Toby Bartels
@tobybartels.bsky.social
Probably the only anglophone Toby Bartels. They/them. Mathematics instructor at a community college in Nebraska. Tolstoyan ex-Catholic. 🏴🚩🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ https://mathstodon.xyz/@TobyBartels/
Reposted by Toby Bartels
The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Exclusive: Ofcom is monitoring VPNs following Online Safety Act. Here's how
Ignoring VPNs risks creating ineffective laws, but tracking them threatens people's privacy
www.techradar.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:39 PM
The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
#stopS209 #savespeech #DONOTCOMPLY
CANADIANS! Your Senate Committee is being poisoned by Australia, UK, & Germany's eSafety fatalists into considering S209, a KOSA-like bill
Call your Reps. Tell them to vote NO on it: www.campaignlifecoalition.com/contact-cana...
S209: www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
CANADIANS! Your Senate Committee is being poisoned by Australia, UK, & Germany's eSafety fatalists into considering S209, a KOSA-like bill
Call your Reps. Tell them to vote NO on it: www.campaignlifecoalition.com/contact-cana...
S209: www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
Contact Canada's Senators
www.campaignlifecoalition.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 PM
#stopS209 #savespeech #DONOTCOMPLY
CANADIANS! Your Senate Committee is being poisoned by Australia, UK, & Germany's eSafety fatalists into considering S209, a KOSA-like bill
Call your Reps. Tell them to vote NO on it: www.campaignlifecoalition.com/contact-cana...
S209: www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
CANADIANS! Your Senate Committee is being poisoned by Australia, UK, & Germany's eSafety fatalists into considering S209, a KOSA-like bill
Call your Reps. Tell them to vote NO on it: www.campaignlifecoalition.com/contact-cana...
S209: www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
Reposted by Toby Bartels
They got cute and used Senators not up for re-election next year or ones that were retiring for the surrender vote.
So here's the metric we use instead:
If you aren't pushing for a new Democratic leader in the Senate *immediately,* you're out on your ass.
So here's the metric we use instead:
If you aren't pushing for a new Democratic leader in the Senate *immediately,* you're out on your ass.
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 AM
They got cute and used Senators not up for re-election next year or ones that were retiring for the surrender vote.
So here's the metric we use instead:
If you aren't pushing for a new Democratic leader in the Senate *immediately,* you're out on your ass.
So here's the metric we use instead:
If you aren't pushing for a new Democratic leader in the Senate *immediately,* you're out on your ass.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
Basically: I think the political point scoring arguments right now are missing the point pretty seriously. We absolutely have to assert the constitutional order, and you cannot open the government if the other party refuses.
November 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Basically: I think the political point scoring arguments right now are missing the point pretty seriously. We absolutely have to assert the constitutional order, and you cannot open the government if the other party refuses.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
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 8:47 PM
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
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 Toby Bartels
I'm not sure if you mean Ari or me. I do think my mind was working a bit faster than my typing could keep up with, which is not Ari's fault.
Race/racism is a hotly debated political topic in the US that people can hold different beliefs about. Antisemitism/anti-Zionism is, similarly hotly debated.
Race/racism is a hotly debated political topic in the US that people can hold different beliefs about. Antisemitism/anti-Zionism is, similarly hotly debated.
November 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I'm not sure if you mean Ari or me. I do think my mind was working a bit faster than my typing could keep up with, which is not Ari's fault.
Race/racism is a hotly debated political topic in the US that people can hold different beliefs about. Antisemitism/anti-Zionism is, similarly hotly debated.
Race/racism is a hotly debated political topic in the US that people can hold different beliefs about. Antisemitism/anti-Zionism is, similarly hotly debated.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Toby Bartels
Folks, if you are hungry, please contact your local Sikh gurdwara. Or just show up for langar, which most gurdwaras do several times a week, for a free meal. Lots also do weekly or monthly drives giving out groceries.
No conversion necessary. Feeding anyone who is hungry is a key part of Sikhism.
No conversion necessary. Feeding anyone who is hungry is a key part of Sikhism.
A lady on TikTok has been calling churches pretending to be a mother with a baby who needs formula and several churches turned her away. But wouldn’t you know that when she called a Mosque (Islamic Center of Charlotte) they immediately said yes.
[Source: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMpoxsaW/ ]
[Source: www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMpoxsaW/ ]
Islamic Center of Charlotte in Charlotte NC. Would help feed a starving baby no hesitation 🥰🥰🥰 #fyp #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #testingyourchurch #church #faith #religion #baby #hungrybabytest #viral #viralvid...
TikTok video by Nikalie 🌈
www.tiktok.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Folks, if you are hungry, please contact your local Sikh gurdwara. Or just show up for langar, which most gurdwaras do several times a week, for a free meal. Lots also do weekly or monthly drives giving out groceries.
No conversion necessary. Feeding anyone who is hungry is a key part of Sikhism.
No conversion necessary. Feeding anyone who is hungry is a key part of Sikhism.
@legaleagle.tv
This is a comment on your latest video youtu.be/uwgUhM7dTqI (YouTube isn't letting me comment right now, possibly because I tried to make this comment, I have no way to guess; and of course we can't comment on Nebula):
Unfortunately our Supreme Court has lost all legitimacy. …
This is a comment on your latest video youtu.be/uwgUhM7dTqI (YouTube isn't letting me comment right now, possibly because I tried to make this comment, I have no way to guess; and of course we can't comment on Nebula):
Unfortunately our Supreme Court has lost all legitimacy. …
Circuit Judges Are Fed Up With SCOTUS
YouTube video by LegalEagle
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 PM
@legaleagle.tv
This is a comment on your latest video youtu.be/uwgUhM7dTqI (YouTube isn't letting me comment right now, possibly because I tried to make this comment, I have no way to guess; and of course we can't comment on Nebula):
Unfortunately our Supreme Court has lost all legitimacy. …
This is a comment on your latest video youtu.be/uwgUhM7dTqI (YouTube isn't letting me comment right now, possibly because I tried to make this comment, I have no way to guess; and of course we can't comment on Nebula):
Unfortunately our Supreme Court has lost all legitimacy. …
Tesla shareholders voted to pay Elon Musk about 2½ million dollars for each child he's killed.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Tesla shareholders voted to pay Elon Musk about 2½ million dollars for each child he's killed.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Sandwich guy is free!
We have reached a verdict: Not guilty.
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Sandwich guy is free!
Reposted by Toby Bartels
More people have died in ICE custody in last 9 months than in the entire prior 4 years.
We hear of a few, but most barely make the news.
Cases like Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel.
He was in perfect health when ICE detained him.
He disappeared in June & by August was in a vegetative state.
We hear of a few, but most barely make the news.
Cases like Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel.
He was in perfect health when ICE detained him.
He disappeared in June & by August was in a vegetative state.
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
More people have died in ICE custody in last 9 months than in the entire prior 4 years.
We hear of a few, but most barely make the news.
Cases like Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel.
He was in perfect health when ICE detained him.
He disappeared in June & by August was in a vegetative state.
We hear of a few, but most barely make the news.
Cases like Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel.
He was in perfect health when ICE detained him.
He disappeared in June & by August was in a vegetative state.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
#Gerrymandered and fired up? Fight back—run for office, even when the map is rigged. Can’t Win Victory Fund helps “can’tidates” in impossible districts make noise, grow the vote for up-ballot races and push for fair maps—and yes, we make it fun.
Apply to run: cantwinvictoryfund.com/run
Apply to run: cantwinvictoryfund.com/run
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
#Gerrymandered and fired up? Fight back—run for office, even when the map is rigged. Can’t Win Victory Fund helps “can’tidates” in impossible districts make noise, grow the vote for up-ballot races and push for fair maps—and yes, we make it fun.
Apply to run: cantwinvictoryfund.com/run
Apply to run: cantwinvictoryfund.com/run
Reposted by Toby Bartels
BREAKING: After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless Starbucks finalizes fair contracts & stops union busting.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
Starbucks unionized workers say they'll strike on Nov. 13 if coffee giant doesn't finalize contract
Union members say they are ready to strike on the chain's Red Cup Day if Starbucks doesn't finalize a contract with their union by then.
www.cbsnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:51 PM
BREAKING: After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless Starbucks finalizes fair contracts & stops union busting.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
Today I’m voting for school board. Keep the local MAGA out. Keep the ABA teacher with no real information about her out too (IYKYK).
Your local election for boards and judges and funding and so forth really do matter. Go vote!
Your local election for boards and judges and funding and so forth really do matter. Go vote!
November 4, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Today I’m voting for school board. Keep the local MAGA out. Keep the ABA teacher with no real information about her out too (IYKYK).
Your local election for boards and judges and funding and so forth really do matter. Go vote!
Your local election for boards and judges and funding and so forth really do matter. Go vote!
Reposted by Toby Bartels
NEW: 12 Mississippi polling places have moved and 4 have been closed ahead of the Nov. 4 legislative special elections, an MFP investigation finds.
Counties also have incorrect addresses in the state system for 11 polling places, risking sending some voters to the wrong location.
Counties also have incorrect addresses in the state system for 11 polling places, risking sending some voters to the wrong location.
12 Polling Places Move Before Mississippi Special Elections, 4 Close
County election officials in Mississippi have moved 12 polling places and closed four since 2024, an MFP investigation finds.
www.mississippifreepress.org
November 2, 2025 at 8:27 PM
NEW: 12 Mississippi polling places have moved and 4 have been closed ahead of the Nov. 4 legislative special elections, an MFP investigation finds.
Counties also have incorrect addresses in the state system for 11 polling places, risking sending some voters to the wrong location.
Counties also have incorrect addresses in the state system for 11 polling places, risking sending some voters to the wrong location.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
The USDA now threatening grocery stores who offer discounts to SNAP recipients.
People are going hungry. Their benefits were illegally cut off leaving them to starve.
40% of SNAP households have children.
If grocery stores & local business want to step up to help… let them.
People are going hungry. Their benefits were illegally cut off leaving them to starve.
40% of SNAP households have children.
If grocery stores & local business want to step up to help… let them.
The USDA sent an email to grocery stores telling them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse.
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
I'm aware of at least 2 stores that had offered struggling customers a discount, then withdrew it after receiving this email
November 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The USDA now threatening grocery stores who offer discounts to SNAP recipients.
People are going hungry. Their benefits were illegally cut off leaving them to starve.
40% of SNAP households have children.
If grocery stores & local business want to step up to help… let them.
People are going hungry. Their benefits were illegally cut off leaving them to starve.
40% of SNAP households have children.
If grocery stores & local business want to step up to help… let them.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
JD Vance claims that diversity weakens unions, as people end up distrusting each other and not organizing.
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
JD Vance claims that diversity weakens unions, as people end up distrusting each other and not organizing.
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Reposted by Toby Bartels
#Jamaica needs our support more than ever right now and, never ones to shy away from self-reliance, they’ve set up an officially sanctioned website for recovery donations. The footage of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction in St. Elizabeth coming in from my family is HARROWING.
supportjamaica.gov.jm
supportjamaica.gov.jm
October 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM
#Jamaica needs our support more than ever right now and, never ones to shy away from self-reliance, they’ve set up an officially sanctioned website for recovery donations. The footage of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction in St. Elizabeth coming in from my family is HARROWING.
supportjamaica.gov.jm
supportjamaica.gov.jm
Reposted by Toby Bartels
If I may add…this is a GREAT idea.
October 29, 2025 at 12:31 AM
If I may add…this is a GREAT idea.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
Yesterday we talked a little bit about SNAP ending and how everyone who can, should give back to their communities. I'm going to spend a little time today talking about what to give.
October 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Yesterday we talked a little bit about SNAP ending and how everyone who can, should give back to their communities. I'm going to spend a little time today talking about what to give.
Reposted by Toby Bartels
Chances are good that no matter where you live in the country, you have some sort of election on Tuesday.
If you have an election, and you haven’t voted yet or maybe are on the fence if you even should, comment why.
1/2
If you have an election, and you haven’t voted yet or maybe are on the fence if you even should, comment why.
1/2
October 29, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Chances are good that no matter where you live in the country, you have some sort of election on Tuesday.
If you have an election, and you haven’t voted yet or maybe are on the fence if you even should, comment why.
1/2
If you have an election, and you haven’t voted yet or maybe are on the fence if you even should, comment why.
1/2