David Kaufman
@davidkaufman.bsky.social
Reposted by David Kaufman
The spreadsheet on this clay tablet, which is almost 4,000 years old, is organised into columns for furrowed area, grain produced, land not sown, and the field’s name.
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving
February 11, 2026 at 4:42 PM
The spreadsheet on this clay tablet, which is almost 4,000 years old, is organised into columns for furrowed area, grain produced, land not sown, and the field’s name.
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving
The first field is called “Of the soldiers who stood in for their fathers”.
It’s ancient Excel, but I find that incredibly moving
Reposted by David Kaufman
Spitballing here, but maybe “Republicans abolished the police“ could be the attack angle. The goons in Call of Duty costumes are not policing. They are armying. Bring back Barney Fife. The actual military has to dress more like police to avoid getting confused with the fake military now.
I mean, sure, but that is a fundamentally different ask than "abolish ICE"
Hence my concern that this has a significant and increasing risk of becoming the next defund the police
Hence my concern that this has a significant and increasing risk of becoming the next defund the police
February 7, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Spitballing here, but maybe “Republicans abolished the police“ could be the attack angle. The goons in Call of Duty costumes are not policing. They are armying. Bring back Barney Fife. The actual military has to dress more like police to avoid getting confused with the fake military now.
It was a gentler time, I guess.
On this day in 1992, George H.W. Bush sent a memo to all White House staff about how fat his dog was
February 7, 2026 at 12:07 AM
It was a gentler time, I guess.
Canceling your Amazon Prime subscription is all well and good. But I begin to think that we need to make the case that patriotism means cancelling your AWS cloud computing contracts.
If Jeff Bezos could afford to spend $75 million on the Melania movie & $500 million for a yacht to sail off to his $55 million wedding to give his wife a $5 million ring, please don't tell me he needed to fire one-third of the Washington Post staff.
Democracy dies in oligarchy.
Democracy dies in oligarchy.
February 5, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Canceling your Amazon Prime subscription is all well and good. But I begin to think that we need to make the case that patriotism means cancelling your AWS cloud computing contracts.
If you're acting with even-handed integrity in law enforcement, is this supposed to happen? "Moments after federal officers fatally shot Alex Pretti, ... Customs and Border Protection officials texted Stephen Miller, ... who framed the government’s response."
Al Haig's fantasy come to life - Lawyers, Guns & Money
The worst person in the Trump administration, it is increasingly clear, is the de facto president: Moments after federal officers fatally shot Alex Pretti, his body still lying facedown on an icy Minn...
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:26 PM
If you're acting with even-handed integrity in law enforcement, is this supposed to happen? "Moments after federal officers fatally shot Alex Pretti, ... Customs and Border Protection officials texted Stephen Miller, ... who framed the government’s response."
Reposted by David Kaufman
For those unfamiliar, in On Violence, Arendt points out that the ability to dish out violence is often confused for power - the ability to get compliance without violence.
Successful governance relies almost entirely on power, because violence is expensive and limited.
Successful governance relies almost entirely on power, because violence is expensive and limited.
January 25, 2026 at 7:38 PM
For those unfamiliar, in On Violence, Arendt points out that the ability to dish out violence is often confused for power - the ability to get compliance without violence.
Successful governance relies almost entirely on power, because violence is expensive and limited.
Successful governance relies almost entirely on power, because violence is expensive and limited.
Reposted by David Kaufman
I have eaten
the gerrymanders
that were in
the state election board
and which
you were probably
saving
for the midterms
Forgive me
they were delicious
so risky
and so conservative
the gerrymanders
that were in
the state election board
and which
you were probably
saving
for the midterms
Forgive me
they were delicious
so risky
and so conservative
February 1, 2026 at 5:07 AM
I have eaten
the gerrymanders
that were in
the state election board
and which
you were probably
saving
for the midterms
Forgive me
they were delicious
so risky
and so conservative
the gerrymanders
that were in
the state election board
and which
you were probably
saving
for the midterms
Forgive me
they were delicious
so risky
and so conservative
Reposted by David Kaufman
Some thoughts:
1. The deadline for nominating a person or group for the Nobel Peace Prize is Feb. 1.
2. History professors are qualified nominators.
3. The people of Minnesota have been awe-inspiringly peaceful in the face of state violence.
4. He would be so mad.
1. The deadline for nominating a person or group for the Nobel Peace Prize is Feb. 1.
2. History professors are qualified nominators.
3. The people of Minnesota have been awe-inspiringly peaceful in the face of state violence.
4. He would be so mad.
Nomination and selection of Nobel Peace Prize laureates - NobelPrize.org
A nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize may be submitted by any person who meets the nomination criteria. A letter of invitation to submit is not required. The names of the nominees and other informati...
www.nobelprize.org
January 22, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Some thoughts:
1. The deadline for nominating a person or group for the Nobel Peace Prize is Feb. 1.
2. History professors are qualified nominators.
3. The people of Minnesota have been awe-inspiringly peaceful in the face of state violence.
4. He would be so mad.
1. The deadline for nominating a person or group for the Nobel Peace Prize is Feb. 1.
2. History professors are qualified nominators.
3. The people of Minnesota have been awe-inspiringly peaceful in the face of state violence.
4. He would be so mad.
Reposted by David Kaufman
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
January 27, 2026 at 12:22 AM
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
I lucked into an amazing performance lately in Quebec City by Alexis Chartrand (fiddle) and Nic Gareiss (who dances unbelievably musically).
Here's the best Nic video I've found.
Short 🧵continues with an Alexis and Nic video.
Here's the best Nic video I've found.
Short 🧵continues with an Alexis and Nic video.
Nic Gareiss & Allison de Groot - Last Chance
YouTube video by NicGareiss
youtu.be
January 25, 2026 at 9:34 PM
I lucked into an amazing performance lately in Quebec City by Alexis Chartrand (fiddle) and Nic Gareiss (who dances unbelievably musically).
Here's the best Nic video I've found.
Short 🧵continues with an Alexis and Nic video.
Here's the best Nic video I've found.
Short 🧵continues with an Alexis and Nic video.
Reposted by David Kaufman
“The federal government abducted a kid and used him as bait to try to lure out his parents, who are in the country legally, so they can be detained without charges and sent to Texas”
Think about how ridiculous that sounds to someone who hasn’t been paying attention. It sounds like I made it up!
Think about how ridiculous that sounds to someone who hasn’t been paying attention. It sounds like I made it up!
January 22, 2026 at 1:08 AM
“The federal government abducted a kid and used him as bait to try to lure out his parents, who are in the country legally, so they can be detained without charges and sent to Texas”
Think about how ridiculous that sounds to someone who hasn’t been paying attention. It sounds like I made it up!
Think about how ridiculous that sounds to someone who hasn’t been paying attention. It sounds like I made it up!
Reposted by David Kaufman
We have a finite amount of time to spend thinking while on this earth and I am very resentful of how much of it has been monopolized by the whims of a demented old real estate scumbag
January 20, 2026 at 3:15 AM
We have a finite amount of time to spend thinking while on this earth and I am very resentful of how much of it has been monopolized by the whims of a demented old real estate scumbag
He belongs in a padded room. He does not belong in a position of public trust and authority.
Not the sort of letter committed to paper by a well man. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
January 19, 2026 at 3:37 PM
He belongs in a padded room. He does not belong in a position of public trust and authority.
This book (about how people bond over the most horrifying adversities) struck me with great intensity last year. Now with the events in Minneapolis, I think America is speed-running the experience.
Tribe
We have a strong instinct to belong to small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding--"tribes." This tribal connection has been largely lost in mod...
www.twelvebooks.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
This book (about how people bond over the most horrifying adversities) struck me with great intensity last year. Now with the events in Minneapolis, I think America is speed-running the experience.
Reposted by David Kaufman
PEOPLE ARE STANDING UP!!!
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
January 16, 2026 at 12:34 AM
PEOPLE ARE STANDING UP!!!
Reposted by David Kaufman
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
Mike Johnson comes out against additional guardrails on ICE as Democrats call for it.
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
“I think there's a lot of Democrats playing games right now with national security and with law enforcement. And I think it's dangerous. Ice is doing what ice is designed to do by its very name.”
January 14, 2026 at 11:58 PM
A competent opposition political party would cut together the footage of what ICE had been doing in the twin cities with Mike Johnson saying "ICE is doing what ICE is designed to do" and have it in ads all across the country
The US government is apparently now holding hostages to extort concessions of policy from its own people: "Star Comes Out said when the tribe requested more information, leaders were told the tribe would need to enter into an immigration agreement with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security."
Four Oglala detainees located, three still in ICE custody - ICT
The four Lakota detainees were reportedly sent to a former concentration camp used during the Dakota Wars
ictnews.org
January 15, 2026 at 12:23 AM
The US government is apparently now holding hostages to extort concessions of policy from its own people: "Star Comes Out said when the tribe requested more information, leaders were told the tribe would need to enter into an immigration agreement with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security."
Reposted by David Kaufman
Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.
January 10, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Common Sense, published 250 years ago today.
Reposted by David Kaufman
this is why 'honor' is still a useful thing to have in social contexts btw
This afternoon, retired Army general Stanley McChrystal spoke at the retirement ceremony hosted by HRC for six trans service members who were forced out under Trump’s ban.
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
“I shouldn’t have to be thanked for being here. First off, we shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be happening.”
Full remarks:
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 AM
this is why 'honor' is still a useful thing to have in social contexts btw
Reposted by David Kaufman
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:56 AM
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Reposted by David Kaufman
Our entire politics now is about our sundowning, failing, unpopular leader, whose powers are clearly ebbing, maniacally trying to find ways to restore his STRENGTH, POWER, and MANLINESS.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Our entire politics now is about our sundowning, failing, unpopular leader, whose powers are clearly ebbing, maniacally trying to find ways to restore his STRENGTH, POWER, and MANLINESS.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
Like seizing Greenland; taking VZ’s oil; killing men in boats; terrorizing US cities; bombing other countries.
When one Mafia boss caps another, I don't think it typically leads to anything that could be called liberation - of either territory.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
January 3, 2026 at 7:55 PM
When one Mafia boss caps another, I don't think it typically leads to anything that could be called liberation - of either territory.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
Not does the bigger boss promote anyone's prosperity but his own.
This story leads me to see the need for AI regulation as closely related to the long-overdue movement to curtail certain aspects of corporate personhood (see, e. g., truthout.org/articles/wil...).
Elon Musk's Grok apologizes after generating sexual images of young girls
The incident has renewed concerns about sexualized images being made of women with their consent.
www.newsweek.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:34 PM
This story leads me to see the need for AI regulation as closely related to the long-overdue movement to curtail certain aspects of corporate personhood (see, e. g., truthout.org/articles/wil...).
There might be quite an interesting historical argument to be had here. Specifically, how true - or untrue - is it that America was founded on rugged individualism? I think the conflation of individualism with freedom may be as much myth as truth. It treats two behavioral axes as if they were one.
No. Hell no. This is a country founded upon rugged individualism/individual freedom. NOTHING should or will replace individualism. Not here. No MAGA authoritarianism in America, and no leftist collectivism in America. Yes, all of us should help those less fortunate, but hell no to this.👇
January 2, 2026 at 12:43 PM
There might be quite an interesting historical argument to be had here. Specifically, how true - or untrue - is it that America was founded on rugged individualism? I think the conflation of individualism with freedom may be as much myth as truth. It treats two behavioral axes as if they were one.
This was a journey.
Is it greedy for a Christian to own 20 houses?
YouTube video by Dan McClellan
youtu.be
January 1, 2026 at 3:30 PM
This was a journey.