Author | Lightnews

GripNoir

@gripnoir.bsky.social

490 followers 2K following 2.2K posts

Grip, a talking raven, lived at the Dickens' home and inspired a secondary character in "Barnaby Rudge" as an exuberant force for discernment. Me? Happy amateur pianist, healthcare advocate, and retired accountant.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · Feb 2

We must be calm, courageous, and persistent. Only a carefully considered plan will circumvent this administration.

2 3 33

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 11h

Or a friend, maybe with music, a film or show? Probably most of us are experiencing some form of trauma due to current political instability and violence. Remember the airplane mask goes on you first. Maybe R&R are also tools for fighting - you're attacking from a different direction.

1 1

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 19h

Still sore he had to climb stairs. Perhaps he perceived the historic resonance as well as the metaphor.
Nah. #escalator

Reposted by GripNoir

Joshua Collins @murosinvisibles.bsky.social · 2d

Yes! We beat the New Yorker to this observation quite some time ago. Nice to see the slow, well-paid, deskguys in Manhattan finally catching up to us field journos haha

www.piratewireservices.com/p/trump-brin...

Trump brings the 'War on Terror' to America: it's a recipe for totalitarianism

The 'Wars' on terror and drugs are being brought to bear on internal and external enemies alike

www.piratewireservices.com

1 1

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 19h

There are compromises to going corporate - one is loss of agility. And yeah, totalitarianism is def on the sitting gov't's program. With AI, arguably worse than total human extinction. #WorldInChains www.bbc.com/future/artic...

The grim fate that could be ‘worse than extinction’

What would it take for a global totalitarian government to rise to power indefinitely? This nightmare scenario may be closer than first appears.

www.bbc.com

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 19h

Gah.

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 19h

It's difficult to keep up! I appreciate your integrity as discerned by your actions. Folks tend to mimic others' behavior - 1 reason why I strive to be as good as possible as much as possible. I continually fail but have learned to apologize, rectify when possible & renew my resolve.

Reposted by GripNoir

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 2d

I'm filing a brief in support of the case against Donald Trump's illegal tariffs now in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

California families and businesses shouldn't pay the price for actions that Trump never had the authority to take in the first place.

140 1.3K 4.2K

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 2d

Journalists embedded in a more-or-less capitalist economy still riding the online juggernaut?

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 2d

Cats are responsible for the majority of heart attacks because so many emulate Lily's behavior. #CVD

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 2d

For the record - Snyder high-tailed it to Canada. Nichols remains stateside.

Reposted by GripNoir

Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 2d

Sorry, but it *is* unnerving. I agree with @rieckhoff.bsky.social that this idea that the military is Trump's personal muscle, and should kill anyone he points at, should be among the biggest stories in America right now.

suzannenotsusan.bsky.social @suzannenotsusan.bsky.social · 2d

Hey Tom, saw you on MSNBC earlier today.
That conversation was a bit unnerving.

45 380 1.4K

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 2d

Yet.

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 2d

'You’re getting people used to these kinds of actions. This is expanding the definition of the use of force.”' The next target is -- us. See HCR's vidcast of 10/23. Id. #StephenMiller #TrumpAdministration

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 2d

'For [Stephen] Miller, the military strikes help expand the President’s power, while also reinforcing the narrative of Venezuelan immigrants as “alien enemies.”' #DarthVader www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...

The Real Target of Trump’s War on Drug Boats

The Administration has blown up seven vessels in the Caribbean in recent weeks, but the President has been pushing for more dramatic military action in Latin America since his first term.

www.newyorker.com

1 1

Reposted by GripNoir

International Centre for Counter-Terrorism @icct.bsky.social · 25d

How are pro-#ISIS groups in #Indonesia seeking to rebuild hierarchy amid fragmentation and pressure?

This ICCT Analysis explores efforts to centralise command despite leadership losses and growing #CounterTerrorism challenges.

📄 Read the full Analysis here: buff.ly/xPuQqtr

2 1

Reposted by GripNoir

Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 21d

Vladeck: "labeling groups 'domestic terrorist organizations' is an exercise in legally empty but rhetorically dangerous symbolism...trying to coerce more and more individuals and groups to 'obey in advance,' even though there are no new substantive rules that they need to actually obey"

ah...Clem @ah-clem.bsky.social · 21d

For those who missed it, Steve Vladeck provides this helpful introduction to NSPM-7 www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-180-...

Bonus 180: "Domestic Terrorism" and NSPM-7

The Trump administration is hoping no one notices that, although federal law *defines* "domestic terrorism," it provides no special authorities against anyone whose behavior *meets* that definition.

www.stevevladeck.com

3 56 190

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 4d

Not everyone in this gov't is stepping on rakes. AI-enabled surveillance gives me pause.

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 4d

I think you're right, and I think we're headed in that direction. #nspm7 is another step on the Yellow Brick Road.

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 4d

That's good. But the lack of cybersecurity for most of the "internet of things" (IOT) has always been a concern, and imho we're far too leveraged on the 'net.

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 4d

Lots of competition to attract readers - have you considered sharing w/ @hcrichardson.bsky.social, @indivisible.org & similar "influencers"? Dr. R especially likes the postcards, etc. shared w/ her & amplifies: "The Card Campaign has a new card out. Here's their write up of it."

Heather Cox Richardson

Hey, folks: The Card Campaign has a new card out. Here's their write up of it: ""Card Campaign has a new card out that addresses the accelerating slide of our Nation into Dictatorship. Our...

www.facebook.com

Reposted by GripNoir

James Goodwin @jamesgoodwin.bsky.social · 4d

full credit for visualizations goes to my colleague @federicoholm.bsky.social

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 4d

I'm sending this to my California MoCs in case they haven't already seen; excellent fuel for them to challenge their colleagues.

Reposted by GripNoir

James Goodwin @jamesgoodwin.bsky.social · 4d

ICYMI: Here's our final analysis based on our tracker progressivereform.org/publications...

Bringing Out the Worst in Congress: CRA By the Numbers 2025 - Center for Progressive Reform

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) provides Congress with an expedited procedure to review and potentially overturn final rules issued by federal agencies. CRA resolutions can be passed by simple majo...

progressivereform.org

2 1 1

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 4d

A quick glance before concentrated read in the next hour: Great data visualizations, well written for ease in assimilation, and isn't @opensecrets.org a jewel? #GratitudePlus

1 1

GripNoir @gripnoir.bsky.social · 4d

Dunno how far the AWS reach goes, but if I were a type 1 brittle diabetic on a "smart" #insulin pump, this is potentially life-altering. #t1d #IoT www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom....

How Sensors and Insulin Pumps Connect Diabetes Care | Abbott Newsroom

CGM and insulin pump technology for diabetes is getting better. Together, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin delivery systems can help people make insulin dosage decisions.

www.abbott.com

3 2 28