Paul Bland
@fpbland.bsky.social
Public interest lawyer, music fan, dad/granddad/husband
Pinned
Paul Bland
@fpbland.bsky.social
· Jun 6
The Big Bad bill will cost over 10 million people their health insurance, will significantly accelerate climate change, is a huge suck of money upwards in an already inequitable economy, and will burden future generations
But hey, let's focus on the feelings of the world's richest man
But hey, let's focus on the feelings of the world's richest man
When I read things like "Democrats need to talk less about climate change," I feel like I've wandered onto the set of Don't Look Up.
New York’s data centers use more energy than a million homes — and they need more. Gov. Hochul just approved a billion dollar gas pipeline that activists warn could keep the state dependent on fossil fuels for decades. [email protected] and James Baratta: trib.al/tFSyNBe
Big Tech’s Big New York Gas Pipeline - The American Prospect
Gov. Kathy Hochul justified a $1 billion natural gas project by appealing to affordability. But the main reason the state needs the energy is because data centers are hogging it.
trib.al
November 26, 2025 at 9:21 PM
When I read things like "Democrats need to talk less about climate change," I feel like I've wandered onto the set of Don't Look Up.
Some functions are uniquely appropriate for the government. No private entity should be punishing people & people in prisons shouldn't be controlled by corporations with incentives to save money on their medical care and food and security. Future Dem candidates should call for ending private prisons
Private prison profits are booming under Trump 2.0. The CEO of America’s largest private prison operator said their mission “is perfectly aligned with the demands of this moment.” From @matthewcook5 with the Center for Media and Democracy: trib.al/7P1WGmU
State and Local Contracts Prop Up For-Profit Prisons - The American Prospect
CoreCivic and GEO Group profit from Trump’s immigration policies while also receiving lucrative contracts from state and local governments, including areas controlled by Democrats.
trib.al
November 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Some functions are uniquely appropriate for the government. No private entity should be punishing people & people in prisons shouldn't be controlled by corporations with incentives to save money on their medical care and food and security. Future Dem candidates should call for ending private prisons
Next your going to suggest that our foreign policy shouldn't be based on the whims and impulses of a "very stable genius," where everyone around him just suddenly leaps to whatever words happen to come from his mouth.
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
November 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Next your going to suggest that our foreign policy shouldn't be based on the whims and impulses of a "very stable genius," where everyone around him just suddenly leaps to whatever words happen to come from his mouth.
When Trump tried to kill the Affordable Care Act in his first term, my sense is that the media did a nice job of cataloging a lot of cases of people who would be harmed by this -- denied needed chemo and so forth.
Now, hardly any other media are covering this.
Thank goodness for you guys.
Now, hardly any other media are covering this.
Thank goodness for you guys.
The personal stories of health insurance out-of-pocket premium costs soaring aren't going away no matter how much the GOP tries to hide from the problem. @whitneycwimbish.bsky.social talks to some of the recipients of sticker shock:
prospect.org/2025/11/21/a...
prospect.org/2025/11/21/a...
Panic Tears Through U.S. as Health Insurance Costs Spike - The American Prospect
The end of expanded subsidies for the Affordable Care Act exchanges means more people will go without health insurance.
prospect.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
When Trump tried to kill the Affordable Care Act in his first term, my sense is that the media did a nice job of cataloging a lot of cases of people who would be harmed by this -- denied needed chemo and so forth.
Now, hardly any other media are covering this.
Thank goodness for you guys.
Now, hardly any other media are covering this.
Thank goodness for you guys.
State media making stuff up to fluff Trump.
It's like when FOX breathlessly reported that Trump had given us the weekend, or that he was working in D.C. when he was in Palm Beach. They just say whatever they think will help him.
It's like when FOX breathlessly reported that Trump had given us the weekend, or that he was working in D.C. when he was in Palm Beach. They just say whatever they think will help him.
Fox News credulously reports that "the Saudis now say their investment pledge in the US will be increased to $1 trillion." THE ENTIRE GDP OF SAUDI ARABIA IS $1.1 TRILLION, so this is total nonsense.
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
State media making stuff up to fluff Trump.
It's like when FOX breathlessly reported that Trump had given us the weekend, or that he was working in D.C. when he was in Palm Beach. They just say whatever they think will help him.
It's like when FOX breathlessly reported that Trump had given us the weekend, or that he was working in D.C. when he was in Palm Beach. They just say whatever they think will help him.
This kind of thing is why FOX has to closely edit his videos or instead of showing him talking, they have some "expert" say things they think will sound good to their viewers
I can usually translate him, but either I’m losing my mind, or he is.
November 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM
This kind of thing is why FOX has to closely edit his videos or instead of showing him talking, they have some "expert" say things they think will sound good to their viewers
Reposted by Paul Bland
Trump's relationship with Vance is very similar to Logan's relationship with one of his kids in Succession. Polls show Vance looks like his successor, so Trump does what Logan did to Shiv in season two -- humiliate him so no one can be a strong successor
Trump really shivved JD Vance when he endorsed Tucker's interview w/Nick Fuentes, who had been mocking Vance and making racist comments about his wife. Trump basically dumped the Fuentes mess on him.
@zackbeauchamp.bsky.social nails the dynamics in this exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
@zackbeauchamp.bsky.social nails the dynamics in this exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
November 18, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Trump's relationship with Vance is very similar to Logan's relationship with one of his kids in Succession. Polls show Vance looks like his successor, so Trump does what Logan did to Shiv in season two -- humiliate him so no one can be a strong successor
Reposted by Paul Bland
tom looked it up so you don’t have to - but by all means, use this fact in your reporting on gas prices & trump claims…
Trump relentlessly boasts he’s brought gasoline prices way down. The truth is they’re still slightly higher year on year and have spent almost all of 2025 solidly higher.
Somehow no one in media ever corrects him.
Somehow no one in media ever corrects him.
November 15, 2025 at 12:48 PM
tom looked it up so you don’t have to - but by all means, use this fact in your reporting on gas prices & trump claims…
So grateful that these fantastic organizations chose us to help represent them in the US Supreme Court in this incredibly important case. I'm very proud to have been part of the team on this powerful brief.
Berger Montague joined 40 consumer protection, data privacy, and competition groups from 10 states and DC in submitting an amicus brief in Slaughter v. Trump, a case challenging the President’s attempted firing of Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter. bergermontague.com/news/berger-...
Berger Montague Joins 40 Consumer Protection and Privacy Groups in Amicus Brief Challenging Trump’s Attempted Firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter
Today, Berger Montague, a leading national plaintiffs’ law firm, and 40 consumer protection, data privacy, and competition groups from 10 states and the District of Columbia submitted an amicus brief ...
bergermontague.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:12 PM
So grateful that these fantastic organizations chose us to help represent them in the US Supreme Court in this incredibly important case. I'm very proud to have been part of the team on this powerful brief.
Reposted by Paul Bland
“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One"
November 12, 2025 at 12:55 PM
“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One"
FOX had to do a ton of dishonest broadcasting to support the regime's narrative that Portland is this hotbed of revolutionary violence
NEW: ProPublica examined months of Fox News’ coverage and reviewed over 700 videos posted on social media.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
The network used five-year-old footage, mislabeled other dates and implied footage from elsewhere was in Portland.
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence was misleading.
www.propublica.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:27 PM
FOX had to do a ton of dishonest broadcasting to support the regime's narrative that Portland is this hotbed of revolutionary violence
Ideally, the justices on the U.S. Supreme Court would react something like "you can't pressure us, we're going to do what the law requires." I guess we will see if for this case, this is the Court we have, or if he can stampede and threaten them and get his way
“I spent the money that I stole, and cannot give it back. It’s gone.”
November 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Ideally, the justices on the U.S. Supreme Court would react something like "you can't pressure us, we're going to do what the law requires." I guess we will see if for this case, this is the Court we have, or if he can stampede and threaten them and get his way
Schumer is so terrible at communications. He thinks it's all being clever with cutting legislative deals, and doesn't have any sense at all of how to reach people.
This caving in has to end. The Democrats desperately need new leadership. Schumer should go
This caving in has to end. The Democrats desperately need new leadership. Schumer should go
Great job, @schumer.senate.gov. You've changed the story from "GOP hurting millions of Americans to please unpopular, failing, delusional despot who's destroying his party" to "Dems are too weak and divided in the face of Trump's strength to take a stand and protect Americans"
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Schumer is so terrible at communications. He thinks it's all being clever with cutting legislative deals, and doesn't have any sense at all of how to reach people.
This caving in has to end. The Democrats desperately need new leadership. Schumer should go
This caving in has to end. The Democrats desperately need new leadership. Schumer should go
Reposted by Paul Bland
I feel like much has been said about this already, but brace yourselves for more CEOs to try to hold boards & investors hostage with threats to walk away & not try to focus on the business unless they get exceedingly large pay plans & other incentives.
November 8, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I feel like much has been said about this already, but brace yourselves for more CEOs to try to hold boards & investors hostage with threats to walk away & not try to focus on the business unless they get exceedingly large pay plans & other incentives.
In his first term, Congressional Rs acted as a check on his cashing in. When he wanted to move a big event from one resort to one of his, several Congressional Rs objected and he backed down. Now, they're so afraid of him that none of them made a peep when he said he was going to give himself $230 m
To be fair, he’s correct. It was dumb, nobody is gonna stop him so why wouldn’t you shove free money in your pockets
November 7, 2025 at 7:52 PM
In his first term, Congressional Rs acted as a check on his cashing in. When he wanted to move a big event from one resort to one of his, several Congressional Rs objected and he backed down. Now, they're so afraid of him that none of them made a peep when he said he was going to give himself $230 m
I agree with the folks who say the current form of the U.S. government is patrimonial, where rather than any ideology or set of principles, policy is based on the impulses, desires and needs of one man.
I guess the Tesla board decided that's what its shareholders wanted for the company as well
I guess the Tesla board decided that's what its shareholders wanted for the company as well
November 7, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I agree with the folks who say the current form of the U.S. government is patrimonial, where rather than any ideology or set of principles, policy is based on the impulses, desires and needs of one man.
I guess the Tesla board decided that's what its shareholders wanted for the company as well
I guess the Tesla board decided that's what its shareholders wanted for the company as well
If I had a health emergency, having Bobby Kennedy run away would be wildly more desirable than having him come over. With his ideas about health, I worry he'd try to give someone a tracheotomy with a spoon or something and kill them
A man collapsed next to Trump during his Oval Office event on weight-loss drugs. Mehmet Oz ran to help. RFK Jr. ran away.
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
Trump watches man faint, while RFK Jr. runs away
An unidentified man collapsed beside President Donald Trump on Thursday, abruptly ending the Oval Office event touting planned price reductions for popular weight-loss drugs. ...
www.dailykos.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
If I had a health emergency, having Bobby Kennedy run away would be wildly more desirable than having him come over. With his ideas about health, I worry he'd try to give someone a tracheotomy with a spoon or something and kill them
Reposted by Paul Bland
Jackson says the decision is "more than merely regrettable. It is an abdication of the Court's duty to ensure that equitable standards apply equally to all litigants—to transgender people and the Government alike." And she faults the majority for ignoring "the animus evident in the Executive Order."
November 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Jackson says the decision is "more than merely regrettable. It is an abdication of the Court's duty to ensure that equitable standards apply equally to all litigants—to transgender people and the Government alike." And she faults the majority for ignoring "the animus evident in the Executive Order."
Reposted by Paul Bland
The biggest story in the country right now should be Donald Trump admitting he has no idea who he's pardoning—and that he only pardoned a crypto fraudster because his sons told him to.
Could you imagine the reaction if Joe Biden admitted something like that?
Could you imagine the reaction if Joe Biden admitted something like that?
November 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The biggest story in the country right now should be Donald Trump admitting he has no idea who he's pardoning—and that he only pardoned a crypto fraudster because his sons told him to.
Could you imagine the reaction if Joe Biden admitted something like that?
Could you imagine the reaction if Joe Biden admitted something like that?
Gee, I don't know. Aren't you worried we're going to lose the numerous "Steven Miller Democrats"? (jk)
Saying “we have to keep the status quo because the alternative is bad” ends up making people feel like you’re either gaslighting or out of touch, because the status quo actually sucks for a lot of people.
November 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Gee, I don't know. Aren't you worried we're going to lose the numerous "Steven Miller Democrats"? (jk)
Teen Vogue was actually breaking stories investigated by real journalists, and was going where the facts took them. And some rich powerful people took notice. Another actual journalism outlet swallowed up
billionaires have invested in media not because they support journalism but because they want to control it. there is only downside to a free press for people with that level of wealth. journalism is a great equalizer and they don’t want us to be equal.
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Teen Vogue was actually breaking stories investigated by real journalists, and was going where the facts took them. And some rich powerful people took notice. Another actual journalism outlet swallowed up
And a "plan" to "come up with something better" is more like a generic wish. "I wish everyone had private medical care for free." What a ridiculous lie, they're taking away millions of peoples' insurance and they're going to force hospitals to close, but it's o.k. b/c they have vague hopes
A plan to have a plan is not really a plan.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew on Republicans' healthcare plan: "The plan is to come up with something better."
November 2, 2025 at 2:50 PM
And a "plan" to "come up with something better" is more like a generic wish. "I wish everyone had private medical care for free." What a ridiculous lie, they're taking away millions of peoples' insurance and they're going to force hospitals to close, but it's o.k. b/c they have vague hopes
With CBS and the Washington Post becoming state media, just like FOX, a right wing takeover of Tik Tok joining Musk seizing Twitter, progressive messages don't have billionaires amplifying them. This is a much bigger problem than how to frame "give people healthcare"
"The report has no answer to the media ownership problem...It includes pages upon pages bemoaning the Democratic Party’s messaging woes, without ever considering that the problem might be that its opponents have access to much larger megaphones."
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
Why Centrist Democrats Keep Being Wrong About Elections
A new 60-page report insists the party is too radical. But the problem isn’t the party platform. The problem is the broader environment.
newrepublic.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:19 PM
With CBS and the Washington Post becoming state media, just like FOX, a right wing takeover of Tik Tok joining Musk seizing Twitter, progressive messages don't have billionaires amplifying them. This is a much bigger problem than how to frame "give people healthcare"
My strong impression is that progressive voters want to see their leaders stand up to Trump and call out his authoritarian abuses. So Pritzker, AOC, Raskin et al are meeting the moment for us and Schumer and Jefferies are not.
"Of all the Dem govs, Pritzker understands the assignment best," says @davekarpf.bsky.social, because he's communicating that "his citizens are being attacked by Trump’s forces" in a way that'll get "the rest of the country to tune in."
Dave is so good here. Listen:
newrepublic.com/article/2024...
Dave is so good here. Listen:
newrepublic.com/article/2024...
Trump ICE Raids Take Jarring Turn as Dem Gov Drops Scary New Warning
As Illinois’ Governor warns of worsening fallout from Trump’s assault on Chicago, a political communications expert explains what this saga tells us about the state of our info-wars—and how Dems shoul...
newrepublic.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My strong impression is that progressive voters want to see their leaders stand up to Trump and call out his authoritarian abuses. So Pritzker, AOC, Raskin et al are meeting the moment for us and Schumer and Jefferies are not.