R Robin McDonald
@rrobinmcdonald.bsky.social
Veteran legal journalist. Dogged reporter (print: DC, AL, KS, TX, ATL; plus CNN, CourtTV). True crime author. Georgia ex-pat relocated to the great Northwest who still knows the right way to punctuate y'all. Inkstained wretch in a cyber world.
This is so true.
"If you grew up where people said “y’all,” guess what—you’re doomed. Your future novel will say “y’all” at least once, even if it’s set on Mars. Martian cowboy: “Y’all get in the spaceship.” You can’t escape."
- The Writing Voice You Don't Choose
"If you grew up where people said “y’all,” guess what—you’re doomed. Your future novel will say “y’all” at least once, even if it’s set on Mars. Martian cowboy: “Y’all get in the spaceship.” You can’t escape."
- The Writing Voice You Don't Choose
Everyone says: find your voice. Like it’s in the lost & found, under a scarf and someone else’s umbrella. As if you walk up to the desk: “Hi, yes, mine’s the lyrical-yet-accessible one with hints of irony.” No. Voice finds you.
#writer #poet
Read the full article:
authorspublish.com/the-writing-...
#writer #poet
Read the full article:
authorspublish.com/the-writing-...
» The Writing Voice You Don’t Choose
authorspublish.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:36 AM
This is so true.
"If you grew up where people said “y’all,” guess what—you’re doomed. Your future novel will say “y’all” at least once, even if it’s set on Mars. Martian cowboy: “Y’all get in the spaceship.” You can’t escape."
- The Writing Voice You Don't Choose
"If you grew up where people said “y’all,” guess what—you’re doomed. Your future novel will say “y’all” at least once, even if it’s set on Mars. Martian cowboy: “Y’all get in the spaceship.” You can’t escape."
- The Writing Voice You Don't Choose
www.lawdork.com/p/gregory-bo...
"Using the name of a beloved children’s book as the name of your anti-immigrant, mass-arrest operation is appalling.
But, to use a book authored by E.B. White as your name is an offense to history." Chris Geidner
"Using the name of a beloved children’s book as the name of your anti-immigrant, mass-arrest operation is appalling.
But, to use a book authored by E.B. White as your name is an offense to history." Chris Geidner
Gregory Bovino is exactly who E.B. White — author of 'Charlotte's Web' — warned us about
DHS named its North Carolina anti-immigrant effort "Operation Charlotte's Web." In 1940, White wrote of the "smell" that "rises" from those who "adjust to fascism" over freedom.
www.lawdork.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 AM
www.lawdork.com/p/gregory-bo...
"Using the name of a beloved children’s book as the name of your anti-immigrant, mass-arrest operation is appalling.
But, to use a book authored by E.B. White as your name is an offense to history." Chris Geidner
"Using the name of a beloved children’s book as the name of your anti-immigrant, mass-arrest operation is appalling.
But, to use a book authored by E.B. White as your name is an offense to history." Chris Geidner
data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-compas...
"When your “negotiation” is just agreeing to stop inflicting pain, it’s extortion, not compromise."
from "The Compassion Trap"
"When your “negotiation” is just agreeing to stop inflicting pain, it’s extortion, not compromise."
from "The Compassion Trap"
The Compassion Trap: How the Shutdown Weaponized Democratic Values Against Democracy Itself
When Opposition Parties Stop Fighting Because the Cruelty Becomes Unbearable. And Why They Shouldn't.
data4democracy.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:50 AM
data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-compas...
"When your “negotiation” is just agreeing to stop inflicting pain, it’s extortion, not compromise."
from "The Compassion Trap"
"When your “negotiation” is just agreeing to stop inflicting pain, it’s extortion, not compromise."
from "The Compassion Trap"
Reposted by R Robin McDonald
November 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by R Robin McDonald
November 6, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Reposted by R Robin McDonald
❤️Heretic Coffee in Portland is offering free breakfast to SNAP recipients, no questions asked.
You can donate here:
hereticcoffee.com
You can donate here:
hereticcoffee.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
❤️Heretic Coffee in Portland is offering free breakfast to SNAP recipients, no questions asked.
You can donate here:
hereticcoffee.com
You can donate here:
hereticcoffee.com
Reposted by R Robin McDonald
Whenever people complain about the number of folks relying on food stamps, it is worth reminding them that SNAP is, by too large of a degree, a subsidy for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage and their political allies who reject public policy prescriptions to reduce income inequality.
October 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Whenever people complain about the number of folks relying on food stamps, it is worth reminding them that SNAP is, by too large of a degree, a subsidy for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage and their political allies who reject public policy prescriptions to reduce income inequality.
Reposted by R Robin McDonald
The first look at the scale of Disney backlash after it suspended Kimmel. Wow>>
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
Customers Ditched Disney+, Hulu After Kimmel Suspension
Cancellation rates for both Disney’s streaming services doubled in September from a month earlier.
www.wsj.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The first look at the scale of Disney backlash after it suspended Kimmel. Wow>>
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
Indeed.
Nice. Maybe this’ll be a warning to other corporations
The first look at the scale of Disney backlash after it suspended Kimmel. Wow>>
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
“Antenna estimated a total of 3 million cancellations for Disney+ and 4.1 million for Hulu in September. Both of those figures far exceeded the trailing three-month averages for the services”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
October 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Indeed.
Remember this - there needs to be a record.
I was just notified of yet another death in ICE custody — 20 people have died in their custody since Trump came into office.
ICE is detaining people, mostly in private, for-profit prisons that put profit over health. There must be accountability and oversight.
ICE is detaining people, mostly in private, for-profit prisons that put profit over health. There must be accountability and oversight.
October 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Remember this - there needs to be a record.
This from The New Republic's
Greg Sargent:
"NYT calls these MAGA types 'provocateurs.' But these aren't provocateurs. They're propagandists. Only one side is employing deliberate deceptions on vast scale for instrumental ends."
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
Greg Sargent:
"NYT calls these MAGA types 'provocateurs.' But these aren't provocateurs. They're propagandists. Only one side is employing deliberate deceptions on vast scale for instrumental ends."
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
MAGA Implodes over Kristi Noem’s “Stare Down” with Man in Chicken Suit
A good New York Times piece on Portland nevertheless demonstrates how the conventions of objective reporting fail to accurately capture the bad faith driving pro-Trump propaganda.
newrepublic.com
October 12, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This from The New Republic's
Greg Sargent:
"NYT calls these MAGA types 'provocateurs.' But these aren't provocateurs. They're propagandists. Only one side is employing deliberate deceptions on vast scale for instrumental ends."
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
Greg Sargent:
"NYT calls these MAGA types 'provocateurs.' But these aren't provocateurs. They're propagandists. Only one side is employing deliberate deceptions on vast scale for instrumental ends."
newrepublic.com/article/2016...
It’s Called America’s “Weirdest” City. But Just Wait Until You Hear What’s Going On in Its Coffee Shops. - Slate
"If he follows through on his threats to deploy National Guard troops to Portland ...[t]he intent will be to incite a spectacle of chaos, manufacturing a crisis..."- Jacob Grier
"If he follows through on his threats to deploy National Guard troops to Portland ...[t]he intent will be to incite a spectacle of chaos, manufacturing a crisis..."- Jacob Grier
September 27, 2025 at 10:16 PM
It’s Called America’s “Weirdest” City. But Just Wait Until You Hear What’s Going On in Its Coffee Shops. - Slate
"If he follows through on his threats to deploy National Guard troops to Portland ...[t]he intent will be to incite a spectacle of chaos, manufacturing a crisis..."- Jacob Grier
"If he follows through on his threats to deploy National Guard troops to Portland ...[t]he intent will be to incite a spectacle of chaos, manufacturing a crisis..."- Jacob Grier
Grievances in the Declaration of Independence address the order to send the military to Portland OR:
Grievance 11
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
Grievance 14
"For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us."
Grievance 11
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
Grievance 14
"For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us."
🚨BREAKING: President Donald Trump announced the deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, and federal immigration facilities nationwide Saturday, claiming he is defending the country against “domestic terrorists.” www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Trump Orders Troops to Portland, Authorizes ‘Full Force if Necessary'
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Grievances in the Declaration of Independence address the order to send the military to Portland OR:
Grievance 11
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
Grievance 14
"For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us."
Grievance 11
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures."
Grievance 14
"For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us."
Reposted by R Robin McDonald
Only an administration intent on committing war crimes in the present and future would stoop to calling Wounded Knee a "battle" rather than what it truly was: a massacre of over 250 Lakotas, mainly women, children, and the elderly. 1/
September 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Only an administration intent on committing war crimes in the present and future would stoop to calling Wounded Knee a "battle" rather than what it truly was: a massacre of over 250 Lakotas, mainly women, children, and the elderly. 1/
More from the Ministry of Truth:
"Our decision to preempt this program [Jimmy Kimmel Live] was independent of any government interaction or influence," a Sinclair release said. "Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations."
"Our decision to preempt this program [Jimmy Kimmel Live] was independent of any government interaction or influence," a Sinclair release said. "Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations."
September 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
More from the Ministry of Truth:
"Our decision to preempt this program [Jimmy Kimmel Live] was independent of any government interaction or influence," a Sinclair release said. "Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations."
"Our decision to preempt this program [Jimmy Kimmel Live] was independent of any government interaction or influence," a Sinclair release said. "Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations."
From the Ministry of Truth:
"Nexstar remains committed to protecting the 1st Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased," a Nexstar release said. "We stand apart ... in our commitment - and obligation - to be stewards of the public airwaves."
"Nexstar remains committed to protecting the 1st Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased," a Nexstar release said. "We stand apart ... in our commitment - and obligation - to be stewards of the public airwaves."
September 26, 2025 at 11:10 PM
From the Ministry of Truth:
"Nexstar remains committed to protecting the 1st Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased," a Nexstar release said. "We stand apart ... in our commitment - and obligation - to be stewards of the public airwaves."
"Nexstar remains committed to protecting the 1st Amendment while producing and airing local and national news that is fact-based and unbiased," a Nexstar release said. "We stand apart ... in our commitment - and obligation - to be stewards of the public airwaves."
"Unspent shell casings" = bullets that have not been fired.
@Reuters got it right in a headline reporting that an "unused bullet" officials said had writing on it was among a handful of what were actually unfired bullets found on the ground near the Dallas shooter's body.
Words matter.
@Reuters got it right in a headline reporting that an "unused bullet" officials said had writing on it was among a handful of what were actually unfired bullets found on the ground near the Dallas shooter's body.
Words matter.
September 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM
"Unspent shell casings" = bullets that have not been fired.
@Reuters got it right in a headline reporting that an "unused bullet" officials said had writing on it was among a handful of what were actually unfired bullets found on the ground near the Dallas shooter's body.
Words matter.
@Reuters got it right in a headline reporting that an "unused bullet" officials said had writing on it was among a handful of what were actually unfired bullets found on the ground near the Dallas shooter's body.
Words matter.
Reposted by R Robin McDonald
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
September 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
bittersoutherner.com/saving-grace...
I know this territory. It is heartbreaking. Your title alone says it all. Thank you for lighting a candle in this darkness.
I know this territory. It is heartbreaking. Your title alone says it all. Thank you for lighting a candle in this darkness.
September 18, 2025 at 5:27 PM
bittersoutherner.com/saving-grace...
I know this territory. It is heartbreaking. Your title alone says it all. Thank you for lighting a candle in this darkness.
I know this territory. It is heartbreaking. Your title alone says it all. Thank you for lighting a candle in this darkness.
This is worse than alarming. Reminder that the "A" in "AI" stands for artificial. As in - not real.
Scoop: Business Insider informed its staff this week that they are allowed to use ChatGPT to generate first drafts of their stories, while also indicating the newsroom will not disclose such A.I. use to readers.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/business-i...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/business-i...
Business Insider and the Bots
The Axel Springer-owned newsroom is buzzing over new ChatGPT writing guidelines—part of an aggressive A.I. strategy pushed by its German parentco and detailed in a memo obtained by Status.
www.status.news
September 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
This is worse than alarming. Reminder that the "A" in "AI" stands for artificial. As in - not real.
Just so wrong.
National Guard keeping Krispy Kreme safe at DuPont Circle. #FreeDC
August 28, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Just so wrong.