JM
@roadtrippin63.bsky.social
Global wanderer; rusty but enthusiastic travel photographer; veteran intel, national security and foreign policy professional; grammar nitpicker. Still teaching, still learning.
Reposted by JM
@ricksteves.bsky.social I just watched your episode on Barcelona (again…love your shows and guides), and was wondering if you had comments on the issue of locals driving away tourists by squirting them. Apologies if you already addressed it; please feel free to point me to a previous post. Thanks!
July 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
@ricksteves.bsky.social I just watched your episode on Barcelona (again…love your shows and guides), and was wondering if you had comments on the issue of locals driving away tourists by squirting them. Apologies if you already addressed it; please feel free to point me to a previous post. Thanks!
Reposted by JM
Right after "Don't use semicolons," "Don't use adverbs," "Don't use speech tags beyond 'said' and 'says,'" and "Don't ever use the word 'that,'" my favorite piece of writing advice is "Don't listen to people giving writing advice who only ever tell you not to do things."
July 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Right after "Don't use semicolons," "Don't use adverbs," "Don't use speech tags beyond 'said' and 'says,'" and "Don't ever use the word 'that,'" my favorite piece of writing advice is "Don't listen to people giving writing advice who only ever tell you not to do things."
Do it!!
Happy Amazon Prime Day, and I hope you'll consider purchasing a copy of Dreyer's English...
...elsewhere.
(For instance, at the signed copies tab herein.)
👇🏻
...elsewhere.
(For instance, at the signed copies tab herein.)
👇🏻
Benjamin Dreyer
Benjamin Dreyer, author of the New York Times bestseller Dreyer’s English, is the retired copy chief and managing editor of Random House.
www.benjamindreyer.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Do it!!
Reposted by JM
On Thursday the 31st I'm going to be hosting my first live and in-person Stet! evening at Village Well Books & Coffee in Culver City, so if you're in the neighborhood, I'd love to see you there!
Game Night: Stet! | Village Well Books & Coffee
Culver City's community-oriented bookstore cafe.
shop.villagewell.com
June 30, 2025 at 8:52 PM
On Thursday the 31st I'm going to be hosting my first live and in-person Stet! evening at Village Well Books & Coffee in Culver City, so if you're in the neighborhood, I'd love to see you there!
Reposted by JM
Are you a woman who changed your name when you got married?
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
April 9, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Are you a woman who changed your name when you got married?
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Congress is considering a bill that could make it much harder for you to vote.
Call your rep—this is not a drill. indivisible.org/resource/cal...
Reposted by JM
ATTN FEDERAL WORKERS: It has come to my attention that several agencies are now offering WiFi for you to use with your PERSONAL devices. If I were you, I would NOT use that WiFi. I suspect it's a way for DOGE to monitor your personal communications.
April 2, 2025 at 6:33 PM
ATTN FEDERAL WORKERS: It has come to my attention that several agencies are now offering WiFi for you to use with your PERSONAL devices. If I were you, I would NOT use that WiFi. I suspect it's a way for DOGE to monitor your personal communications.
Do it!
Hey, so here's a thing:
If you want to purchase signed (or additionally inscribed!) copies of DE, hardcover or paperback, or the kids' edition thereof, you can directly email my lovely new neighbors at Small World Books in Venice, and we'll hook you up.
If you want to purchase signed (or additionally inscribed!) copies of DE, hardcover or paperback, or the kids' edition thereof, you can directly email my lovely new neighbors at Small World Books in Venice, and we'll hook you up.
Small World Books | Venice Beach, CA
www.smallworldbooks.com
March 29, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Do it!
Reposted by JM
Y'know, there's a whole book of me mouthing off.
And a game!
And a game!
March 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Y'know, there's a whole book of me mouthing off.
And a game!
And a game!
Reposted by JM
I’ve said this before (from experience). When you cut federal workers you don’t save money, you instead spend more on contractors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/b...
Trump and DOGE Create Anxiety but Opportunity for Federal Contractors
By cutting federal employees, the Trump administration may increase its reliance on firms that take in billions through government contracts.
www.nytimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I’ve said this before (from experience). When you cut federal workers you don’t save money, you instead spend more on contractors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/b...
Reposted by JM
A “remove follower” option here would be such a treat.
March 4, 2025 at 2:21 AM
A “remove follower” option here would be such a treat.
Reposted by JM
This is Marco Rubio explaining how the USA promised to defend Ukraine forever if they got rid of their nuclear arsenal left after the Soviet Union fell.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
March 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is Marco Rubio explaining how the USA promised to defend Ukraine forever if they got rid of their nuclear arsenal left after the Soviet Union fell.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
Reposted by JM
Former colleagues face termination b/c they were sent (probably unwillingly) on rotation to an office focused on diversity—critical at CIA—when along comes an incompetent leader who cant fathom why it’s important to hire a few folks who aren’t white men
These people are patriots and deserve better.
These people are patriots and deserve better.
The CIA has moved to dismiss an unspecified number of officers who were working on recruiting and diversity issues, according to former officials, in what would be one of the largest mass firings in the agency’s history.
The C.I.A. Is Planning Its Largest Mass Firing in Nearly 50 Years
The possible purge of officers working on recruiting and diversity comes as the agency moves to comply with the spirit of an executive order banning efforts to diversify the federal work force.
www.nytimes.com
February 21, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Former colleagues face termination b/c they were sent (probably unwillingly) on rotation to an office focused on diversity—critical at CIA—when along comes an incompetent leader who cant fathom why it’s important to hire a few folks who aren’t white men
These people are patriots and deserve better.
These people are patriots and deserve better.
Reposted by JM
“The goal of Trump--like all autocrats and dictators--is to make you feel that “resistance is futile,” but history shows that people standing up to that leader has inspired others to do the same.”
@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social talks with @deanobeidallah.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/deanobei...
@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social talks with @deanobeidallah.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/deanobei...
Authoritarian expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat: It's time to take our country back from Trump/Musk—and here is how.
Resistance is not futile!
open.substack.com
February 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
“The goal of Trump--like all autocrats and dictators--is to make you feel that “resistance is futile,” but history shows that people standing up to that leader has inspired others to do the same.”
@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social talks with @deanobeidallah.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/deanobei...
@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social talks with @deanobeidallah.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/deanobei...
Reposted by JM
ATTN FEDERAL WORKERS: I’ll say this again: download all your SF-50s, performance evals, and your eOPF.
Now.
Print hard copies.
And make sure you file an informal grievance with your supervisor within 15 days of any adverse action. Here is a template: www.muellershewrote.com/p/informal-g...
Now.
Print hard copies.
And make sure you file an informal grievance with your supervisor within 15 days of any adverse action. Here is a template: www.muellershewrote.com/p/informal-g...
Informal Grievance Template for Adverse Personnel Actions
There is a limited amount of time to oppose personnel actions. Time is short.
www.muellershewrote.com
February 14, 2025 at 5:34 AM
ATTN FEDERAL WORKERS: I’ll say this again: download all your SF-50s, performance evals, and your eOPF.
Now.
Print hard copies.
And make sure you file an informal grievance with your supervisor within 15 days of any adverse action. Here is a template: www.muellershewrote.com/p/informal-g...
Now.
Print hard copies.
And make sure you file an informal grievance with your supervisor within 15 days of any adverse action. Here is a template: www.muellershewrote.com/p/informal-g...
Reposted by JM
*whispers*
Just for the record, the holiday that's coming up, which is still officially Washington's Birthday, can be called Presidents Day (or Presidents' Day, if you must), but it's not:
President's Day
Please make a note of it it for your memes and things.
Just for the record, the holiday that's coming up, which is still officially Washington's Birthday, can be called Presidents Day (or Presidents' Day, if you must), but it's not:
President's Day
Please make a note of it it for your memes and things.
February 14, 2025 at 2:54 AM
*whispers*
Just for the record, the holiday that's coming up, which is still officially Washington's Birthday, can be called Presidents Day (or Presidents' Day, if you must), but it's not:
President's Day
Please make a note of it it for your memes and things.
Just for the record, the holiday that's coming up, which is still officially Washington's Birthday, can be called Presidents Day (or Presidents' Day, if you must), but it's not:
President's Day
Please make a note of it it for your memes and things.
Reposted by JM
Reposted by JM
If the point of this tool is to help analysts think outside the box, maybe there’s some utility.
But machines shouldn’t be doing intelligence analysis. There’s no way to tell what it missed, what it misinterpreted, or what it otherwise misunderstood in the process of making a prediction/assessment.
But machines shouldn’t be doing intelligence analysis. There’s no way to tell what it missed, what it misinterpreted, or what it otherwise misunderstood in the process of making a prediction/assessment.
Understanding global leaders is one of the CIA’s most important jobs. Analysts comb through intelligence collected by spies and publicly available information to create profiles of leaders that can predict behaviors. A chatbot powered by A.I. now helps do that work.
C.I.A.’s Chatbot Stands In for World Leaders
The spy agency is trying to give its teams better tools and make it easier for the private sector to develop technology for their secretive work.
www.nytimes.com
January 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
If the point of this tool is to help analysts think outside the box, maybe there’s some utility.
But machines shouldn’t be doing intelligence analysis. There’s no way to tell what it missed, what it misinterpreted, or what it otherwise misunderstood in the process of making a prediction/assessment.
But machines shouldn’t be doing intelligence analysis. There’s no way to tell what it missed, what it misinterpreted, or what it otherwise misunderstood in the process of making a prediction/assessment.
Reposted by JM
I can’t think of a better way to honor Jimmy Carter than donating to Habitat for Humanity. He and Rosalynn first began volunteering with the nonprofit in 1984 — 3 years after leaving the White House. They volunteered every year until 2020, eventually helping to build and repair 4,390 Habitat homes.
Habitat for Humanity mourns the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. A champion for affordable and decent housing, he and Rosalynn Carter donated their time and leadership...
www.habitat.org
December 30, 2024 at 3:35 AM
I can’t think of a better way to honor Jimmy Carter than donating to Habitat for Humanity. He and Rosalynn first began volunteering with the nonprofit in 1984 — 3 years after leaving the White House. They volunteered every year until 2020, eventually helping to build and repair 4,390 Habitat homes.
Reposted by JM
A "pig butchering" scam might open with a simple “Hi” or some good-natured confusion about why your phone number seems to be in the person’s address book.
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
What’s a Pig Butchering Scam? Here’s How to Avoid Falling Victim to One.
Thousands have lost huge sums after being lured into fraudulent online investment schemes by seemingly attractive strangers who strike up online conversations with them. Here’s a guide to spotting…
propub.li
December 25, 2024 at 11:00 PM
A "pig butchering" scam might open with a simple “Hi” or some good-natured confusion about why your phone number seems to be in the person’s address book.
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
It's the first step in a process intended to drain your bank account and ruin your life.
(Published Sept. 2022)
I can’t take credit for this, but I wish I could.
December 14, 2024 at 5:47 PM
I can’t take credit for this, but I wish I could.
Reposted by JM
The older I get, the more likely it is that I will quit a bad series or movie mid-scene.
Life’s too short to waste watching terrible tv.
Life’s too short to waste watching terrible tv.
December 13, 2024 at 1:20 PM
The older I get, the more likely it is that I will quit a bad series or movie mid-scene.
Life’s too short to waste watching terrible tv.
Life’s too short to waste watching terrible tv.
Reposted by JM
In a world full of hateful people, be kind.
December 12, 2024 at 4:30 PM
In a world full of hateful people, be kind.