joel hanes
@joelhanes.bsky.social
old guy
usenet -> blogs -> twitter -> bsky
usenet -> blogs -> twitter -> bsky
Reposted by joel hanes
It would be conceptually simpler to think of DOGE as a real government agency with clearly known leadership, employees, legal structure, and mandate. But DOGE is nothing like that and never has been. So, "DOGE is over" headlines are inherently ambiguous to the point of being misleading.
I feel like this has always been the case since day 1, Musk dodged questions about it and gave different replies depending on convenience, any attempt at accountability has been met with “well I’m not responsible for that and I don’t know who is” ect
November 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
It would be conceptually simpler to think of DOGE as a real government agency with clearly known leadership, employees, legal structure, and mandate. But DOGE is nothing like that and never has been. So, "DOGE is over" headlines are inherently ambiguous to the point of being misleading.
Reposted by joel hanes
Although DOGE occasionally pretended to modernize some computer system, the only non-vaporware changes to software they ever oversaw (mostly they didn't write the code themselves, just leaned on someone else to do so) were to remove "DEI" stuff from government websites
November 26, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Although DOGE occasionally pretended to modernize some computer system, the only non-vaporware changes to software they ever oversaw (mostly they didn't write the code themselves, just leaned on someone else to do so) were to remove "DEI" stuff from government websites
Reposted by joel hanes
Idk if I'm right. Here's what I think I'm seeing:
Police are using her lawn as a staging area. She wants them off. The say she's obstructing them and they'll arrest her. She keeps repeating that it's her property and she won't let them on it without a warrant.
They stay!
Police are using her lawn as a staging area. She wants them off. The say she's obstructing them and they'll arrest her. She keeps repeating that it's her property and she won't let them on it without a warrant.
They stay!
November 26, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Idk if I'm right. Here's what I think I'm seeing:
Police are using her lawn as a staging area. She wants them off. The say she's obstructing them and they'll arrest her. She keeps repeating that it's her property and she won't let them on it without a warrant.
They stay!
Police are using her lawn as a staging area. She wants them off. The say she's obstructing them and they'll arrest her. She keeps repeating that it's her property and she won't let them on it without a warrant.
They stay!
Reposted by joel hanes
It says a lot about our country that the FBI had no interest in interviewing Brett Kavanaugh but wants to talk to Mark Kelly.
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM
It says a lot about our country that the FBI had no interest in interviewing Brett Kavanaugh but wants to talk to Mark Kelly.
Reposted by joel hanes
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
For a yr, I've been working on a series for The New Atlantis about the vast systems that underlie our lives. Our ancestors built them up over decades to fend off hunger, thirst, darkness and disease. But too few of us know about them—and they're all at risk. The conclusion is now available online:
Why We Are Better Off Than a Century Ago
Our ancestors built grand public systems to conquer hunger, thirst, darkness, and squalor. That progress can be lost if we forget it.
www.thenewatlantis.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
Reposted by joel hanes
i think everyone should eat the food that makes them happy :)
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
i think everyone should eat the food that makes them happy :)
Reposted by joel hanes
🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
November 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
🚨 NEW/EXCLUSIVE: The FBI turned over dozens of emails to me in response to my #FOIA request that provides a behind-the-scenes look at discussions involving the review and redaction of the Epstein files
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...
Reposted by joel hanes
Jim Justice is no outlier. Republicans live to not pay taxes. They're single issue voters.
Find Someone Who Loves You As Much As Republicans Hate Paying Taxes
Jim Justice gets some justice
heymistermix.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Jim Justice is no outlier. Republicans live to not pay taxes. They're single issue voters.
Reposted by joel hanes
Reposted by joel hanes
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
Reposted by joel hanes
Reposted by joel hanes
MS NOW confirms: The FBI is working with Capitol Police to schedule interviews with the six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to refuse to comply with illegal orders.
November 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
MS NOW confirms: The FBI is working with Capitol Police to schedule interviews with the six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to refuse to comply with illegal orders.
Reposted by joel hanes
Missouri AG, seeing petition signature gatherers having success in challenging the latest Gop gerrymandering of the state, baselessly tells ICE the petition workers are illegal immigrants, so they'll go jump them and interrupt their work.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Missouri attorney general involves ICE in push to halt anti-gerrymandering group
The attorney general did not provide any evidence to support her claims, which the campaign called false.
www.kansascity.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Missouri AG, seeing petition signature gatherers having success in challenging the latest Gop gerrymandering of the state, baselessly tells ICE the petition workers are illegal immigrants, so they'll go jump them and interrupt their work.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
Reposted by joel hanes
Sorry, progressives & health care policy wonks. But we're going to have to re-remind everyone why Health Savings Accts are a tax shelter for the wealthy, not health insurance. Note distribution of premium tax credits vs. HSA contributions.
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
Five Reasons Lawmakers Should Reject Expansions of Health Savings Accounts
Expanding health savings accounts (HSAs) is a key element of Republicans’ health care policy agenda. Ostensibly, HSAs allow people enrolled in certain health insurance policies to set aside money...
www.cbpp.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Sorry, progressives & health care policy wonks. But we're going to have to re-remind everyone why Health Savings Accts are a tax shelter for the wealthy, not health insurance. Note distribution of premium tax credits vs. HSA contributions.
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
www.cbpp.org/blog/five-re...
Reposted by joel hanes
🚨BREAKING: The FBI has requested interviews with a group of Democratic lawmakers who reminded U.S. military and intelligence service members in a video last week that they are obligated to refuse illegal orders. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
FBI Investigating Dems Who Warned Military of Unlawful Orders
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:26 PM
🚨BREAKING: The FBI has requested interviews with a group of Democratic lawmakers who reminded U.S. military and intelligence service members in a video last week that they are obligated to refuse illegal orders. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by joel hanes
A roundtrip LAX-JFK flight in the late 60s was around $3K in today’s dollars. The people who wore suits on those flights were the people who regularly wore suits. Complaining about informally-dressed fliers is complaining that the wrong sorts of people are flying today.
November 25, 2025 at 4:38 PM
A roundtrip LAX-JFK flight in the late 60s was around $3K in today’s dollars. The people who wore suits on those flights were the people who regularly wore suits. Complaining about informally-dressed fliers is complaining that the wrong sorts of people are flying today.
Reposted by joel hanes
Forget the gold, the concrete desert that used to be the Rose Garden, and the missing East Wing.
The biggest change Trump has wrought on the White House is that giant For Sale sign he's got flashing up front.
The biggest change Trump has wrought on the White House is that giant For Sale sign he's got flashing up front.
November 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Forget the gold, the concrete desert that used to be the Rose Garden, and the missing East Wing.
The biggest change Trump has wrought on the White House is that giant For Sale sign he's got flashing up front.
The biggest change Trump has wrought on the White House is that giant For Sale sign he's got flashing up front.
Reposted by joel hanes
ICE agents tell citizens they don't care their citizens because citizenship doesn't mean anything in a world with racial and demographic profiling and no warrants or other 4th amendment protections. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
ICE agents tell citizens they don't care their citizens because citizenship doesn't mean anything in a world with racial and demographic profiling and no warrants or other 4th amendment protections. www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by joel hanes
Before DOGE, systems meant to serve millions of people were being run by a few harried employees using outdated systems. And now, after DOGE, they are being run by even fewer, even more harried employees on those same outdated systems!
So, DOGE, What Would You Say You Did Here?
An exit interview
www.theatlantic.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Before DOGE, systems meant to serve millions of people were being run by a few harried employees using outdated systems. And now, after DOGE, they are being run by even fewer, even more harried employees on those same outdated systems!
Reposted by joel hanes
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by joel hanes
the thing of it is... russia's invasion of ukraine is already a decisive strategic defeat and has been for some time.
-did not achieve war aims
-minimal territorial gains, w/little economic significance
-major loss of russian life/materiel
-2 new nato members www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
-did not achieve war aims
-minimal territorial gains, w/little economic significance
-major loss of russian life/materiel
-2 new nato members www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Russia’s tiny advances in 2025 sold Putin on inevitable victory in Ukraine
Grinding progress for Russia on the battlefield this year has resulted in thousands of casualties but enough progress for Putin to refuse any compromises in diplomacy.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:31 AM
the thing of it is... russia's invasion of ukraine is already a decisive strategic defeat and has been for some time.
-did not achieve war aims
-minimal territorial gains, w/little economic significance
-major loss of russian life/materiel
-2 new nato members www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
-did not achieve war aims
-minimal territorial gains, w/little economic significance
-major loss of russian life/materiel
-2 new nato members www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Reposted by joel hanes
🌳How the Roman Empire Reshaped Europe's Woodlands🌳
More than 20,000 (!!!) tree-ring dated archaeological timbers tell the story of dramatic deforestation and forest recovery, for over a millennium (300 BCE–700 CE).
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#dendrochronology #Roman #archaeology #ForestHistory
More than 20,000 (!!!) tree-ring dated archaeological timbers tell the story of dramatic deforestation and forest recovery, for over a millennium (300 BCE–700 CE).
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#dendrochronology #Roman #archaeology #ForestHistory
Woodlands of Antiquity: A millennium of dendrochronological data on forest exploitation and timber economy between the Alps and the Atlantic | PNAS
The Roman Empire dominated large parts of western and central Europe for over half
a millennium, leaving a lasting cultural imprint on the continen...
www.pnas.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:31 AM
🌳How the Roman Empire Reshaped Europe's Woodlands🌳
More than 20,000 (!!!) tree-ring dated archaeological timbers tell the story of dramatic deforestation and forest recovery, for over a millennium (300 BCE–700 CE).
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#dendrochronology #Roman #archaeology #ForestHistory
More than 20,000 (!!!) tree-ring dated archaeological timbers tell the story of dramatic deforestation and forest recovery, for over a millennium (300 BCE–700 CE).
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
#dendrochronology #Roman #archaeology #ForestHistory
Reposted by joel hanes
The military has a duty to refuse unlawful orders, but Congress has a duty to remove from office a president and secretary who would issue such orders. There is something off about members of Congress talking about the former while refusing to say the latter, the part that's actually their job here.
November 25, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The military has a duty to refuse unlawful orders, but Congress has a duty to remove from office a president and secretary who would issue such orders. There is something off about members of Congress talking about the former while refusing to say the latter, the part that's actually their job here.
Reposted by joel hanes
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Opinion | Declassifying Nursing As 'Professional' Is a Grave Mistake
The DoE's updated definition is dangerous for clinicians and patients alike
www.medpagetoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Trump's Education Dept wants to 'declassify' nursing as a professional field. In its proposal, the department is changing definitions of professional degree programs & excludes nursing altogether. Changing the definition blocks nursing students from federal loans & loan forgiveness programs👇
Reposted by joel hanes
