Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · 23d

Some really good ones too, especially from Eze.

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Aug 2

This is spooking the markets and some quasirational Republican officeholders. Trump has basically demanded that the labor statistics be what he says they are, data be damned. We're flying blind, and that's never good.

1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jul 31

These tariffs are so obviously illegal I don't see how the courts can allow them to stand.

1 2

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jul 31

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

This is so wrong. Are Americans going to tolerate, even approve, of crap like this?

Immigration agents told a teenage US citizen: ‘You’ve got no rights.’ He secretly recorded his brutal arrest

Video from Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, 18, puts fresh scrutiny on the harsh tactics used to reach the Trump administration’s ambitious enforcement targets

www.theguardian.com

1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jul 26

More than a half century of careful, slow negotiations resulting in the GATT/WTO regime are screwed up in a couple months, at least temporarily. There will be a lot of disruptions, and they won't end until the toddler shambles off into the sunset, because he changes his mind daily.

1 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jul 17

The MAGA crowd is obsessed with sex, especially with minors. They pretend to care about the victims, but they just like to think about it.

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jul 17

Yes, the outright bribery and other forms of corruption are staggering. He's raking in tens of millions from crypto bros, Arab monarchies, and other special interests. He's extorting more from law firms and corporations (like Paramount) by misusing his power.

1 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 22

Iran will be wary of antagonizing other neighboring states. Iraq, Kuwait, etc. could consider ordering the US to leave their territory, for instance. Trump has no idea what he's started.

1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 22

It's a sad day when we have to look to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the voice of reason. But here we are.

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 22

Obama had closed off the nuclear option for Iran, but at Netanyahu's behest (and his own sense of inadequacy) DJT pulled out of that agreement. Obviously, peace and security were not high priorities for Israel or Trump's US. It's like Trump wants to help recruit jihadists.

1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 22

Now he's gone and done it. Supporting Israel's aggression was bad enough. But our pathetic President could not stand looking like less of a bully than Bibi, so he's gone to war without attempting to get authorization or even consulting Congress. We'll suffer the ramifications of this for decades.

2 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 17

We already greenlighted Israel's unprovoked attacks. We gave them all their equipment and munitions. We helped defend them against Iran's attempts to respond. Now our asshole President is definitely dragging us into another stupid Middle East war we have absolutely no reason to wage.

1 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 17

I think this is more of a PR thing, and they aren't going to go after the agricultural sector the way they were. He just couldn't stand people knowing he'd backed down. I guess we'll see. Hotels won't need as many workers thanks to the fewer visitors we're getting.

1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 17

There were always politicians on the take, but they usually did it under the table. Trump and his spawn and cronies openly use government to transfer money directly to themselves, use their influence to solicit massive bribes, and start "businesses" like the one in the story you're citing.

1 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 10

In Louisiana, they know from tarring and feathering.

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Jun 4

Trump has no clue about the situation (any situation, come to think of it) and he doesn't care. He's just saying stuff to make it sound as if he's in control.

1 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · May 20

It's good!

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Mar 31

Typical empty bravado. He'd be 82 if he lives that long, and he's increasingly divorced from reality. It's a distraction from the multiple screwups of his administration.

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Mar 14

The main problem is that in these standoffs, only the Republicans are willing to shoot the hostages. People we care about are going to be hurt worse by an extended shutdown, and why would you think the Rs would make concessions in a revised CR?

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Mar 14

We're helpless because we lost too many elections. If the CR is filibustered and there's a shutdown, what's the next step? The Repubs will sit back and let Trump/Musk decide who's an essential employee and who gets sent home, likely without pay this time. The blame game is secondary but relevant.

1 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Mar 6

The threats themselves cause damage. Manufacturers, farmers, service providers, everyone wants stability in conditions, not this crazy series of dumb threats. The markets don't like Trump's approach to trade and they don't trust him.

1 1

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Mar 1

He handled himself very well. Unfortunately, Trump has decided he's going to carry Putin's water. He's not concerned about the money; he could get all of it and more from the frozen Russian assets here. Trump is anxious to please Putin for some reason.

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Feb 21

Thanks. Nice overview. I learned a lot, I think.

charvakan @charvakan.bsky.social · Feb 18

Big teams should not have to play all their best players every game. Nwaneri can rotate with Saka and Odegaard, making all three better able to withstand the constant wear and tear. They'll all get plenty of minutes.

1

Reposted by charvakan

Eric Schmeltzer @ericschmeltzer.com · Feb 4

Here is the pre-RFK vaccination schedule for your kids. Please download it before he is confirmed and changes/deletes it.

Give it to your pediatrician and say this is the schedule you want your kids on.

Making this my pinned post.

90 3.5K 5.5K