Mike
@mcgwh.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike
People who think evil, corrupt, and incompetent don’t go together have it backwards.
Instead of looking to Hollywood to explain real world evil, look to Hannah Arendt. Uncorrupt people of integrity won’t do evil. And evil leaders work to elevate incompetents because that helps ensure their loyalty.
Instead of looking to Hollywood to explain real world evil, look to Hannah Arendt. Uncorrupt people of integrity won’t do evil. And evil leaders work to elevate incompetents because that helps ensure their loyalty.
"It is logically impossible to simultaneously be evil, corrupt, and incompetent" is an absolutely amazing take to have in the year of 2025
December 23, 2025 at 10:01 PM
People who think evil, corrupt, and incompetent don’t go together have it backwards.
Instead of looking to Hollywood to explain real world evil, look to Hannah Arendt. Uncorrupt people of integrity won’t do evil. And evil leaders work to elevate incompetents because that helps ensure their loyalty.
Instead of looking to Hollywood to explain real world evil, look to Hannah Arendt. Uncorrupt people of integrity won’t do evil. And evil leaders work to elevate incompetents because that helps ensure their loyalty.
Reposted by Mike
The Trump administration decision to recall some 30 ambassadors will leave 110 US embassies without ambassadors in place.
Please explain, @secrubio.govpeeps.us, how that strengthens US ability to promote its security and economic interests.
Please explain, @secrubio.govpeeps.us, how that strengthens US ability to promote its security and economic interests.
Mass Recall of U.S. Ambassadors Leaves Unprecedented Global Vacancies
Almost 30 envoys are being recalled, some from countries where President Trump has lauded U.S. efforts to end armed conflicts.
www.wsj.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
The Trump administration decision to recall some 30 ambassadors will leave 110 US embassies without ambassadors in place.
Please explain, @secrubio.govpeeps.us, how that strengthens US ability to promote its security and economic interests.
Please explain, @secrubio.govpeeps.us, how that strengthens US ability to promote its security and economic interests.
“Ms. Gamer said that after checking its archives, the union “can say definitively that such a mass recall has never happened since the founding of the Foreign Service as we know it.”
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
Trump Administration Orders Nearly 30 U.S. Ambassadors to Leave Their Posts
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:01 AM
“Ms. Gamer said that after checking its archives, the union “can say definitively that such a mass recall has never happened since the founding of the Foreign Service as we know it.”
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
Reposted by Mike
here's the 60 minutes cecot video part 1 of 5 - recorded/uploaded by and all credit to @jasonparis.bsky.social
I just reduced background noise, chopped the 14 minutes into 3 minute segments each compressed under 100 mb for bsky's limits, cropped and rotated a few degrees for easier viewing on here
I just reduced background noise, chopped the 14 minutes into 3 minute segments each compressed under 100 mb for bsky's limits, cropped and rotated a few degrees for easier viewing on here
December 22, 2025 at 10:58 PM
here's the 60 minutes cecot video part 1 of 5 - recorded/uploaded by and all credit to @jasonparis.bsky.social
I just reduced background noise, chopped the 14 minutes into 3 minute segments each compressed under 100 mb for bsky's limits, cropped and rotated a few degrees for easier viewing on here
I just reduced background noise, chopped the 14 minutes into 3 minute segments each compressed under 100 mb for bsky's limits, cropped and rotated a few degrees for easier viewing on here
Censor, Ban, Suppress?
Standby while the network cuts to 20 minutes of swan lake instead of the CECOT segment.
Standby while the network cuts to 20 minutes of swan lake instead of the CECOT segment.
December 22, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Censor, Ban, Suppress?
Standby while the network cuts to 20 minutes of swan lake instead of the CECOT segment.
Standby while the network cuts to 20 minutes of swan lake instead of the CECOT segment.
They might be:
Pan muffins
Pan Crumpets
Pan Biscuits
They might be many things, but they are not pancakes.
Pan muffins
Pan Crumpets
Pan Biscuits
They might be many things, but they are not pancakes.
December 22, 2025 at 12:35 AM
They might be:
Pan muffins
Pan Crumpets
Pan Biscuits
They might be many things, but they are not pancakes.
Pan muffins
Pan Crumpets
Pan Biscuits
They might be many things, but they are not pancakes.
Reposted by Mike
I often refer to James C Scott’s account of what he calls weapons of the weak:
Sabotage, foot-dragging, evasion, false compliance, pilfering, feigned ignorance, arson, dissimulation, and slander.
What I didn’t expect is that it would become a pitch perfect description of the US Administration.
Sabotage, foot-dragging, evasion, false compliance, pilfering, feigned ignorance, arson, dissimulation, and slander.
What I didn’t expect is that it would become a pitch perfect description of the US Administration.
December 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I often refer to James C Scott’s account of what he calls weapons of the weak:
Sabotage, foot-dragging, evasion, false compliance, pilfering, feigned ignorance, arson, dissimulation, and slander.
What I didn’t expect is that it would become a pitch perfect description of the US Administration.
Sabotage, foot-dragging, evasion, false compliance, pilfering, feigned ignorance, arson, dissimulation, and slander.
What I didn’t expect is that it would become a pitch perfect description of the US Administration.
Reposted by Mike
Board members who were attending the meeting virtually were muted and not allowed to vote. Then they claimed it was a unanimous vote because all the people in the room voted for it.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
December 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Board members who were attending the meeting virtually were muted and not allowed to vote. Then they claimed it was a unanimous vote because all the people in the room voted for it.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
Reposted by Mike
NEW: Colorado Sens Hickenlooper and Bennet announce they're putting a hold on the Senate appropriations package to demand funding for NCAR.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
December 19, 2025 at 12:28 AM
NEW: Colorado Sens Hickenlooper and Bennet announce they're putting a hold on the Senate appropriations package to demand funding for NCAR.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
Basically rebranding a one time basic allowance for housing (BAH) supplement that was previously authorized.
The payouts will cost roughly $2.6 billion & will be a “one-time basic allowance for housing supplement to all eligible service members,”
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
The payouts will cost roughly $2.6 billion & will be a “one-time basic allowance for housing supplement to all eligible service members,”
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Trump claims credit for military bonus that Congress already approved
The White House’s plans for a “warrior dividend” to reward troops this holiday season are actually housing assistance funds approved this summer.
www.politico.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Basically rebranding a one time basic allowance for housing (BAH) supplement that was previously authorized.
The payouts will cost roughly $2.6 billion & will be a “one-time basic allowance for housing supplement to all eligible service members,”
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
The payouts will cost roughly $2.6 billion & will be a “one-time basic allowance for housing supplement to all eligible service members,”
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Mike
"How
— in this dim parade of brutality —
might all be well?
But if we trouble it with light,
train our sights on
the rebellious good,
and work
to make it
truer."
THIS: www.themarginalian.org/2025/11/16/r...
— in this dim parade of brutality —
might all be well?
But if we trouble it with light,
train our sights on
the rebellious good,
and work
to make it
truer."
THIS: www.themarginalian.org/2025/11/16/r...
December 19, 2025 at 1:01 AM
"How
— in this dim parade of brutality —
might all be well?
But if we trouble it with light,
train our sights on
the rebellious good,
and work
to make it
truer."
THIS: www.themarginalian.org/2025/11/16/r...
— in this dim parade of brutality —
might all be well?
But if we trouble it with light,
train our sights on
the rebellious good,
and work
to make it
truer."
THIS: www.themarginalian.org/2025/11/16/r...
Reposted by Mike
He doesn't but no one in DoD will say otherwise (much like the shutdown pay stunt there's a bunch of GS-13s and 14s who need to be facing ADA violation criminal penalties when this is over with)
The bigger question is where is the $ coming from
The bigger question is where is the $ coming from
How does the president have independent authority to mail out Christmas bonuses?
December 18, 2025 at 6:21 AM
He doesn't but no one in DoD will say otherwise (much like the shutdown pay stunt there's a bunch of GS-13s and 14s who need to be facing ADA violation criminal penalties when this is over with)
The bigger question is where is the $ coming from
The bigger question is where is the $ coming from
Every speech a festival of lies.
December 18, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Every speech a festival of lies.
Not a surprise after the admin appointed Andrew Bailey as “co-deputy director” in September.
BREAKING MS NOW:
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino has quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year and will not be returning to headquarters to work this month, according to eight people briefed on his account. www.ms.now/news/bongino...
FBI deputy director Dan Bongino has quietly told confidants he plans to formally leave his job early in the new year and will not be returning to headquarters to work this month, according to eight people briefed on his account. www.ms.now/news/bongino...
FBI’s No. 2 quietly tells colleagues he’s moving on
Controversial deputy director has cleared out his office, sources tell MS NOW.
www.ms.now
December 17, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Not a surprise after the admin appointed Andrew Bailey as “co-deputy director” in September.
Reposted by Mike
A new flu variant is officially in town. @tanyalewis.bsky.social has the latest update on the mutated H3N2 strain, called subclade K, which may be driving U.S. flu hospitalizations in children and older adults. @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-...
New Flu Variant May Be Triggering Spike in Severe Disease
A novel influenza variant called subclade K appears to be driving an uptick in cases and hospitalizations throughout the U.S. and other countries
www.scientificamerican.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:28 PM
A new flu variant is officially in town. @tanyalewis.bsky.social has the latest update on the mutated H3N2 strain, called subclade K, which may be driving U.S. flu hospitalizations in children and older adults. @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-...
The current CR funding the federal gov’t expires on 30 January.
Looks like we’re headed for another shutdown as the GOP won’t extend ACA subsidies amd they don’t have a plan to address healthcare costs.
BOHICA
(bend over, here it comes again)
Looks like we’re headed for another shutdown as the GOP won’t extend ACA subsidies amd they don’t have a plan to address healthcare costs.
BOHICA
(bend over, here it comes again)
NEW: Mike Johnson says he WON'T call a House vote on extending ACA funding this week
Weekend talks with centrist Republicans on a health care amendment collapsed.
Enhanced tax credits will expire, raising costs in 2026.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Weekend talks with centrist Republicans on a health care amendment collapsed.
Enhanced tax credits will expire, raising costs in 2026.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
House Republican leaders ditch vote on ACA funding, all but ensuring premiums will rise
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Republicans worked on the issue throughout the weekend but could not come to an agreement with a group of members who want the funds extended.
www.nbcnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The current CR funding the federal gov’t expires on 30 January.
Looks like we’re headed for another shutdown as the GOP won’t extend ACA subsidies amd they don’t have a plan to address healthcare costs.
BOHICA
(bend over, here it comes again)
Looks like we’re headed for another shutdown as the GOP won’t extend ACA subsidies amd they don’t have a plan to address healthcare costs.
BOHICA
(bend over, here it comes again)
Nothing new but surprised that Wiles would go on the record with this.
No paywall.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
No paywall.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Trump’s Top Aide Acknowledges ‘Score Settling’ Behind Prosecutions
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Nothing new but surprised that Wiles would go on the record with this.
No paywall.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
No paywall.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Hard to give an exact time but October 2nd, 2033 sounds about right (given that Peters was sentenced to nine years).
December 16, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Hard to give an exact time but October 2nd, 2033 sounds about right (given that Peters was sentenced to nine years).
Reposted by Mike
Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who tackled one of the Bondi killers, became an Australian citizen 3 years ago.
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
December 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who tackled one of the Bondi killers, became an Australian citizen 3 years ago.
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship."
He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm.
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
2025 summed up in a single image.
WATCH: Replica of the Statue of Liberty topples due to strong winds in Guaíba, Brazil
December 15, 2025 at 11:15 PM
2025 summed up in a single image.
Backpack nukes and Special Forces Greenlight Teams enter the chat www.brookings.edu/atomic-demol...
December 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Backpack nukes and Special Forces Greenlight Teams enter the chat www.brookings.edu/atomic-demol...
Giving up the Donbas would mean giving up the defensive fortress belt that Ukraine has built. Doubtful that Russia has force structure to breach this.
This as the Russian economy continues to buckle.
This as the Russian economy continues to buckle.
Zelenskyy rejected Witkoff’s proposal to withdraw troops from Donbas during talks in Berlin, — AFR
Reports say the Ukrainian side insists that any ceasefire must come without prior territorial concessions to Russia. The maximum they are willing to accept is a freeze along the current front line.
Reports say the Ukrainian side insists that any ceasefire must come without prior territorial concessions to Russia. The maximum they are willing to accept is a freeze along the current front line.
December 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Giving up the Donbas would mean giving up the defensive fortress belt that Ukraine has built. Doubtful that Russia has force structure to breach this.
This as the Russian economy continues to buckle.
This as the Russian economy continues to buckle.
lol, good luck
Some of Ms. Peters’ most ardent supporters… suggested that Mr. Trump’s grant of clemency set the stage for a battle between the president & Colorado, and that Colorado officials could be arrested if they failed to heed Mr. Trump’s pardon
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/u...
Some of Ms. Peters’ most ardent supporters… suggested that Mr. Trump’s grant of clemency set the stage for a battle between the president & Colorado, and that Colorado officials could be arrested if they failed to heed Mr. Trump’s pardon
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/u...
Colorado Officials Reject Trump’s ‘Pardon’ of a Convicted Election Denier
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
lol, good luck
Some of Ms. Peters’ most ardent supporters… suggested that Mr. Trump’s grant of clemency set the stage for a battle between the president & Colorado, and that Colorado officials could be arrested if they failed to heed Mr. Trump’s pardon
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/u...
Some of Ms. Peters’ most ardent supporters… suggested that Mr. Trump’s grant of clemency set the stage for a battle between the president & Colorado, and that Colorado officials could be arrested if they failed to heed Mr. Trump’s pardon
No paywall
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/13/u...
Reposted by Mike
True Breaking News (Washington Post): VA to cut 35,000 health care jobs across nation like nurses & doctors. VA already strained.
Did our vets refuse to give back medals to melt into gold bars/coin/ballroom sconces for Trump?
Truly the worst vets’ Christmas present ever.
Did our vets refuse to give back medals to melt into gold bars/coin/ballroom sconces for Trump?
Truly the worst vets’ Christmas present ever.
December 13, 2025 at 1:43 PM
True Breaking News (Washington Post): VA to cut 35,000 health care jobs across nation like nurses & doctors. VA already strained.
Did our vets refuse to give back medals to melt into gold bars/coin/ballroom sconces for Trump?
Truly the worst vets’ Christmas present ever.
Did our vets refuse to give back medals to melt into gold bars/coin/ballroom sconces for Trump?
Truly the worst vets’ Christmas present ever.