@rwhetsel.bsky.social
Substantial conversation here imo. Informing, sharing of wisdom, heartening. It's not the shortest. Sit down with it and peel some apples, etc.?
Tonight, Dec 12, at 9pm ET join @ms.now to watch the conversation I had with Rachel Maddow in Chicago last month.
@maddow.bsky.social
@maddow.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Substantial conversation here imo. Informing, sharing of wisdom, heartening. It's not the shortest. Sit down with it and peel some apples, etc.?
Reposted
Putin sits in Moscow claiming that his armies have taken a town that the Ukrainian president is personally visiting. There are cowardly tyrants and there are courageous elected leaders and it is good to know the difference.
Putin said Russia had taken Kupiansk weeks ago.
Today, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian troops there.
Today, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian troops there.
December 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Putin sits in Moscow claiming that his armies have taken a town that the Ukrainian president is personally visiting. There are cowardly tyrants and there are courageous elected leaders and it is good to know the difference.
Reposted
Breaking News: After a painstakingly close reading of the Constitution, the textualist and originalist majority on the Supreme Court have decided that the founders intended for the United States to to be a dictatorship.
December 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Breaking News: After a painstakingly close reading of the Constitution, the textualist and originalist majority on the Supreme Court have decided that the founders intended for the United States to to be a dictatorship.
Reposted
'In Ukraine, the state itself is investigating the government, the cabinet, the president’s closest advisers. By contrast, it is impossible to imagine Kash Patel’s FBI investigating anyone in Trump’s White House. Any Russian who investigates Putin goes to jail"
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Trumpian Corruption Is Worse Than Ukrainian Corruption
The people of Ukraine want an honest government, even as American and Russian kleptocrats circle their country.
www.theatlantic.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
'In Ukraine, the state itself is investigating the government, the cabinet, the president’s closest advisers. By contrast, it is impossible to imagine Kash Patel’s FBI investigating anyone in Trump’s White House. Any Russian who investigates Putin goes to jail"
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Also, tangentially,
December 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Also, tangentially,
Reposted
Quite breathtaking story - military grade drones at Dublin airport which flew on the path Zelensky's plane took. The drones reached the flight path of his plane exactly the time it should have been there, but just missed it because Zelensky arrived ahead of schedule:
Four unidentified military-style drones breached no-fly zone to target Zelenskyy's arrival in Dublin
Gardaí are investigating whether the drones took off from land in Dublin or from an undetected ship.
www.thejournal.ie
December 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Quite breathtaking story - military grade drones at Dublin airport which flew on the path Zelensky's plane took. The drones reached the flight path of his plane exactly the time it should have been there, but just missed it because Zelensky arrived ahead of schedule:
I'm sorry Derek Guy. Thank you for your sane description.
The attack on Vietnam continues to tear people apart even if it's not called by name and is instead called "cynicism and "mistrust of government." The attack on Vietnam is a main source imo of US vulnerability to authoritarianism.
The attack on Vietnam continues to tear people apart even if it's not called by name and is instead called "cynicism and "mistrust of government." The attack on Vietnam is a main source imo of US vulnerability to authoritarianism.
thinking about how my parents escaped vietnam, where the CIA destabilized my family's home country by spreading misinformation, and they landed in the united states, which is now getting destabilized bc someone in vietnam is spreading misinformation
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
December 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I'm sorry Derek Guy. Thank you for your sane description.
The attack on Vietnam continues to tear people apart even if it's not called by name and is instead called "cynicism and "mistrust of government." The attack on Vietnam is a main source imo of US vulnerability to authoritarianism.
The attack on Vietnam continues to tear people apart even if it's not called by name and is instead called "cynicism and "mistrust of government." The attack on Vietnam is a main source imo of US vulnerability to authoritarianism.
Or is it between a few U.S. Americans and America's traditional allies? (Then those few U.S. Americans will say they must be followed by Americans all-sorts or it's treason?)
Why is so much say-so delegated to the tippy top in some democracies? USA? Isreal? Less so Germany & UK.
Needs revising.
Why is so much say-so delegated to the tippy top in some democracies? USA? Isreal? Less so Germany & UK.
Needs revising.
"By dangling multibillion-dollar rare-earth and energy deals, Moscow could reshape the economic map of Europe—while driving a wedge between America and its traditional allies."
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
December 4, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Or is it between a few U.S. Americans and America's traditional allies? (Then those few U.S. Americans will say they must be followed by Americans all-sorts or it's treason?)
Why is so much say-so delegated to the tippy top in some democracies? USA? Isreal? Less so Germany & UK.
Needs revising.
Why is so much say-so delegated to the tippy top in some democracies? USA? Isreal? Less so Germany & UK.
Needs revising.
Excerpt from this helpful talk given by Jason Stanley....
December 3, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Excerpt from this helpful talk given by Jason Stanley....
Reposted
While "peace" negotiations continue, remember that Russia could simply stop the war at any time.
December 2, 2025 at 2:04 PM
While "peace" negotiations continue, remember that Russia could simply stop the war at any time.
Reposted
As his approval sinks, Trump will turn to the emotion from which his power derives: fear.
Fear closes us off from each other, weakens what is our strength, deprives us of our future and only serves to secure his.
The antidote is hope. An autocrat cannot defeat a hopeful people. Hold fast to it.
Fear closes us off from each other, weakens what is our strength, deprives us of our future and only serves to secure his.
The antidote is hope. An autocrat cannot defeat a hopeful people. Hold fast to it.
November 30, 2025 at 1:25 AM
As his approval sinks, Trump will turn to the emotion from which his power derives: fear.
Fear closes us off from each other, weakens what is our strength, deprives us of our future and only serves to secure his.
The antidote is hope. An autocrat cannot defeat a hopeful people. Hold fast to it.
Fear closes us off from each other, weakens what is our strength, deprives us of our future and only serves to secure his.
The antidote is hope. An autocrat cannot defeat a hopeful people. Hold fast to it.
Reposted
In today’s Russian papers: the new icebreaker Stalingrad, 14-year-olds can now be prosecuted for sabotage & “Russia’s industry is somewhere between stagnation and decline.” #ReadingRussia
"Russian industry is somewhere between stagnation and decline,” says Russian paper.
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 9:49 AM
In today’s Russian papers: the new icebreaker Stalingrad, 14-year-olds can now be prosecuted for sabotage & “Russia’s industry is somewhere between stagnation and decline.” #ReadingRussia
Reposted
Today one Russian paper is crowing over reports of a US-Russia peace plan: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine? That’s all in the past.” But the state of Russia’s economy is nothing to crow about: “Recession is almost inevitable.” Plus, one editorial, with two messages..? #ReadingRusia
"Recession in Russia almost inevitable" warns Russian paper.
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Today one Russian paper is crowing over reports of a US-Russia peace plan: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine? That’s all in the past.” But the state of Russia’s economy is nothing to crow about: “Recession is almost inevitable.” Plus, one editorial, with two messages..? #ReadingRusia
So, rather than Russia giving Ukraine what's owed, he "gives" to Ukraine in the form of backing down from an outrageous position? And Ukraine should feel grateful because in this way he has arranged a peace conference?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchori...
Can also claim credit with Russia?
???
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchori...
Can also claim credit with Russia?
???
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 AM
So, rather than Russia giving Ukraine what's owed, he "gives" to Ukraine in the form of backing down from an outrageous position? And Ukraine should feel grateful because in this way he has arranged a peace conference?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchori...
Can also claim credit with Russia?
???
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchori...
Can also claim credit with Russia?
???
Reposted
Interesting thought. Could be. Could be the other way around...
November 23, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Interesting thought. Could be. Could be the other way around...
Reposted
A 79-year-old U.S. citizen has filed a civil rights lawsuit demanding $50 million after being arrested and injured during an immigration raid at his business in Van Nuys, Los Angeles.
November 21, 2025 at 6:21 PM
A 79-year-old U.S. citizen has filed a civil rights lawsuit demanding $50 million after being arrested and injured during an immigration raid at his business in Van Nuys, Los Angeles.
Notes from the article linked...
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Notes from the article linked...
Agree. Hyper-competitiveness is not competitive? Isn't there evidence for this assertion?
Medicare for All would save $450B a year.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
Every dollar spent on food stamps generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity.
Each dollar going to low-wage workers adds $1.20 to the economy overall.
It’s not about what this country can or can’t afford.
It’s about priorities.
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Agree. Hyper-competitiveness is not competitive? Isn't there evidence for this assertion?
Strikes me, for one, that there's "actionable" observing and insight captured by the Khanna comments. Thank you.
His comments were a relief frankly. They give words to troublesome feelings that somehow didn't fit into what was "sayable"-- and now do.
Also..
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
His comments were a relief frankly. They give words to troublesome feelings that somehow didn't fit into what was "sayable"-- and now do.
Also..
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Strikes me, for one, that there's "actionable" observing and insight captured by the Khanna comments. Thank you.
His comments were a relief frankly. They give words to troublesome feelings that somehow didn't fit into what was "sayable"-- and now do.
Also..
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
His comments were a relief frankly. They give words to troublesome feelings that somehow didn't fit into what was "sayable"-- and now do.
Also..
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Sounds not tangential. Thank you.
Excerpt...
Excerpt...
November 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Sounds not tangential. Thank you.
Excerpt...
Excerpt...
Reposted
According to regional budget data, Russia continues to recruit approximately 30,000 men per month. This may explain why Russia is willing to lose thousands of soldiers each month in its assault on Ukraine, essentially treating its soldiers as "living munitions."
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
According to regional budget data, Russia continues to recruit approximately 30,000 men per month. This may explain why Russia is willing to lose thousands of soldiers each month in its assault on Ukraine, essentially treating its soldiers as "living munitions."
Reposted
legend.
we all like to think we'd do the right thing but it sounds like this guy did
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
we all like to think we'd do the right thing but it sounds like this guy did
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 4, 2025 at 11:11 AM
legend.
we all like to think we'd do the right thing but it sounds like this guy did
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
we all like to think we'd do the right thing but it sounds like this guy did
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
And isn't it the case that the debt levels of Iceland, the Netherlands, and Finland are not as high as the USA's in terms of a percentage of GDP? While all three have government debt, the United States has a significantly higher debt-to-GDP ratio.
Countries such as Iceland, the Netherlands, and Finland are considered to have the highest standards of living. They are also known for socialist policies. Their people are willing to pay more in taxes for free healthcare and education as well as a better quality of life for all their citizens.
November 9, 2025 at 2:17 PM
And isn't it the case that the debt levels of Iceland, the Netherlands, and Finland are not as high as the USA's in terms of a percentage of GDP? While all three have government debt, the United States has a significantly higher debt-to-GDP ratio.
Deadly use of sucn fearmongering: Vietnam.
R. McNamara was a Republican hire, but weren‘t Democrats yelling the bully mantra, too?
Is the yelling today done on laptops and watches made in Vietnam? Using earpods made in Vietnam, too?
Labels in language serve to harm not to communicate. Reword.
R. McNamara was a Republican hire, but weren‘t Democrats yelling the bully mantra, too?
Is the yelling today done on laptops and watches made in Vietnam? Using earpods made in Vietnam, too?
Labels in language serve to harm not to communicate. Reword.
With Zohran Mamdani's inspiring victory, Republicans are yet again fearmongering about "socialism."
But conservatives always yell “socialism” at every initiative designed to help people.
It's nothing more than an old scare tactic. https://youtu.be/xq02yuY4wDQ?si=akvbkf8GSClBEHLt
But conservatives always yell “socialism” at every initiative designed to help people.
It's nothing more than an old scare tactic. https://youtu.be/xq02yuY4wDQ?si=akvbkf8GSClBEHLt
Socialism Fear-mongering is Bananas | Robert Reich
Robert Reich
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Deadly use of sucn fearmongering: Vietnam.
R. McNamara was a Republican hire, but weren‘t Democrats yelling the bully mantra, too?
Is the yelling today done on laptops and watches made in Vietnam? Using earpods made in Vietnam, too?
Labels in language serve to harm not to communicate. Reword.
R. McNamara was a Republican hire, but weren‘t Democrats yelling the bully mantra, too?
Is the yelling today done on laptops and watches made in Vietnam? Using earpods made in Vietnam, too?
Labels in language serve to harm not to communicate. Reword.
Reposted
Every person who thinks it's just pedantry to argue about what constitutes "fascism" should think very hard about how much damage has been done to American life by the indiscriminate and incorrect usage of words like "terrorism," "war," "treason" and "communist", among many others.
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Every person who thinks it's just pedantry to argue about what constitutes "fascism" should think very hard about how much damage has been done to American life by the indiscriminate and incorrect usage of words like "terrorism," "war," "treason" and "communist", among many others.