Bret McCabe
@bretmcbret.bsky.social
Goddess Arika Casebolt's husband. Arts writer, Tejano, giggler. Pro science, #BLM, immigrants, public schools, unions, taxing the rich, 🏳️⚧️, pets, nachos.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Opinion | Obama Supported It. The Left in Canada and Norway Does. Why Don’t Democrats?
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Congratulations to everyone who wrote an op-ed about how he just wants americans to eat better
BREAKING: RFKJr directs that the US instantly stop recommending all vaccinations for children. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Under RFK Jr., U.S. plans to stop recommending most vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Congratulations to everyone who wrote an op-ed about how he just wants americans to eat better
Reposted by Bret McCabe
congressional dems in 2026 and dem president in 2028 need a plan to spend this capital as fast as possible
"Who do you trust more to handle..."
Environment - 🔵D +31
Healthcare - 🔵D +24
Economic Inequality - 🔵D +22
Education - 🔵D +18
Trade/Tariffs - 🔵D +17
Jobs - 🔵D +13
Inflation/Cost of Living - 🔵D +12
Foreign - 🔵D +12
Taxes - 🔵D +10
Immigration - 🔵D +7
Crime - 🔴 R +1
AtlasIntel / December 19, 2025
Environment - 🔵D +31
Healthcare - 🔵D +24
Economic Inequality - 🔵D +22
Education - 🔵D +18
Trade/Tariffs - 🔵D +17
Jobs - 🔵D +13
Inflation/Cost of Living - 🔵D +12
Foreign - 🔵D +12
Taxes - 🔵D +10
Immigration - 🔵D +7
Crime - 🔴 R +1
AtlasIntel / December 19, 2025
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
congressional dems in 2026 and dem president in 2028 need a plan to spend this capital as fast as possible
Reposted by Bret McCabe
“Today’s rushed appointment of Scott Beardsley as University of Virginia president by UVA’s Board of Visitors, with little meaningful faculty input, is an affront to the entire UVA community in a time of crisis.”
— joint statement from
@proftwolf.bsky.social & @rweingarten.bsky.social
— joint statement from
@proftwolf.bsky.social & @rweingarten.bsky.social
Rushed UVA Presidential Appointment an Affront
Rather than heeding calls to pause the search until a fair and transparent process can be initiated, the board regrettably chose to push through an appointment without a duly constituted membership. T...
www.aaup.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:57 PM
“Today’s rushed appointment of Scott Beardsley as University of Virginia president by UVA’s Board of Visitors, with little meaningful faculty input, is an affront to the entire UVA community in a time of crisis.”
— joint statement from
@proftwolf.bsky.social & @rweingarten.bsky.social
— joint statement from
@proftwolf.bsky.social & @rweingarten.bsky.social
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Even if age verification laws require data deletion, you have to trust every website and third-party verifier will actually do it. That's a lot of faith to place in companies with spotty track records—and a risk that doesn't exist when a bartender just glances at your ID. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Why Isn’t Online Age Verification Just Like Showing Your ID In Person?
This blog also appears in our Age Verification Resource Hub: our one-stop shop for users seeking to understand what age-gating laws actually do, what’s at stake, how to protect yourself, and why EFF
www.eff.org
December 19, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Even if age verification laws require data deletion, you have to trust every website and third-party verifier will actually do it. That's a lot of faith to place in companies with spotty track records—and a risk that doesn't exist when a bartender just glances at your ID. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Once in a while you win one.
“The board determined, after careful review, that Sinclair’s offer was not in the best interests of Scripps and our shareholders as well as our employees and the many communities and audiences we serve in the United States."
coloradomedia.substack.com/p/colorado-t...
“The board determined, after careful review, that Sinclair’s offer was not in the best interests of Scripps and our shareholders as well as our employees and the many communities and audiences we serve in the United States."
coloradomedia.substack.com/p/colorado-t...
Colorado TV news owner slaps down bid by conservative Sinclair broadcast giant
The news behind the news in Colorado
coloradomedia.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Once in a while you win one.
“The board determined, after careful review, that Sinclair’s offer was not in the best interests of Scripps and our shareholders as well as our employees and the many communities and audiences we serve in the United States."
coloradomedia.substack.com/p/colorado-t...
“The board determined, after careful review, that Sinclair’s offer was not in the best interests of Scripps and our shareholders as well as our employees and the many communities and audiences we serve in the United States."
coloradomedia.substack.com/p/colorado-t...
Reposted by Bret McCabe
So in reality, my baked Mac is saving lives.
December 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
So in reality, my baked Mac is saving lives.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
I don’t want to risk being inflammatory or hyperbolic, so I’ll refrain from comparing this to a railway platform at Birkenau or Treblinka. But it’s certainly what they did to the victims at Dachau.
🧊✈️ NOW: Each of these white bags holds all of the personal effects of a person captured by ICE.
The plane is an Avelo 737 flying for ICE, loading at Boeing Field in Seattle 👀
The plane is an Avelo 737 flying for ICE, loading at Boeing Field in Seattle 👀
December 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I don’t want to risk being inflammatory or hyperbolic, so I’ll refrain from comparing this to a railway platform at Birkenau or Treblinka. But it’s certainly what they did to the victims at Dachau.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Noem is using the Brown University shooter to end an entire visa program, but it should be noted that Pete Hegseth, just today, murdered more than twice as many people
December 19, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Noem is using the Brown University shooter to end an entire visa program, but it should be noted that Pete Hegseth, just today, murdered more than twice as many people
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Remember how I said I have it written into my foreign-language contracts that my work has to be translated by an actual human? This shit is why.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
French publishing house Harlequin decided to use AI translation instead of human translations.
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
December 18, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Remember how I said I have it written into my foreign-language contracts that my work has to be translated by an actual human? This shit is why.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Those book translations are gonna suck. They'll save money putting out books that are going to be painful to read. That's not a great long-term strategy.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
That any Democrat ever voted for any of Trump's nominees is a massive failure of responsibility and courage. That they're still doing it is inexplicably stupid.
16 Democratic senators joined Republicans in confirming a close ally of Elon Musk as head of NASA:
Baldwin
Cantwell
Durbin
Fetterman
Gallego
Gillibrand
Hassan
Heinrich
Kaine
Kelly
Kim
King
Schiff
Shaheen
Slotkin
Warner
Baldwin
Cantwell
Durbin
Fetterman
Gallego
Gillibrand
Hassan
Heinrich
Kaine
Kelly
Kim
King
Schiff
Shaheen
Slotkin
Warner
December 19, 2025 at 5:05 AM
That any Democrat ever voted for any of Trump's nominees is a massive failure of responsibility and courage. That they're still doing it is inexplicably stupid.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
I knew the Reiner family tragedy would lead people to say some fucked up things about people living with addiction, but it's still hard to see that stuff. If you've lived with an addiction or loved someone who does or has, you know cruel generalizations don't help anyone or anything.
December 19, 2025 at 4:31 AM
I knew the Reiner family tragedy would lead people to say some fucked up things about people living with addiction, but it's still hard to see that stuff. If you've lived with an addiction or loved someone who does or has, you know cruel generalizations don't help anyone or anything.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Let me be crystal fuckin clear, this how young trans people get hurt because I use to use Ace bandages and wraps, they are damaging to tissue and can damage skin too. But I forgot, fuck us trans people right? We don't exist to you in your facist world. Leave our binders alone you freaks.
The federal fucking government is trying to stop companies from selling products that allow people to make their breasts less prominent.
There is no freedom of expression, no freedom of gender nonconformity, no bodily autonomy for any of us if they win.
There is no freedom of expression, no freedom of gender nonconformity, no bodily autonomy for any of us if they win.
December 19, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Let me be crystal fuckin clear, this how young trans people get hurt because I use to use Ace bandages and wraps, they are damaging to tissue and can damage skin too. But I forgot, fuck us trans people right? We don't exist to you in your facist world. Leave our binders alone you freaks.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
It didn't get enough attention that Susie Wiles said she had read materials protected by grand jury secrecy and other protective orders.
![Wiles told me she’d read what she calls “the Epstein file.” And, she said, “[Trump] is in the file. And we know he’s in the file. And he’s not in the file doing anything awful.” Wiles said that Trump “was on [Epstein’s] plane…he’s on the manifest. They were, you know, sort of young, single, whatever—I know it’s a passé word but sort of young, single playboys together.” (Trump started dating Melania Knauss, whom he married in 2005, sometime in 1998. Virginia Giuffre, Epstein’s most prominent accuser, who died by suicide earlier this year, first met Epstein while she was a Mar-a-Lago spa worker in 2000. Trump and Epstein reportedly had a falling out in 2004.)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bbp2b224lro3bfnzcqwwnkfo/bafkreicrr4rb4hqynyivvjewudmis2jiuzqt2gruaed3bgum7lklkpkeja@jpeg)
December 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
It didn't get enough attention that Susie Wiles said she had read materials protected by grand jury secrecy and other protective orders.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
needle in a haystack but:
recommendations for specific episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show from the 1950s that exemplify its variety, for teaching purposes ??
recommendations for specific episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show from the 1950s that exemplify its variety, for teaching purposes ??
December 18, 2025 at 6:53 PM
needle in a haystack but:
recommendations for specific episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show from the 1950s that exemplify its variety, for teaching purposes ??
recommendations for specific episodes of The Ed Sullivan Show from the 1950s that exemplify its variety, for teaching purposes ??
Reposted by Bret McCabe
not clear to me that the board has the authority to do this as the center was authorized by Congress
Breaking news: The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has voted to rename the storied arts institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Kennedy Center board votes to rename ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’
Kennedy Center trustees, installed earlier this year by President Trump, have voted to rename the center after him, said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
not clear to me that the board has the authority to do this as the center was authorized by Congress
Reposted by Bret McCabe
It almost goes without saying, but this is illegal. The name "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" is established by law and the board doesn't have the power to change it. 20 USC 3 §§ 76h - 76s.
Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center —Karoline Leavitt x.com/PressSec/sta...
December 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It almost goes without saying, but this is illegal. The name "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" is established by law and the board doesn't have the power to change it. 20 USC 3 §§ 76h - 76s.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Today is opening day for Avatar Fire & Ash. Even if you go see this film, or enjoy the franchise, or James Cameron's other works, it doesn't mean that you can't also support, sign, and share this petition.
If you haven't yet, please consider reading our petition regarding Avatar Fire & Ash. We're asking that a portion of proceeds go toward helping fund Indigenous futurist art projects. Go here to read, sign, and share:
c.org/mNWjkxpYPv
#NativeSky #AvatarFireAndAsh #IndigenousFuturism
c.org/mNWjkxpYPv
#NativeSky #AvatarFireAndAsh #IndigenousFuturism
Share Profits from Avatar with Indigenous Artists
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
c.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Today is opening day for Avatar Fire & Ash. Even if you go see this film, or enjoy the franchise, or James Cameron's other works, it doesn't mean that you can't also support, sign, and share this petition.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
I love the fucking internet, part 972964386: "One Night In Bangkok" arranged and performed as a 16th century chanson. youtu.be/i3jHv0GZB9U?...
One Night in Bangkok but it's a 16th century chanson
YouTube video by Jonasquin
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
I love the fucking internet, part 972964386: "One Night In Bangkok" arranged and performed as a 16th century chanson. youtu.be/i3jHv0GZB9U?...
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Brilliant reading of a film that's on constantly this time of year
More and more are saying Christmas Vacation is a Marxist critique of capitalism badfaithtimes.com/christmas-va...
December 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Brilliant reading of a film that's on constantly this time of year
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Starbucks baristas are 35 days into their national ULP strike, and they' re only getting louder.
Starbucks must stop union busting and settle a fair union contract now.
No contract. No coffee. ✊🏽☕️ #NoContractNoCoffee
Starbucks must stop union busting and settle a fair union contract now.
No contract. No coffee. ✊🏽☕️ #NoContractNoCoffee
December 18, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Starbucks baristas are 35 days into their national ULP strike, and they' re only getting louder.
Starbucks must stop union busting and settle a fair union contract now.
No contract. No coffee. ✊🏽☕️ #NoContractNoCoffee
Starbucks must stop union busting and settle a fair union contract now.
No contract. No coffee. ✊🏽☕️ #NoContractNoCoffee
Reposted by Bret McCabe
Had the three Dems who voted for this held the line and voted no, they could have blocked it.
December 18, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Had the three Dems who voted for this held the line and voted no, they could have blocked it.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
cis people on the skyline are genuinely more distressed by karoline leavitt’s lip fillers than the fact that congress just said, “what we should do is put any doctor or pharmacist in prison who gives lifesaving medical care to this specific kind of child we find gross.”
Bluesky tonight is neatly divided between trans people and family members appropriately angry and freaking out and everyone else who has barely noticed.
December 18, 2025 at 12:56 AM
cis people on the skyline are genuinely more distressed by karoline leavitt’s lip fillers than the fact that congress just said, “what we should do is put any doctor or pharmacist in prison who gives lifesaving medical care to this specific kind of child we find gross.”
Reposted by Bret McCabe
What is above the banner in this screenshot says a lot about their priorities.
December 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
What is above the banner in this screenshot says a lot about their priorities.
Reposted by Bret McCabe
1/ At bargaining yesterday, @propublica.org management said that they should have 100% discretion to replace workers with AI and would not commit to labeling future AI-generated content.
December 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM
1/ At bargaining yesterday, @propublica.org management said that they should have 100% discretion to replace workers with AI and would not commit to labeling future AI-generated content.