Travicissitudes
@leitko.bsky.social
Paralyzed by the enormity of it all, but I like you. Keep it up.
He really can't help himself, can he?
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was spotted earlier today, January 20, 2026, on a plane heading to Laguna Beach as the state of Texas braces for a rare ice threat and arctic cold front.
January 21, 2026 at 5:48 AM
He really can't help himself, can he?
Reposted by Travicissitudes
If we all start going "That isn't Donald Trump, that's clearly a body double" I bet we can make everyone in the White House lose their minds within a week. But we have to _commit_ to it.
January 21, 2026 at 4:58 AM
If we all start going "That isn't Donald Trump, that's clearly a body double" I bet we can make everyone in the White House lose their minds within a week. But we have to _commit_ to it.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
You cannot overstate how startling it is to see a politician just say the thing with clarity and poise. No fearful hemming. No overwrought qualifying down til it’s meaningless. No lingering sense that there is a loyalty to a donor class or an ideology of stasis that they’d never admit to.
Mamdani: "I am in support of abolishing ICE. What we see is an entity that has no interest in fulfilling its stated reason to exist. We're seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some kind of immigration law, but instead what it's doing is terrorizing people."
January 20, 2026 at 6:17 PM
You cannot overstate how startling it is to see a politician just say the thing with clarity and poise. No fearful hemming. No overwrought qualifying down til it’s meaningless. No lingering sense that there is a loyalty to a donor class or an ideology of stasis that they’d never admit to.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
I grew up hearing stories from my father about how folks abducted by Franco’s secret police would routinely “escape” to the roof of police HQ and “commit suicide.” The obviousness of the lie was itself an intimidation tactic.
"agents told hospital staff that Castaneda Mondragon ... 'purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall.'”
A Minnesota man received a life-threatening injury while in ICE custody. It's not clear how he got injured because his memory and ability to communicate are so severely impaired. Agents said "he got his shit rocked." Wild story from @katrinapross.bsky.social sahanjournal.com/health/ice-d...
January 20, 2026 at 10:58 PM
I grew up hearing stories from my father about how folks abducted by Franco’s secret police would routinely “escape” to the roof of police HQ and “commit suicide.” The obviousness of the lie was itself an intimidation tactic.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
friendly neighborhood barred attorney telling you to never put your ID on your phone
iPhone driver’s licenses: Here are all the states working on support
iPhone driver’s licenses: Here are all the states working on support
At WWDC 2021, Apple announced support for adding driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet. Since then, over a dozen states in the United States have rolled out support for the platform.
As that number continues to grow, here’s where driver’s licenses and state IDs could come next …
more…
9to5mac.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:42 PM
friendly neighborhood barred attorney telling you to never put your ID on your phone
Reposted by Travicissitudes
fwiw this is the kind of stuff that is going to get us through, not playing rambo
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have basically mobilized into a war economy of mutual aid and non-violent defense. I’ve never seen anything like it, even during Covid. People who barely vote are guarding their schools from ICE and doing the shopping for neighbors in hiding.
This is so smart. I’m so impressed with all the different ways you’re helping your neighbors.
January 20, 2026 at 1:34 AM
fwiw this is the kind of stuff that is going to get us through, not playing rambo
Reposted by Travicissitudes
2026 is the year we're flensing the RFID tag off of the expensive proprietary refrigerator water filter and making a little reusable coat for the much cheaper generic ones
January 20, 2026 at 4:38 PM
2026 is the year we're flensing the RFID tag off of the expensive proprietary refrigerator water filter and making a little reusable coat for the much cheaper generic ones
Reposted by Travicissitudes
Terrible restaurant could close unless people enthusiastically embrace bad food, complains chef.
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Terrible restaurant could close unless people enthusiastically embrace bad food, complains chef.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
you guys did not oversell this story holy fuck
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the bus has figured out we are not going to the right place
January 20, 2026 at 1:24 PM
you guys did not oversell this story holy fuck
Reposted by Travicissitudes
I’m going to keep hammering this point: the excesses of ICE we see now are entirely contiguous with our system of policing more broadly, and the reason that almost no politician wants to threaten real consequences for ICE agents is because it opens the door to making the same demands of the cops
January 19, 2026 at 6:06 PM
I’m going to keep hammering this point: the excesses of ICE we see now are entirely contiguous with our system of policing more broadly, and the reason that almost no politician wants to threaten real consequences for ICE agents is because it opens the door to making the same demands of the cops
Reposted by Travicissitudes
COW TOOLS COW TOOLS COW TOOLS
Back-scratching bovine leads scientists to reassess intelligence of cows
Brown Swiss in Austria has been discovered using tools in multiple ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:06 PM
COW TOOLS COW TOOLS COW TOOLS
Reposted by Travicissitudes
The consistent pattern of Republicans feeling no obligation to tell the truth and Democrats feeling even less obligation to call out that the former is lying has truly doomed us in ways that are hard to quantify.
So in the end, what does this article amount to? Republicans are telling the same lie about welfare that they've told for 40 years despite consistent efforts — including many led by Democrats — to restrict and police it.
And in response, Democrats should restrict and police it even more.
And in response, Democrats should restrict and police it even more.
January 19, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The consistent pattern of Republicans feeling no obligation to tell the truth and Democrats feeling even less obligation to call out that the former is lying has truly doomed us in ways that are hard to quantify.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
Society parried the ozone layer, acid rain, and Y2K back to back and instead of going "wow, parrying is badass" a lot of people went "society didn't even get hit so I guess there's no need to learn how to parry" and instantly took a thousand hits
we live in a sick society that thinks preventing problems is a waste of time and effort and hey, guess why everything sucks now
January 18, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Society parried the ozone layer, acid rain, and Y2K back to back and instead of going "wow, parrying is badass" a lot of people went "society didn't even get hit so I guess there's no need to learn how to parry" and instantly took a thousand hits
Reposted by Travicissitudes
It’s important to understand we need to have this as our Government or taxes could be raised on the 500 wealthiest people by 6%
![NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreie7itpptx3xbxhpsnlaqmwk752h7pcrion5ija2apksljtax2adx4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 5:11 AM
It’s important to understand we need to have this as our Government or taxes could be raised on the 500 wealthiest people by 6%
Reposted by Travicissitudes
whenever i see ads for online gambling i get the same feeling as when you realize all the water is slowly pulling away from the shore at the beach
January 18, 2026 at 8:07 PM
whenever i see ads for online gambling i get the same feeling as when you realize all the water is slowly pulling away from the shore at the beach
Reposted by Travicissitudes
Nuanced take: I think it's really important to give *normal citizens* who supported Trump and off-ramp and *professional writers, pundits and politicians* who supported Trump should have to wear it like a scarlet letter for the rest of their lives
This is aggravating, because on the one hand I think it's really important to give fascists an off-ramp and positive reinforcement when they use it...
...on the other hand, FUCK that guy, in particular.
...on the other hand, FUCK that guy, in particular.
January 18, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Nuanced take: I think it's really important to give *normal citizens* who supported Trump and off-ramp and *professional writers, pundits and politicians* who supported Trump should have to wear it like a scarlet letter for the rest of their lives
Reposted by Travicissitudes
Christ, this (from Lizza's latest) is pretty fucking damning of...literally the entire media(?) What the fuck?
January 17, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Christ, this (from Lizza's latest) is pretty fucking damning of...literally the entire media(?) What the fuck?
Reposted by Travicissitudes
An underrated factor in "why don't people in wealthy societies have more kids" is changing societal norms that now expect even older kids to be chaperoned by an adult any time they are in public, and to be chauffeured by a parent as their only means of transportation
Older generations spent a lot less time parenting. Millennial dads spend nearly as much time parenting as Boomer moms did. Millennial and Gen X moms way more.
via The Economist
via The Economist
January 16, 2026 at 5:20 AM
An underrated factor in "why don't people in wealthy societies have more kids" is changing societal norms that now expect even older kids to be chaperoned by an adult any time they are in public, and to be chauffeured by a parent as their only means of transportation
Reposted by Travicissitudes
A lot of government, especially at the federal level, is stopping bad things from happening. It is hard to explain its value when the bad thing does not happen. Take it away, and broader societal risks increase, but the effects may take a while to emerge, and will be contested by those cutting govt.
I generally defend journalism On Here, and will keep doing it. But one genuine failure of the news media is (as @chrislhayes.bsky.social put it) they don’t cover the planes that land. The workings of the Govt only get covered when they fail via incompetence or corruption.
January 16, 2026 at 3:47 PM
A lot of government, especially at the federal level, is stopping bad things from happening. It is hard to explain its value when the bad thing does not happen. Take it away, and broader societal risks increase, but the effects may take a while to emerge, and will be contested by those cutting govt.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
I stopped using sticker mule absolute ages ago because of the owner’s bullshit. The owner is still on his bullshit, so if you use sticker mule, maybe don’t. StickerAPP is a good alternative, and also there’s most likely a local sticker printer near you (Sticker Ninja in Portland, for example).
The latest move by Sticker Mule's owner. Please don't give these people your money (or honestly send them your artwork, you never know).
January 16, 2026 at 3:33 PM
I stopped using sticker mule absolute ages ago because of the owner’s bullshit. The owner is still on his bullshit, so if you use sticker mule, maybe don’t. StickerAPP is a good alternative, and also there’s most likely a local sticker printer near you (Sticker Ninja in Portland, for example).
Reposted by Travicissitudes
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
January 15, 2026 at 11:48 PM
At one point today, there were 283 Minnesota attorneys doing a training on how to file emergency habeas petitions to keep our neighbors from being shipped out of state and held indefinitely.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
That would be the second largest law firm in the state. And that training was just put together this week.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
I deleted my earlier post about this because it appears that Wikipedia is NOT going to start using a.i. but rather a way for the foundation to charge a.i. companies who are already allowed to scrape wikipedia under the Creative Commons license.
Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia written by volunteers, is embracing artificial intelligence to mark its 25th anniversary.
Wikipedia unveils new AI licensing deals as it marks 25th birthday
Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia written by volunteers, is embracing artificial intelligence to mark its 25th anniversary.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 9:44 PM
I deleted my earlier post about this because it appears that Wikipedia is NOT going to start using a.i. but rather a way for the foundation to charge a.i. companies who are already allowed to scrape wikipedia under the Creative Commons license.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
Shutting up and listening to people is free of charge and also that price exists in perpetuity!
I wish more people took advantage of such an easy to grasp offer.
I wish more people took advantage of such an easy to grasp offer.
January 15, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Shutting up and listening to people is free of charge and also that price exists in perpetuity!
I wish more people took advantage of such an easy to grasp offer.
I wish more people took advantage of such an easy to grasp offer.
Reposted by Travicissitudes
the best encryption in the world can be broken in an instant by a snitch! technology can’t save you from the simple fact that the easiest & most common way cops find out what was said in private is not hacking or warrants or subpoenas, it’s somebody straight up telling them!!
I need people who don’t live in the Twin Cities to stop telling people not to join massive Signal groups right now. People are doing it. They’re going to keep doing it. Give them good advice about it.
The actually practical advice is don’t say anything to 1000 strangers you wouldn’t say in public
The actually practical advice is don’t say anything to 1000 strangers you wouldn’t say in public
January 15, 2026 at 1:38 PM
the best encryption in the world can be broken in an instant by a snitch! technology can’t save you from the simple fact that the easiest & most common way cops find out what was said in private is not hacking or warrants or subpoenas, it’s somebody straight up telling them!!
Reposted by Travicissitudes
“It’s monumental,” Stackhouse told Bolts. “If I am sent a letter saying I should come in for a jury, I am excited to go through the process. I’ve been telling family and friends that when they get a letter and they try to get out of jury duty—no, you should be excited to be involved. I am.”
Remarkable final act by outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy: 350,000 New Jerseyans with criminal convictions can now serve on juries. In an egalitarian society, justice demands the full participation of folks who’ve paid their debt. boltsmag.org/new-jersey-g...
In a Final Act, New Jersey Governor Opens Jury Service to Thousands with Convictions - Bolts
On Sunday, coming up on his last full week in office, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stood at the lectern of the New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange to... Read More
boltsmag.org
January 14, 2026 at 11:23 PM
“It’s monumental,” Stackhouse told Bolts. “If I am sent a letter saying I should come in for a jury, I am excited to go through the process. I’ve been telling family and friends that when they get a letter and they try to get out of jury duty—no, you should be excited to be involved. I am.”