Erstwhile dragon.
@eustacescrubber.bsky.social
Interested in politics, art, movies & books. Yes, I am an artist.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
This is extrajudicial execution, without any clear threat to the US, no authorization from Congress, and far beyond even Article II. The military is not the president's personal hit squad.
Or wasn't, until now.
Or wasn't, until now.
The US military killed three people in another deadly strike on a vessel in international waters around South America allegedly "transporting illegal narcotics" from Venezuela, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post. https://cnn.it/4na60EM
September 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
This is extrajudicial execution, without any clear threat to the US, no authorization from Congress, and far beyond even Article II. The military is not the president's personal hit squad.
Or wasn't, until now.
Or wasn't, until now.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
in DC, some immigrant and domestic violence advocates are no longer automatically telling victims to call 911, for fear of what might happen when the police arrive
This Is No Way to Make D.C. Safer
Even if the president’s efforts bring crime down temporarily, they are undermining the city’s long-term well-being.
www.theatlantic.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
in DC, some immigrant and domestic violence advocates are no longer automatically telling victims to call 911, for fear of what might happen when the police arrive
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
“Today’s conservatives are certainly radical—they are hostile to the rule of law, subsidiarity, and institutions—but what they want isn’t so much change as domination…This isn’t a program that’s concerned with changing policies; it’s a fetish for domination.”
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
“Conservatism” Is Now Just a Domination Fetish
From states rights, a rules-based system, and limited government to a boot stamping on a human face—forever.
open.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
“Today’s conservatives are certainly radical—they are hostile to the rule of law, subsidiarity, and institutions—but what they want isn’t so much change as domination…This isn’t a program that’s concerned with changing policies; it’s a fetish for domination.”
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Feel free to continue arguing over the shooter's motives, but please understand that *it doesn't matter*.
There's a organized political movement that plans to suppress, arrest, or kill its political opposition. It it seeking pretexts. Anything will do. If it's not this, it'll be something else.
There's a organized political movement that plans to suppress, arrest, or kill its political opposition. It it seeking pretexts. Anything will do. If it's not this, it'll be something else.
September 15, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Feel free to continue arguing over the shooter's motives, but please understand that *it doesn't matter*.
There's a organized political movement that plans to suppress, arrest, or kill its political opposition. It it seeking pretexts. Anything will do. If it's not this, it'll be something else.
There's a organized political movement that plans to suppress, arrest, or kill its political opposition. It it seeking pretexts. Anything will do. If it's not this, it'll be something else.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Faith as a Weapon uncovers how Christian nationalism fueled January 6 and is now embedding a theocratic and authoritarian agenda within the U.S. government. The report profiles key leaders, explores their ideology, & exposes the political power driving these authoritarian policies.
Read our report:
Read our report:
Faith as a Weapon: Inside America’s Theocratic Vanguard
Christian nationalism and theocratic extremists didn’t just inspired Jan 6 — they’ve taken over key parts of government, weaponizing faith to dismantle democracy and impose an authoritarian theocratic...
globalextremism.org
August 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Faith as a Weapon uncovers how Christian nationalism fueled January 6 and is now embedding a theocratic and authoritarian agenda within the U.S. government. The report profiles key leaders, explores their ideology, & exposes the political power driving these authoritarian policies.
Read our report:
Read our report:
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Nadira Azzouz (Iraqi, 1927 – 2020). The Back of My Garden (2010, mixed media on canvas).
July 16, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Nadira Azzouz (Iraqi, 1927 – 2020). The Back of My Garden (2010, mixed media on canvas).
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Satellite imagery analysis revealed that the destruction in the strip is greater than thought, with at least 70% of the buildings uninhabitable
www.haaretz.co.il/news/magazin...
www.haaretz.co.il/news/magazin...
ניתוח צילומי לוויין העלה כי לפחות 70% מהמבנים ברצועה לא ראויים למגורים
לפי מומחה למיפוי מהאוניברסיטה העברית, 89% מהמבנים ברפיח, 84% מהמבנים בצפון הרצועה ו-78% מהמבנים בעיר עזה - נהרסו באופן מלא או חלקי. מהנתונים עולה כי מאז אפריל נהרסו ברפיח כאלפיים מבנים בממוצע מדי חודש
www.haaretz.co.il
July 16, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Satellite imagery analysis revealed that the destruction in the strip is greater than thought, with at least 70% of the buildings uninhabitable
www.haaretz.co.il/news/magazin...
www.haaretz.co.il/news/magazin...
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
76% of Americans think that democracy is under a serious threat, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. And their faith in political leadership in the White House and Congress is low.
Poll: Most feel democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem
76% of Americans think that democracy is under a serious threat, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. And their faith in political leadership in the White House and Congress is low.
n.pr
July 6, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
The people who lost children and other loved ones in the Texas floods are owed honest answers from officials. They should be told why flash flood warnings issued hours earlier were not conveyed to people in the path of the water. They don’t need more prayers from politicians. They need answers.
July 6, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The people who lost children and other loved ones in the Texas floods are owed honest answers from officials. They should be told why flash flood warnings issued hours earlier were not conveyed to people in the path of the water. They don’t need more prayers from politicians. They need answers.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
The only reason they were saying they'd never vote to cut Medicaid was to give them time to unload their stocks b4 they started crashing.
'Evil and Cruel': GOP Lawmaker Shamed for Unloading Medicaid-Related Stock Before Voting to Gut Program
"Their bill will gut Medicaid and kill people, and they know it," said Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.).
www.commondreams.org/news/republi...
"Their bill will gut Medicaid and kill people, and they know it," said Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.).
www.commondreams.org/news/republi...
'Evil and Cruel': GOP Lawmaker Shamed for Unloading Medicaid-Related Stock Before Voting to Gut Program | Common Dreams
Rep. Robert Bresnahan (R-Pa.) faces backlash for selling Medicaid-related stock before voting on budget cuts. Colleagues express outrage.
www.commondreams.org
July 4, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The only reason they were saying they'd never vote to cut Medicaid was to give them time to unload their stocks b4 they started crashing.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
ICYM: Eight-foot-tall ‘Dictator Approved’ sculpture appears on National Mall
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
July 3, 2025 at 11:09 PM
ICYM: Eight-foot-tall ‘Dictator Approved’ sculpture appears on National Mall
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Due to the ongoing U.S. measles outbreak, a Texas man worried that his young son was at risk and took him to get vaccinated.
The cost of the shot? $1,400.
The cost of the shot? $1,400.
A Texas boy needed protection from measles. The vaccine cost $1,400.
Due to the ongoing U.S. measles outbreak, a Texas man worried that his young son was at risk and took him to get vaccinated. The cost of the shot? $1,400.
wapo.st
June 30, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Due to the ongoing U.S. measles outbreak, a Texas man worried that his young son was at risk and took him to get vaccinated.
The cost of the shot? $1,400.
The cost of the shot? $1,400.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
“There’s no rental crisis, just move to the regions”
youtube.com/shorts/Tf4Kr...
youtube.com/shorts/Tf4Kr...
The worst rental in Bendigo?
YouTube video by PurplepingersTV
youtube.com
June 29, 2025 at 4:35 AM
“There’s no rental crisis, just move to the regions”
youtube.com/shorts/Tf4Kr...
youtube.com/shorts/Tf4Kr...
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
The conditions at an ICE family detention facility in Texas are so bad that adults are literally physically jockeying with children for *water.*
This is the desperation ICE is deliberately and, it must be said, sadistically producing.
apnews.com/article/migr...
This is the desperation ICE is deliberately and, it must be said, sadistically producing.
apnews.com/article/migr...
June 21, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The conditions at an ICE family detention facility in Texas are so bad that adults are literally physically jockeying with children for *water.*
This is the desperation ICE is deliberately and, it must be said, sadistically producing.
apnews.com/article/migr...
This is the desperation ICE is deliberately and, it must be said, sadistically producing.
apnews.com/article/migr...
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Darnella Frazier was 17 when she had the presence of mind to document what was happening to George Floyd.
These ICE abduction videos differ but also convey an out-of-control state abusing its power.
Sometimes bearing witness is among the most important forms of civil resistance.
These ICE abduction videos differ but also convey an out-of-control state abusing its power.
Sometimes bearing witness is among the most important forms of civil resistance.
20-year-old U.S. citizen Adrian Andrew Martinez was swarmed by ICE in Pico Rivera while defending someone. He never hit back—just struggled—before being slammed into a CBP van. No records. No lawyer. His mom can’t find him. This is abuse of power. Keep recording. Don’t stop.
June 19, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Darnella Frazier was 17 when she had the presence of mind to document what was happening to George Floyd.
These ICE abduction videos differ but also convey an out-of-control state abusing its power.
Sometimes bearing witness is among the most important forms of civil resistance.
These ICE abduction videos differ but also convey an out-of-control state abusing its power.
Sometimes bearing witness is among the most important forms of civil resistance.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
The NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed official used someone else’s identity in a bid to avoid paying income taxes on money he made while moonlighting as a basketball referee, records show.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/12/j...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/12/j...
NYPD Department Chief Used False Identity in Bid to Avoid Income Tax, Records Show
Chell pleaded guilty to departmental charges in that case and one other, according to records in a lawsuit accusing him of misrepresenting an incident where officers ran over a man.
www.thecity.nyc
June 14, 2025 at 2:50 AM
The NYPD’s highest-ranking uniformed official used someone else’s identity in a bid to avoid paying income taxes on money he made while moonlighting as a basketball referee, records show.
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/12/j...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/12/j...
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
The right to peacefully protest is fundamental.
It is in the Constitution.
No president can nullify it—because in the United States of America, we have no kings.
Join @indivisible.org and more this weekend to make your voice heard: www.nokings.org
It is in the Constitution.
No president can nullify it—because in the United States of America, we have no kings.
Join @indivisible.org and more this weekend to make your voice heard: www.nokings.org
No Kings
On June 14—Flag Day—Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. ...
www.nokings.org
June 12, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The right to peacefully protest is fundamental.
It is in the Constitution.
No president can nullify it—because in the United States of America, we have no kings.
Join @indivisible.org and more this weekend to make your voice heard: www.nokings.org
It is in the Constitution.
No president can nullify it—because in the United States of America, we have no kings.
Join @indivisible.org and more this weekend to make your voice heard: www.nokings.org
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
This is so bad. The justices can’t both be the smart lawyers making the big decisions interpreting our laws *and* so incapable of choosing what words to say when announcing those decisions that the public can’t be trusted to hear them.
The problem with this proposal, I think, is that announcements of opinions are mostly just uncirculated summaries. They're not the law, but a Cliff-Notes summary of the law usually written by one law clerk. You don't want them to be taken too seriously. www.npr.org/2025/06/11/n...
June 12, 2025 at 5:36 AM
This is so bad. The justices can’t both be the smart lawyers making the big decisions interpreting our laws *and* so incapable of choosing what words to say when announcing those decisions that the public can’t be trusted to hear them.
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Why accountability matters: “Civilians have impersonated ICE agents while committing robbery (Pennsylvania), kidnappings (Florida, South Carolina), sexual assault (North Carolina) and other forms of public intimidation (Washington state, California). Opinion”
June 12, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Why accountability matters: “Civilians have impersonated ICE agents while committing robbery (Pennsylvania), kidnappings (Florida, South Carolina), sexual assault (North Carolina) and other forms of public intimidation (Washington state, California). Opinion”
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
Chair of history department at U.S. Naval Academy resigns after order to remove paper from symposium “for reasons having nothing to do with scholarship.” [James Matheson, Baltimore Sun]
Naval Academy history chair resigns over ordered removal of symposium paper
Tom McCarthy cited the removal of a paper on grounds beyond its academic standard.
www.baltimoresun.com
June 12, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Chair of history department at U.S. Naval Academy resigns after order to remove paper from symposium “for reasons having nothing to do with scholarship.” [James Matheson, Baltimore Sun]
Reposted by Erstwhile dragon.
It was peaceful and well-organized and motivating and just the beginning.
June 10, 2025 at 11:46 PM
It was peaceful and well-organized and motivating and just the beginning.