Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
@kdbyproxy.bsky.social
I used to write laws… then I invented Knee Defender. ex-HPSCI, ex-Senate tech, taxes, trade/FP, ethics, antitrust… crime & even reputed parliamentarian
Pinned
And a package cannot be "delayed in transit" when it has yet to start its transit.
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
And a package cannot be "delayed in transit" when it has yet to start its transit.
FUN FIND: On Carter's way out the door in 1981, AAG Phil Heymann rec'd an OLC memo: "We believe that Congress may not 'waive' or abrogate its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause. [… T]he clause protects Congress chiefly by protecting the speech and debate of every member."
Link in ALT
Link in ALT
![Date stamped: 16 Jan 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR PHILIP B. HEYMANN
Assistant 'Attorney General
Criminal Division
Re: The Power of Congress to Abrogate its Members' Rights under the Speech or
Debate Clause
In your memorandum of September 18, 1979, you asked our opinion whether Congress can "waive" its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution. The Solicitor General has taken the position, in the Supreme Court, that Congress has the power to abrogate its members' Speech or Debate Clause protection. See Brief for the United States at 18-21, 76-88, United States v. Helstoski, 442 U.S. 477 (1979); Brief for the United States. at 10-32, United States v. Brewster, 408 U.S. 501 (1972). We disagree. We believe that Congress may not "waive" or abrogate its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause.
[snip]
But in our view the clause protects Congress chiefly by protecting the speech and debate of every member -- even if a majority of his colleagues wish to deny him
that protection.
https://www.justice.gov/d9/pages/attachments/2022/10/17/la_19810116_the_power_of_congress_to_abrogate_its_members_rights_under_the_speech_or_debate_clause.pdf](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mf6x4tcxia23iqiflhqtv2dg/bafkreieb6idlrbmw642six46cbtpkdnxcr2tkvbqypxqknltptqi5wu3ti@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 11:12 PM
FUN FIND: On Carter's way out the door in 1981, AAG Phil Heymann rec'd an OLC memo: "We believe that Congress may not 'waive' or abrogate its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause. [… T]he clause protects Congress chiefly by protecting the speech and debate of every member."
Link in ALT
Link in ALT
TIL: I can set my home thermostat to lie.
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
TIL: I can set my home thermostat to lie.
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Philadelphia Inquirer. The fame Dunham wins for the Ford gig will later land him a vaudeville contract.
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Philadelphia Inquirer. The fame Dunham wins for the Ford gig will later land him a vaudeville contract.
PSA: Military retirement appears to be exempt from congressional financial disclosure reporting (as is the value of a senator's primary residence).
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
November 24, 2025 at 9:19 PM
PSA: Military retirement appears to be exempt from congressional financial disclosure reporting (as is the value of a senator's primary residence).
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
November 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
PSA: Military retirement appears to be exempt from congressional financial disclosure reporting (as is the value of a senator's primary residence).
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Me, on why and how Marco Rubio is actually the good guy on the Ukraine "piece" deal.
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Marco Rubio in the Room
YouTube video by emptywheel
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Me, on why and how Marco Rubio is actually the good guy on the Ukraine "piece" deal.
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
YES. If you're part of a decision-making group & you don't like the direction it's going, and you say it publicly, at the next meeting, you may not be in the room. And w/ Rubio, he's barely been in the room from the get-go.
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
Me, on why and how Marco Rubio is actually the good guy on the Ukraine "piece" deal.
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Marco Rubio in the Room
YouTube video by emptywheel
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
YES. If you're part of a decision-making group & you don't like the direction it's going, and you say it publicly, at the next meeting, you may not be in the room. And w/ Rubio, he's barely been in the room from the get-go.
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
This take is very, very funny and very, very, very sadly true.
hey don't be so hard on yourselves; it delivered oceans of sensitive government and citizen data to billionaires
Musk’s DOGE Quietly Killed Off After Delivering Almost Nothing
The agency disbanded eight months ahead of schedule.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This take is very, very funny and very, very, very sadly true.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
So a bunch of people who want enormous financial bribes from Russia bypassed the man who REMAINS both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to capitulate to Russia.
Then he got the backing of key Senators, and with it, tried, once again, to prevent the total capitulation by the US.
Then he got the backing of key Senators, and with it, tried, once again, to prevent the total capitulation by the US.
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
So a bunch of people who want enormous financial bribes from Russia bypassed the man who REMAINS both Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to capitulate to Russia.
Then he got the backing of key Senators, and with it, tried, once again, to prevent the total capitulation by the US.
Then he got the backing of key Senators, and with it, tried, once again, to prevent the total capitulation by the US.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
HOT TAKE: One of the House members in the "Don't follow an illegal order" video should blow up this image to poster size, take it to the floor, and use it while giving notice of an impeachment resolution.* 🤷♂️
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
Trump didn’t read before posting:
“OUR AMERICAN CODE OF MILITARY OBEDIENCE REQUIRES THAT, SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
“OUR AMERICAN CODE OF MILITARY OBEDIENCE REQUIRES THAT, SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
November 24, 2025 at 2:40 AM
HOT TAKE: One of the House members in the "Don't follow an illegal order" video should blow up this image to poster size, take it to the floor, and use it while giving notice of an impeachment resolution.* 🤷♂️
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
1) Who knew Keith Kellogg was still at his post? 🤷🏻♂️
2) "But his role shrunk as Witkoff, a real estate developer TURNED diplomat, emerged as the president’s chief interlocutor with Putin and his advisers."
> But we would have accepted "real estate developer turned Trump/Putin real estate developer."
2) "But his role shrunk as Witkoff, a real estate developer TURNED diplomat, emerged as the president’s chief interlocutor with Putin and his advisers."
> But we would have accepted "real estate developer turned Trump/Putin real estate developer."
November 24, 2025 at 4:19 AM
1) Who knew Keith Kellogg was still at his post? 🤷🏻♂️
2) "But his role shrunk as Witkoff, a real estate developer TURNED diplomat, emerged as the president’s chief interlocutor with Putin and his advisers."
> But we would have accepted "real estate developer turned Trump/Putin real estate developer."
2) "But his role shrunk as Witkoff, a real estate developer TURNED diplomat, emerged as the president’s chief interlocutor with Putin and his advisers."
> But we would have accepted "real estate developer turned Trump/Putin real estate developer."
HOT TAKE: One of the House members in the "Don't follow an illegal order" video should blow up this image to poster size, take it to the floor, and use it while giving notice of an impeachment resolution.* 🤷♂️
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
Trump didn’t read before posting:
“OUR AMERICAN CODE OF MILITARY OBEDIENCE REQUIRES THAT, SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
“OUR AMERICAN CODE OF MILITARY OBEDIENCE REQUIRES THAT, SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
November 24, 2025 at 2:40 AM
HOT TAKE: One of the House members in the "Don't follow an illegal order" video should blow up this image to poster size, take it to the floor, and use it while giving notice of an impeachment resolution.* 🤷♂️
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
(* – terms and conditions may apply)
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
A question seen in years past that leads to enjoyable answers. I like hearing controversial opinions about food. So what is your most controversial opinion about food?
November 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
A question seen in years past that leads to enjoyable answers. I like hearing controversial opinions about food. So what is your most controversial opinion about food?
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
I showed up to a movie theater one night and I looked at the posters and I just picked a movie
And I chose Wind River
And oh my god holy shit. Walking into that thing having no idea what I was about to watch
It felt exactly like how movies were supposed to be seen. Pieces of art you wandered into
And I chose Wind River
And oh my god holy shit. Walking into that thing having no idea what I was about to watch
It felt exactly like how movies were supposed to be seen. Pieces of art you wandered into
I love Wind River. It's not well enough known or appreciated imo
November 23, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I showed up to a movie theater one night and I looked at the posters and I just picked a movie
And I chose Wind River
And oh my god holy shit. Walking into that thing having no idea what I was about to watch
It felt exactly like how movies were supposed to be seen. Pieces of art you wandered into
And I chose Wind River
And oh my god holy shit. Walking into that thing having no idea what I was about to watch
It felt exactly like how movies were supposed to be seen. Pieces of art you wandered into
A TAKE: Zelensky goes to the White House, and in the Oval Office he rolls out a big map that shows all the territory of Ukraine that Russia now occupies, then he makes this offer: Trump gets 6% of whatever he recovers.
November 23, 2025 at 11:48 PM
A TAKE: Zelensky goes to the White House, and in the Oval Office he rolls out a big map that shows all the territory of Ukraine that Russia now occupies, then he makes this offer: Trump gets 6% of whatever he recovers.
I've deleted my post re the SEAR/security rating for the Las Vegas F1 races this weekend being changed because, while I did note the source was Google AI, upon booth review I am told that it's wrong.
November 23, 2025 at 10:54 PM
I've deleted my post re the SEAR/security rating for the Las Vegas F1 races this weekend being changed because, while I did note the source was Google AI, upon booth review I am told that it's wrong.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Some of us have been advocating this going back since chatGPT launched. It also has other benefits: correcting someone else's work is actually a really good way to learn something yourself.
November 23, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Some of us have been advocating this going back since chatGPT launched. It also has other benefits: correcting someone else's work is actually a really good way to learn something yourself.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
West Point is committing "a crime of serious proportion" then.
November 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
West Point is committing "a crime of serious proportion" then.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Kip’s lawyers had opened by reading love letters from Alice to try to show her as an aggressive pursuer. Alice’s team now responds by having Kip’s own racy letters read—a “revolting recital,” one report notes, for which the judge orders all women spectators out of the court. 3/6
November 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Kip’s lawyers had opened by reading love letters from Alice to try to show her as an aggressive pursuer. Alice’s team now responds by having Kip’s own racy letters read—a “revolting recital,” one report notes, for which the judge orders all women spectators out of the court. 3/6
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Why the asterisk? You have to adjust for the one-time change in the net present value of our outstanding student loan portfolio stemming from the student loan cuts in OBBBA. They all get booked to FY2025, so it creates an apples-to-oranges comparison if you don't adjust for it.
November 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Why the asterisk? You have to adjust for the one-time change in the net present value of our outstanding student loan portfolio stemming from the student loan cuts in OBBBA. They all get booked to FY2025, so it creates an apples-to-oranges comparison if you don't adjust for it.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
I can't decide which details from this NYT piece will bother Kash Patel more: referring to his side piece as an "aspiring" country singer or describing how his work ethic (doesn't) compare with Robert Mueller's?
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
November 23, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I can't decide which details from this NYT piece will bother Kash Patel more: referring to his side piece as an "aspiring" country singer or describing how his work ethic (doesn't) compare with Robert Mueller's?
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...