Alec MacDonald
@alecmmacdonald.bsky.social
Journalist in Taiwan
Poster of the mundane and pedantic
Poster of the mundane and pedantic
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
4 more HK opposition figures have been released from prison after serving more than four years following their convictions in the city’s largest national security case. In full: buff.ly/xBKIUHd
Another 4 HK democrats freed after being jailed for over 4 years
4 more HK opposition figures have been released from prison after serving more than four years following their convictions in the city’s largest national security case.
buff.ly
May 30, 2025 at 12:15 AM
4 more HK opposition figures have been released from prison after serving more than four years following their convictions in the city’s largest national security case. In full: buff.ly/xBKIUHd
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
As President Xi Jinping traveled the world, police swept peaceful protesters off the streets: In country after country, local authorities detained and silenced activists to shield the Chinese leader from dissent – ICIJ
As President Xi Jinping traveled the world, police swept peaceful protesters off the streets - ICIJ
In country after country, local authorities detained and silenced activists to shield the Chinese leader from dissent.
www.icij.org
May 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
As President Xi Jinping traveled the world, police swept peaceful protesters off the streets: In country after country, local authorities detained and silenced activists to shield the Chinese leader from dissent – ICIJ
Is there a flight tracking community or people on Bluesky?
The name would suggest for it to be THE app for flight tracking social media
The name would suggest for it to be THE app for flight tracking social media
April 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Is there a flight tracking community or people on Bluesky?
The name would suggest for it to be THE app for flight tracking social media
The name would suggest for it to be THE app for flight tracking social media
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
This WaPo headline is misleading — Voice of America is NOT back despite the preliminary injunction. No one has been called back to work. No newscasts or programs. No transmissions since mid-March. Stay tuned. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/04/24/voice-of-america-trump-china/
April 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This WaPo headline is misleading — Voice of America is NOT back despite the preliminary injunction. No one has been called back to work. No newscasts or programs. No transmissions since mid-March. Stay tuned. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/04/24/voice-of-america-trump-china/
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
A fantastically important postscript to this piece: David Graham asks Jeffrey Goldberg about possible retaliation, and Goldberg gives a perfect answer — with perfect swipes. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
March 25, 2025 at 2:05 AM
A fantastically important postscript to this piece: David Graham asks Jeffrey Goldberg about possible retaliation, and Goldberg gives a perfect answer — with perfect swipes. www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
How much longer will we see serious people saying that event X is inexplicable/incomprehensible/baffling unless condition Y, before they start to accept that condition Y, which is the consistent simple and single explanation for all these baffling events, is the reality we have to deal with?
This is hideous. And close to inexplicable unless Trump is doing what Putin tells him to.
SCOOP --> Trump's State Department quietly terminated a contract that was in the process of transferring evidence of Russian abductions of Ukrainian kids to European law enforcement, two sources familiar with the situation tell me.
Details here:
newrepublic.com/article/1927...
Details here:
newrepublic.com/article/1927...
March 15, 2025 at 10:22 AM
How much longer will we see serious people saying that event X is inexplicable/incomprehensible/baffling unless condition Y, before they start to accept that condition Y, which is the consistent simple and single explanation for all these baffling events, is the reality we have to deal with?
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
These guys remind me of people I knew in grad school who would sneer at kids who went out on the weekend; they'd stay in the library, staring at the books and notes, believing that sheer willpower could produce a 4.0
Spoiler: it did not
Performance art for their fellow students - and themselves.
Spoiler: it did not
Performance art for their fellow students - and themselves.
This is performative nonsense of “hardcore” tech nincompoops. They could put people in nearby hotels or Airbnbs for a lot less. It’s all cosplaying intense workaholism for the cheap seats and all for PR. Sleeping bags at work is simply dumb www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
IKEA beds? Dressers? Inside the ‘exceedingly odd’ DOGE office setup
Details of the arrangements at GSA offer a window into the lifestyle of DOGE workers.
www.politico.com
March 7, 2025 at 5:37 AM
These guys remind me of people I knew in grad school who would sneer at kids who went out on the weekend; they'd stay in the library, staring at the books and notes, believing that sheer willpower could produce a 4.0
Spoiler: it did not
Performance art for their fellow students - and themselves.
Spoiler: it did not
Performance art for their fellow students - and themselves.
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
It’s fog season in HK, when prevailing winds shift and warm, humid air wafts up from the south, hit our still-cold waters then condense into mist.
People complain about the lack of seasonal changes here but if you know where to look, they’re all around — and just as beautiful as any cherry blossom.
People complain about the lack of seasonal changes here but if you know where to look, they’re all around — and just as beautiful as any cherry blossom.
March 6, 2025 at 3:40 AM
It’s fog season in HK, when prevailing winds shift and warm, humid air wafts up from the south, hit our still-cold waters then condense into mist.
People complain about the lack of seasonal changes here but if you know where to look, they’re all around — and just as beautiful as any cherry blossom.
People complain about the lack of seasonal changes here but if you know where to look, they’re all around — and just as beautiful as any cherry blossom.
There is something similar going on in Taiwan (not exact) and I get the feeling it’s part of a global phenomenon post-Covidey but also with different local causes that Covid exacerbated
One in three NHS doctors so tired their ability to treat patients is affected, survey finds
One in three NHS doctors so tired their ability to treat patients is affected, survey finds
Exclusive: Medics more sleep deprived now than during Covid crisis amid staff shortages and surging demand
One in three doctors in the NHS are so tired that their ability to treat patients is impaired, according to a report that reveals medics are more…
www.theguardian.com
March 3, 2025 at 5:38 AM
There is something similar going on in Taiwan (not exact) and I get the feeling it’s part of a global phenomenon post-Covidey but also with different local causes that Covid exacerbated
Keelung continuously is one of my favourite places to go for a day. Yesterday it felt like the whole of Taipei also went to Keelung and caught onto the idea it’s a great city. Sunset and breeze were wonderful as always
March 2, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Keelung continuously is one of my favourite places to go for a day. Yesterday it felt like the whole of Taipei also went to Keelung and caught onto the idea it’s a great city. Sunset and breeze were wonderful as always
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
The Atlantic asked every GOP member of Congress two straightforward questions: Did Russia invade Ukraine? And is Putin a dictator? A few said yes; one responded with an interaction with a chatbot; most didn’t respond at all. theatln.tc/C9Sz9dk4
Did Russia Invade Ukraine? Is Putin a Dictator? We Asked Every Republican Member of Congress
Two simple questions, few straight answers
theatln.tc
February 28, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The Atlantic asked every GOP member of Congress two straightforward questions: Did Russia invade Ukraine? And is Putin a dictator? A few said yes; one responded with an interaction with a chatbot; most didn’t respond at all. theatln.tc/C9Sz9dk4
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
I see that the anti-imperialist left is still busy making the "both sides" argument about Ukraine. Get ready for them to also blame Taiwan for "provoking" China by merely existing as an independent democratic country.
March 1, 2025 at 12:57 AM
I see that the anti-imperialist left is still busy making the "both sides" argument about Ukraine. Get ready for them to also blame Taiwan for "provoking" China by merely existing as an independent democratic country.
If 黃國昌 was testing the waters for the TPP backing KMT recall efforts, seems it did not go over well with elders in Bangka as they chanted “Rubbish party” and “step down from the platform”
udn.com/news/story/1...
udn.com/news/story/1...
罷免吳思瑤、吳沛憶 黃國昌力挺公民行動 | 聯合新聞網
民眾黨主席黃國昌昨號召志工在北市萬華區舉辦「掃除綠衛兵」反制綠營大罷免誓師大會。黃說，他是以公民身分參加，是否上升到黨的...
udn.com
February 23, 2025 at 5:01 AM
If 黃國昌 was testing the waters for the TPP backing KMT recall efforts, seems it did not go over well with elders in Bangka as they chanted “Rubbish party” and “step down from the platform”
udn.com/news/story/1...
udn.com/news/story/1...
Earlier this month before 傅崐萁 quietly went to Hong Kong, local newspaper in Hualien published a survey showing businesses supported the opening of a direct route between Hualien airport and Hong Kong
This is a multiple step set up here:
www.ksnews.com.tw/20250204m04/
This is a multiple step set up here:
www.ksnews.com.tw/20250204m04/
February 21, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Earlier this month before 傅崐萁 quietly went to Hong Kong, local newspaper in Hualien published a survey showing businesses supported the opening of a direct route between Hualien airport and Hong Kong
This is a multiple step set up here:
www.ksnews.com.tw/20250204m04/
This is a multiple step set up here:
www.ksnews.com.tw/20250204m04/
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
The Department of Government Efficiency isn't interested in efficiency. Or transparency, or cutting costs. It's real goal is to destroy the federal civil service. In other words, regime change. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
There’s a Term for What Trump and Musk Are Doing
How regime change happens in America
www.theatlantic.com
February 13, 2025 at 11:28 PM
The Department of Government Efficiency isn't interested in efficiency. Or transparency, or cutting costs. It's real goal is to destroy the federal civil service. In other words, regime change. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
#China has jailed a former senior journalist from the state news agency Xinhua and canceled his pension and medical coverage after he asked questions about the politically sensitive death of Premier Li Keqiang.
www.rfa.org/english/chin...
www.rfa.org/english/chin...
www.rfa.org
February 12, 2025 at 2:04 AM
#China has jailed a former senior journalist from the state news agency Xinhua and canceled his pension and medical coverage after he asked questions about the politically sensitive death of Premier Li Keqiang.
www.rfa.org/english/chin...
www.rfa.org/english/chin...
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
HK national security police have arrested a man on suspicion of helping four protesters charged with offences linked to the 2019 unrest to flee the city.
In full: https://buff.ly/3CEtjoh
In full: https://buff.ly/3CEtjoh
Hong Kong police arrest man in connection with helping 4 2019 protesters hide from authorities | Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Hong Kong national security police have arrested a man on suspicion of helping four protesters charged with offences linked to the 2019 unrest to flee the city. Police apprehended Yu Hin-lam on Thursday...
buff.ly
February 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
HK national security police have arrested a man on suspicion of helping four protesters charged with offences linked to the 2019 unrest to flee the city.
In full: https://buff.ly/3CEtjoh
In full: https://buff.ly/3CEtjoh
龍蛇
蛇龍
是隆
攏時
攝龍
隆蛇
是龍！
蛇龍
是隆
攏時
攝龍
隆蛇
是龍！
February 9, 2025 at 12:50 PM
龍蛇
蛇龍
是隆
攏時
攝龍
隆蛇
是龍！
蛇龍
是隆
攏時
攝龍
隆蛇
是龍！
The sort of behaviour from Hualien officials is unfortunately not a surprise
"Hu Jen-shun (胡仁順), a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) county councilor, said he received complaints from residents who said they had felt intimidated when Household Registration Office personnel came to their homes."
"Hu Jen-shun (胡仁順), a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) county councilor, said he received complaints from residents who said they had felt intimidated when Household Registration Office personnel came to their homes."
Hualien authorities may have broken law: CEC
(les Balkany taïwanais font du Balkany à la taïwanaise)
(les Balkany taïwanais font du Balkany à la taïwanaise)
Hualien authorities may have broken law: CEC - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
February 7, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The sort of behaviour from Hualien officials is unfortunately not a surprise
"Hu Jen-shun (胡仁順), a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) county councilor, said he received complaints from residents who said they had felt intimidated when Household Registration Office personnel came to their homes."
"Hu Jen-shun (胡仁順), a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) county councilor, said he received complaints from residents who said they had felt intimidated when Household Registration Office personnel came to their homes."
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
When the Trump administration froze foreign funding and USAID programs last week, dozens of scrappy nonprofits in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the US were immediately affected.
www.aspistrategist.org.au/with-us-fund...
www.aspistrategist.org.au/with-us-fund...
With US funding freeze, China nonprofits are facing extinction. They need emergency assistance | The Strategist
An entire ecosystem of vital China-related work is now in crisis. When the Trump administration froze foreign funding and USAID programs last week, dozens of scrappy nonprofits in Hong Kong, Taiwan, a...
www.aspistrategist.org.au
February 6, 2025 at 10:51 AM
When the Trump administration froze foreign funding and USAID programs last week, dozens of scrappy nonprofits in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the US were immediately affected.
www.aspistrategist.org.au/with-us-fund...
www.aspistrategist.org.au/with-us-fund...
I recall when I was starting my academic journey in 2019 reading a growing group of historians and law academics warning about attack on courts and the position of constitutions.
Six years later and there’s a new constitutional or independence of court crisis every week
Six years later and there’s a new constitutional or independence of court crisis every week
February 4, 2025 at 4:01 AM
I recall when I was starting my academic journey in 2019 reading a growing group of historians and law academics warning about attack on courts and the position of constitutions.
Six years later and there’s a new constitutional or independence of court crisis every week
Six years later and there’s a new constitutional or independence of court crisis every week
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
Conservative budget wonks (Manhattan Instiutte, Tax Foundation) confirming that this is a consittutional crisis. Not liberal hysteria. Happening right now.
February 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Conservative budget wonks (Manhattan Instiutte, Tax Foundation) confirming that this is a consittutional crisis. Not liberal hysteria. Happening right now.
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
This is crucial reporting from @katherinejwu.com.
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
CDC Data Are Disappearing
The agency has already removed scientific data from public view. More could follow.
www.theatlantic.com
February 1, 2025 at 3:53 AM
This is crucial reporting from @katherinejwu.com.
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Among the data being scrubbed is “the agency’s AtlasPlus tool, which contains nearly 20 years of CDC surveillance data on HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis…”
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Reposted by Alec MacDonald
From a bored and affluent middle class who wanted another season of reality TV.
I just want to say for the record that when the history books are written centuries from now, I believe the election of Donald Trump in a free and fair election in 2024 will go down as one of the most senseless and self-destructive own goals in human history
February 1, 2025 at 5:59 AM
From a bored and affluent middle class who wanted another season of reality TV.