C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
@clpauwels.bsky.social
Writer, student, seeker of truth. "A conscientious objector to America's current culture" ~ unkn source - https://clpauwels.com/ Random DMs=BLOCK
TIL - good info!
For those who don't know what "detach quote" is or how to use it, it's described here:
bsky.social/about/blog/0...
bsky.social/about/blog/0...
New Anti-Toxicity Features on Bluesky - Bluesky
Trust and Safety (T&S) affects everything — from community policy and spam detection, all the way to the order that replies show up on a post. At Bluesky, the product team works hand-in-hand with T&S ...
bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 5:31 PM
TIL - good info!
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
As an addendum, after a whole day of this article being online (i.e., more than enough time for "AI" which can check the Web to be able to find it), here is Gemini once again getting the answer wrong, and fabricating a quote:
December 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
As an addendum, after a whole day of this article being online (i.e., more than enough time for "AI" which can check the Web to be able to find it), here is Gemini once again getting the answer wrong, and fabricating a quote:
"I ask 'AI' things about me all the time, because I know what the actual answer is, and 'AI' will consistently and confidently get those things wrong. If I can’t trust it to get right the things I know, I cannot trust it to get right the things I do not know."
Today in "Don't Trust AI to Tell You Facts": How several different "AI" programs messed up the simple fact of to whom I dedicated a book, and what that means for how much you should trust "AI" to tell you the truth about things (spoiler: not much at all):
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
“AI”: A Dedicated Fact-Failing Machine, or, Yet Another Reason Not to Trust It For Anything
I search my name on a regular basis, not only because I am an ego monster (although I try not to pretend that I’m not) but because it’s a good way for me to find reviews, end-of-the-yea…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
"I ask 'AI' things about me all the time, because I know what the actual answer is, and 'AI' will consistently and confidently get those things wrong. If I can’t trust it to get right the things I know, I cannot trust it to get right the things I do not know."
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Republican congressman 👇🏽
December 15, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Republican congressman 👇🏽
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Judge Dugan, the Wisconsin judge the Trump administration is attempting to prosecute for obstructing the arrest of a noncitizen is on trial this week. All the background you need to understand the case here. joycevance.substack.com/p/the-week-a...
December 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Judge Dugan, the Wisconsin judge the Trump administration is attempting to prosecute for obstructing the arrest of a noncitizen is on trial this week. All the background you need to understand the case here. joycevance.substack.com/p/the-week-a...
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
PRO PUBLICA on the Trump regime insidiously using antisemitism claims to crack down on universities:
“Trump’s DOJ threatened UCLA with discrimination lawsuits, demanded $1 billion+ in fines, pressed for changes that had nothing to do with antisemitism.”
www.propublica.org/article/ucla...
“Trump’s DOJ threatened UCLA with discrimination lawsuits, demanded $1 billion+ in fines, pressed for changes that had nothing to do with antisemitism.”
www.propublica.org/article/ucla...
December 15, 2025 at 4:40 PM
PRO PUBLICA on the Trump regime insidiously using antisemitism claims to crack down on universities:
“Trump’s DOJ threatened UCLA with discrimination lawsuits, demanded $1 billion+ in fines, pressed for changes that had nothing to do with antisemitism.”
www.propublica.org/article/ucla...
“Trump’s DOJ threatened UCLA with discrimination lawsuits, demanded $1 billion+ in fines, pressed for changes that had nothing to do with antisemitism.”
www.propublica.org/article/ucla...
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Another big reason to worry about Bari Weiss’ tenure at CBS News
Another big reason to worry about Bari Weiss’ tenure at CBS News
Right now, a potential peril is at hand: the end of truth.
www.motherjones.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Another big reason to worry about Bari Weiss’ tenure at CBS News
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
NEW JERSEY — bonkers… the husband of an ICE agent uses her marked car to pretend to be Homeland Security and respond to a call HE MADE HIMSELF… with a gun and sirens and everything.
December 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM
NEW JERSEY — bonkers… the husband of an ICE agent uses her marked car to pretend to be Homeland Security and respond to a call HE MADE HIMSELF… with a gun and sirens and everything.
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
A former LA County district attorney who was put on administrative leave in 2022 after he based a prosecution around tips from a right-wing group that has promoted election fraud conspiracy theories is now the top voting rights official at the Justice Department.
Scoop: New Justice Department voting rights chief had prior job suspension for ties to election deniers
California prosecutor Eric Neff relied on a right-wing group's intel to bring charges. Now, he's apparently in charge of voting rights at the DOJ.
www.motherjones.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A former LA County district attorney who was put on administrative leave in 2022 after he based a prosecution around tips from a right-wing group that has promoted election fraud conspiracy theories is now the top voting rights official at the Justice Department.
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
May Ahmed al-Ahmed fully recover from his injuries. In this wave after wave of heartbreaking, terrifying news, his bravery is a beacon of hope.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘It was a matter of conscience’: Ahmed al-Ahmed’s family reveal why he risked his life to disarm alleged Bondi shooter
Family say al-Ahmed ‘doesn’t discriminate’ and would have done anything to save lives during the attack
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
May Ahmed al-Ahmed fully recover from his injuries. In this wave after wave of heartbreaking, terrifying news, his bravery is a beacon of hope.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
His memory and his work will live on.
RIP, Rob - and thank you ❤️
RIP, Rob - and thank you ❤️
"The most important thing is that you be a good person and you live by the golden rule of do unto others. If you live by that, that's all I care about." ~ Rob Reiner
December 15, 2025 at 2:25 PM
His memory and his work will live on.
RIP, Rob - and thank you ❤️
RIP, Rob - and thank you ❤️
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
And just for bonus fun, you'll adore the Littlest Yak by the multitalented Lu Fraser! I mean, look at her face. #pb #picturebook #kidlit
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little...
The Littlest Yak (B&N Exclusive Edition)|BN Exclusive
This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition includes a festive foiled cover and collectible art print.A little yak yearns for BIG things in this rollicking, rhyming picture book that celebrates individualit...
www.barnesandnoble.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:16 PM
And just for bonus fun, you'll adore the Littlest Yak by the multitalented Lu Fraser! I mean, look at her face. #pb #picturebook #kidlit
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-little...
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's son was pulled over by ICE and forced to prove he is an American.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
December 15, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's son was pulled over by ICE and forced to prove he is an American.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
Two options:
1) ICE deliberately targeted him.
2) ICE is stopping all non-White people without any probable cause and forcing them to prove they are citizens.
Hard to say which option is scarier.
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
The current reports are vague but the reported ages match for him and his wife. Fuck.
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
Two Found Dead at Rob Reiner’s Brentwood House
Two bodies were found in the Brentwood home of 'The Princess Bride' and 'A Few Good Men' director Rob Reiner.
variety.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:25 AM
The current reports are vague but the reported ages match for him and his wife. Fuck.
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
We often say “Touch Grass” but for real, everyone is well-served by touching grass. It’s easy to see how many of our worst and most toxic personalities online and in culture and in politics were terminally online people poisoned by the septic pools they filled for themselves.
If you're wondering what happened to Nate Silver, he was into the COVID lab leak theory and got negative feedback online, including from epidemiologists and virologists and (GASP!) posters, which added to his belief that The Woke are victimizing Nate Silver. It spiraled from there.
I'm not kidding.
I'm not kidding.
what the fuck are you talking about man
December 14, 2025 at 1:40 PM
We often say “Touch Grass” but for real, everyone is well-served by touching grass. It’s easy to see how many of our worst and most toxic personalities online and in culture and in politics were terminally online people poisoned by the septic pools they filled for themselves.
As a first-gen Master's degree holder, with a first-gen law school grad for a son (he beat me to graduation, too), I couldn't agree more.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
In Praise of Being First-Gen (opinion)
We should not retire the label; we should reclaim and revere it.
www.insidehighered.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:31 PM
As a first-gen Master's degree holder, with a first-gen law school grad for a son (he beat me to graduation, too), I couldn't agree more.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
This should be a much bigger scandal than it is:
"‘It’s surreal’: US sanctions lock Intl Criminal Court judge out of daily life. Canadian judge Kimberly Prost is unable to use credit cards or access everyday services (Uber, Alexa, Ticketmaster...) in what she calls an attack on the independence of the judiciary." www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘It’s surreal’: US sanctions lock International Criminal Court judge out of daily life
Canadian judge Kimberly Prost is unable to use credit cards, transfer money or book everyday services in what she calls an attack on the independence of the judiciary
www.irishtimes.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This should be a much bigger scandal than it is:
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Handschuhschneeballwerfer [HAND-shoo-SHNAY-bahl-VER-fer]
(n.)
- One who wears gloves to throw snowballs; a coward; someone who criticizes from a safe distance.
- One lacking the courage to endure dangerous or unpleasant things.
(n.)
- One who wears gloves to throw snowballs; a coward; someone who criticizes from a safe distance.
- One lacking the courage to endure dangerous or unpleasant things.
December 14, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Handschuhschneeballwerfer [HAND-shoo-SHNAY-bahl-VER-fer]
(n.)
- One who wears gloves to throw snowballs; a coward; someone who criticizes from a safe distance.
- One lacking the courage to endure dangerous or unpleasant things.
(n.)
- One who wears gloves to throw snowballs; a coward; someone who criticizes from a safe distance.
- One lacking the courage to endure dangerous or unpleasant things.
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
"The virus can lead to brain swelling, which can cause lasting damage, including blindness, deafness and intellectual disabilities..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/w...
December 14, 2025 at 5:14 AM
"The virus can lead to brain swelling, which can cause lasting damage, including blindness, deafness and intellectual disabilities..."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/w...
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Fact-check: true
December 14, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Fact-check: true
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
Watch attempts to use the horrific mass shooting in Australia as “proof” that gun safety laws don’t work
Bondi is Australia’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 years
Brown is USA’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 days
And the 15th deadly & 389th overall mass shooting of 2025
There is no comparison
Bondi is Australia’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 years
Brown is USA’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 days
And the 15th deadly & 389th overall mass shooting of 2025
There is no comparison
December 14, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Watch attempts to use the horrific mass shooting in Australia as “proof” that gun safety laws don’t work
Bondi is Australia’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 years
Brown is USA’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 days
And the 15th deadly & 389th overall mass shooting of 2025
There is no comparison
Bondi is Australia’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 years
Brown is USA’s first deadly mass shooting in 3 days
And the 15th deadly & 389th overall mass shooting of 2025
There is no comparison
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
OK then, what was the action? What has the Trump admin done? What proposals have they made? They have only ever offered “thoughts and prayers” on social media. Nothing else.
December 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
OK then, what was the action? What has the Trump admin done? What proposals have they made? They have only ever offered “thoughts and prayers” on social media. Nothing else.
Reposted by C.L. (Cyndi) Pauwels
The A.I. oligarch takeover of 🇺🇸 continues:
“Google paid state lawmakers upwards of $2,000 as “gifts” to cover their attendance at a secret all-inclusive summit with “educational” sessions extolling the benefits of A.I. & other issues they’ll vote on…” jacobin.com/2025/12/goog...
“Google paid state lawmakers upwards of $2,000 as “gifts” to cover their attendance at a secret all-inclusive summit with “educational” sessions extolling the benefits of A.I. & other issues they’ll vote on…” jacobin.com/2025/12/goog...
December 14, 2025 at 12:52 PM
The A.I. oligarch takeover of 🇺🇸 continues:
“Google paid state lawmakers upwards of $2,000 as “gifts” to cover their attendance at a secret all-inclusive summit with “educational” sessions extolling the benefits of A.I. & other issues they’ll vote on…” jacobin.com/2025/12/goog...
“Google paid state lawmakers upwards of $2,000 as “gifts” to cover their attendance at a secret all-inclusive summit with “educational” sessions extolling the benefits of A.I. & other issues they’ll vote on…” jacobin.com/2025/12/goog...