Joan Harvey

With Tom Lehrer's passing, I suppose this is a moment to share the story of the prank he played on the National Security Agency, and how it went undiscovered for nearly 60 years.

“​​Trump took power in a nation that, despite its dark mood, was doing well on many fronts. But he has moved quickly to fix that.”

By @pkrugman.bsky.social: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...

These are the proactive steps states need to be taking right now. Another thing: every Democratic governor needs to have a sit-down now with the state adjutant general to carefully review that person's understanding of their responsibilities to their state, its citizens and the federal constitution.

lol, from UK satirical magazine Private Eye

From Rachel Cohen at Vox on twitter:

this video of Trump kissing Elon Musk’s feet is playing in the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development cafeteria this morning

(per source at HUD)

Starting each day with a Samuel Beckett letter. Today’s pointed out that T. Eliot is toilet spelt backwards.

4th Circuit To Weigh Whether NC Supreme Court Election Challenge Should Proceed in State or Federal Court Read more here.

Please pay attention to this case being argued in the 4th Circuit tomorrow. It could determine whether the GOP succeeds in stealing a NC Supreme Court seat by disenfranchising 60,000 voters.

Follow @democracydocket.com for full coverage of this critical case.
www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

Uh...

44 Republicans Voted Against Forest Management Wildfire Prevention in December The funds allow states like California to create barriers to stop the spread of fires

These 44 Republicans voted against forest management wildfire prevention in December.

Possibly the best clap back against ignorant antivaxxers.

ABC to Pay $15 Million to Settle a Defamation Suit Brought by Trump The outcome of the lawsuit marks an unusual victory for President-elect Donald J. Trump in his ongoing legal campaign against national news organizations.

This was an utterly meritless lawsuit. ABC suits are cowards who embarrassed their news division. www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/u...

Shame on ABC…A National Embarrassment! Written by Ben Meiselas

The settlement by ABC to pay Trump $15 million for a future presidential library and issue a written apology in Trump’s defamation case over how George Stephanapolous described Trump sexually assaulting E Jean Carroll is a new low for corporate media. My insights…
open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...

Jonas Salk didn't patent his 1955 polio vaccine so that it would be affordable for all people. As a result, he lost an estimated 7 billion dollars

Saying in an interview "There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?"

#jonassalk #polio #vaccines #getvaccinated #vaccinessavelives #Healthcare

🤦🏻‍♂️

I predict a brilliant future for him.

Today, #KashPatel sent a letter to my counsel @markzaidesq.bsky.social threatening to sue & demanding I retract my MSNBC comments on his unfitness to serve as FBI Director. This follows his threats against media & political opponents, showing how he might act if confirmed. I stand by my statements.

A great story about the implications of the developed world’s voracious demand for critical minerals and the consequences for the Global South and its rainforests/native populations.

The North Carolina General Assembly’s GOP supermajority just approved a hugely corrupt power grab, seizing authority from the governor and the courts to prevent any meaningful check on legislative abuses. Authoritarian stuff. A very dark day for democracy in NC. amp.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

I made my first Starter Pack! #TrustBlackWomen - I'll keep adding as more amazing Black Women join this app - but this is a great start. #BlackSky
go.bsky.app/4b49z4w

Share widely. So many good resources here for immigration advocacy.

How Democrats are modeling acquiescence Are they going to just roll over for Trump? Signs point to yes.

NEW: I wrote about Biden, Polis, Pelosi and the Gaetz report, and how Democrats appear to be rolling over for an incoming fascist government.

How Democrats are modeling acquiescence Are they going to just roll over for Trump? Signs point to yes.

"It’s not to say that all rules should be thrown out the window; rather, now is the time for Democrats to look at where the high road has gotten them, and decide if it’s time to take a road less traveled."

My latest:

A pregnant woman sues for the right to an abortion in challenge to Kentucky's near-total ban A pregnant woman has filed a lawsuit seeking the right to an abortion in Kentucky. It's the latest challenge to the state’s near-total ban on the procedure.

A Kentucky woman who's 7 weeks pregnant is challenging the state's abortion ban for the very valid reason that she simply doesn't want to be pregnant (from Monday)
apnews.com/article/abor...

An example of Acción Ortográfica Quito doing the Lord's work (graffiti on a wall corrected with red spray paint)

Many commentators say that vigilante groups are never the answer. But they clearly don't know about the masked Ecuadorian trio named “Acción Ortográfica Quito,” who roam the streets at night with a singular purpose: to correct all the spelling and grammar mistakes they find in graffiti.