Kelsey Atherton
@atherton.bsky.social
War, robots, & bad futures but imagining better. I edit @cipolicy.bsky.social's International Policy Journal, opinions my own. Unitarian Universalist. He/him. Husband to @alymay.bsky.social & father of 2.
Front takes towards enemies.
Front takes towards enemies.
Pinned
Beirut
There's a timelessness to plucked strings, an urgency to triumphant bass, an enduring loneliness to warbled lyrics. It fits the places you linger on nights she has the kids: breweries, street-side cafes. You've plotted your retirement: away from the city, in the high desert of 8pm closings.
There's a timelessness to plucked strings, an urgency to triumphant bass, an enduring loneliness to warbled lyrics. It fits the places you linger on nights she has the kids: breweries, street-side cafes. You've plotted your retirement: away from the city, in the high desert of 8pm closings.
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
Ms. Kuyateh was one of 19 third-country nationals sent to Ghana on Nov. 6. At least 61 TCNs have been removed there since September.
Others report similar treatment. Nigerians were forced to cross into Togo w/o documents, rendering them essentially stateless
www.nbcwashington.com/investigatio...
Others report similar treatment. Nigerians were forced to cross into Togo w/o documents, rendering them essentially stateless
www.nbcwashington.com/investigatio...
Woman deported from Maryland shown on video being dragged in Ghana
Rabbiatu Kuyateh was detained this summer at her annual ICE check-in, her son said. She moved to the D.C. area 30 years ago as she fled civil war in Sierra Leone.
www.nbcwashington.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Ms. Kuyateh was one of 19 third-country nationals sent to Ghana on Nov. 6. At least 61 TCNs have been removed there since September.
Others report similar treatment. Nigerians were forced to cross into Togo w/o documents, rendering them essentially stateless
www.nbcwashington.com/investigatio...
Others report similar treatment. Nigerians were forced to cross into Togo w/o documents, rendering them essentially stateless
www.nbcwashington.com/investigatio...
New Mexico has I believe the last state legislator that's unpaid (they get per diems but not a salary); adding in term limits seems like a disaster for sustainable expertise within the legislature and a massive handout to lobbyists, as well as a power shift to the state's already-strong governor.
In his bid for governor, Sam Bregman is pushing for legislative reform including two-term limits for state legislators, salary changes and greater capital-outlay transparency.
Sam Bregman’s NM gubernatorial campaign calls for term limits for state legislators
New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman announced plans to limit legislative terms, increase session length, pay lawmakers and open the capital-outlay process to public review.
www.organmountainnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:04 PM
New Mexico has I believe the last state legislator that's unpaid (they get per diems but not a salary); adding in term limits seems like a disaster for sustainable expertise within the legislature and a massive handout to lobbyists, as well as a power shift to the state's already-strong governor.
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
Labubus at Twilight, Balloon Fiesta, 2025.
#filmphotography #analogphotography #halfframe #canondemiee17 #harmanphoenixii
#filmphotography #analogphotography #halfframe #canondemiee17 #harmanphoenixii
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Labubus at Twilight, Balloon Fiesta, 2025.
#filmphotography #analogphotography #halfframe #canondemiee17 #harmanphoenixii
#filmphotography #analogphotography #halfframe #canondemiee17 #harmanphoenixii
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
I have given
the plum
that was in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for humans
to a groundhog
I am not sorry
my guy
really enjoyed it
the plum
that was in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for humans
to a groundhog
I am not sorry
my guy
really enjoyed it
Big news! The groundhog is back at my sister's and she gave him a plum
November 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I have given
the plum
that was in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for humans
to a groundhog
I am not sorry
my guy
really enjoyed it
the plum
that was in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for humans
to a groundhog
I am not sorry
my guy
really enjoyed it
Erecting WESCO barriers to protect the familiar object bastion as part of the GWOT (General Welfare of Toddlers)
November 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Erecting WESCO barriers to protect the familiar object bastion as part of the GWOT (General Welfare of Toddlers)
Starting a third band called Gander to really mess up the Goose/Geese paradigm
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Starting a third band called Gander to really mess up the Goose/Geese paradigm
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
Everyone on here is mad that the article is too pro Israel and everyone on pro Israel Twitter is mad that the NYT is acknowledging that Nefesh B'Nefesh does in fact promote settlements lol
Zohran Mamdani chastised a Manhattan synagogue that hosted an event promoting migration to Israel and settlements in occupied territories. His stance further tested his strained relationship with pro-Israel Jews in New York.
Mamdani Response to Protest Inflames Tensions with Jewish Leaders
The mayor-elect chastised a synagogue that hosted an event promoting migration to Israel and settlements in occupied territories. His stance further tested his strained relationship with pro-Israel Jews.
nyti.ms
November 25, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Everyone on here is mad that the article is too pro Israel and everyone on pro Israel Twitter is mad that the NYT is acknowledging that Nefesh B'Nefesh does in fact promote settlements lol
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
There's a blunt acknowledgment that RFK is full of shit. But instead of leaving it there, they give him space to just ask questions while ignoring the answers. Then there's a shrug: "He's a Kennedy, what are you supposed to do?" I don't know, not this!
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
There's a blunt acknowledgment that RFK is full of shit. But instead of leaving it there, they give him space to just ask questions while ignoring the answers. Then there's a shrug: "He's a Kennedy, what are you supposed to do?" I don't know, not this!
It is important as a profession that journalism not work this way but as a parent of small children if I had a one-on-ome sitdown with the man who brought back measles and whooping cough I would treat the meeting exactly the same as if I were wrestling a gun out of the hands of a mass shooter.
November 25, 2025 at 12:08 PM
It is important as a profession that journalism not work this way but as a parent of small children if I had a one-on-ome sitdown with the man who brought back measles and whooping cough I would treat the meeting exactly the same as if I were wrestling a gun out of the hands of a mass shooter.
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
Put off reading this because I assumed people were overreacting to the headline and packaging but my god does it pull its punches www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
November 25, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Put off reading this because I assumed people were overreacting to the headline and packaging but my god does it pull its punches www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
The blog post is generally correct (poverty line is an outdated measurement that doesn't adequately capture actual cost of sustenance) but I'm charmed that this economist is discovering that long-standing left observations are true... and being precious about it www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
November 25, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The blog post is generally correct (poverty line is an outdated measurement that doesn't adequately capture actual cost of sustenance) but I'm charmed that this economist is discovering that long-standing left observations are true... and being precious about it www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
The Nutcracker is just Dancing With The Tsars
November 25, 2025 at 6:02 AM
The Nutcracker is just Dancing With The Tsars
Every day there's a new blue-or-gold dress but we no longer have the posts-to-publishing infrastructure to make a big deal of it
November 25, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Every day there's a new blue-or-gold dress but we no longer have the posts-to-publishing infrastructure to make a big deal of it
the monday before thanksgiving is the most friday of mondays
November 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM
the monday before thanksgiving is the most friday of mondays
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
I'm glad this highlights a bit of USAID background - Marshall Plan, Bretton Woods, IMF.
Women were involved at high levels in all of it. McCarthyism drove some out, but they were there.
A lot of gutted programs/initiatives were led or implemented by women.
internationalpolicy.org/publications...
Women were involved at high levels in all of it. McCarthyism drove some out, but they were there.
A lot of gutted programs/initiatives were led or implemented by women.
internationalpolicy.org/publications...
DOGE’s Gutting Of USAID Weakened Disaster Response - CIP
For over 30 years, USAID had a leading role is disaster response for the United States, a capacity shattered when it was shut down.
internationalpolicy.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I'm glad this highlights a bit of USAID background - Marshall Plan, Bretton Woods, IMF.
Women were involved at high levels in all of it. McCarthyism drove some out, but they were there.
A lot of gutted programs/initiatives were led or implemented by women.
internationalpolicy.org/publications...
Women were involved at high levels in all of it. McCarthyism drove some out, but they were there.
A lot of gutted programs/initiatives were led or implemented by women.
internationalpolicy.org/publications...
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
part of what I like about Mamdani is his admission that housing affordability is a more complex problem than either building more housing or expanding rent control. You need to do both in order to protect the most vulnerable now and improve the problem long term.
November 25, 2025 at 12:33 AM
part of what I like about Mamdani is his admission that housing affordability is a more complex problem than either building more housing or expanding rent control. You need to do both in order to protect the most vulnerable now and improve the problem long term.
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
in a genuine sense, it matters who the people in charge think of as human, and also, how willing they are to see the humanity of people placed under the bombsight reticle.
November 21, 2025 at 5:02 AM
in a genuine sense, it matters who the people in charge think of as human, and also, how willing they are to see the humanity of people placed under the bombsight reticle.
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
gonna have ChatGPT develop code for a new smart program based on Google Maps that direct U.S. artillery and ballistic missiles towards targets. we'll market it as "vibe bombardment" and make billions
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM
gonna have ChatGPT develop code for a new smart program based on Google Maps that direct U.S. artillery and ballistic missiles towards targets. we'll market it as "vibe bombardment" and make billions
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
One explanation for economic populism in the US is the recurring cycle of bubbles and bailouts that happens without any democratic input
November 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
One explanation for economic populism in the US is the recurring cycle of bubbles and bailouts that happens without any democratic input
Pritzker's ranking of the Star Wars films is pretty close to how I have them. Good, considered. Will be very funny when The Mandalorian And Grogu comes out and everyone has to decide if it's better or worse than Solo.
Pritzker's list:
ESB
ANH
ROTJ
R1
TLJ
ROTS
TFA
SOLO
TPM
AOTC
TROS
Pritzker's list:
ESB
ANH
ROTJ
R1
TLJ
ROTS
TFA
SOLO
TPM
AOTC
TROS
November 24, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Pritzker's ranking of the Star Wars films is pretty close to how I have them. Good, considered. Will be very funny when The Mandalorian And Grogu comes out and everyone has to decide if it's better or worse than Solo.
Pritzker's list:
ESB
ANH
ROTJ
R1
TLJ
ROTS
TFA
SOLO
TPM
AOTC
TROS
Pritzker's list:
ESB
ANH
ROTJ
R1
TLJ
ROTS
TFA
SOLO
TPM
AOTC
TROS
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
Don’t need to ask my name
To figure out my P/E ratio
To figure out my P/E ratio
November 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Don’t need to ask my name
To figure out my P/E ratio
To figure out my P/E ratio
Jeffrey Goldberg's editorial leadership has been a disaster for the human race
Over many interviews, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Michael Scherer about how he plans to remake America’s public-health system. Can he lead the scientific establishment he’s spent much of his life crusading against?
Read more in our new cover story: theatln.tc/q9hXxlbM
Read more in our new cover story: theatln.tc/q9hXxlbM
November 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Jeffrey Goldberg's editorial leadership has been a disaster for the human race
Someday, when he's far removed from command of the world's most middle-tier nuclear arsenal, Kier Starmer is going to have a hard conversation about where it all went wrong for him, and it'll start with the realization that Labour includes trans workers but Starmer's Labour is for no one
Trans people could be banned from single-sex spaces based on how they look
The Times has seen the equalities watchdog’s final guidance, which Whitehall figures fear Bridget Phillipson is delaying to avoid a political backlash
www.thetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Someday, when he's far removed from command of the world's most middle-tier nuclear arsenal, Kier Starmer is going to have a hard conversation about where it all went wrong for him, and it'll start with the realization that Labour includes trans workers but Starmer's Labour is for no one
NDAA / four capital letters / printed in blood / details make the contractors stunt / even more
November 24, 2025 at 3:44 PM
NDAA / four capital letters / printed in blood / details make the contractors stunt / even more
Reposted by Kelsey Atherton
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
A Disabled Child’s Mom Reported Him Missing. He Was Locked Away by Federal Immigration Authorities for 48 Days.
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old who has an intellectual disability, walked away from his mom’s fruit stand in October. Houston Police called ICE.
thebarbedwire.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Emmanuel, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, wandered away from his mom’s fruit stand in October.
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...
She reported him missing to Houston police. But instead of reuniting them, the city turned him over to ICE.
“They’re failing all of us,” his mom said.
thebarbedwire.com/2025/11/24/d...