors and others that it is improving the lives of factory workers who make its products, not exploiting them. A rare view of wages at one…
www.propublica.org
April 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: Nike has made an expansive effort to convince consumers, investors and others that it is improving the lives of factory workers who make its products, not exploiting them. A rare view of wages at one Cambodian factory tests this claim.
With @oregonian.com
With @oregonian.com
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
Major stakeholders are in the dark about why certain products face tariffs and others don’t. Trump administration officials have given conflicting messages about the tariffs or have declined to answer questions at all.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
Politically Connected Firms Benefit From Trump Tariff Exemptions Amid Secrecy, Confusion
The administration’s lack of transparency about tariff exemptions has experts concerned that some firms might be winning narrow carve-outs behind closed doors. “It could be corruption, but it could…
www.propublica.org
April 25, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Major stakeholders are in the dark about why certain products face tariffs and others don’t. Trump administration officials have given conflicting messages about the tariffs or have declined to answer questions at all.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social
You're a special kind of fucked up if you are pro-rape in any circumstance.
BREAKING: Trump’s Department of Justice has cut all funding to the national Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center, according to a letter obtained by The Appeal. theappeal.org/trump-doj-de...
Trump DOJ Defunds National Prison Rape Resource Center
A letter obtained exclusively by The Appeal says Trump’s Department of Justice has defunded the Prison Rape Elimination Act Resource Center.
theappeal.org
April 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
You're a special kind of fucked up if you are pro-rape in any circumstance.
Reposted by Landon D. C. Elkind
The possible elimination of the lab threatens irreparable harm not only to global understanding of climate change and long-range scenarios for the planet but to the country’s safety, competitiveness and national security. @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/trum...
White House Proposal Could Gut Climate Modeling the World Depends On
Potential funding cuts for NOAA and its research partners threaten irreparable harm not only to climate research but to American safety, competitiveness, and national security.
www.propublica.org
April 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The possible elimination of the lab threatens irreparable harm not only to global understanding of climate change and long-range scenarios for the planet but to the country’s safety, competitiveness and national security. @propublica.org www.propublica.org/article/trum...