Author | Lightnews

Bill Barol

@billbarol.bsky.social

250 followers 360 following 640 posts

Hammertown: hammertownusa.substack.com Podcasting about creativity at imaginationandjunk.com HOME: Stories From L.A. archived at homestoriesla.net Writing: The New Yorker, The New York Times, Boston Globe, Fast Company, Time, Newsweek, Boing Boing + more

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Sep 24

"To the extent that... " is one of the classic Dumb-Guy-Trying-To-Sound-Smart locutions.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Sep 24

JD Vance: "On the free speech conversation, I'm pretty sure Jimmy Kimmel was back on the air last night, and to the extent he's not back on the air it's because he's not funny and has terrible ratings. This is not a federal government problem ... the FCC commissioner made a joke on social media."

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Sep 23

That old excuse? Please.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Sep 22

You should watch this. I've seen it (I have a small amount of drag with the showrunner) and it's excellent. Premieres Oct. 9 on @netflix.com. #BOOTS
youtu.be/2mjN2f5tu2s?...

BOOTS | Official Trailer | Netflix

YouTube video by Netflix

youtu.be

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Sep 15

Tonight in "Are You Fucking Kidding Me With This? This Is 'Analysis'? Jesus Christ I Feel Like I'm Taking Crazy Pills":

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Sep 1

The living proof of how much less fun Bluesky is than Threads is that right now Threads is awash in people having wholly unsubstantiated fun with rumors that Trump is dead while over here all we seem to want to talk about are things that are, I don't know, "real" or something.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 29

You hesitate to judge, but maybe mastering a thing which has two non-moving parts (treads and side rails) is a reasonable prerequisite for being allowed to operate a 200mph death machine.

Los Angeles Times @latimes.com · Aug 29

Frankie Muniz of 'Malcom in the Middle' fame drops out of NASCAR race after falling off ladder

Frankie Muniz — the 'Malcom in the Middle' star turned NASCAR driver — is off the racetrack, for now at least.

www.latimes.com

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 29

"What to know"? Honey, I'm pretty sure I already know what I need to know about this. #ServiceJournalism

The New York Times @nytimes.com · Aug 29

President Trump has terminated former Vice President Kamala Harris’s Secret Service protection, according to a letter obtained by The New York Times. The end of Harris’s protection will go into effect less than a month before she embarks on a nationwide book tour. Here is what to know.

What to Know About Secret Service Protection for Former Vice Presidents

The Secret Service usually protects a former vice president for six months after they leave office.

nyti.ms

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 29

Well, look at it this way: You have very bit as much power to make this happen as Chuck does. So why not you, is what I'm saying.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 28

Master negotiator Jerry Jones has done it again. Just a sterling piece of strategy, flawlessly executed. Note: I am an insane person.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 27

Downloading!

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 22

YES JOHN BUT CRACKER BARREL

Reposted by Bill Barol

Megan Piontkowski illustration @meganpiont.bsky.social · Aug 18

"How to Report ICE" zine editions now available for free printable download:

NYC
Philly
Durham, NC
Pittsburgh, PA
All of Massachusetts
Northern California from Humboldt to Monterey Counties!

More to come! Please share widely.

drive.google.com/drive/folder...

hand holding a small black and white zine with a hand lettered cover that reads "How to report ICE and keep our neighbors safe" Sacramento Edition.

Hand holding open zine. Page reads S Size of group, A Actions/activity, L Location, U Uniforms, T Time/Date, E Equipment/weapons

Black and white ink and watercolor illustration of an eye looking down on a melting ice cube.

14 280 370

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 18

DT phone home.

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · Aug 18

Trump said he would speak to Putin after his meetings with European leaders today. “He is expecting my call when we’re finished with this meeting,” he said

Follow for live updates ⬇️

Zelensky meets Trump at the White House — live

www.thetimes.com

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 18

It wasn't his final role, but in my mind Terence Stamp drew a line under a great career with "The Limey." It's one of those performances that seems to sum up everything an actor has ever learned. It was quiet and devastating and absolutely a knockout.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 17

I'm not sure somebody who writes a Substack (as I do) can afford to be sniffy about people who produce podcasts (as I do).

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 17

TIL that it's possible to fatally betray your country's principles, allies and strategic partners in a single afternoon. But, to be fair, you do have to travel to Alaska to do it.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 15

This was a fabulous watch, and it's nice to see a couple of hugely wealthy guys who seem like decent people who want to do something with their dough that doesn't involve ending democracy. (BTW, my wife and I ate at the old CB in its last months and didn't know how close we came to literally dying.)

¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!

YouTube video by MTV Documentary Films

youtu.be

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 14

Just rewatched "The Good Place," a miracle of a show, and only one of the reasons why it was miraculous is that it was BOTH a continuing examination of ethics and morals, and also the home for the most fart jokes in all of sitcom history. I'm not kidding. I admire it so very much.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 11

One thing I know is, when a strongman leader orders federal troops into the streets of the capital, it’s a look that screams “NOTHING TO SEE HERE. JUST A NORMAL FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY. MOVE IT ALONG (or these recently mobilized and heavily armed federal troops will apply a taser to your genitals).”

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 8

"I'm a clown! I can't afford to look ridiculous!"

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 8

Every single time I think this fucking timeline can't get worse/stupider... Every time.

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 7

"deeply personal pizza"
is that anything

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 5

heeeeey women pilots amirite

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 4

The day I tried to get in to the one at Logan there was a long line and they were taking people's numbers to text them when, I guess, they could be admitted without violating fire laws. Thanx, Chase Sapphire card!

Bill Barol @billbarol.bsky.social · Aug 2

I really dislike it when people try to mine a sociocultural generalization out of "people who shower in the morning vs. people who shower at night." For example, I happen to shower in the morning, but it's only because my sheets are made of thinly-sliced onions.