The Sphere of Influence
@sphereofinfluence.bsky.social
Online content connoisseur and consumer of the American zeitgeist.
"defense" spending.
Is it really defense when you're the aggressor?
Is it really defense when you're the aggressor?
December 19, 2025 at 5:58 AM
"defense" spending.
Is it really defense when you're the aggressor?
Is it really defense when you're the aggressor?
You’re not getting my Bud Light, son. 🍺
December 19, 2025 at 4:58 AM
You’re not getting my Bud Light, son. 🍺
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH
December 19, 2025 at 4:54 AM
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH
The Mariners season got us used to this.
December 19, 2025 at 4:53 AM
The Mariners season got us used to this.
That's in addition to fighting for the citizens of the United States against the rapid erosion of rights outside of the democratic process.
December 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
That's in addition to fighting for the citizens of the United States against the rapid erosion of rights outside of the democratic process.
On the one hand, this is a stupid, minor thing that doesn't REALLY affect anything, and wasting energy on fighting this is a waste of time in the grander picture.
On the other hand, that's their job and they should be fighting all of these things that are shitty self-aggrandizement of that moron.
On the other hand, that's their job and they should be fighting all of these things that are shitty self-aggrandizement of that moron.
December 18, 2025 at 9:32 PM
On the one hand, this is a stupid, minor thing that doesn't REALLY affect anything, and wasting energy on fighting this is a waste of time in the grander picture.
On the other hand, that's their job and they should be fighting all of these things that are shitty self-aggrandizement of that moron.
On the other hand, that's their job and they should be fighting all of these things that are shitty self-aggrandizement of that moron.
These tracked cars are in the $200-250k range, with some options pushing prices higher. The Mustang starts around $300k.
The GR GT, though, is projected to be in the $350k range, putting it about 50% higher in price with lower specs.
Can a Toyota really compete in this segment? Does it want to?
The GR GT, though, is projected to be in the $350k range, putting it about 50% higher in price with lower specs.
Can a Toyota really compete in this segment? Does it want to?
December 18, 2025 at 9:13 PM
These tracked cars are in the $200-250k range, with some options pushing prices higher. The Mustang starts around $300k.
The GR GT, though, is projected to be in the $350k range, putting it about 50% higher in price with lower specs.
Can a Toyota really compete in this segment? Does it want to?
The GR GT, though, is projected to be in the $350k range, putting it about 50% higher in price with lower specs.
Can a Toyota really compete in this segment? Does it want to?
To be fair, it’s leadership and many of its agents and its media team, absolutely.
But the rank and file who work to process visas and inspect imported goods and try to keep the paperwork flowing aren’t. They are just hamstrung by their incompetent management.
But the rank and file who work to process visas and inspect imported goods and try to keep the paperwork flowing aren’t. They are just hamstrung by their incompetent management.
December 15, 2025 at 3:25 AM
To be fair, it’s leadership and many of its agents and its media team, absolutely.
But the rank and file who work to process visas and inspect imported goods and try to keep the paperwork flowing aren’t. They are just hamstrung by their incompetent management.
But the rank and file who work to process visas and inspect imported goods and try to keep the paperwork flowing aren’t. They are just hamstrung by their incompetent management.
The interview is hilarious. His argument against giving vaccines is based on vibes. He may couch his opposition in scientific terms and as cautious progress, but there isn’t any scientific or medical knowledge at work.
This guy has RFK’s ear. That’s a terrible thing.
This guy has RFK’s ear. That’s a terrible thing.
December 14, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The interview is hilarious. His argument against giving vaccines is based on vibes. He may couch his opposition in scientific terms and as cautious progress, but there isn’t any scientific or medical knowledge at work.
This guy has RFK’s ear. That’s a terrible thing.
This guy has RFK’s ear. That’s a terrible thing.
That's enough news for me today. I'm going to go for a long drive and listen to some music.
What a terrible 24 hours it's been.
What a terrible 24 hours it's been.
December 14, 2025 at 5:22 PM
That's enough news for me today. I'm going to go for a long drive and listen to some music.
What a terrible 24 hours it's been.
What a terrible 24 hours it's been.
Is it a causal link? Is the aspartame building plaques in the brain?
December 14, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Is it a causal link? Is the aspartame building plaques in the brain?
Russia's adamancy to be a major pain in the ass to everyone is baffling to me.
Equally baffling is the West's reluctance to act more decisively in the face of this barking dog.
Equally baffling is the West's reluctance to act more decisively in the face of this barking dog.
December 14, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Russia's adamancy to be a major pain in the ass to everyone is baffling to me.
Equally baffling is the West's reluctance to act more decisively in the face of this barking dog.
Equally baffling is the West's reluctance to act more decisively in the face of this barking dog.
I can see how it alleviates some of the pressure on front desk staff from having to deal with non-members, but it seems like a headache for members. I suppose the gym thinks it's worth it, and they're the ones to live and die by their decision.
December 14, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I can see how it alleviates some of the pressure on front desk staff from having to deal with non-members, but it seems like a headache for members. I suppose the gym thinks it's worth it, and they're the ones to live and die by their decision.
1. That's splitting hairs to try to prove a point while missing the bigger picture.
2. The imposition of fiat policy by force by a government that has consolidated its power in the executive is authoritarian. What else would you call it?
2. The imposition of fiat policy by force by a government that has consolidated its power in the executive is authoritarian. What else would you call it?
December 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
1. That's splitting hairs to try to prove a point while missing the bigger picture.
2. The imposition of fiat policy by force by a government that has consolidated its power in the executive is authoritarian. What else would you call it?
2. The imposition of fiat policy by force by a government that has consolidated its power in the executive is authoritarian. What else would you call it?
Is it only authoritarian control when it is complete authoritarian control?
Governance by fiat, wild cronyism, and abuse of the FBI and courts to persecute enemies isn’t enough to call it what it certainly seems to be?
Governance by fiat, wild cronyism, and abuse of the FBI and courts to persecute enemies isn’t enough to call it what it certainly seems to be?
December 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Is it only authoritarian control when it is complete authoritarian control?
Governance by fiat, wild cronyism, and abuse of the FBI and courts to persecute enemies isn’t enough to call it what it certainly seems to be?
Governance by fiat, wild cronyism, and abuse of the FBI and courts to persecute enemies isn’t enough to call it what it certainly seems to be?
It is easy enough to point at the attempts to redraw electoral maps to favor Republicans at the behest of Trump to show that they are trying to maintain a majority.
Current failures notwithstanding, it’s foolhardy to assume they haven’t and won’t continue to try.
Current failures notwithstanding, it’s foolhardy to assume they haven’t and won’t continue to try.
December 14, 2025 at 4:25 PM
It is easy enough to point at the attempts to redraw electoral maps to favor Republicans at the behest of Trump to show that they are trying to maintain a majority.
Current failures notwithstanding, it’s foolhardy to assume they haven’t and won’t continue to try.
Current failures notwithstanding, it’s foolhardy to assume they haven’t and won’t continue to try.
If Egypt wants to increase tourism, they might want to read some of the Reddit posts about travelers' experiences in Egypt.
Travelers have nothing but bad stories to tell about the country from the moment they deplane until they are back on the plane ride out.
Travelers have nothing but bad stories to tell about the country from the moment they deplane until they are back on the plane ride out.
December 14, 2025 at 4:12 PM
If Egypt wants to increase tourism, they might want to read some of the Reddit posts about travelers' experiences in Egypt.
Travelers have nothing but bad stories to tell about the country from the moment they deplane until they are back on the plane ride out.
Travelers have nothing but bad stories to tell about the country from the moment they deplane until they are back on the plane ride out.
How can they succeed? Easy. Maintain a do-nothing Congress and stack the Supreme Court with loyalists and use the military to quiet dissent.
I don't mean to demean your point, but they have already effectively consolidated authoritarian power in this way over the past 10 months.
I don't mean to demean your point, but they have already effectively consolidated authoritarian power in this way over the past 10 months.
December 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
How can they succeed? Easy. Maintain a do-nothing Congress and stack the Supreme Court with loyalists and use the military to quiet dissent.
I don't mean to demean your point, but they have already effectively consolidated authoritarian power in this way over the past 10 months.
I don't mean to demean your point, but they have already effectively consolidated authoritarian power in this way over the past 10 months.
It's interesting how there is a higher minimum wage for fast food workers ($20) compared to others ($16.90). I wonder what the logic was for that boost to some but not others.
December 14, 2025 at 3:57 PM
It's interesting how there is a higher minimum wage for fast food workers ($20) compared to others ($16.90). I wonder what the logic was for that boost to some but not others.
And while we're cherry picking, why not derive the same lesson of "do hidden things" from more apropos verses like Matt 5:5 "The meek shall inherit the earth" or Matt 6:6 "Your father who sees in secret will reward you"?
There's no need to fabricate moral lessons. Jesus himself said similar things.
There's no need to fabricate moral lessons. Jesus himself said similar things.
December 14, 2025 at 3:44 PM
And while we're cherry picking, why not derive the same lesson of "do hidden things" from more apropos verses like Matt 5:5 "The meek shall inherit the earth" or Matt 6:6 "Your father who sees in secret will reward you"?
There's no need to fabricate moral lessons. Jesus himself said similar things.
There's no need to fabricate moral lessons. Jesus himself said similar things.
Appearances can be deceiving. His iron grip on 30% of American voters is still a massive weapon he can wield. Don't count him out until he loses them.
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.
December 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Appearances can be deceiving. His iron grip on 30% of American voters is still a massive weapon he can wield. Don't count him out until he loses them.
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.