Shaun Barnes
@scbesque.bsky.social
Boston-based lawyer with a bad coffee habit and interests in politics, history, travel and aviation.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Less than $1600 until we hit the matching threshold, meaning another $35k gets sent to us. Let’s see if we can’t get there in the next half hour! gofund.me/b62d52480
November 26, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Less than $1600 until we hit the matching threshold, meaning another $35k gets sent to us. Let’s see if we can’t get there in the next half hour! gofund.me/b62d52480
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
if you’re looking for more ways to support independent media and fight fascism, help my friends at @liberalcurrents.com reach their $500k fundraising goal!
gofund.me/4e2ac0714
gofund.me/4e2ac0714
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
if you’re looking for more ways to support independent media and fight fascism, help my friends at @liberalcurrents.com reach their $500k fundraising goal!
gofund.me/4e2ac0714
gofund.me/4e2ac0714
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Never seen it put this way and it's really powerful.
I think the shortest version of why LLMs are an anti education technology is that education is fundamentally about making shared context to understand ourselves, each other, and the world
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Never seen it put this way and it's really powerful.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
I’m 250 paid subscribers away from a major goal. Think we can get there tonight? www.thehandbasket.co/upgrade
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
Moral rot in elite journalism is killing the whole field
The Nuzzi/RFK Jr. mess and the revelation of Esptein's journo pals lay bare a profound moral absence at the heart of our free press.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 19, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I’m 250 paid subscribers away from a major goal. Think we can get there tonight? www.thehandbasket.co/upgrade
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
"The attorney in the New York office spoke in depth about the plan being recently updated to include mosques and liberal synagogues in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s recent win in the New York City mayor’s race."
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:16 AM
"The attorney in the New York office spoke in depth about the plan being recently updated to include mosques and liberal synagogues in the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s recent win in the New York City mayor’s race."
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Some news: tomorrow at 9am, Ted Koppel + CBS Sunday Morning will air a two-part story on the devastating surge of full-time workers being pushed into homelessness.
I'll be interviewed along with two families from There Is No Place for Us. It would mean a lot if you'd watch and help spread the word.
I'll be interviewed along with two families from There Is No Place for Us. It would mean a lot if you'd watch and help spread the word.
November 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Some news: tomorrow at 9am, Ted Koppel + CBS Sunday Morning will air a two-part story on the devastating surge of full-time workers being pushed into homelessness.
I'll be interviewed along with two families from There Is No Place for Us. It would mean a lot if you'd watch and help spread the word.
I'll be interviewed along with two families from There Is No Place for Us. It would mean a lot if you'd watch and help spread the word.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
New WSJ: After flying an FBI jet to see his girlfriend sing at a wrestling match, FBI director Kash Patel took the jet to a private Texas hunting resort called the Boondoggle Ranch. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Kash Patel’s ‘Effin Wild’ Ride as FBI Director
In just one week in October, he ticked off his bosses with premature comments about a terror investigation squeezed in a trip to the ‘Boondoggle Ranch’ on the bureau jet.
www.wsj.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:43 AM
New WSJ: After flying an FBI jet to see his girlfriend sing at a wrestling match, FBI director Kash Patel took the jet to a private Texas hunting resort called the Boondoggle Ranch. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
This is what I try to always tell people: food banks can do way more with your money than you can, due to bulk buying deals. And they can do way, way more with your money than with the canned goods you didn’t want to eat
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
November 11, 2025 at 9:21 PM
This is what I try to always tell people: food banks can do way more with your money than you can, due to bulk buying deals. And they can do way, way more with your money than with the canned goods you didn’t want to eat
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
No health care, no deal.
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 AM
No health care, no deal.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
As I've always said, I will not support a government funding bill that continues to raise our costs, jeopardizes our health care, and hurts the people of my state.
November 10, 2025 at 1:41 AM
As I've always said, I will not support a government funding bill that continues to raise our costs, jeopardizes our health care, and hurts the people of my state.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
I will not support a deal that does nothing to make health care more affordable.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
November 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
I will not support a deal that does nothing to make health care more affordable.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
We are in a health care emergency. A simple one-year extension of these tax credits would cost less than Donald Trump’s $40 billion bailout for Argentina.
A vote for this bill is a mistake.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
I’ve voted 7 times to reopen the government in a way that holds Trump accountable for his lawlessness and prevents a health care crisis.
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
November 10, 2025 at 12:48 AM
I’ve voted 7 times to reopen the government in a way that holds Trump accountable for his lawlessness and prevents a health care crisis.
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
I’m prepared to work toward a compromise, but this “deal” before us does not come close to meeting those terms. Voting NO.
Full statement:
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
My red line has always been lowering health costs for Americans. Donald Trump and Republicans don’t want an agreement that meets that bar. I’m a no.
November 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
My red line has always been lowering health costs for Americans. Donald Trump and Republicans don’t want an agreement that meets that bar. I’m a no.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
No surprises here but happy to see @warren.senate.gov pushing back on capitulation.
Call your Senators and tell them to reject any “deal” that accepts the legislative equivalent of magic beans instead of health insurance for 1.7 million Americans.
www.senate.gov/senators/sen...
Call your Senators and tell them to reject any “deal” that accepts the legislative equivalent of magic beans instead of health insurance for 1.7 million Americans.
www.senate.gov/senators/sen...
November 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
No surprises here but happy to see @warren.senate.gov pushing back on capitulation.
Call your Senators and tell them to reject any “deal” that accepts the legislative equivalent of magic beans instead of health insurance for 1.7 million Americans.
www.senate.gov/senators/sen...
Call your Senators and tell them to reject any “deal” that accepts the legislative equivalent of magic beans instead of health insurance for 1.7 million Americans.
www.senate.gov/senators/sen...
November 9, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Schumer (NY) 202 224-6542
Booker (NJ) 202 224-3224
King (ME) 202 224-5344
Hassan (NH) 202 224-3324
Durbin (IL) 202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA) 202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH) 202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY) 202 224-4451
Masto (NV) 202 224-3542
Warner (VA) 202 224-2023
Booker (NJ) 202 224-3224
King (ME) 202 224-5344
Hassan (NH) 202 224-3324
Durbin (IL) 202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA) 202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH) 202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY) 202 224-4451
Masto (NV) 202 224-3542
Warner (VA) 202 224-2023
November 9, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Schumer (NY) 202 224-6542
Booker (NJ) 202 224-3224
King (ME) 202 224-5344
Hassan (NH) 202 224-3324
Durbin (IL) 202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA) 202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH) 202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY) 202 224-4451
Masto (NV) 202 224-3542
Warner (VA) 202 224-2023
Booker (NJ) 202 224-3224
King (ME) 202 224-5344
Hassan (NH) 202 224-3324
Durbin (IL) 202 224-2152
Ossoff (GA) 202 224-3521
Shaheen (NH) 202 224-2841
Gillibrand (NY) 202 224-4451
Masto (NV) 202 224-3542
Warner (VA) 202 224-2023
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Unacceptable. There are 189,000 people in my district who will be paying 50–300% more for the same, and in many cases worse, healthcare.
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
November 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Unacceptable. There are 189,000 people in my district who will be paying 50–300% more for the same, and in many cases worse, healthcare.
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
I won’t do that to the people I represent. I’m a NO on this “deal.”
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Afternoon reports that some Democratic Senators may yield completely to Republican demands in return for the mere scheduling of a December vote to keep premiums affordable for those relying upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This would represent trading something for nothing.
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Afternoon reports that some Democratic Senators may yield completely to Republican demands in return for the mere scheduling of a December vote to keep premiums affordable for those relying upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This would represent trading something for nothing.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Following up on this. This remains a ‘cave is minutes or hours away’ situation. If you want to impact how this plays out you need to contact senators literally now. I want to add additional points of context. What I’m relaying is what I’ve picked up from highly reliable sources.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
I called them both! New Yorkers, so should you
(To reach your state's senators, you can always go through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121)
(To reach your state's senators, you can always go through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121)
Oh for the love of
Sharing, since I just googled these so I could leave angry voicemails telling these motherfuckers to hold the line
Schumer's DC office number: 202-224-6542
Gillibrand's DC office number: (202) 224-4451
Sharing, since I just googled these so I could leave angry voicemails telling these motherfuckers to hold the line
Schumer's DC office number: 202-224-6542
Gillibrand's DC office number: (202) 224-4451
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I called them both! New Yorkers, so should you
(To reach your state's senators, you can always go through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121)
(To reach your state's senators, you can always go through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121)
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
do think the caucus fight is really important, because if the caucus refuses to give cover for the melts... do they actually go out on the ledge by themselves?
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
do think the caucus fight is really important, because if the caucus refuses to give cover for the melts... do they actually go out on the ledge by themselves?
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
Reposted by Shaun Barnes
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...