John Voelcker
@johnvoelcker.bsky.social
Raconteur. Random cultural, political, sociological, science, tech, #EV, #LGBTQ, British car stuff. "Plucky and good fun."Contributing Editor, CAR and DRIVER, Green Car Reports, others; Cofounder, Tempting Fate Tours.
Welcome to Bluesky. Don’t be a jerk.
Welcome to Bluesky. Don’t be a jerk.
Pinned
General Ulysses S. Grant wrote this to his father in 1861, immediately after the Confederacy fired the first shots, signaling the start of the Civil War.
"There are but two parties now, traitors and patriots.
"I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter."
"There are but two parties now, traitors and patriots.
"I want hereafter to be ranked with the latter."
The @chargepointnet.bsky.social network released data from more than 100 million #EV charging sessions in a year.
It says the data, combined with 2025 EV sales figures, suggest available public charging infrastructure is not keeping up with demand.
(Note the bulk of its network is AC Level 2 ...)
It says the data, combined with 2025 EV sales figures, suggest available public charging infrastructure is not keeping up with demand.
(Note the bulk of its network is AC Level 2 ...)
ChargePoint network data indicates EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure deployments
EV charging providers don’t seem to have gotten the memo about the demise of EVs—they’ve been deploying new chargers in record numbers in the US and Europe. Retail chains also seem to be ignoring the ...
chargedevs.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:14 PM
The @chargepointnet.bsky.social network released data from more than 100 million #EV charging sessions in a year.
It says the data, combined with 2025 EV sales figures, suggest available public charging infrastructure is not keeping up with demand.
(Note the bulk of its network is AC Level 2 ...)
It says the data, combined with 2025 EV sales figures, suggest available public charging infrastructure is not keeping up with demand.
(Note the bulk of its network is AC Level 2 ...)
Six bald eagles convened on a Hudson River ice floe yesterday morning — the perfect platform for reaching fish in the water.
Work smarter, not harder.
Work smarter, not harder.
February 13, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Six bald eagles convened on a Hudson River ice floe yesterday morning — the perfect platform for reaching fish in the water.
Work smarter, not harder.
Work smarter, not harder.
After @thecity.nyc broke the story that ICE is using secretive holding cells to detain immigrants in Lower Manhattan (bottom link), @repdangoldman.bsky.social visited the site unannounced to investigate.
Here's what he found.
Here's what he found.
February 13, 2026 at 1:22 PM
After @thecity.nyc broke the story that ICE is using secretive holding cells to detain immigrants in Lower Manhattan (bottom link), @repdangoldman.bsky.social visited the site unannounced to investigate.
Here's what he found.
Here's what he found.
Self-driving cars can navigate city streets without a driver, but they can’t shut their own doors.
Waymo is now recruiting DoorDash drivers to serve as on-call door-closers for its robotaxis — a rather absurd reminder that the future is unevenly distributed.
This seems like a ... fixable problem.
Waymo is now recruiting DoorDash drivers to serve as on-call door-closers for its robotaxis — a rather absurd reminder that the future is unevenly distributed.
This seems like a ... fixable problem.
Waymo Tries Finding DoorDash Drivers to Shut Open Robotaxi Doors
Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo is enlisting DoorDash Inc. drivers in Atlanta to close robotaxi doors that have been left open, letting the driverless vehicles continue on their way.
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Self-driving cars can navigate city streets without a driver, but they can’t shut their own doors.
Waymo is now recruiting DoorDash drivers to serve as on-call door-closers for its robotaxis — a rather absurd reminder that the future is unevenly distributed.
This seems like a ... fixable problem.
Waymo is now recruiting DoorDash drivers to serve as on-call door-closers for its robotaxis — a rather absurd reminder that the future is unevenly distributed.
This seems like a ... fixable problem.
"We are in for a long 4 years of conservatives taking picture of garbage on pickup day so they can complain about socialism."
— tweet by 'Raindrops and Tears' on The Other Place (sent to me)
"Enjoy communism. Get back to me in 3 years. 🤣😂🤣"
— first comment, from an acct called "truth seeker"
— tweet by 'Raindrops and Tears' on The Other Place (sent to me)
"Enjoy communism. Get back to me in 3 years. 🤣😂🤣"
— first comment, from an acct called "truth seeker"
February 13, 2026 at 2:46 AM
"We are in for a long 4 years of conservatives taking picture of garbage on pickup day so they can complain about socialism."
— tweet by 'Raindrops and Tears' on The Other Place (sent to me)
"Enjoy communism. Get back to me in 3 years. 🤣😂🤣"
— first comment, from an acct called "truth seeker"
— tweet by 'Raindrops and Tears' on The Other Place (sent to me)
"Enjoy communism. Get back to me in 3 years. 🤣😂🤣"
— first comment, from an acct called "truth seeker"
FBI agents, at least one of whom works on counterterrorism, went to the home of a former member of a New York climate activism group for questioning last week.
This may signal an escalation in the Trump administration’s promise to criminalize nonprofits + activist groups as "domestic terrorists".
This may signal an escalation in the Trump administration’s promise to criminalize nonprofits + activist groups as "domestic terrorists".
FBI Counterterrorism Agents Spent Weeks Seeking a Climate Activist — Then Showed Up at His Door
The visit suggests a possible FBI probe into Extinction Rebellion NYC as the Trump administration increases surveillance of activist groups.
theintercept.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:32 PM
FBI agents, at least one of whom works on counterterrorism, went to the home of a former member of a New York climate activism group for questioning last week.
This may signal an escalation in the Trump administration’s promise to criminalize nonprofits + activist groups as "domestic terrorists".
This may signal an escalation in the Trump administration’s promise to criminalize nonprofits + activist groups as "domestic terrorists".
Note Deutsche Bank was the ONLY major NY bank willing to lend to Trump firms.
Justice Dept files show Deutsche Bank continued to provide services to Jeffrey Epstein after telling the disgraced financier it would end the relationship in late 2018. It only closed his accts after his July 2019 arrest.
Justice Dept files show Deutsche Bank continued to provide services to Jeffrey Epstein after telling the disgraced financier it would end the relationship in late 2018. It only closed his accts after his July 2019 arrest.
'Likes to have cash': Inside Deutsche Bank's slow split from Epstein
Deutsche Bank continued to provide services for Jeffrey Epstein after telling the disgraced financier it would end the relationship in late 2018, only closing all his accounts after his arrest in July...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Note Deutsche Bank was the ONLY major NY bank willing to lend to Trump firms.
Justice Dept files show Deutsche Bank continued to provide services to Jeffrey Epstein after telling the disgraced financier it would end the relationship in late 2018. It only closed his accts after his July 2019 arrest.
Justice Dept files show Deutsche Bank continued to provide services to Jeffrey Epstein after telling the disgraced financier it would end the relationship in late 2018. It only closed his accts after his July 2019 arrest.
A dresser inside the Merchant’s House Museum—an 1832 house built by hatter, real estate speculator + abolitionist Joseph Brewer—has been discovered as the entryway to a secret stop on the Underground Railroad.
Wow. I walk past this regularly. What a find. And what a history, hiding in plain sight.
Wow. I walk past this regularly. What a find. And what a history, hiding in plain sight.
Safe house linked to Underground Railroad discovered in Manhattan
The Merchant's House is the first landmarked building in the borough.
ny1.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:29 PM
A dresser inside the Merchant’s House Museum—an 1832 house built by hatter, real estate speculator + abolitionist Joseph Brewer—has been discovered as the entryway to a secret stop on the Underground Railroad.
Wow. I walk past this regularly. What a find. And what a history, hiding in plain sight.
Wow. I walk past this regularly. What a find. And what a history, hiding in plain sight.
I didn't know I was curious about what's in those blackened piles of #NYC snow until I saw this headline. Now I know.
"The snow acts as a revolting sponge for the city’s filth. The usual — and at times toxic — dirt, grime + excretions that might typically be washed away by wind + rain."
"The snow acts as a revolting sponge for the city’s filth. The usual — and at times toxic — dirt, grime + excretions that might typically be washed away by wind + rain."
We tested those gross piles of snow on NYC's sidewalks. Here’s what we found.
The snow may not be as toxic as it looks. You still shouldn’t eat it.
gothamist.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I didn't know I was curious about what's in those blackened piles of #NYC snow until I saw this headline. Now I know.
"The snow acts as a revolting sponge for the city’s filth. The usual — and at times toxic — dirt, grime + excretions that might typically be washed away by wind + rain."
"The snow acts as a revolting sponge for the city’s filth. The usual — and at times toxic — dirt, grime + excretions that might typically be washed away by wind + rain."
Tens of thousands of cars are exported from China to Russia via gray-market schemes that often circumvent Western + Asian government sanctions ... and automakers' commitments to exit the Russian market.
Per registration data reviewed by @reuters.com + interviews with 5 people involved in the trade.
Per registration data reviewed by @reuters.com + interviews with 5 people involved in the trade.
Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions
Tens of thousands of cars are being exported from China to Russia under gray-market schemes that often circumvent Western and Asian government sanctions and automakers' commitments to exit the Russian...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Tens of thousands of cars are exported from China to Russia via gray-market schemes that often circumvent Western + Asian government sanctions ... and automakers' commitments to exit the Russian market.
Per registration data reviewed by @reuters.com + interviews with 5 people involved in the trade.
Per registration data reviewed by @reuters.com + interviews with 5 people involved in the trade.
Some unexpected news in local politics: Mike Sacks, a divorced dad of 2, is showing up on the Tinder feeds of Hudson Valley users.
Sacks seeks to run against embattled #NY17 GOP Congressman Mike Lawler.
(Me, I'm still pulling for Dem @caitfornewyork.bsky.social, endorsed by @pkryan.bsky.social).
Sacks seeks to run against embattled #NY17 GOP Congressman Mike Lawler.
(Me, I'm still pulling for Dem @caitfornewyork.bsky.social, endorsed by @pkryan.bsky.social).
Exclusive | Democrat candidate running against NY Rep. Mike Lawler seeks votes on Tinder
Mike Sacks, a Democrat seeking to run against Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, is searching for votes and political soulmates on the dating site Tinder.
nypost.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Some unexpected news in local politics: Mike Sacks, a divorced dad of 2, is showing up on the Tinder feeds of Hudson Valley users.
Sacks seeks to run against embattled #NY17 GOP Congressman Mike Lawler.
(Me, I'm still pulling for Dem @caitfornewyork.bsky.social, endorsed by @pkryan.bsky.social).
Sacks seeks to run against embattled #NY17 GOP Congressman Mike Lawler.
(Me, I'm still pulling for Dem @caitfornewyork.bsky.social, endorsed by @pkryan.bsky.social).
Kimbal Musk, longtime #Tesla director + brother of Elon Musk, was connected with at least 2 women via Jeffrey Epstein years after he pleaded guilty to sex crimes, emails released by the Justice Dept show.
Sadly I find myself unable to muster even a shred of surprise. Billionaires gonna billionaire.
Sadly I find myself unable to muster even a shred of surprise. Billionaires gonna billionaire.
www.bloomberg.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Kimbal Musk, longtime #Tesla director + brother of Elon Musk, was connected with at least 2 women via Jeffrey Epstein years after he pleaded guilty to sex crimes, emails released by the Justice Dept show.
Sadly I find myself unable to muster even a shred of surprise. Billionaires gonna billionaire.
Sadly I find myself unable to muster even a shred of surprise. Billionaires gonna billionaire.
"Human teleoperators play crucial roles in supporting the safety of robotaxis. Yet there's no legal clarification if a remote assistant gives a robotaxi a bum steer, ending in a crash.
"Who was driving?"
Junko Yoshida nails the #robotaxi industry's remote-driver problem. Well...*a* problem anyhow.
"Who was driving?"
Junko Yoshida nails the #robotaxi industry's remote-driver problem. Well...*a* problem anyhow.
Robotaxi’s Million Dollar Question: Who’s Driving?
Human teleoperators play crucial roles in supporting the safety of robotaxis. Yet there's no legal clarification if a remote assistant gives a robotaxi a bum steer, ending in a crash. Who was driving?
junkoyoshidaparis.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:06 PM
"Human teleoperators play crucial roles in supporting the safety of robotaxis. Yet there's no legal clarification if a remote assistant gives a robotaxi a bum steer, ending in a crash.
"Who was driving?"
Junko Yoshida nails the #robotaxi industry's remote-driver problem. Well...*a* problem anyhow.
"Who was driving?"
Junko Yoshida nails the #robotaxi industry's remote-driver problem. Well...*a* problem anyhow.
BREAKING: Homan claims immigration 'Operation Metro Surge' in MN is ending
(a) I'll believe it when reports on the ground from Mpls confirm ICE has left town ... and not before.
(b) So ABOUT those 70,000 to 73,000 people (est) now held in ICE prison camps ... what happens to them?
[GIFT LINK]
(a) I'll believe it when reports on the ground from Mpls confirm ICE has left town ... and not before.
(b) So ABOUT those 70,000 to 73,000 people (est) now held in ICE prison camps ... what happens to them?
[GIFT LINK]
Border czar Tom Homan says Minnesota immigration surge is ending
President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, declared an end to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota following widespread protests and the killings of two U.S. citizens.
wapo.st
February 12, 2026 at 3:15 PM
BREAKING: Homan claims immigration 'Operation Metro Surge' in MN is ending
(a) I'll believe it when reports on the ground from Mpls confirm ICE has left town ... and not before.
(b) So ABOUT those 70,000 to 73,000 people (est) now held in ICE prison camps ... what happens to them?
[GIFT LINK]
(a) I'll believe it when reports on the ground from Mpls confirm ICE has left town ... and not before.
(b) So ABOUT those 70,000 to 73,000 people (est) now held in ICE prison camps ... what happens to them?
[GIFT LINK]
Backstory on Trump's out-of-the-blue threat to hold up the opening of a much needed, long anticipated Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit + Windsor.
Billionaire Matty Moroun, whose family owns a competing Ambassador Bridge, had called billionaire Commerce Secty Howard Lutnick. (1 of 2)
Billionaire Matty Moroun, whose family owns a competing Ambassador Bridge, had called billionaire Commerce Secty Howard Lutnick. (1 of 2)
February 12, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Backstory on Trump's out-of-the-blue threat to hold up the opening of a much needed, long anticipated Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit + Windsor.
Billionaire Matty Moroun, whose family owns a competing Ambassador Bridge, had called billionaire Commerce Secty Howard Lutnick. (1 of 2)
Billionaire Matty Moroun, whose family owns a competing Ambassador Bridge, had called billionaire Commerce Secty Howard Lutnick. (1 of 2)
"UK govt plans to introduce legislation to limit foreign political donations. Current law already makes direct foreign donations difficult — but the loopholes are obvious.
"To qualify as an eligible donor, a business would need to prove that it is headquartered in the UK, ... (1 of 2)
"To qualify as an eligible donor, a business would need to prove that it is headquartered in the UK, ... (1 of 2)
The UK Moves to Draw a Line Against Foreign Cash
A strong move — now see it through.
www.theconcis.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:06 PM
"UK govt plans to introduce legislation to limit foreign political donations. Current law already makes direct foreign donations difficult — but the loopholes are obvious.
"To qualify as an eligible donor, a business would need to prove that it is headquartered in the UK, ... (1 of 2)
"To qualify as an eligible donor, a business would need to prove that it is headquartered in the UK, ... (1 of 2)
The administration is terminating $600 million in CDC grants to state + local health depts, hospitals, universities + NGOs for programs that support HIV + STD prevention + #HIV surveillance.
Those activities "do not reflect agency priorities."
Grants ended *ONLY* in 4 blue states: CA, CO, IL, MN.
Those activities "do not reflect agency priorities."
Grants ended *ONLY* in 4 blue states: CA, CO, IL, MN.
Trump administration cuts $600 million in HIV, STD prevention and surveillance grants
The Trump administration is terminating $600 million in CDC grants for programs supporting HIV and STD prevention and HIV surveillance.
abcnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:33 PM
The administration is terminating $600 million in CDC grants to state + local health depts, hospitals, universities + NGOs for programs that support HIV + STD prevention + #HIV surveillance.
Those activities "do not reflect agency priorities."
Grants ended *ONLY* in 4 blue states: CA, CO, IL, MN.
Those activities "do not reflect agency priorities."
Grants ended *ONLY* in 4 blue states: CA, CO, IL, MN.
"We’re not continuing on the same path we had before. Something has changed."
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of a dataset from NASA, which it used to analyze global average surface temperatures from 1880 to 2025, shows the *fastest* global warming rate on record occurred in the last 30 years.
Oh.
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of a dataset from NASA, which it used to analyze global average surface temperatures from 1880 to 2025, shows the *fastest* global warming rate on record occurred in the last 30 years.
Oh.
Scientists thought they understood global warming. Then the past three years happened.
The fastest warming period since 1880 occurred in the past 30 years, according to a Washington Post analysis of NASA data.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 AM
"We’re not continuing on the same path we had before. Something has changed."
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of a dataset from NASA, which it used to analyze global average surface temperatures from 1880 to 2025, shows the *fastest* global warming rate on record occurred in the last 30 years.
Oh.
A @washingtonpost.com analysis of a dataset from NASA, which it used to analyze global average surface temperatures from 1880 to 2025, shows the *fastest* global warming rate on record occurred in the last 30 years.
Oh.
Uhhhhhhh ... PARDON ?!?!?
Not that there aren't some other reputable survey firms that will.
But still. #complicit
Not that there aren't some other reputable survey firms that will.
But still. #complicit
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Uhhhhhhh ... PARDON ?!?!?
Not that there aren't some other reputable survey firms that will.
But still. #complicit
Not that there aren't some other reputable survey firms that will.
But still. #complicit
Reposted by John Voelcker
Remarkable: Trump's deranged threat to block the bridge connecting Detroit to Canada is backfiring, giving Dems a big issue in 2026 races in Michigan, which could help decide control of Congress.
Michigan Dems tell me they'll use this against Republicans big time:
newrepublic.com/article/2064...
Michigan Dems tell me they'll use this against Republicans big time:
newrepublic.com/article/2064...
Trump Tirade over Bridge to Canada Backfires, Handing Dems 2026 Weapon
His corrupt threat to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge is about to become a big albatross around the necks of GOP candidates in pivotal Michigan.
newrepublic.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Remarkable: Trump's deranged threat to block the bridge connecting Detroit to Canada is backfiring, giving Dems a big issue in 2026 races in Michigan, which could help decide control of Congress.
Michigan Dems tell me they'll use this against Republicans big time:
newrepublic.com/article/2064...
Michigan Dems tell me they'll use this against Republicans big time:
newrepublic.com/article/2064...
Reposted by John Voelcker
NEGUSE: AG Bondi, that man works for you now, right? The man in that video from J6 yelling 'kill them!' at cops. His name is Jared Wise.
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
February 11, 2026 at 6:28 PM
NEGUSE: AG Bondi, that man works for you now, right? The man in that video from J6 yelling 'kill them!' at cops. His name is Jared Wise.
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
BONDI: He does work for us, yes. I believe he was pardoned
NEGUSE: And you expect hard-working police officers to believe you take law enforcement seriously?
Doug Burgum, presently U.S. Secretary of the Interior:
"CO2 was never a pollutant. When we breathe, we emit CO2. Plants need CO2 to survive + grow. They thrive with more CO2. So the whole endangerment thing opens up an opportunity for the revival of clean, beautiful, American coal."
Oh.
"CO2 was never a pollutant. When we breathe, we emit CO2. Plants need CO2 to survive + grow. They thrive with more CO2. So the whole endangerment thing opens up an opportunity for the revival of clean, beautiful, American coal."
Oh.
February 11, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Doug Burgum, presently U.S. Secretary of the Interior:
"CO2 was never a pollutant. When we breathe, we emit CO2. Plants need CO2 to survive + grow. They thrive with more CO2. So the whole endangerment thing opens up an opportunity for the revival of clean, beautiful, American coal."
Oh.
"CO2 was never a pollutant. When we breathe, we emit CO2. Plants need CO2 to survive + grow. They thrive with more CO2. So the whole endangerment thing opens up an opportunity for the revival of clean, beautiful, American coal."
Oh.
The tax agency only recently discovered the mistake + is working with other federal agencies on a response.
"mistake"
"mistake"
IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax data to DHS
The tax agency only recently discovered it improperly disclosed tax information on thousands of the wrong people to immigration enforcement.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
The tax agency only recently discovered the mistake + is working with other federal agencies on a response.
"mistake"
"mistake"
First of 2 articles from @insideevs.com on prototypes of the new Rivian R2 #EV, with deliveries to start by June.
@patrickgeorge.bsky.social gave the one he drove largely good marks, with startling performance, more manageable size than the R1 + still that "target" starting price of $45K. (1/2)
@patrickgeorge.bsky.social gave the one he drove largely good marks, with startling performance, more manageable size than the R1 + still that "target" starting price of $45K. (1/2)
I Drove A Rivian R2 Prototype. It's Going To Surprise People
Rivian’s 300-mile, 656-horsepower SUV is a breath of fresh air for the American EV space. Here are five things to know.
insideevs.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:17 PM
First of 2 articles from @insideevs.com on prototypes of the new Rivian R2 #EV, with deliveries to start by June.
@patrickgeorge.bsky.social gave the one he drove largely good marks, with startling performance, more manageable size than the R1 + still that "target" starting price of $45K. (1/2)
@patrickgeorge.bsky.social gave the one he drove largely good marks, with startling performance, more manageable size than the R1 + still that "target" starting price of $45K. (1/2)
Pat Ryan announced he will reject contributions from executives at companies that work with U.S. Immigration + Customs Enforcement (aka ICE) + will donate any prior donations to Hudson Valley nonprofits serving immigrants.
My #NY18 Congress guy @pkryan.bsky.social !!
My #NY18 Congress guy @pkryan.bsky.social !!
Pat Ryan pledges to reject ICE contractor funds, pledges donations to local immigrant groups
U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, who had received approximately $93,000 from Palantir employees, said he will donate that money to immigrant nonprofits in the Hudson Valley.
www.timesunion.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:49 AM
Pat Ryan announced he will reject contributions from executives at companies that work with U.S. Immigration + Customs Enforcement (aka ICE) + will donate any prior donations to Hudson Valley nonprofits serving immigrants.
My #NY18 Congress guy @pkryan.bsky.social !!
My #NY18 Congress guy @pkryan.bsky.social !!