Greg Lester
@lstr.bsky.social
Dad. Communications consultant/science writer guy. America's leading lawn gnome critic. Likes: bikes, science, camping, travel, frugality. Dislikes: lawn gnomes without eyes, quick declines into fascism.
Sigh.
Pictured, Tonka as a young man
Sigh.
Pictured, Tonka as a young man
Reposted by Greg Lester
Wow! This read-along of the NYT moment-by-moment leading to the murder of Alex Pretti should shake everyone awake. He was a Good Samaritan.
Agents fired at least ten shots in roughly five seconds. DHS and Pam Bondi claim Pretti approached them armed and intent on a “massacre.”
Agents fired at least ten shots in roughly five seconds. DHS and Pam Bondi claim Pretti approached them armed and intent on a “massacre.”
January 26, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Wow! This read-along of the NYT moment-by-moment leading to the murder of Alex Pretti should shake everyone awake. He was a Good Samaritan.
Agents fired at least ten shots in roughly five seconds. DHS and Pam Bondi claim Pretti approached them armed and intent on a “massacre.”
Agents fired at least ten shots in roughly five seconds. DHS and Pam Bondi claim Pretti approached them armed and intent on a “massacre.”
Reposted by Greg Lester
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Now that I'm in my 50s, I believe there is a sizeable segment of middle-aged men who, given time and freedom from responsibilities, would spend their life building little worlds and playing with toys.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItRn...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItRn...
1975: MODEL RAILWAYS - All You Need to Know | Model World | BBC Archive
YouTube video by BBC Archive
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Now that I'm in my 50s, I believe there is a sizeable segment of middle-aged men who, given time and freedom from responsibilities, would spend their life building little worlds and playing with toys.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItRn...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItRn...
While I'm cheering for my rep @repdean.bsky.social, watch this.
Stand against Trump and the farcical Republican toadies who carry his water in this, the stupidest of all possible foreign policies.
Stand against Trump and the farcical Republican toadies who carry his water in this, the stupidest of all possible foreign policies.
Rep. Dean: Trump is not making a lot of sense. You wouldn't accept that kind of nonsense from your child or grandchildren. He wants to possess things. The island of Greenland is not a possession. They are our ally.
January 21, 2026 at 5:46 PM
While I'm cheering for my rep @repdean.bsky.social, watch this.
Stand against Trump and the farcical Republican toadies who carry his water in this, the stupidest of all possible foreign policies.
Stand against Trump and the farcical Republican toadies who carry his water in this, the stupidest of all possible foreign policies.
Easy to do.
It isn't the first time @repdean.bsky.social, has heard from me on the topic. I have every confidence that she has the courage, will, and interest to continue standing against the buffoonery of RFK and the dismantling of both public health and the academic research that powers med sci.
It isn't the first time @repdean.bsky.social, has heard from me on the topic. I have every confidence that she has the courage, will, and interest to continue standing against the buffoonery of RFK and the dismantling of both public health and the academic research that powers med sci.
Every day that RFK Jr. remains in office is another day of compounding abusive and neglectful anti-science policies.
Got 5 minutes? Take action with Stand Up for Science, and send an email to your representative demanding that they act now and #impeachrfkjr
Send an email! 📧 tr.ee/impeach-email
Got 5 minutes? Take action with Stand Up for Science, and send an email to your representative demanding that they act now and #impeachrfkjr
Send an email! 📧 tr.ee/impeach-email
January 21, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Easy to do.
It isn't the first time @repdean.bsky.social, has heard from me on the topic. I have every confidence that she has the courage, will, and interest to continue standing against the buffoonery of RFK and the dismantling of both public health and the academic research that powers med sci.
It isn't the first time @repdean.bsky.social, has heard from me on the topic. I have every confidence that she has the courage, will, and interest to continue standing against the buffoonery of RFK and the dismantling of both public health and the academic research that powers med sci.
As anyone who shops for their family knows, it is nuts out there.
I have a teenage boy who craves red meat and the current prices are bonkers. I've been making vegetarian dishes for the rest of us so he can continue to satiate his unholy hunger. Soon, I'll have to start selling things, I fear.
I have a teenage boy who craves red meat and the current prices are bonkers. I've been making vegetarian dishes for the rest of us so he can continue to satiate his unholy hunger. Soon, I'll have to start selling things, I fear.
A reminder that Trump always overpromises, underdelivers, and then moves onto other things.
In this case, the economy. It sucks, apart from the AI bubble driven stock market.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
In this case, the economy. It sucks, apart from the AI bubble driven stock market.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump’s Economy at One Year: Food Prices, Stock Market and More (Gift Article)
As a candidate, President Trump pledged to boost the stock market, bring back manufacturing jobs and improve other elements of the economy. A year after his return to office, his record is mixed.
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:37 PM
As anyone who shops for their family knows, it is nuts out there.
I have a teenage boy who craves red meat and the current prices are bonkers. I've been making vegetarian dishes for the rest of us so he can continue to satiate his unholy hunger. Soon, I'll have to start selling things, I fear.
I have a teenage boy who craves red meat and the current prices are bonkers. I've been making vegetarian dishes for the rest of us so he can continue to satiate his unholy hunger. Soon, I'll have to start selling things, I fear.
I would feel slightly better about all of this (waves hands around the United States) if I had a feeling that the main opposition party was doing something in a concerted effort.
I feel there should be a full-court press, but all I see is a weak zone defense and occasional blocked shots.
I feel there should be a full-court press, but all I see is a weak zone defense and occasional blocked shots.
January 18, 2026 at 9:14 PM
I would feel slightly better about all of this (waves hands around the United States) if I had a feeling that the main opposition party was doing something in a concerted effort.
I feel there should be a full-court press, but all I see is a weak zone defense and occasional blocked shots.
I feel there should be a full-court press, but all I see is a weak zone defense and occasional blocked shots.
Seen in the Other Place.
Why is it that when any of these chuckleheads attempt to go with the William Proxmire Golden Fleece Award schtick, they fail due to laziness and gullibility?
Find a staffer with a passing knowledge of how science funding works, and save the embarrassment.
Why is it that when any of these chuckleheads attempt to go with the William Proxmire Golden Fleece Award schtick, they fail due to laziness and gullibility?
Find a staffer with a passing knowledge of how science funding works, and save the embarrassment.
January 17, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Seen in the Other Place.
Why is it that when any of these chuckleheads attempt to go with the William Proxmire Golden Fleece Award schtick, they fail due to laziness and gullibility?
Find a staffer with a passing knowledge of how science funding works, and save the embarrassment.
Why is it that when any of these chuckleheads attempt to go with the William Proxmire Golden Fleece Award schtick, they fail due to laziness and gullibility?
Find a staffer with a passing knowledge of how science funding works, and save the embarrassment.
Finally got around to reading @chuckwendig.bsky.social 's The Staircase in the Woods.
Highly recommend for the unnervingness of it all, and the shout-out to Glenside.
Highly recommend for the unnervingness of it all, and the shout-out to Glenside.
January 16, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Finally got around to reading @chuckwendig.bsky.social 's The Staircase in the Woods.
Highly recommend for the unnervingness of it all, and the shout-out to Glenside.
Highly recommend for the unnervingness of it all, and the shout-out to Glenside.
I notice she fiddles with that cross on occasion. Is she afraid it will singe her if she keeps it in one place too long?
LEAVITT: Why was Renee Good unfortunately and tragically killed?
REPORTER: Because an ICE agent acted recklessly and killed her unjustifiably
LEAVITT: Oh, ok. So you're a biased reporters with a biased opinion. You're a left-wing hack.
REPORTER: Because an ICE agent acted recklessly and killed her unjustifiably
LEAVITT: Oh, ok. So you're a biased reporters with a biased opinion. You're a left-wing hack.
January 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM
I notice she fiddles with that cross on occasion. Is she afraid it will singe her if she keeps it in one place too long?
Played hooky today to take my daughter to see the PA Farm Show. (These are the only pix w/out kid)
In what I see as a good sign, I saw zero red hats among a very white throng. Saw some stuff in a booth, unsold in a dark corner.
Hope is where you find it.
In what I see as a good sign, I saw zero red hats among a very white throng. Saw some stuff in a booth, unsold in a dark corner.
Hope is where you find it.
January 15, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Played hooky today to take my daughter to see the PA Farm Show. (These are the only pix w/out kid)
In what I see as a good sign, I saw zero red hats among a very white throng. Saw some stuff in a booth, unsold in a dark corner.
Hope is where you find it.
In what I see as a good sign, I saw zero red hats among a very white throng. Saw some stuff in a booth, unsold in a dark corner.
Hope is where you find it.
Aside from the idea ICE culture favors allowing questionably trained sociopaths to act unconstitutionally w/ racism & malice in their hearts.
Aside from that
Aside from that it is unnecessary. Immigration issues are a civil matter handled through the courts.
This is about performative violence
Aside from that
Aside from that it is unnecessary. Immigration issues are a civil matter handled through the courts.
This is about performative violence
We are far past the stage of permissiveness with white-supremacist violence inside DHS. We are witnessing ICE transition into a death squad.
This cannot be reformed. The only question is who will fight to abolish it, and who will accommodate it instead.
This cannot be reformed. The only question is who will fight to abolish it, and who will accommodate it instead.
Either ICE Is Abolished or It Will Kill Many More Renee Goods
Minnesota is just the beginning of ICE's transformation into a right-wing death squad. But it can be the end
www.forever-wars.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Aside from the idea ICE culture favors allowing questionably trained sociopaths to act unconstitutionally w/ racism & malice in their hearts.
Aside from that
Aside from that it is unnecessary. Immigration issues are a civil matter handled through the courts.
This is about performative violence
Aside from that
Aside from that it is unnecessary. Immigration issues are a civil matter handled through the courts.
This is about performative violence
Reposted by Greg Lester
ICE: The Fragile Gestapo*
MAGA: "Don't say mean things to them, it hurts their feelings. And they will kill you for it."
-Oh, that sounds b...
MAGA: "Oh, don't make eye contact, they're like Chimps, it enrages them, & they'll rip your face off. Do you think that's Noem's first face?"
1/2
MAGA: "Don't say mean things to them, it hurts their feelings. And they will kill you for it."
-Oh, that sounds b...
MAGA: "Oh, don't make eye contact, they're like Chimps, it enrages them, & they'll rip your face off. Do you think that's Noem's first face?"
1/2
Rep. Pete Sessions: "This protesting that goes on -- honking of horns, obstructing federal law enforcement -- should not be tolerated ... I stand completely with the administration on this effort."
January 12, 2026 at 3:03 PM
ICE: The Fragile Gestapo*
MAGA: "Don't say mean things to them, it hurts their feelings. And they will kill you for it."
-Oh, that sounds b...
MAGA: "Oh, don't make eye contact, they're like Chimps, it enrages them, & they'll rip your face off. Do you think that's Noem's first face?"
1/2
MAGA: "Don't say mean things to them, it hurts their feelings. And they will kill you for it."
-Oh, that sounds b...
MAGA: "Oh, don't make eye contact, they're like Chimps, it enrages them, & they'll rip your face off. Do you think that's Noem's first face?"
1/2
Reposted by Greg Lester
“Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author whose bestselling books about the extraterrestrial origins of ancient civilizations brought him fame among paranormal enthusiasts and scorn from the scientific community, has died. He was 90.”
apnews.com/article/swit...
apnews.com/article/swit...
Erich von Däniken, Swiss writer who spawned alien archaeology, dies at 90
Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author whose books on the extraterrestrial origins of ancient civilizations brought him both fame and scorn, has died at age 90.
apnews.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:08 PM
“Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author whose bestselling books about the extraterrestrial origins of ancient civilizations brought him fame among paranormal enthusiasts and scorn from the scientific community, has died. He was 90.”
apnews.com/article/swit...
apnews.com/article/swit...
Reposted by Greg Lester
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Harrowing video taken a few minutes after the shooting.
Ice just shot a woman who was a legal observer in the face in Minnesota
www.reddit.com/r/KnowTheTru....
www.reddit.com/r/KnowTheTru....
From the KnowTheTruthMatters community on Reddit: Ice just shot a woman who was a legal observer in the face in Minnesota.
Explore this post and more from the KnowTheTruthMatters community
www.reddit.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Harrowing video taken a few minutes after the shooting.
Noem is a liar. This is murder and everyone needs to see it.
NEW: Second video shows ICE shooting in Minneapolis. A woman, a U.S. citizen, was killed
January 7, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Noem is a liar. This is murder and everyone needs to see it.
The hopeful little murder machine
January 3, 2026 at 4:35 PM
The hopeful little murder machine
What doesn't surprise me is that those who proclaimed Trump was a peace president and against neocon adventurism are suddenly interventionists.
The American people will support it as it seems to have worked.
Continue the pressure on Trump, on every available front, for his corruption and failures
The American people will support it as it seems to have worked.
Continue the pressure on Trump, on every available front, for his corruption and failures
January 3, 2026 at 2:40 PM
What doesn't surprise me is that those who proclaimed Trump was a peace president and against neocon adventurism are suddenly interventionists.
The American people will support it as it seems to have worked.
Continue the pressure on Trump, on every available front, for his corruption and failures
The American people will support it as it seems to have worked.
Continue the pressure on Trump, on every available front, for his corruption and failures
Reposted by Greg Lester
What will 2026 bring for so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)? edzardernst.com/2026/01/what...
What will 2026 bring for so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)?
I am often asked what the future might bring for so-called alternative medicine (SCAM). Yet, I have to admit that I am not a good fortune teller; despite my long-standing interest in the subject, I fe...
edzardernst.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:10 AM
What will 2026 bring for so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)? edzardernst.com/2026/01/what...
Jeez, Metaphor Alert.
Sometimes, the universe isn’t subtle.
Sometimes, the universe isn’t subtle.
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Jeez, Metaphor Alert.
Sometimes, the universe isn’t subtle.
Sometimes, the universe isn’t subtle.
I have a long diatribe in mind, but I'm cooking salmon, so to sum up: We're destroying our most important engine for discovery.
We can't just flip the switch back on in 2028. We're losing a generation of early-career scientists and students. Pharma and Europe can't absorb them. Doordash will.
We can't just flip the switch back on in 2028. We're losing a generation of early-career scientists and students. Pharma and Europe can't absorb them. Doordash will.
Dismantling the American Research Enterprise
— The government's self-sabotage could not come at a worse time
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
— The government's self-sabotage could not come at a worse time
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
Opinion | Dismantling the American Research Enterprise
The government's self-sabotage could not come at a worse time
www.medpagetoday.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I have a long diatribe in mind, but I'm cooking salmon, so to sum up: We're destroying our most important engine for discovery.
We can't just flip the switch back on in 2028. We're losing a generation of early-career scientists and students. Pharma and Europe can't absorb them. Doordash will.
We can't just flip the switch back on in 2028. We're losing a generation of early-career scientists and students. Pharma and Europe can't absorb them. Doordash will.
Reposted by Greg Lester
RFK: “Where did all this autism come from? It never existed when I was a kid!”
“A Christmas Story”, a 1983 movie based on a 1971 memoir about a childhood in the 1930s: “This is my brother Ralphie. He has a ton of sensory issues and behaviors we don’t understand. Every family has a child like him.”
“A Christmas Story”, a 1983 movie based on a 1971 memoir about a childhood in the 1930s: “This is my brother Ralphie. He has a ton of sensory issues and behaviors we don’t understand. Every family has a child like him.”
December 26, 2025 at 2:43 AM
RFK: “Where did all this autism come from? It never existed when I was a kid!”
“A Christmas Story”, a 1983 movie based on a 1971 memoir about a childhood in the 1930s: “This is my brother Ralphie. He has a ton of sensory issues and behaviors we don’t understand. Every family has a child like him.”
“A Christmas Story”, a 1983 movie based on a 1971 memoir about a childhood in the 1930s: “This is my brother Ralphie. He has a ton of sensory issues and behaviors we don’t understand. Every family has a child like him.”