Carolyn Fiddler
@cfidd.bsky.social
Comic book lover, oenophile, Virginian. Obsessed with/nation's foremost expert on state politics. carolyncfiddler at gmail dot com. she/her
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
Good day to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
Trump’s 'Peace' Plan Means More War
Myroslava voices Ukraine’s fear that the new US peace plan resembles capitulation. Despite fatigue and losses, the Counteroffensive team believes a just peace is possible only on Ukrainian terms.
www.counteroffensive.news
November 21, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Good day to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
For the last few months, we've been talking to current and former employees of OpenAI to understand what went wrong with ChatGPT this year and how the company is fixing it. Here's the story: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/t...
What OpenAI Did When ChatGPT Users Lost Touch With Reality
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM
For the last few months, we've been talking to current and former employees of OpenAI to understand what went wrong with ChatGPT this year and how the company is fixing it. Here's the story: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/t...
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
The Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act would reverberate far beyond Congress.
It would effectively end democracy for many local govts in the South & even other regions.
At the state level, white Republicans could gerrymander legislative supermajorities in LA, MS, SC, & maybe even GA or TX
It would effectively end democracy for many local govts in the South & even other regions.
At the state level, white Republicans could gerrymander legislative supermajorities in LA, MS, SC, & maybe even GA or TX
NEW: You've heard SCOTUS could soon upend the balance in power in Congress by gutting the VRA. But that'd also be a huge blow to Black voting power in *local* governments.
In west Tennessee, Black residents just won a new county map this year—but those gains now look very fragile.
Great reporting:
In west Tennessee, Black residents just won a new county map this year—but those gains now look very fragile.
Great reporting:
Black Residents in West Tennessee Just Won Fairer Districts. Now Comes SCOTUS. - Bolts
The Supreme Court may further erode the Voting Rights Act in an upcoming decision. Beyond affecting Congress, that would reverberate across local governments nationwide.
boltsmag.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act would reverberate far beyond Congress.
It would effectively end democracy for many local govts in the South & even other regions.
At the state level, white Republicans could gerrymander legislative supermajorities in LA, MS, SC, & maybe even GA or TX
It would effectively end democracy for many local govts in the South & even other regions.
At the state level, white Republicans could gerrymander legislative supermajorities in LA, MS, SC, & maybe even GA or TX
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
There is a post circulating on Bluesky encouraging the moving of a frozen turkey straight into a pot of hot oil. We are combating this misinformation the best way we know how - through the power of dance music.
November 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
There is a post circulating on Bluesky encouraging the moving of a frozen turkey straight into a pot of hot oil. We are combating this misinformation the best way we know how - through the power of dance music.
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
In the end, the only Federal Agency Elon Musk managed to eliminate was DOGE.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
In the end, the only Federal Agency Elon Musk managed to eliminate was DOGE.
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
In Rhode Island, ICE arrested an intern who worked for a court, and then a judge intervened to say they had the wrong person.
All leading to a scene where ICE agents surrounded the judge's car and "threatening to smash in the windows if they did not comply." www.wfla.com/news/judge-i...
All leading to a scene where ICE agents surrounded the judge's car and "threatening to smash in the windows if they did not comply." www.wfla.com/news/judge-i...
November 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
In Rhode Island, ICE arrested an intern who worked for a court, and then a judge intervened to say they had the wrong person.
All leading to a scene where ICE agents surrounded the judge's car and "threatening to smash in the windows if they did not comply." www.wfla.com/news/judge-i...
All leading to a scene where ICE agents surrounded the judge's car and "threatening to smash in the windows if they did not comply." www.wfla.com/news/judge-i...
Groceries: Old-fashioned but accurate
Trump on Mamdani: "We had some interesting conversation and some of his ideas are really the same ideas that I have. But a big thing on cost. The new word is 'affordability.' Another word is just 'groceries.' It's sort of an old fashioned word but it's very accurate."
November 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Groceries: Old-fashioned but accurate
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
Tell me you have never read Hunter S. Thompson without telling me you have never read Hunter S. Thompson.
November 21, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Tell me you have never read Hunter S. Thompson without telling me you have never read Hunter S. Thompson.
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
NEW: Pro-democracy organizers filed a new lawsuit Thursday accusing Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) of using wildly deceptive ballot language to tilt a referendum in favor of the GOP’s mid-decade gerrymander. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Missouri Organizers Challenge GOP’s ‘Inaccurate and Biased’ Gerrymander Referendum Language
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:19 PM
NEW: Pro-democracy organizers filed a new lawsuit Thursday accusing Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) of using wildly deceptive ballot language to tilt a referendum in favor of the GOP’s mid-decade gerrymander. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
this is the correct way to react to anything the president says-
November 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
this is the correct way to react to anything the president says-
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
it just seems plainly clear to me that if you serve the country in any capacity, civil or military, and you are not a conservative white man, the Trump administration wants to make the workplace as hostile an environment as possible so you remove yourself
November 20, 2025 at 11:42 PM
it just seems plainly clear to me that if you serve the country in any capacity, civil or military, and you are not a conservative white man, the Trump administration wants to make the workplace as hostile an environment as possible so you remove yourself
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
The president of the United States, when asked about his documented friendship with a convicted sex offender, replied, “Quiet, piggy.”
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
Heidi Stevens: After Trump’s ‘Quiet, piggy’ moment, we’re done asking why survivors don’t come forward, right?
If we’re going to become a nation that truly protects children and women, we have to stop giving a pass to sexual abusers, writes Heidi Stevens.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:11 PM
The president of the United States, when asked about his documented friendship with a convicted sex offender, replied, “Quiet, piggy.”
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
We’re done asking why sexual assault survivors don’t come forward, right?
My column.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/19/h...
Okay but first you button your own damn shirt and respect your own agency by bothering to put on a tie, Duffman
Trump's Transportation Secretary on how to improve air travel:
"People dress up like they're going to bed when they fly... We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up"
"People dress up like they're going to bed when they fly... We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up"
November 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Okay but first you button your own damn shirt and respect your own agency by bothering to put on a tie, Duffman
Thursday
November 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Thursday
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
November 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
RFK Jr had committed to Bill Cassidy, as a condition to win his vote, that he would keep website language.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Cassidy in February: “If confirmed… CDC will not remove statements on their website pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.”
Note the language in second photo.
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
New way of saying a thing is unlawful just dropped
President Trump's efforts to send National Guard troops to U.S. cities have been repeatedly met with resistance in the courts — most recently, in Tennessee. n.pr/3LLFeoq
Trump's National Guard deployments face mounting legal pushback
President Trump's efforts to send National Guard troops to U.S. cities have been repeatedly met with resistance in the courts — most recently, in Tennessee.
n.pr
November 20, 2025 at 3:03 AM
New way of saying a thing is unlawful just dropped
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
My copy of the Constitution appears to be missing the part of Article II that allows the president to “preempt state legislation” by imperial decree.
More
The WH is considering an executive order preempting state legislation on AI if the moratorium does not pass in the NDAA, according to a person familiar with the matter. However, a WH official said until such an order is announced, "discussion about potential executive orders is speculation."
The WH is considering an executive order preempting state legislation on AI if the moratorium does not pass in the NDAA, according to a person familiar with the matter. However, a WH official said until such an order is announced, "discussion about potential executive orders is speculation."
News: Democrats seeking to block Trump’s state AI moratorium from NDAA. Top SASC Dem Reed says he “absolutely” wants to keep it out but it might be kicked up to leadership negotiation
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
www.semafor.com/article/11/1...
November 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
My copy of the Constitution appears to be missing the part of Article II that allows the president to “preempt state legislation” by imperial decree.
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
The agricultural industry is feeling the strain from President Trump’s immigration crackdown, and Republican lawmakers are hearing about it back home.
https://www.notus.org/immigration/farmers-trump-mass-deportation-congress-fix
https://www.notus.org/immigration/farmers-trump-mass-deportation-congress-fix
Farmers Are Feeling the Squeeze From Trump's Mass Deportations. Congress Isn't Close to a Fix.
House Republicans say they are in the early stages of policy discussions as farmers raise concerns about labor shortages.
www.notus.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The agricultural industry is feeling the strain from President Trump’s immigration crackdown, and Republican lawmakers are hearing about it back home.
https://www.notus.org/immigration/farmers-trump-mass-deportation-congress-fix
https://www.notus.org/immigration/farmers-trump-mass-deportation-congress-fix
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
a movie so sharp and funny that it basically killed the musical biopic for a decade
Coming soon to 4K UHD
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) 4K UHD
MORE INFO TBA
#WalkHard #walkhardthedeweycoxstory #JohnCReilly #JakeKasdan #Bluray #physicalmedia
#FilmCommunity #Bluray #4K #4KBluray #4KUltraHD
#DVD #VHS #physicalmedia #physicalmediaforever #bluraycollector #FilmSky
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) 4K UHD
MORE INFO TBA
#WalkHard #walkhardthedeweycoxstory #JohnCReilly #JakeKasdan #Bluray #physicalmedia
#FilmCommunity #Bluray #4K #4KBluray #4KUltraHD
#DVD #VHS #physicalmedia #physicalmediaforever #bluraycollector #FilmSky
November 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
a movie so sharp and funny that it basically killed the musical biopic for a decade
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
Moral rot in elite journalism is killing the whole field
The Nuzzi/RFK Jr. mess and the revelation of Esptein's journo pals lay bare a profound moral absence at the heart of our free press.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
I think we found one of those "bad hombres"
ICE employee among 16 men arrested in Minnesota for soliciting sex from a minor
ICE employee among 16 men arrested in Bloomington sex trafficking sting, police say
According to Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, officers started the three-day sting on Nov. 5. They used several methods to find people who were attempting to solicit a 17-year-old girl for sex.
www.cbsnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:32 AM
I think we found one of those "bad hombres"
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
State supreme courts are still overwhelmingly white & male
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
State Supreme Court Diversity - November 2025 Update
Many state supreme courts lack diversity in terms of their justices’ race, ethnicity, gender, and professional background.
www.brennancenter.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
State supreme courts are still overwhelmingly white & male
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
Reposted by Carolyn Fiddler
With Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Jay Jones set to take office as governor and attorney general, the Supreme Court's decision effectively ends the appeal, leaving the appointments to the new
VA Supreme Court lets injunction stand, blocking Youngkin college board picks
With Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Jay Jones set to take office as governor and attorney general, the Supreme Court's decision effectively ends the appeal, leaving the appointments to the new
richmond.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
With Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Jay Jones set to take office as governor and attorney general, the Supreme Court's decision effectively ends the appeal, leaving the appointments to the new