Michael Markman
@mickeleh.bsky.social
Avid news reader. Occasional news kibbitzer. Retired marketer. Retired YouTuber. NYer transplanted to PNW. Blue to the core.
Pinned
Michael Markman
@mickeleh.bsky.social
· Feb 22
RESISTANCE ACTION PLAN:
6 phone calls a day.
Hit both the DC offices and the local offices of your two senators and your member of Congress.
STRETCH PLAN: Show up in person at their offices and local Town Halls
6 phone calls a day.
Hit both the DC offices and the local offices of your two senators and your member of Congress.
STRETCH PLAN: Show up in person at their offices and local Town Halls
I presume that on his way out, Trump will issue full and blanket pardons to all the miscreants and morons operating in his name—as he did with the J6 mob. Then what? How do we keep this from happening again?
November 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I presume that on his way out, Trump will issue full and blanket pardons to all the miscreants and morons operating in his name—as he did with the J6 mob. Then what? How do we keep this from happening again?
Reposted by Michael Markman
What a topsy-turvy time we live in.
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
What a topsy-turvy time we live in.
Reposted by Michael Markman
“Dr. Ralph Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines “dangerous,” has been named the second in command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
Doctor Critical of Vaccines Quietly Appointed as C.D.C.’s Second in Command
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
“Dr. Ralph Abraham, who as Louisiana’s surgeon general ordered the state health department to stop promoting vaccinations and who has called Covid vaccines “dangerous,” has been named the second in command at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/h...
Reposted by Michael Markman
who knows the future of AI, its real world value, what it can achieve, what profits it will drive. But we can more confidently say something very weird is happening here when we look at the question of resource allocation and the very small number of individuals driving it.
The Surreal Madness of the AI Boom talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-s... via @TPM
The Surreal Madness of the AI Boom
TPM Reader EB emailed today to tell me something that hadn’t come...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
who knows the future of AI, its real world value, what it can achieve, what profits it will drive. But we can more confidently say something very weird is happening here when we look at the question of resource allocation and the very small number of individuals driving it.
Reposted by Michael Markman
ICE lifted a $180 million cap on a proposed immigrant-tracking program while guaranteeing multimillion-dollar payouts for private surveillance firms, according to new contracting records reviewed by WIRED.
ICE Offers Up to $280 Million to Immigrant-Tracking ‘Bounty Hunter’ Firms
Immigration and Customs Enforcement lifted a $180 million cap on a proposed immigrant-tracking program while guaranteeing multimillion-dollar payouts for private surveillance firms.
wired.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:47 PM
ICE lifted a $180 million cap on a proposed immigrant-tracking program while guaranteeing multimillion-dollar payouts for private surveillance firms, according to new contracting records reviewed by WIRED.
Reposted by Michael Markman
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
C.D.C. Quietly Appoints Doctor Critical of Vaccines as Second in Command
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
trib.al
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
Reposted by Michael Markman
Welcome to our “Competitive Autocracy”, where business leaders shower him with gifts, pay fines to avoid his frivolous lawsuits, agree to give away a cut of their export revenue — and greenlight his movie ideas.
$PSKY
$PSKY
I teased this last night in What I’m Hearing but now confirmed: Paramount WILL release Rush Hour 4 after prodding from Trump on behalf of Brett Ratner. Distribution deal. Producer Tarak Ben Ammar is lining up financing. Get ready for the dumbest possible state-controlled media.
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Welcome to our “Competitive Autocracy”, where business leaders shower him with gifts, pay fines to avoid his frivolous lawsuits, agree to give away a cut of their export revenue — and greenlight his movie ideas.
$PSKY
$PSKY
Reposted by Michael Markman
These horrors are being committed in our names.
Our tax dollars are paying for these crimes.
Our tax dollars are paying for these crimes.
ICE deported a woman who owned a home in the US for 30 years. A judge banned ICE from deporting her to Sierra Leone where she had been tortured, so it deported her to Ghana, which kidnapped her and sent her back Sierra Leone anyway. ICE is part of this illegal conspiracy.
November 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
These horrors are being committed in our names.
Our tax dollars are paying for these crimes.
Our tax dollars are paying for these crimes.
Reposted by Michael Markman
The draft dodging idiot posted a pic of this West Point plaque. It contains these words:
“Our American Code of Military Obedience requires that, should orders and the law ever conflict, our officers must obey the law.”
That is precisely what Senator Mark Kelly told officers to do. #NoSedition
“Our American Code of Military Obedience requires that, should orders and the law ever conflict, our officers must obey the law.”
That is precisely what Senator Mark Kelly told officers to do. #NoSedition
November 25, 2025 at 6:49 PM
The draft dodging idiot posted a pic of this West Point plaque. It contains these words:
“Our American Code of Military Obedience requires that, should orders and the law ever conflict, our officers must obey the law.”
That is precisely what Senator Mark Kelly told officers to do. #NoSedition
“Our American Code of Military Obedience requires that, should orders and the law ever conflict, our officers must obey the law.”
That is precisely what Senator Mark Kelly told officers to do. #NoSedition
Reposted by Michael Markman
Electing a rabid chimpanzee would have been a better choice for America than Trump.
He gets off on this level of cruelty.
He gets off on this level of cruelty.
NEW: Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear gas. Protestors trapped, struggling to breathe.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...
www.propublica.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Electing a rabid chimpanzee would have been a better choice for America than Trump.
He gets off on this level of cruelty.
He gets off on this level of cruelty.
Reposted by Michael Markman
ICE smashed the car window of a 17 year old U.S. citizen who was on his high school lunch break and detained him for more than 6 hours.
The racial profiling and overly aggressive and violent tactics from ICE and Border Patrol must stop. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The racial profiling and overly aggressive and violent tactics from ICE and Border Patrol must stop. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
ICE detained teenaged US citizen during school lunch break, family says
Christian Jimenez, Oregon high school senior, faces possible obstruction charges after traffic stop by immigration agents
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
ICE smashed the car window of a 17 year old U.S. citizen who was on his high school lunch break and detained him for more than 6 hours.
The racial profiling and overly aggressive and violent tactics from ICE and Border Patrol must stop. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The racial profiling and overly aggressive and violent tactics from ICE and Border Patrol must stop. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Michael Markman
Both Mark Kelly and Pete Hegseth have been to space.
The former, quite literally; the latter after drinking his weight in Diet-Red Bull-and-vodka
The former, quite literally; the latter after drinking his weight in Diet-Red Bull-and-vodka
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Both Mark Kelly and Pete Hegseth have been to space.
The former, quite literally; the latter after drinking his weight in Diet-Red Bull-and-vodka
The former, quite literally; the latter after drinking his weight in Diet-Red Bull-and-vodka
Reposted by Michael Markman
In 1968, a soldier named Hugh Thompson defied orders to save Vietnamese lives during the My Lai massacre. Eventually seen as a hero, in real time he was vilified and nearly court-martialed
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
The Catch-22 around Trump’s illegal orders | Will Bunch Newsletter
Plus, Pennsylvania chooses a budget over the planet.
www.inquirer.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
In 1968, a soldier named Hugh Thompson defied orders to save Vietnamese lives during the My Lai massacre. Eventually seen as a hero, in real time he was vilified and nearly court-martialed
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
It's Congress' job to stop Trump's war crimes, not the troops. My new column www.inquirer.com/columnists/a...
Reposted by Michael Markman
Worth your time.
America’s Polarization Has Become the World's Side Hustle
#politics #tech
www.404media.co/americas-polar…
America’s Polarization Has Become the World's Side Hustle
#politics #tech
www.404media.co/americas-polar…
November 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Worth your time.
America’s Polarization Has Become the World's Side Hustle
#politics #tech
www.404media.co/americas-polar…
America’s Polarization Has Become the World's Side Hustle
#politics #tech
www.404media.co/americas-polar…
"Rumble, rumble, rumble. Mutiny, mutiny, mutiny."
Chuck Schumer Faces Pushback From a ‘Fight Club’ of Senate Democrats
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:29 PM
"Rumble, rumble, rumble. Mutiny, mutiny, mutiny."
Have I mentioned lately that @carlquintanilla.bsky.social runs an indispensable, unmissable feed here? Definitely worth a follow
Quotes on the economy, last few days:
* WSJ: “Life felt more doable a year and a half ago.”
* CBS: “Paying for the house, the car — I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
* FT: “scraping for crumbs.”
@financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/cfa6...
* WSJ: “Life felt more doable a year and a half ago.”
* CBS: “Paying for the house, the car — I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
* FT: “scraping for crumbs.”
@financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/cfa6...
November 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Have I mentioned lately that @carlquintanilla.bsky.social runs an indispensable, unmissable feed here? Definitely worth a follow
Trying to remember ancient Social Studies classes: Isn't there a name for an economic system that entails public ownership of the means of production?
Trying to remember last week's news: Didn't all the House Republicans and 86 Democrats vote for a resolution condemning the horrors of that system?
Trying to remember last week's news: Didn't all the House Republicans and 86 Democrats vote for a resolution condemning the horrors of that system?
“.. The unusual government intervention .. is fueling some concerns, including the opacity of the process, the potential for favoritism, corruption and market distortions, along with the possible loss of taxpayer funds should the investments fail.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Trying to remember ancient Social Studies classes: Isn't there a name for an economic system that entails public ownership of the means of production?
Trying to remember last week's news: Didn't all the House Republicans and 86 Democrats vote for a resolution condemning the horrors of that system?
Trying to remember last week's news: Didn't all the House Republicans and 86 Democrats vote for a resolution condemning the horrors of that system?
Reposted by Michael Markman
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
@karaswisher.bsky.social To definitively answer a question you posed to @profgalloway.com on @pivotpod.bsky.social (“Are there many weird-shaped penises?”), seek out the 14-minute short “Dick: a film by Jo Menell” (1989)
more humorous than prurient.
TimeOut sez:
www.timeout.com/movies/dick
more humorous than prurient.
TimeOut sez:
www.timeout.com/movies/dick
Dick
Comprising b/w stills of several hundred adult penises at rest, this occupies a place between La Jetée (except here, nothing whatever moves) and Yoko Ono's Film
www.timeout.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
@karaswisher.bsky.social To definitively answer a question you posed to @profgalloway.com on @pivotpod.bsky.social (“Are there many weird-shaped penises?”), seek out the 14-minute short “Dick: a film by Jo Menell” (1989)
more humorous than prurient.
TimeOut sez:
www.timeout.com/movies/dick
more humorous than prurient.
TimeOut sez:
www.timeout.com/movies/dick
@jamellebouie.net Bouie says he can remember only two politicians with Mandami’s level of rizz—Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Us oldsters have the good fortune to also remember JFK.
Us oldsters have the good fortune to also remember JFK.
November 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
@jamellebouie.net Bouie says he can remember only two politicians with Mandami’s level of rizz—Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Us oldsters have the good fortune to also remember JFK.
Us oldsters have the good fortune to also remember JFK.
Reposted by Michael Markman
Absolutely infuriating. Is this what you voted for, America? Gestapo, fasticist, reprehensible garbage. #AbolishICE #AmericanGestapo
In California, a mother of eight who has lived in the country for 40 years was deported just one day after she reported sexual harassment by an ICE contractor on her case. This action was taken despite a judge’s order prohibiting it.
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Absolutely infuriating. Is this what you voted for, America? Gestapo, fasticist, reprehensible garbage. #AbolishICE #AmericanGestapo
Reposted by Michael Markman
Going to war as "a favor to our oil companies" used to be something Republicans vigorously denied.
Rep. Salazar: "We're gonna be doing a favor to us, to our children, to our economy, to our oil companies to be able to liberate. And to Venezuelans who wants to be free."
November 24, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Going to war as "a favor to our oil companies" used to be something Republicans vigorously denied.
Reposted by Michael Markman
in addition to all of his experience, in 2011 someone tried to assassinate kelly's wife, former congresswoman gabby giffords. no way he's cowing to these ass clowns.
Sen. Mark Kelly has released a statement.
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
in addition to all of his experience, in 2011 someone tried to assassinate kelly's wife, former congresswoman gabby giffords. no way he's cowing to these ass clowns.
How many towns have mayors who can do this?
Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Pops Perform "Rhapsody in Blue" at Symphony Hall - Full Performance
YouTube video by Boston Symphony Orchestra
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
How many towns have mayors who can do this?
Reposted by Michael Markman
We are in a bizarre moment of diplomatic history. The purported "peace plan" that appeared a few days ago begins in Russian unreality and American weakness. Demanding everything of Ukraine and nothing of Russia, its purpose is imperialism and profiteering.
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...
Russian Unreality and American Weakness
Notes from a bizarre moment of diplomatic history
snyder.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
We are in a bizarre moment of diplomatic history. The purported "peace plan" that appeared a few days ago begins in Russian unreality and American weakness. Demanding everything of Ukraine and nothing of Russia, its purpose is imperialism and profiteering.
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...