John Pettus
@johngpettus.bsky.social
Social venture entrepreneur. San Francisco native. Iraq veteran. Economics-trained, MBA liberal. Both more liberal and more conservative than you, in some ways. Working on improving public discourse and teaching & measuring critical thinking at scale.
Pinned
I 100% believe this.
Obamacare getting healthcare to 20 million people saves about 30,000 people's lives a year. Or about a 9/11 worth of lives EVERY MONTH, in perpetuity.
This would be bigger than that.
Obamacare getting healthcare to 20 million people saves about 30,000 people's lives a year. Or about a 9/11 worth of lives EVERY MONTH, in perpetuity.
This would be bigger than that.
November 27, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I 100% believe this.
Obamacare getting healthcare to 20 million people saves about 30,000 people's lives a year. Or about a 9/11 worth of lives EVERY MONTH, in perpetuity.
This would be bigger than that.
Obamacare getting healthcare to 20 million people saves about 30,000 people's lives a year. Or about a 9/11 worth of lives EVERY MONTH, in perpetuity.
This would be bigger than that.
Are the people of Louisiana - one of the poorest and worst performing states in the nation on every metric - going to be paying him $54 million?
5:45 pm on Thanksgiving Eve?
Now THIS is how you news dump.
Now THIS is how you news dump.
November 27, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Are the people of Louisiana - one of the poorest and worst performing states in the nation on every metric - going to be paying him $54 million?
Reposted by John Pettus
We can become desensitized to what this guy does but this was such a sick combination dribble. I mean there was zero chance of Shannon doing anything about this.
November 27, 2025 at 2:33 AM
We can become desensitized to what this guy does but this was such a sick combination dribble. I mean there was zero chance of Shannon doing anything about this.
Reposted by John Pettus
A sad irony in Washington, D.C., where West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot today. Six days ago, a court ruled their deployment was illegal, but stayed the order pending appeal. My heart goes out to these public servants and their families. oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
A sad irony in Washington, D.C., where West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot today. Six days ago, a court ruled their deployment was illegal, but stayed the order pending appeal. My heart goes out to these public servants and their families. oag.dc.gov/sites/defaul...
Reposted by John Pettus
Just thinking about the profound impact on our lives that the craven, selfish, petty choices made by ‘access journalists’ has had. Never working again is the bare minimum of accountability.
November 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Just thinking about the profound impact on our lives that the craven, selfish, petty choices made by ‘access journalists’ has had. Never working again is the bare minimum of accountability.
Reposted by John Pettus
Elon Musk, the guy who did two Nazi salutes in public and has previously described himself as a “free speech absolutist,” thinks it should be a crime to “falsely” call someone a Nazi or a fascist.
November 27, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Elon Musk, the guy who did two Nazi salutes in public and has previously described himself as a “free speech absolutist,” thinks it should be a crime to “falsely” call someone a Nazi or a fascist.
Reposted by John Pettus
World AIDS Day was cofounded by an American journalist--James Bunn, a San Francisco reporter who was the first person at a local TV station to make the AIDS crisis his beat, in 1983. An administration that did not loathe the press, history, and knowledge itself might have considered honoring that.
November 27, 2025 at 12:44 AM
World AIDS Day was cofounded by an American journalist--James Bunn, a San Francisco reporter who was the first person at a local TV station to make the AIDS crisis his beat, in 1983. An administration that did not loathe the press, history, and knowledge itself might have considered honoring that.
Reposted by John Pettus
![Comic. Panels up to the 10-year point are grayed out. New panels since the Ten Years comic, which chronicles the first ten years of PERSON 1's journey with cancer: (1) [two people in bed] PERSON 1 (woman): One more chapter? PERSON 2 (man): Don’t we both have to get up early? PERSON 1: Nnnnnggggh PERSON 2: Sure, good point. (2) [many people wearing masks, walking while looking at graphs on their phones] (3) [birds landing on people] PERSON 2 in beanie and scarf: Hah! They like *my* seeds best. PERSON 1 in scarf holding phone with a bird sitting on it: Wait, how do I take a picture of this one? (4) [two people rowing boats with tree landscape] (5) [Person 1 carries overflowing stack of things to Person 2 in bed] PERSON 1: I brought you honey lemon tea, more pillows, a cinnamon roll, Tylenol, another blanket, a– PERSON 2: It was just Appendicitis, I’m really– PERSON 1: *It is my turn to take care of you and I am going to do it right!* (6) [Two people in car] (7) [still in car) PERSON 1: Oh my god. PERSON 2: Oh my god. (8) [car driving] PERSON 1: Pull over! PERSON 2: I am! (9) [both people get out of car] (10) [Large colored panel of aurora borealis over water with both people looking on] (11) [Person 1 sits against tree while Person 2 lies on the ground] PERSON 1: Fifteen years. No sign of the cancer. (12) I *am* having some weird symptoms. Joint pain. Fatigue. I think I’m losing my close-up vision. PERSON 2: Yeah. Me too. (13) PERSON 2: I think we’re getting old. (14) PERSON 1: I guess that’s okay. PERSON 2: It’s all I wanted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihwhjblp5lyiwp63ouar7ocfea7evmckytoeo7rkfuoo4gw5rnrra@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by John Pettus
Cover Reveal!
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
November 26, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Cover Reveal!
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
“The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy" arrives on August 4, 2026.
How extremist tech billionaires are dismantling democracy to crown themselves as kings—and what we can do about it.
Please pre-order! ➡️ www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
Reposted by John Pettus
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Reposted by John Pettus
I contain multitudes
Oh
Oh shit
My multitudes containment system is failing, everyone retreat to a safe distance
Oh
Oh shit
My multitudes containment system is failing, everyone retreat to a safe distance
November 26, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I contain multitudes
Oh
Oh shit
My multitudes containment system is failing, everyone retreat to a safe distance
Oh
Oh shit
My multitudes containment system is failing, everyone retreat to a safe distance
Reposted by John Pettus
I STRONGLY object to using the term "amoral" to describe immoral people.
Math is amoral. Nature is (mostly) amoral.
People are moral actors. They live in a society and are bound by our moral requirements. When people choose to act selfishly, they are being immoral.
Have the courage to say so.
Math is amoral. Nature is (mostly) amoral.
People are moral actors. They live in a society and are bound by our moral requirements. When people choose to act selfishly, they are being immoral.
Have the courage to say so.
"One of the many problems with installing an amoral doofus without a coherent governing philosophy at the helm of the world’s richest nation is that [he] will then behave as an amoral doofus without a coherent governing philosophy." @michaelianblack.bsky.social
www.thedailybeast.com/travel-plans...
www.thedailybeast.com/travel-plans...
Travel Plans For Thanksgiving? We’re All Headed to Crazy Town
Forget fighting over politics at the Thanksgiving dinner table, because we can all agree that the United States is (over)cooked.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I STRONGLY object to using the term "amoral" to describe immoral people.
Math is amoral. Nature is (mostly) amoral.
People are moral actors. They live in a society and are bound by our moral requirements. When people choose to act selfishly, they are being immoral.
Have the courage to say so.
Math is amoral. Nature is (mostly) amoral.
People are moral actors. They live in a society and are bound by our moral requirements. When people choose to act selfishly, they are being immoral.
Have the courage to say so.
Reposted by John Pettus
An agency designed to protect U.S. elections should be staffed by people who believe in the integrity of our democracy.
That’s why we’re investigating Marci McCarthy and her connection to election denialism in light of her position as CISA’s director of public affairs.
https://bit.ly/48luyoa
That’s why we’re investigating Marci McCarthy and her connection to election denialism in light of her position as CISA’s director of public affairs.
https://bit.ly/48luyoa
Big changes to the agency charged with securing elections lead to midterm worries
The federal agency that oversees the security of election systems was largely absent from planning before elections this month in several states.
apnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An agency designed to protect U.S. elections should be staffed by people who believe in the integrity of our democracy.
That’s why we’re investigating Marci McCarthy and her connection to election denialism in light of her position as CISA’s director of public affairs.
https://bit.ly/48luyoa
That’s why we’re investigating Marci McCarthy and her connection to election denialism in light of her position as CISA’s director of public affairs.
https://bit.ly/48luyoa
Reposted by John Pettus
Free speech doesn't mean nobody can criticize your speech.
Hope this clears things up.
Hope this clears things up.
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Free speech doesn't mean nobody can criticize your speech.
Hope this clears things up.
Hope this clears things up.
Reposted by John Pettus
"How can a patriotic American be grateful when the country has elevated this villain to the presidency again? Here are a few things on my list." @monacharen.bsky.social from the archives, and it still holds true a one year later: lnk.thebulwark.com/49GYnSs
How to Be Grateful Despite Trump
Counting our blessings has never been more vital.
lnk.thebulwark.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
"How can a patriotic American be grateful when the country has elevated this villain to the presidency again? Here are a few things on my list." @monacharen.bsky.social from the archives, and it still holds true a one year later: lnk.thebulwark.com/49GYnSs
Reposted by John Pettus
An 18yo US citizen, surrounded by eight masked, armed agents of the state, taken into custody, not read his rights, not offered a chance to contact a lawyer, proof of citizenship ignored, handcuffed so tightly he later required medical attention.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
ICE Detained an 18-Year-Old U.S. Citizen. This Is His Story.
YouTube video by The Hometown Holler
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
An 18yo US citizen, surrounded by eight masked, armed agents of the state, taken into custody, not read his rights, not offered a chance to contact a lawyer, proof of citizenship ignored, handcuffed so tightly he later required medical attention.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
Profoundly, profoundly anti-American shit.
Reposted by John Pettus
Don’t forget that *Trump’s own lawyer’s argument* to the Supreme Court in the immunity case was that the check on the President using his immunity to order criminal acts was that those under him would not follow illegal orders. Now it’s a crime for lawmakers to remind servicemembers of that?
The President doesn't want you standing up and speaking out against him, so he's coming after me to intimidate all of us.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
But I won't back down — and neither should you.
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Don’t forget that *Trump’s own lawyer’s argument* to the Supreme Court in the immunity case was that the check on the President using his immunity to order criminal acts was that those under him would not follow illegal orders. Now it’s a crime for lawmakers to remind servicemembers of that?
Reposted by John Pettus
Jogging on the beach
November 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Jogging on the beach
It just seems so incredibly tiring and pointless to care what other people think about stuff that doesn't matter or is none of their business.
Free yourselves of this bullshit.
Free yourselves of this bullshit.
So many men go through life like that. You can play poker because it's right-coded, you can't enjoy fruity alcoholic drinks because they're women-coded, you can't lick an ice cream cone because it's gay-coded. All day, every day, choosing and judging things based on coding for narrow norms.
November 26, 2025 at 9:56 PM
It just seems so incredibly tiring and pointless to care what other people think about stuff that doesn't matter or is none of their business.
Free yourselves of this bullshit.
Free yourselves of this bullshit.
LOL. In case you need reminding that humanities people also have intrusive evil thoughts!
For a small fee, I will go to your historian enemy’s seminar presentation and say “I guess I’m just wondering what the “so what” of this paper is?”
November 26, 2025 at 9:47 PM
LOL. In case you need reminding that humanities people also have intrusive evil thoughts!
Reposted by John Pettus
National Guard soldiers didn't sign up to be deployed as local police indefinitely as part of someone else's political stunt.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
November 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
National Guard soldiers didn't sign up to be deployed as local police indefinitely as part of someone else's political stunt.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
They're not set up to be local police, they never should have been deployed.
Reposted by John Pettus
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by John Pettus
sigh just had claude use grokipedia as a source. poisoning the well is working
November 26, 2025 at 11:21 AM
sigh just had claude use grokipedia as a source. poisoning the well is working
