Michael McLean
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mclean.bsky.social
Michael McLean
@mclean.bsky.social
Ideal city: ⚛️ nuclear-powered, 🏙️ dense housing, 💰 affordable, 🚇 transit. Aka Chicago.

Posting about those things here, and trying to make them better IRL.
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Here are curated lists that you can follow if you are interested in these topics

🔌💡 Energy bsky.app/profile/did:...
🏙️ Urbanism bsky.app/profile/did:...
🏛️ Politics bsky.app/profile/did:...
💵 Economics bsky.app/profile/did:...
✶✶✶✶ Chicago bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Michael McLean
An independent toy store has shown more courage in this moment than major corporations.
Mischief Toy Store in St. Paul has until Wednesday to turn over employment records to the Department of Homeland Security as part of a surprise audit launched Friday, just hours after one of the shop's owners criticized ICE agents during a television interview. bit.ly/4r5AFol
January 21, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
We don't actually need cars on the diagonal streets.
My favorite solution to this intersection: Delete Green Lake Way from Stone to 46th. It causes more problems for every road user than it solves. Yes, even car drivers. Then restore the street grid and using the reclaimed public land for housing.
January 21, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Correction to my piece on 153 Dems joining MAGAs to pass Trump's appropriations bill.

I mentioned Democrat Mike Quigley voted YEA, but missed that Matt @conroyforcongress.bsky.social is his primary challenger.

I have updated my article to include Matt Conroy.
www.qasimrashid.com/p/153-democr...
153 Democrats Vote Yes to Pass H.R. 7006
The truth behind this devastating bill to advance Trump's fascist agenda
www.qasimrashid.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
This is a more accurate metric of impending bad weather than the Waffle House Index
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 11:13 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Live view of the Air Force One pilot.
January 21, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Siri play I Still Believe by Mariah Carey bsky.app/profile/bubb...
they shut off the pool camera? what is happening
January 21, 2026 at 4:41 AM
did It Happen
January 21, 2026 at 4:16 AM
yikes
January 21, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Looks like a substorm is happening now. Look at the tall red pillars on the Maine cam. These could probably be seen down to North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, etc.

go.theauroraguy.com/webcams
January 21, 2026 at 2:16 AM
This would knock out power for tens of millions of people, for week*s*.

This is not a joke or exaggeration.
January 21, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
MORE: DOJ revealed these "corrections" to the record in a long-running lawsuit against DOGE's access to Social Security systems. The corrections describe broader access — and potential dissemination — than previously described in court. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 20, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
In a remarkable court filing, DOJ also revealed that DOGE employees traded Social Security data on an unapproved third party server — Cloudflare — and may have sent private SSA info to a top DOGE adviser. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 20, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
NEWS: The Social Security Administration has referred two DOGE employees for Hatch Act violations after discovering contacts with a political group seeking SSA data to overturn election results. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 20, 2026 at 6:53 PM
The closer we get to Saturday, the crazier these models become

As much as I like the snow, I am very worried about the ice storm in the south.

If you live in the south, it’s time to get prepared
January 21, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Fool me twice, Russia...
January 21, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Pillars seen in Alabama 2 min ago on camera! G4 / SEVERE storm warning issued by NOAA SWPC!
January 21, 2026 at 12:13 AM
GO OUTSIDE LOOK UP

substorm seen as far south as the carolinas!!!!
MASSIVE substorm still ongoing. This is the CURRENT view over Bay Port, Michigan! Pants on, get outside and look north!

go.theauroraguy.com/webcams
January 21, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Something we talk about a lot is that parents don't want to be chauffeurs for their children. It's unfortunate that tech companies are filling the void instead of safe, reliable transit. And this is only a solution for people who can afford a $20 - $40 fare.
January 20, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
MASSIVE substorm still ongoing. This is the CURRENT view over Bay Port, Michigan! Pants on, get outside and look north!

go.theauroraguy.com/webcams
January 20, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
SUBSTORM HAPPENING NOW! IF YOU HAVE CLEAR AND DARK SKIES, GET OUT AND LOOK NORTH!
January 20, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Don't back down, Europe: youtu.be/SS5Ep3LTqnE
Europe: Don't Back Down
YouTube video by Frankly Fukuyama
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Reposted by Michael McLean
This is Minneapolis:

I’m at a major healthcare clinic (just here for a friend) and overheard the front desk staff mention they’ve had 97 missed appointments today.

People aren’t getting medical care bc they’re afraid to leave home.
January 20, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Here’s a really tense ICE situation in front of my home. One car looped a block 25 times until two reinforcement cars showed up and led me home. Was pretty scary because I was solo - BUT I knew I had backup from thousands of courageous neighbors and observers. Strength in numbers.
ICE threatens me at home - 1/19/26
YouTube video by Will Stancil
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
January 20, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by Michael McLean
Incredible quote here from a Somali small business owner in Minneapolis who voted for Trump. minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/19/a...
January 20, 2026 at 8:46 PM