Joe Walseth

(Me flirting) Did you know microbes in the human body contribute MORE to the human body’s survival than our bodies themselves? And there are more microbial genes than human in our bodies?

We just big ol’ walkin’ terrariums.

The sauce:
www.nih.gov/news-events/...

Allowing foreign firms to sue governments for lost profits is legal terrorism – it must end | Joseph Stiglitz Investor–state dispute settlements don’t just mean growing debt burdens for countries: they are also a barrier to action on the climate crisis

"#ISDS has become a form of legal terrorism, that rich companies use to discourage countries from addressing the needs of their citizens and protecting the global environment." 💬 @josephestiglitz.bsky.social in @theguardian.com 📰 www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Emphasize how Republicans are falsely claiming that unless Social Security benefits are cut it will go bankrupt. Eliminating the cap on income taxed for Social Security would save program and thwart the Republican goal of privatizing the program in order to enrich Wall Street investors.

Trans Congresswoman Sarah McBride hilariously discredits Trump's gender policy with simple science According to the Trump administration's new policy "everyone a woman" now.

“Well, it appears that he just declared everyone a woman from conception based on the language of the executive order,” McBride told The Independent, highlighting a glaring flaw in Trump’s rigid definitions.
🔗: bit.ly/3PS8zMx

Accordingly, our Constitution now demands that “equality of rights under the law cannot be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.”

The ERA is now the 28th amendment to our Constitution. It’s a good day.

YouTube video by Robert Reich How Wall Street Priced You Out of a Home | Robert Reich

When Trump's HUD nominee Scott Turner was asked today if he supports private equity investment in the housing market, he said "the more capital, the better."

Reminder: private equity is a huge reason why millions of Americans can't afford a home in the first place.

How we get rid of the American oligarchy Friends,

In what was billed as his “farewell address,” President Biden yesterday warned America that the nation is succumbing to an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy.

What can we do about it?

Washington state lawmakers have introduced a bill to cap rent increases at 7 percent statewide and require a six month notice for hikes of 3 percent or more.

Rents across the state have increased by more than 70 percent since 2014.

Iowa may lower fines for businesses violating child labor laws limiting hours kids work Businesses that violate Iowa child labor laws by having minors work longer hours would face reduced fines under a proposed rule change.

Iowa might lower fines for businesses that violate child labor laws.

The state has already rolled back child labor protections, and now state Republicans want to shrink the max fine for companies that overwork kids from $10,000 to $2,500.

www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/p...

Poster children for the oligarchs who actually run this country. it's time to wake up and strip these parasites of their power!

Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg to attend Trump's inauguration The three will be seated together on the inauguration platform with other prominent guests.

Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will attend Trump’s inauguration and sit up with Trump’s Cabinet nominees and elected officials.

This is what oligarchy looks like.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...

Even in Death, Navalny Still Threatens the Putin Regime The opposition leader’s posthumous memoir is a chronicle of a death foretold.

"'Patriot' sometimes reads like a thriller in which the narrative opens with 'If you’re reading this, I’m already dead.'" And so he is, but he speaks from beyond the grave, and we should listen.

@cathyyoung63.bsky.social on Navalny's posthumous memoir:

🚨🚨As Pete Hegseth heads into his Senate confirmation, his lack of qualifications and ties to Republican culture wars threaten military readiness, healthcare, and alliances. Senators must ask the tough questions—or be held accountable.

Here are just a few. (THREAD)

Sometimes the combination of arrogance and ignorance is breathtaking. Yes, US health care has high admin costs; that's because it relies so much on private insurers. Govt-run health insurance has much lower overhead

I’m excited for @gregcasar.bsky.social’s leadership at the Progressive Caucus. He’s going to be great.

Recently took a peek at Twitter and the disinformation is getting substantially more dangerous. Someone could get killed.

The tactics of constantly repeating outright lies, targeting specific people, repurposing years-old footage and presenting them as new is getting to another level. It’s scary.

If you’re blithely and uncritically using Twitter and Facebook you’re part of the problem now

Liberal governments will regret their failure to regulate social media and AI. These “fun, friendly tools” are existential threats to our democracy and need to be put in a choke collar immediately

I'm sure every gay man, and more than a few bi men, imagine their face buried in that peach. You could suffocate me in those buns and I would die happy!

Women have proven essential in modern combat roles, strengthening America’s military at every level. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Defense pick, is waging a baseless culture war that threatens recruitment, retention, morale, and the very strength of our Armed Forces at a time when we can least afford it.

The Rasputin Effect: Anti-science mysticism is enabling autocracy around the globe, @anneapplebaum.bsky.social writes. theatln.tc/0lEVKi4H

Today is January 6th.

This isa friendly reminder that Donald Trump should be in prison — not the Oval Office.

Trump Is on a Collision Course With the US Budget | by Joseph E. Stiglitz - Project Syndicate Joseph E. Stiglitz points out that no amount of bluster or strong-arming can overcome the laws of arithmetic.

My latest piece for @projectsyndicate.bsky.social: www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/t...

The Butterfly Nebula from Hubble.🔭

Image Copyright: Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Hubble;

Processing: William Ostling

Hubble Space Telescope

The 119th #Congress opens with a historic milestone: the largest group of out LGBTQ+ members in U.S. history, a dynamic 13 legislators who are redefining what representation in Washington looks like.

Read more: www.advocate.com/politics/119...

The new year brings hope for democracy in this country. Maine passed the first ever law to limit the amount of donations from a single entity to PACs. the Maine law could significantly level the playing field by limiting the ability of the super wealthy and corporations to buy our politicians.

I love the contrast of your very masculine persona and feminine attire! Please do more of this, e.g. shear stockings, garter belts, lace underwear. The contrast is so sexy and takes nothing away from your masculine appeal, but I think actually enhances it.

Yes, please!

Who is that beautiful man?