@simplayer84.bsky.social
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As an attorney with occasional experience with the Equal Time rule, I can explain what's going on here and how the FCC's Brandon Carr is leveraging his position to force late night and daytime talk show hosts to exclude Democratic candidates.
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
Stephen Colbert said that the FCC and CBS - which is in no way a compromised or complicit organization - wouldn’t allow him to broadcast an interview with Democratic State Rep James Talarico. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/a...
Colbert Doesn’t Give an FCC About Calling Out CBS
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:37 PM
As an attorney with occasional experience with the Equal Time rule, I can explain what's going on here and how the FCC's Brandon Carr is leveraging his position to force late night and daytime talk show hosts to exclude Democratic candidates.
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
First I need to explain the Equal Time rule itself. 1/
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I do generally think one bad thing about the 17-21 trump administration is that a coalition of reasonably sane republicans and democrats worked to limit the harm as much as possible- thus allowing people to perceive trump as "guy good with economy but who does mean tweets" instead of...a fascist
February 10, 2026 at 3:52 AM
I do generally think one bad thing about the 17-21 trump administration is that a coalition of reasonably sane republicans and democrats worked to limit the harm as much as possible- thus allowing people to perceive trump as "guy good with economy but who does mean tweets" instead of...a fascist
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NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
How the Trump administration skirts — and defies — court rulings on ICE detentions
A POLITICO review of hundreds of cases brought by ICE detainees shows a pattern of noncompliance that has frustrated judges across the country.
www.politico.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:15 AM
NEW: Federal judges are increasingly furious at what they see as a pattern / playbook of defiance by the Trump administration to court orders in immigration cases — in Minnesota and around the country.
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Here’s a look at what they’re seeing: www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
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“They’re basically torturing people into signing off on their own deportation,” said one attorney.
Superb, deeply reported story, via @charpentier.bsky.social
Superb, deeply reported story, via @charpentier.bsky.social
Concentration camps: stories of as many as 50 people to a cell — men and women in some cases — with no windows and limited airflow, a single camera-monitored toilet, aluminum blankets, no showers and poor quality food.
ICE detainees from Maine being held under ‘inhumane’ conditions in Mass. facility, attorneys say
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said the allegations of overcrowding and lack of access to lawyers are false.
www.pressherald.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:03 PM
“They’re basically torturing people into signing off on their own deportation,” said one attorney.
Superb, deeply reported story, via @charpentier.bsky.social
Superb, deeply reported story, via @charpentier.bsky.social
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Crazy story: A bank analyst published a report showing Kalshi users lose money even faster than sports gamblers, so Kalshi first tried to pressure the data provider to change their data and then accused them and the analyst of conspiring to extort them when that doesn’t work.
February 4, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Crazy story: A bank analyst published a report showing Kalshi users lose money even faster than sports gamblers, so Kalshi first tried to pressure the data provider to change their data and then accused them and the analyst of conspiring to extort them when that doesn’t work.
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Horrifying. ICE confirms measles outbreak at Dilley family detention center. www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-dil...
ICE halts "all movement" at Texas detention facility due to measles infections
The measles cases at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center were detected Friday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:42 AM
Horrifying. ICE confirms measles outbreak at Dilley family detention center. www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-dil...
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So obviously none of this is confirmed and some of these sound very implausible, to put it mildly. But it seems like DOJ’s only basis for categorically declaring them ALL definitively false is that the Biden admin would have “weaponized” them against Trump if any were credible.
The new Epstein files production features numerous allegations made against Donald Trump and others.
January 30, 2026 at 5:24 PM
So obviously none of this is confirmed and some of these sound very implausible, to put it mildly. But it seems like DOJ’s only basis for categorically declaring them ALL definitively false is that the Biden admin would have “weaponized” them against Trump if any were credible.
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This @warontherocks.bsky.social piece (warontherocks.com/2026/01/gaza...) on Israel's conduct in Gaza is devastating and ought to put solidly to rest the undead claim that Israel was exercising some sort of exceptional restraint.
I look forward to the folks claiming that studiously not reading it.
I look forward to the folks claiming that studiously not reading it.
Gaza and the Conduct of Urban War: Civilian Harm, Risk, and Responsibility
Urban warfare is often invoked as an alibi: dense terrain, an embedded enemy, human shields, imperfect intelligence. These conditions are real but they do
warontherocks.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:51 AM
This @warontherocks.bsky.social piece (warontherocks.com/2026/01/gaza...) on Israel's conduct in Gaza is devastating and ought to put solidly to rest the undead claim that Israel was exercising some sort of exceptional restraint.
I look forward to the folks claiming that studiously not reading it.
I look forward to the folks claiming that studiously not reading it.
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Ottawa, Canada’s capital & 4th largest city (1.1 m residents) just passed a substantial zoning reform that:
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
New zoning bylaw that could reshape city passes unanimously at council | CBC News
Ottawa city council passed a sweeping overhaul of zoning rules on Wednesday, capping off a years-long process that’s supposed to make it easier to build housing in the city.
www.cbc.ca
January 28, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Ottawa, Canada’s capital & 4th largest city (1.1 m residents) just passed a substantial zoning reform that:
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
—Allows 4-unit buildings on lots citywide
—Increases allowed heights to 6 or 9 stories (& up to 30) on major transit corridors
—Eliminates most parking requirements
—Allows home based retail
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Another day, another outrage; ICE under Trump is going to deport dozens of people to Iran, including two gay men previously arrested by the regime who face the death penalty for their orientation, and despite the ongoing crackdowns which have killed thousands.
An administration of total inhumanity.
An administration of total inhumanity.
January 23, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Another day, another outrage; ICE under Trump is going to deport dozens of people to Iran, including two gay men previously arrested by the regime who face the death penalty for their orientation, and despite the ongoing crackdowns which have killed thousands.
An administration of total inhumanity.
An administration of total inhumanity.
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We set out to determine how many images of women and girls Grok created during its nudifying spree. What we found was “industrial-scale abuse,” experts said. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/t...
Musk’s Chatbot Flooded X With Millions of Sexualized Images in Days, New Estimates Show
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:56 PM
We set out to determine how many images of women and girls Grok created during its nudifying spree. What we found was “industrial-scale abuse,” experts said. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/t...
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New from me: A brief for @rooseveltinstitute.org on the logic of YIMBY policymaking and its applicability to other domains. What principles underlying the YIMBY agenda are transferrable to thinking about energy, healthcare, and other areas? Short 🧵 to follow. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Lessons from YIMBYism: Taking “Abundance” Back to Its Fundamentals
Lessons from YIMBYism examines how supply-side reforms, public investment, and state capacity can make progressive social policy work as intended.
rooseveltinstitute.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:52 PM
New from me: A brief for @rooseveltinstitute.org on the logic of YIMBY policymaking and its applicability to other domains. What principles underlying the YIMBY agenda are transferrable to thinking about energy, healthcare, and other areas? Short 🧵 to follow. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
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There are places where Trump, as president, has broad freedom of action. And there are places where Trump, as president, has been able to act unilaterally because the main point of opposition, Congress (and SCOTUS), support his program. (1/?)
January 15, 2026 at 10:17 PM
There are places where Trump, as president, has broad freedom of action. And there are places where Trump, as president, has been able to act unilaterally because the main point of opposition, Congress (and SCOTUS), support his program. (1/?)
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You may have heard that "social security is going to go bankrupt." Many younger people assume social security will not be there for them when they retire. In my latest paper I correct the record. SS is not going bankrupt but we'll need to revisit it soon 🧵
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
“Will Social Security Run Out?” Is the Wrong Question: How Lawmakers Can Protect Beneficiaries and Strengthen OASI
Is Social Security really in crisis? This report examines the OASI Trust Fund, lessons from 1983, and policy options to secure benefits for the future.
rooseveltinstitute.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:40 PM
You may have heard that "social security is going to go bankrupt." Many younger people assume social security will not be there for them when they retire. In my latest paper I correct the record. SS is not going bankrupt but we'll need to revisit it soon 🧵
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
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On the drive home I was idly thinking about what changes I'd make, if I could, to our system of governance after this administration is - ideally - gone.
I suppose in no particular order, here is a list of what I'd do, sorted by the mechanism for doing it.
I suppose in no particular order, here is a list of what I'd do, sorted by the mechanism for doing it.
January 14, 2026 at 2:13 AM
On the drive home I was idly thinking about what changes I'd make, if I could, to our system of governance after this administration is - ideally - gone.
I suppose in no particular order, here is a list of what I'd do, sorted by the mechanism for doing it.
I suppose in no particular order, here is a list of what I'd do, sorted by the mechanism for doing it.
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A lot of replies here (obviously from people not already aware of The Discourse on this point) were genuinely confused variants on "But why, they're right, that's a valid concern." Let me leave a short thread for future readers explaining why that stuff is always unwelcome on here. (1/n)
January 8, 2026 at 3:37 AM
A lot of replies here (obviously from people not already aware of The Discourse on this point) were genuinely confused variants on "But why, they're right, that's a valid concern." Let me leave a short thread for future readers explaining why that stuff is always unwelcome on here. (1/n)
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Here is a thread about a true police-shooting incident that I'm going to use to pose a fun little thought problem for anyone anywhere who think there ia a single justifiable reason to ever allow a law enforcement officer to use force on a citizen and remain anonymous. From my back pages:
January 9, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Here is a thread about a true police-shooting incident that I'm going to use to pose a fun little thought problem for anyone anywhere who think there ia a single justifiable reason to ever allow a law enforcement officer to use force on a citizen and remain anonymous. From my back pages:
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Unsurprisingly, Trump's immigration crackdown is not delivering labor market improvements for the US-born
Over the last year, native-born unemployment is up from 3.9% to 4.3% while native-born employment has decreased by a similar amount
Over the last year, native-born unemployment is up from 3.9% to 4.3% while native-born employment has decreased by a similar amount
January 9, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Unsurprisingly, Trump's immigration crackdown is not delivering labor market improvements for the US-born
Over the last year, native-born unemployment is up from 3.9% to 4.3% while native-born employment has decreased by a similar amount
Over the last year, native-born unemployment is up from 3.9% to 4.3% while native-born employment has decreased by a similar amount
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I feel like "attention hacking" is most of politics now. The Minnesota aid fraud story is becoming a perfect example.
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
December 29, 2025 at 1:30 AM
I feel like "attention hacking" is most of politics now. The Minnesota aid fraud story is becoming a perfect example.
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
Recap: In 2022, the Biden DOJ filed the first charges against dozens of fraudsters, many of them Somali-American, who'd fleeced a state food aid program. (1/x)
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Los Angeles city attorney has outlined her legal attack on SB 79, the high-profile bill to allow dense housing near mass transit. She's planning to make a claim to an obscure state commission to reimburse the city for $2b+ in costs. For subscribers: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Los Angeles city attorney plans legal attack on new state housing law
Representatives for City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto told a housing group she's planning to challenge Senate Bill 79 through an obscure state commission.
subscriber.politicopro.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Los Angeles city attorney has outlined her legal attack on SB 79, the high-profile bill to allow dense housing near mass transit. She's planning to make a claim to an obscure state commission to reimburse the city for $2b+ in costs. For subscribers: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
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Massive fire still burning in a housing estate in my hometown. Over a dozen confirmed dead and many more injured and/or unaccounted for www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Live Updates: At Least 13 Are Killed as Fire Engulfs Hong Kong Apartments
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Massive fire still burning in a housing estate in my hometown. Over a dozen confirmed dead and many more injured and/or unaccounted for www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
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Ok, so let's talk a little bit about how the Romans understand magic and why they think putting phallus-shaped objects (fascina, sing. fascinum) are witch-craft related and how that connects to our word 'fascinate.' 1/
Hmmm: Borrowed from Latin fascinātus (“to enchant, bewitch, fascinate”) [makes sense so far] from fascinum (“a phallus-shaped [lol wut] amulet [wait what] worn around the neck [WHAT THE TARPEIAN FUCK] in Ancient Rome; witchcraft”) ... itself of obscure origin.
October 26, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Ok, so let's talk a little bit about how the Romans understand magic and why they think putting phallus-shaped objects (fascina, sing. fascinum) are witch-craft related and how that connects to our word 'fascinate.' 1/
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So the absolute insane stupidity of this is the idea that he could set up a theocratic state and also get a 'significantly smaller government.'
The folks on the authoritarian right do really seem to be believe there is a secret government liberalizer ray they can just switch off to change society.
The folks on the authoritarian right do really seem to be believe there is a secret government liberalizer ray they can just switch off to change society.
Ross Douthat treats this guy like they're having some deep conversation about the relationship of Christianity and the government, but the dude is a garden-variety dull, shallow, hateful, worthless bigot with nothing interesting to say, just endless riffs on "God hates everything/everyone I do."
October 11, 2025 at 3:12 AM
So the absolute insane stupidity of this is the idea that he could set up a theocratic state and also get a 'significantly smaller government.'
The folks on the authoritarian right do really seem to be believe there is a secret government liberalizer ray they can just switch off to change society.
The folks on the authoritarian right do really seem to be believe there is a secret government liberalizer ray they can just switch off to change society.