Chimaera

XKCD meaning of auroras cartoon, showing "normal" at poles, "cool and exciting" in temperate zone, "someone should go check on our satellites" in subtropics, and "A bunch of open questions in Solar-Terrestrial physics are about to be answered" at the tropics

Tapping the XKCD sign again to explain that no, I won't be seeing an aurora tonight. Or at least I really hope not. That would be bad. :)

GUS-SPLOSIUON

He'd occasionally drop a "DJT" now and then, but basically in the last week with the IL/IR situation.

‘K I have an idea: Trump needs to be convinced that the only thing standing between him and the Nobel Peace Prize is STEPHEN MILLER. (Whether or not he is actually in contention for the NPP is irrelevant to this operation.)

It’s a crazy plan, but it Just. Might. Work.

SCOTUS allows Trump admin to deport people to random countries with no notice Justice Sotomayor called the order a "gross ... abuse" of the court's authority. Also: Law Dork in the media.

"SCOTUS allows Trump admin to deport people to random countries with no notice"

Honestly still can't believe that I wrote this headline today, let alone that the U.S. Supreme Court's majority did so.

Driving Substance is timely and apt.

Well, this is acutely relevant a bit sooner than expected…

I am very, very happy to be wrong. I'm glad especially to see independents split on this.
I was pretty sure the protests would create a more even split, but Trump being down 15 points on this one issue tells me I was too worried.

But but but Matt Yglesias said that’s wrong

Trump officials reverse guidance exempting farms, hotels from immigration raids ICE agents have been told to continue conducting workforce enforcement operations at agricultural businesses despite concerns about effects on the food industry.

Trump reversed himself, again. Raids on farms and hotels back on.

He double TACOed www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...

Bragg Soldiers Who Cheered Trump's Political Attacks While in Uniform Were Checked for Allegiance, Appearance As Trump viciously attacked his perceived political foes, he whipped up boos from the gathered troops directed at California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.

The disparity btwn what’s actually happening in Los Angeles and the way it’s being mischaracterized is one of the biggest stress tests of modern media in recent memory. Botted socials, AI, old clips, declining literacy—it’s like seeing a broken emergency response system hit by a storm.

"No Kings" Phone Backgrounds

Some photos of mine that I've made into phone backgrounds. Both with a "No Kings" reminder (as if any of us need reminding) and without so you can have that space for your widget counting down to the next protest.

#NoKings

Trump Declares Dubious Emergencies to Amass Power, Scholars Say In disputes over protests, deportations and tariffs, the president has invoked statutes that may not provide him with the authority he claims.

"Utterly bogus emergencies" would have made for a great headline, instead of this dud.

“He is declaring utterly bogus emergencies for the sake of trying to expand his power, undermine the Constitution and destroy civil liberties.” www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/u...

Breaking: ABC News says senior national correspondent Terry Moran "has been suspended pending further evaluation." This since-deleted tweet is the reason for the suspension:

Major General Randy E. Manner, former Acting Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau statement to Fox News: “The President's federal deployment of the National Guard over the official wishes of a governor is bad for all Americans concerned about freedom of speech and states rights. The governor has the authority and ability to respond to the civil disturbances with law enforcement capabilities within his state, augmented as necessary by requesting law enforcement assistance from other governors. There are over a million badged and trained members of law enforcement in this country for the governor to ask for help if he needs it. While this is presently a legal order, it tramples the governor’s rights and obligations to protect his people. This is an inappropriate use of the National Guard and is not warranted.”

Major General Randy E. Manner, former Acting Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau statement to Fox News:

"This is an inappropriate use of the National Guard and is not warranted.”

It's okay to open criminal probes of people in politics when people in politics openly do crimes.

We learned more about the Gathering of the Juggalos and Faygo Armageddon. Mike learns about some words...

Prostate Experts See Familiar Scenario in Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis

Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has baffled some Americans, who wonder why it wasn’t caught sooner. Guidelines advise no screening after age 70, and doctors say that even men who test diligently may develop an aggressive cancer after none was found at a checkup.

Dodgers broadcast was discussing the science behind the perception of time between children and adults. After hearing the explanation, the color commentator pauses and asks, "Am I gonna feel any better?"

Andy Pages then smashes a dinger into space, thus ending the existential crisis on commentary.

How DOGE’s grand plan to remake Social Security is backfiring The agency is abandoning an initiative aimed at preventing fraud, the latest example of a failed effort by Elon Musk’s disruptive cost-cutting team.

Many of the major changes Elon Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service pushed at Social Security have been abandoned or are being reversed after proving ineffective, while others are yielding unintended consequences and badly damaging customer service and satisfaction.

Inside the Trump administration’s quiet shift on Ukraine Lack of compromise by Vladimir Putin has led the US to view him as an obstacle to a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv

“Trump is concluding that Putin is not a friend of the US,” said Bill Taylor, who served as the US ambassador to Ukraine from 2006-09. “There’s a recognition that [he] is not to be trusted . . . that he is not negotiating seriously.”

www.ft.com/content/9a75...

“Honey that stripper wasn’t giving a lap dance to ME — she was giving a lap dance to EVERYONE who advocates for freedom!”

Pope Leo asks fan 'Sox or Cubs?' as he signs a baseball After waiting in line at the Vatican, Jason Perash of Colorado got the pontiff to autograph a ball. The pope is reportedly a Chicago White Sox fan.

A freelance reporter asked the Pope to sign a baseball. The Pope’s immediate response: “Sox or Cubs?” chicago.suntimes.com/religion/202...

Rich Eisen to return to ESPN as part of network’s new direct-to-consumer service: Sources Eisen, who left ESPN for NFL Network in 2003, will remain the featured host on NFLN's “GameDay” and its draft coverage.

NEWS: More than two decades after leaving ESPN, Rich Eisen is returning to be a part of the network, The Athletic has learned.

Full details on what it means for ESPN DTC, where it can potentially lead for ESPN Radio and NFL Network.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/634...

Is it naive to defend the rule of law? No. It is difficult, to be sure. But there is a difference between naivety and being willing to fight when it’s tough to do so. I think about this a lot these days, because whenever I discuss court rulings against the Trump administration, someone inevitably responds, “Well, it doesn’t matter. They don’t follow court orders.” I have responded to this in fits and starts for months now, but I want to lay it all out now as clearly and succinctly as I can in one place. The bottom line: It does matter. In fact, it is essential.

So, I wrote up my "bookmark this response" to the "it doesn't matter" folks.

My response: It does matter.

Tonight, at Law Dork: www.lawdork.com/p/defending-...

It does matter. Defending the rule of law in the Trump era is essential. Trump cannot ignore constitutional limits on his power — or any court order enforcing those limits. We must keep saying so. Also, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.

NEW: It does matter. Defending the rule of law in the Trump era is essential.

Trump cannot ignore constitutional limits on his power — or any court order enforcing those limits. We must keep saying so.

Tonight at Law Dork, I make my case:

🙏