Phlegm of Discontent
@astronerd3e8.bsky.social
He/him. Atheist, antifascist science nerd and beer aficionado. Jack of all trades and master of business administration. Some people call me Matt. Abolish ICE.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
This is just some ordinary dude no one had ever heard of, quietly getting by, and the administration has decided in a fit of pique to hound him for the rest of his life because otherwise they'd have to tacitly admit they're capricious incompetent villains. Just let him live, ffs
BREAKING: At 7am ET, in response to the emergency overnight filing, Judge Xinis issued a TRO barring the Trump administration from re-detaining Abrego Garcia.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/71191...
Memorandum and Order – #114 in Abrego Garcia v. Noem (D. Maryland, 8:25-cv-02780) – CourtListener.com
MEMORANDUM ORDER granting 112 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order; Respondents are enjoined from re-detaining Petitioner in ICE custody until this Court can receive further briefing from the partie...
www.courtlistener.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This is just some ordinary dude no one had ever heard of, quietly getting by, and the administration has decided in a fit of pique to hound him for the rest of his life because otherwise they'd have to tacitly admit they're capricious incompetent villains. Just let him live, ffs
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Remember when my asshole senators said they were ending the shutdown because of the promise to get this vote
Senate Republicans blocked Democratic legislation that would have extended ACA tax credits for over 20 million people
Republicans Block Bill That Would Extend Affordable Care Act Tax Credits
Democrats, meanwhile, blocked a competing GOP bill on Thursday that would have bolstered health savings accounts instead.
www.huffpost.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Remember when my asshole senators said they were ending the shutdown because of the promise to get this vote
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Looming over all the details here of dishonesty, etc. is that in the first weeks of the Administration's deportion push, they deported a man in error.
And rather than simply admit that and bring him back, they have gone to Kafka-esque lengths to punish him for the effrontery of being innocent.
And rather than simply admit that and bring him back, they have gone to Kafka-esque lengths to punish him for the effrontery of being innocent.
BREAKING: Judge Paula Xinis orders the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration custody
December 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Looming over all the details here of dishonesty, etc. is that in the first weeks of the Administration's deportion push, they deported a man in error.
And rather than simply admit that and bring him back, they have gone to Kafka-esque lengths to punish him for the effrontery of being innocent.
And rather than simply admit that and bring him back, they have gone to Kafka-esque lengths to punish him for the effrontery of being innocent.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
The US government is now a mafia organization.
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The US government is now a mafia organization.
If this is what's going to happen with my tax dollars, I see no reason to continue to pay taxes.
Warned that this was going to happen. And if Trump’s DOJ doesn’t fight it, I’m not sure there’s much that can be done to stop it.
radleybalko.substack.com/p/magas-300-...
radleybalko.substack.com/p/magas-300-...
December 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
If this is what's going to happen with my tax dollars, I see no reason to continue to pay taxes.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Warned that this was going to happen. And if Trump’s DOJ doesn’t fight it, I’m not sure there’s much that can be done to stop it.
radleybalko.substack.com/p/magas-300-...
radleybalko.substack.com/p/magas-300-...
December 11, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Warned that this was going to happen. And if Trump’s DOJ doesn’t fight it, I’m not sure there’s much that can be done to stop it.
radleybalko.substack.com/p/magas-300-...
radleybalko.substack.com/p/magas-300-...
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Just because it's being passed around a lot: NO, data centers in space do NOT benefit from space being cold. Space is cold in the formal sense we use to define temperature. But it is very bad at cooling. What would you rather have to cool hot metal: a lukewarm water tub or a giant cold atmosphere?
December 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Just because it's being passed around a lot: NO, data centers in space do NOT benefit from space being cold. Space is cold in the formal sense we use to define temperature. But it is very bad at cooling. What would you rather have to cool hot metal: a lukewarm water tub or a giant cold atmosphere?
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
I used to call Trump a “would-be dictator.” I now call him a dictator.
His masked thugs are terrorizing cities.
He‘s trying to jail his enemies.
He’s starting a war on a whim.
He’s taking control of news media.
The Institute of Peace is now “the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”
He’s a dictator.
His masked thugs are terrorizing cities.
He‘s trying to jail his enemies.
He’s starting a war on a whim.
He’s taking control of news media.
The Institute of Peace is now “the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”
He’s a dictator.
December 10, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I used to call Trump a “would-be dictator.” I now call him a dictator.
His masked thugs are terrorizing cities.
He‘s trying to jail his enemies.
He’s starting a war on a whim.
He’s taking control of news media.
The Institute of Peace is now “the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”
He’s a dictator.
His masked thugs are terrorizing cities.
He‘s trying to jail his enemies.
He’s starting a war on a whim.
He’s taking control of news media.
The Institute of Peace is now “the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.”
He’s a dictator.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
As many are pointing out - the (white) countries he lists have universal health care, strong unions, a real social safety net, etc… why would they come here?
More on their “cuddly capitalism”: www.lifeinnorway.net/scandinavian...
More on their “cuddly capitalism”: www.lifeinnorway.net/scandinavian...
TRUMP: “I said why is it we only take people from shithole countries? Why can't we have some people from Norway, Sweden, Denmark… But we always take people from Somalia— places that are filthy, dirty, disgusting.”
Such a mystery what he means when he says this stuff, isn’t it?
Such a mystery what he means when he says this stuff, isn’t it?
December 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
As many are pointing out - the (white) countries he lists have universal health care, strong unions, a real social safety net, etc… why would they come here?
More on their “cuddly capitalism”: www.lifeinnorway.net/scandinavian...
More on their “cuddly capitalism”: www.lifeinnorway.net/scandinavian...
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Trump Appears To Doze During Stroke
December 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Trump Appears To Doze During Stroke
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
This is unadulterated antisemitism, for the sake of hating Jews for existing and publicly celebrating our holidays.
Under the MAGA hat (literally in this case), with over 18k likes.
Under the MAGA hat (literally in this case), with over 18k likes.
December 9, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This is unadulterated antisemitism, for the sake of hating Jews for existing and publicly celebrating our holidays.
Under the MAGA hat (literally in this case), with over 18k likes.
Under the MAGA hat (literally in this case), with over 18k likes.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
ICYMI: this is very obviously a crisis every bit as emergent - and indivisible from - climate breakdown.
The Seven Richest Billionaires Are All Media Barons
Alan MacLeod tracks how billionaire media barons like Musk, Ellison, Bezos and Zuckerberg are capturing global news outlets and reshaping politics.
www.mintpressnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:01 AM
ICYMI: this is very obviously a crisis every bit as emergent - and indivisible from - climate breakdown.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Content Warning ⚠️ this is just straight up torture.
![The four men interviewed by Amnesty International, as well as Florida-based organizations, told the organization about the ‘box’, described as a 2x2 foot cage-like structure located outside in the yard of “Alligator Alcatraz” where individuals are sent for punishment. Individuals are put in the ‘box’, their hands are shackled and their feet are attached to restraints on the ground. They are unable to sit down or move positions, and are forced to remain there for hours in the heat with hardly any water or protection from the sun, heat and insects. According to a man seeking safety, “People ended up in the ‘box’ just for asking the guards for anything. I saw a guy who was put in it for an entire day.”
A "2x2 cage-like structure… [an] extremely small space that prevents sitting, lying or changing position" has dimensions startlingly reminiscent of those the Senate documented in the black sites. The major difference is that in Florida, the Small Box is exposed to the elements and constructed as a barred cage, whereas in Catseye, it was a closed structure inside the larger closed structure of the black site. And in Florida, the box is used as punishment. According to one of the Alligator Alcatraz survivors in the Amnesty report, people were put into the box simply for alerting the guards to someone's need for medication. "They were taken to 'the box' and punished for trying to help me," the person told Amnesty.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wruajhwucqcxppfbvbxudmx4/bafkreiaubvfxy5ups54rd2n5c3zlu6jmi7wkcw5tkg7a6zaeyf37tdhggq@jpeg)
December 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Content Warning ⚠️ this is just straight up torture.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Trump is and will always be a mass muderer.
The death rate among children under 5 is expected to grow this year for the first time in the 21st century, researchers say. A key factor, they say, is cuts to U.S. and other foreign aid
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Child deaths under 5 believed to be rising for first time in decades
Cuts to development aid from several countries is a key factor, researchers said.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Trump is and will always be a mass muderer.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
He went from “I will lower prices Day 1” to “Affordability is a Democrat scam” faster than you can say “FIFA Peace Prize” and MAGAs still worship him.
But it’s definitely not a cult.
But it’s definitely not a cult.
December 7, 2025 at 8:25 PM
He went from “I will lower prices Day 1” to “Affordability is a Democrat scam” faster than you can say “FIFA Peace Prize” and MAGAs still worship him.
But it’s definitely not a cult.
But it’s definitely not a cult.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Rep. Ilhan Omar: "When I think about Stephen Miller and his white supremacist rhetoric, it reminds me of the way the Nazis described Jewish people in Germany."
December 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Rep. Ilhan Omar: "When I think about Stephen Miller and his white supremacist rhetoric, it reminds me of the way the Nazis described Jewish people in Germany."
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Can't remember if it was this bad before COVID but I'm seeing an alarming spreading of what I'll call Airport Behavior to other public places. Obliviousness to other people's existence, ineptitude at navigating the environment. "Is this your first time at the grocery store" type stuff
December 7, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Can't remember if it was this bad before COVID but I'm seeing an alarming spreading of what I'll call Airport Behavior to other public places. Obliviousness to other people's existence, ineptitude at navigating the environment. "Is this your first time at the grocery store" type stuff
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
I am ratcheting down my social media, but let me just say that all European leaders except on the far Right should note that the U.S. now seeks regime change in their country; basically seeks to depose them. US strategy is to support the political forces that threaten liberal democracy in Europe.
Trump Administration Says Europe Faces ‘Civilizational Erasure’
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I am ratcheting down my social media, but let me just say that all European leaders except on the far Right should note that the U.S. now seeks regime change in their country; basically seeks to depose them. US strategy is to support the political forces that threaten liberal democracy in Europe.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
This is how my local paper in the swing state of Nevada covered it: Huge picture, AP story with nary a hint that this was weird or corrupt.
As low as Trump’s approval ratings are, they’d be much lower if he didn’t have the help of large swaths of the media
As low as Trump’s approval ratings are, they’d be much lower if he didn’t have the help of large swaths of the media
December 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
This is how my local paper in the swing state of Nevada covered it: Huge picture, AP story with nary a hint that this was weird or corrupt.
As low as Trump’s approval ratings are, they’d be much lower if he didn’t have the help of large swaths of the media
As low as Trump’s approval ratings are, they’d be much lower if he didn’t have the help of large swaths of the media
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Remember how I've said AI is an attack? This is what I meant
Two independent studies found that AI chatbots were better at persuading voters than political ads. The most persuasive bots also lied the most. This is something that humans working in psyops have known for decades. AI is psyops at scale. www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1...
December 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Remember how I've said AI is an attack? This is what I meant
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
wtf is a FIFA peace prize? that's like being an NFL laureate in physics
December 5, 2025 at 7:21 PM
wtf is a FIFA peace prize? that's like being an NFL laureate in physics
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
Some comments as I read the National Security Strategy, released last night in an attempt to divert attention from, or perhaps to justify, killing fishermen on the high seas.
What *Should* The United States Want?
This is an, um, interesting phrasing, especially with "Should" italicized.
What *Should* The United States Want?
This is an, um, interesting phrasing, especially with "Should" italicized.
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Some comments as I read the National Security Strategy, released last night in an attempt to divert attention from, or perhaps to justify, killing fishermen on the high seas.
What *Should* The United States Want?
This is an, um, interesting phrasing, especially with "Should" italicized.
What *Should* The United States Want?
This is an, um, interesting phrasing, especially with "Should" italicized.
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
looking forward to either a 6-3 decision that trump as God Emperor of the United States can change the constitution by fiat or a 5-4 decision that 14th amendment means what it says with a dissent from thomas that actually the constitution recognizes donald j. trump as sovereign
*SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW TRUMP’S BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ROLLBACK
December 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
looking forward to either a 6-3 decision that trump as God Emperor of the United States can change the constitution by fiat or a 5-4 decision that 14th amendment means what it says with a dissent from thomas that actually the constitution recognizes donald j. trump as sovereign
Reposted by Phlegm of Discontent
BARTIROMO: How is it possible that the Democrats have been able to rally around 'affordability' and make people think that's what they're focused on and not what Republicans are focused on?
HASSETT: It's just what happens sometimes when one political party has the media echoing what they're saying
HASSETT: It's just what happens sometimes when one political party has the media echoing what they're saying
December 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM
BARTIROMO: How is it possible that the Democrats have been able to rally around 'affordability' and make people think that's what they're focused on and not what Republicans are focused on?
HASSETT: It's just what happens sometimes when one political party has the media echoing what they're saying
HASSETT: It's just what happens sometimes when one political party has the media echoing what they're saying