Gawain
@niawag.bsky.social
Writing some stuff here: https://niawag.substack.com
Pinned
Gawain
@niawag.bsky.social
· Apr 29
Trump: "We'll make deals, but we don't have to. We are the ones that have the product. We are the ones that the United States -- they want a piece of our product. We can just set the price."
Trump really really doesn't understand trade. But he understands extortion. His concept here is that consumers (you) are the "product" and and access to the product is something he can regulate. He wants a cut, doesn't care where it comes from.
Reposted by Gawain
Mike Benz, who does not know which finger is his pinky, is now a "special government employee" at USAID, where he is attempting to investigate its "pernicious influence."
You'd think this guy would be too dumb even for the Trump regime. Nope!!!
Gift link: www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
You'd think this guy would be too dumb even for the Trump regime. Nope!!!
Gift link: www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
December 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Mike Benz, who does not know which finger is his pinky, is now a "special government employee" at USAID, where he is attempting to investigate its "pernicious influence."
You'd think this guy would be too dumb even for the Trump regime. Nope!!!
Gift link: www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
You'd think this guy would be too dumb even for the Trump regime. Nope!!!
Gift link: www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Gawain
Modern masculinity is just being victimized by forces seen and unseen every hour or every day.
Everything else aside, the idea that this is a model for many men of *masculinity* is so wild. This? This is "manly"? This is how people think it's cool to act?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-wG...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-wG...
Dave Portnoy Demands NFL Investigate Pete Carroll & Raiders For Rigging
YouTube video by Clasher Sports
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Modern masculinity is just being victimized by forces seen and unseen every hour or every day.
Reposted by Gawain
Interesting: Urbanist group @ggwash.org is suing @ddotdc.bsky.social over its refusal/failure to release a study the city conducted on congestion pricing possibilities in downtown D.C. The study was finished in 2020, but has never been made public – even in response to FOIA requests.
December 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Interesting: Urbanist group @ggwash.org is suing @ddotdc.bsky.social over its refusal/failure to release a study the city conducted on congestion pricing possibilities in downtown D.C. The study was finished in 2020, but has never been made public – even in response to FOIA requests.
110% on-brand for Trump's Kennedy Center to fink out on paying performers. www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-...
Kennedy Center to Artists: Your Checks Are in the Mail
According to reps for several performers, the beleaguered arts institution isn’t showing them the money.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
110% on-brand for Trump's Kennedy Center to fink out on paying performers. www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-...
Sports betting is undermining social cohesion. It's a much bigger influence than immigration.
Everything else aside, the idea that this is a model for many men of *masculinity* is so wild. This? This is "manly"? This is how people think it's cool to act?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-wG...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-wG...
Dave Portnoy Demands NFL Investigate Pete Carroll & Raiders For Rigging
YouTube video by Clasher Sports
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Sports betting is undermining social cohesion. It's a much bigger influence than immigration.
“American power has never rested solely on military might or economic strength. It has rested on the perception that America, for all its flaws and hypocrisies, stood for something beyond narrow self-interest. That soft power...magnified our hard power immensely. /
December 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
“American power has never rested solely on military might or economic strength. It has rested on the perception that America, for all its flaws and hypocrisies, stood for something beyond narrow self-interest. That soft power...magnified our hard power immensely. /
Tom is in. Again!
Run. Fight. Win.
Run. Fight. Win.
I’m running for Congress in Virginia’s 5th District because families and workers deserve a fair shot. Costs keep rising while salaries aren’t - and MAGA Republicans are cutting food & health care to fund corporate tax breaks instead of defending Virginia’s families.
youtu.be/C2AQX9_HMK0?...
youtu.be/C2AQX9_HMK0?...
Tom Perriello For Congress Launch Video
YouTube video by Tom Perriello
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Tom is in. Again!
Run. Fight. Win.
Run. Fight. Win.
Reposted by Gawain
I'm really not one for rival bashing, I find a lot of the EPL fandom really silly in that respect.
But. Absolutely shameful stuff from Tottenham here. Forget the inclusion aspect of it, how are you going to let Slavia Prague tell you what flags you can fly at your own ground!?!? Pathetic.
But. Absolutely shameful stuff from Tottenham here. Forget the inclusion aspect of it, how are you going to let Slavia Prague tell you what flags you can fly at your own ground!?!? Pathetic.
December 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I'm really not one for rival bashing, I find a lot of the EPL fandom really silly in that respect.
But. Absolutely shameful stuff from Tottenham here. Forget the inclusion aspect of it, how are you going to let Slavia Prague tell you what flags you can fly at your own ground!?!? Pathetic.
But. Absolutely shameful stuff from Tottenham here. Forget the inclusion aspect of it, how are you going to let Slavia Prague tell you what flags you can fly at your own ground!?!? Pathetic.
The Only Thing Growing Is the Bailout Bill
Trump’s pattern is now unmistakable:
* Pick a trade fight with China
* Lose leverage immediately
* Watch export markets disappear
* Use taxpayer funds to bail out an angry farm bloc
* Hide the economic data
* Repeat
Trump’s pattern is now unmistakable:
* Pick a trade fight with China
* Lose leverage immediately
* Watch export markets disappear
* Use taxpayer funds to bail out an angry farm bloc
* Hide the economic data
* Repeat
Trump's farmer bailout will primarily go to massive row-crop farmers. Big Ag as they say. Smaller and diversified farms are getting something else - it rhymes with shackjit.
Trump is going to dump tens of $ billions in payments for huge commodity farmers to compensate for huge losses they will suffer from his idiotic trade war. Meanwhile, small farmers growing for local markets will get nothing. Just canceled grants and "thoughts and prayers". wapo.st/3YXdAbU
December 9, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Only Thing Growing Is the Bailout Bill
Trump’s pattern is now unmistakable:
* Pick a trade fight with China
* Lose leverage immediately
* Watch export markets disappear
* Use taxpayer funds to bail out an angry farm bloc
* Hide the economic data
* Repeat
Trump’s pattern is now unmistakable:
* Pick a trade fight with China
* Lose leverage immediately
* Watch export markets disappear
* Use taxpayer funds to bail out an angry farm bloc
* Hide the economic data
* Repeat
When you just give up on the great power competition.
This is the gentleman who directed the National Security Council on China under Biden ⬇️
December 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
When you just give up on the great power competition.
Thai Air Force said on Tuesday evening that F-16 jets launched an airstrike on Cambodian troops in the late afternoon at Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani Province, hitting the target after Cambodian forces fired heavy weapons at Thai soldiers.
December 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
In politics, it's very important to pretend you don't know anything.
Rand Paul on his healthcare plan: "What if you could join Costco? Costco has 44m members and if one person negotiated for all 44 and they bought a group plan like Toyota or General Motors does, they would be the largest collective entity in the country. They would drive prices down by sheer might."
December 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM
In politics, it's very important to pretend you don't know anything.
Last time Trump tried this, it was a pretty big mess and huge waste of tax dollars. Payments to corn producers were approximately $3 billion more than what the USDA’s own “estimated trade damage” for corn would suggest.
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
December 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Last time Trump tried this, it was a pretty big mess and huge waste of tax dollars. Payments to corn producers were approximately $3 billion more than what the USDA’s own “estimated trade damage” for corn would suggest.
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
www.gao.gov/products/gao...
Reposted by Gawain
Trump's farmer bailout will primarily go to massive row-crop farmers. Big Ag as they say. Smaller and diversified farms are getting something else - it rhymes with shackjit.
Trump is going to dump tens of $ billions in payments for huge commodity farmers to compensate for huge losses they will suffer from his idiotic trade war. Meanwhile, small farmers growing for local markets will get nothing. Just canceled grants and "thoughts and prayers". wapo.st/3YXdAbU
A Kansas family farm, barely getting by, grapples with Trump’s cuts
Like many of his rural neighbors in northeast Kansas, Jacob Thomas is trying to compensate for deep losses in federal funding. There’s worry and anger.
wapo.st
December 8, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Trump's farmer bailout will primarily go to massive row-crop farmers. Big Ag as they say. Smaller and diversified farms are getting something else - it rhymes with shackjit.
20 pages in and I've already learned a lot. @hofrench.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 3:01 AM
20 pages in and I've already learned a lot. @hofrench.bsky.social
Trump's farmer bailout will primarily go to massive row-crop farmers. Big Ag as they say. Smaller and diversified farms are getting something else - it rhymes with shackjit.
Trump is going to dump tens of $ billions in payments for huge commodity farmers to compensate for huge losses they will suffer from his idiotic trade war. Meanwhile, small farmers growing for local markets will get nothing. Just canceled grants and "thoughts and prayers". wapo.st/3YXdAbU
A Kansas family farm, barely getting by, grapples with Trump’s cuts
Like many of his rural neighbors in northeast Kansas, Jacob Thomas is trying to compensate for deep losses in federal funding. There’s worry and anger.
wapo.st
December 8, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Trump's farmer bailout will primarily go to massive row-crop farmers. Big Ag as they say. Smaller and diversified farms are getting something else - it rhymes with shackjit.
Make a staffing plan, make a budget, stick to it. Not so hard.
In November, Chicago spent nearly $17.3M on police overtime, bringing the year-to-date total to $229.3M — 14.6% more than the amount Mayor Johnson plans to set aside for police overtime in all of 2026, according to a database published by the inspector general @wttw.bsky.social
Chicago spent more than $212 million on overtime for members of the Chicago Police Department in the first 10 months of 2025 — 6% more than the amount Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to set aside for police overtime in all of 2026, records show. https://to.wttw.com/49QGPU6
December 8, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Make a staffing plan, make a budget, stick to it. Not so hard.
Reposted by Gawain
I don't think it's ageist to say someone who keeps falling asleep during important *televised* meetings shouldn't be in charge of the nuclear arsenal of a global superpower
December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I don't think it's ageist to say someone who keeps falling asleep during important *televised* meetings shouldn't be in charge of the nuclear arsenal of a global superpower
Reposted by Gawain
expect a blitzkrieg over the next few months across right wing and establishment media about how Netflix is a woke antitrust nightmare (piggybacking on valid concerns about consolidation), and that letting Larry Ellison own the entirety of U.S. media will be good for everyone
December 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
expect a blitzkrieg over the next few months across right wing and establishment media about how Netflix is a woke antitrust nightmare (piggybacking on valid concerns about consolidation), and that letting Larry Ellison own the entirety of U.S. media will be good for everyone
The 2026 election will primarily be a contest of fonts.
December 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The 2026 election will primarily be a contest of fonts.
Reposted by Gawain
2017: Officer shoots teen in the back of their shoulder
June 2021: Shooting ruled unjustified
Sept. 2021: Top cop disagrees
Nov. 2021: Police Board president orders full hearing
2019-24: 4 lawsuits naming officer settled for $590K
June 2025: Officer promoted to sergeant
Nov. 2025: Charges dropped
June 2021: Shooting ruled unjustified
Sept. 2021: Top cop disagrees
Nov. 2021: Police Board president orders full hearing
2019-24: 4 lawsuits naming officer settled for $590K
June 2025: Officer promoted to sergeant
Nov. 2025: Charges dropped
The Chicago police officer who shot a 16-year-old in September 2017 in what investigators ruled was an unjustified use of deadly force will not be fired, according to documents obtained by WTTW News. https://to.wttw.com/48nbt6g
CPD Officer Who Shot Teen in 2017 Won’t Be Fired — But Was Promoted After Costing Taxpayers $590K
Since the shooting, Chicago taxpayers have paid $591,500 to resolve four lawsuits that allege the officer, who was promoted in June 2025, violated the rights of other Chicagoans, according to an analy...
to.wttw.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM
2017: Officer shoots teen in the back of their shoulder
June 2021: Shooting ruled unjustified
Sept. 2021: Top cop disagrees
Nov. 2021: Police Board president orders full hearing
2019-24: 4 lawsuits naming officer settled for $590K
June 2025: Officer promoted to sergeant
Nov. 2025: Charges dropped
June 2021: Shooting ruled unjustified
Sept. 2021: Top cop disagrees
Nov. 2021: Police Board president orders full hearing
2019-24: 4 lawsuits naming officer settled for $590K
June 2025: Officer promoted to sergeant
Nov. 2025: Charges dropped
Reposted by Gawain
heterodox is a protected class!!!
December 7, 2025 at 11:14 PM
heterodox is a protected class!!!
As Trump's "peace" unravels. Going great.
December 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
As Trump's "peace" unravels. Going great.
Hmmmmm
Thai forces conducted operations along the Thai-Cambodian border, reclaiming control of key areas in Sa Kaeo Province after Cambodian troops and heavy weapons moved near the frontier.
Operations targeted Ban Nong Chan, Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, and Ban Khlong Phaeng, destroying some fortified positions.
Operations targeted Ban Nong Chan, Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, and Ban Khlong Phaeng, destroying some fortified positions.
December 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Hmmmmm
"The rise of the British chilled sandwich over the last 40 years has been a deliberate, astonishing and almost insanely labour-intensive achievement."
"By the end of the 20th century, more people in Britain were making and selling sandwiches than working in agriculture."
"By the end of the 20th century, more people in Britain were making and selling sandwiches than working in agriculture."
How the sandwich consumed Britain | The long read
The long read: The world-beating British sandwich industry is worth £8bn a year. It transformed the way we eat lunch, then did the same for breakfast – and now it’s coming for dinner
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:54 PM
"The rise of the British chilled sandwich over the last 40 years has been a deliberate, astonishing and almost insanely labour-intensive achievement."
"By the end of the 20th century, more people in Britain were making and selling sandwiches than working in agriculture."
"By the end of the 20th century, more people in Britain were making and selling sandwiches than working in agriculture."