Sam
@samatl.bsky.social
have you filed an open records request today?
Sometimes I do journalism. sam.barnesatl @ gmail .com
Sometimes I do journalism. sam.barnesatl @ gmail .com
Reposted by Sam
ICYMI: Here's the full text of the threat issued by Cobb County, Ga., the 23rd largest school district in the country.
In a county which voted for Biden and Kamala Harris for 15 points, the district also came under fire in the past few years for aggressive book bans:
www.cobbk12.org/important-up...
In a county which voted for Biden and Kamala Harris for 15 points, the district also came under fire in the past few years for aggressive book bans:
www.cobbk12.org/important-up...
January 29, 2026 at 4:16 PM
ICYMI: Here's the full text of the threat issued by Cobb County, Ga., the 23rd largest school district in the country.
In a county which voted for Biden and Kamala Harris for 15 points, the district also came under fire in the past few years for aggressive book bans:
www.cobbk12.org/important-up...
In a county which voted for Biden and Kamala Harris for 15 points, the district also came under fire in the past few years for aggressive book bans:
www.cobbk12.org/important-up...
Reposted by Sam
Who could have guessed that Cobb County Schools would take the most aggressive position in metro Atlanta on this (at least publicly)?
Everyone in metro Atlanta basically.
Everyone in metro Atlanta basically.
is anyone surprised that Cobb fuckin' County is threatening children who participate in the ICE walkout with suspension and loss of parking, sports, and extracurricular privileges? water is wet, sky blue, etcetera
January 29, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Who could have guessed that Cobb County Schools would take the most aggressive position in metro Atlanta on this (at least publicly)?
Everyone in metro Atlanta basically.
Everyone in metro Atlanta basically.
Oh boy
January 29, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Oh boy
Reposted by Sam
Last year, I collaborated with @gelliottmorris.com and scores of journalists and volunteers to conduct a crowdsourced, unofficial, nationwide estimate of "No Kings" attendees.
We're pretty confident that both "No Kings" days were the two largest single-day protest events in American history:
We're pretty confident that both "No Kings" days were the two largest single-day protest events in American history:
January 28, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Last year, I collaborated with @gelliottmorris.com and scores of journalists and volunteers to conduct a crowdsourced, unofficial, nationwide estimate of "No Kings" attendees.
We're pretty confident that both "No Kings" days were the two largest single-day protest events in American history:
We're pretty confident that both "No Kings" days were the two largest single-day protest events in American history:
ding ding ding
New commentary from opinion writer @jaybookman.bsky.social: Plan to end Georgia’s income tax is an election-year illusion
Bookman: Plan to end Georgia's income tax is an election-year illusion • Georgia Recorder
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is running for a promotion to governor, and he’s planning to use this session of the state Legislature as a stage for his campaign. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. That...
georgiarecorder.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:10 PM
ding ding ding
Reposted by Sam
Oh no
Refuse Fascism was founded in part by members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, which claims that communist radical Bob Avakian has synthesized a new version of communism that represents a “whole new framework for human emancipation.”
More: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
More: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
January 28, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Oh no
Reposted by Sam
None of these people should be able to work in our industry again
January 14, 2026 at 1:58 AM
None of these people should be able to work in our industry again
My dad struggled with addiction his entire adult life, due in large part American healthcare’s complete and utter failure to treat the severe and intractable chronic pain he was in from age 17 onward.
Ain’t got shit to do with Venezuela.
Ain’t got shit to do with Venezuela.
the American opioid crisis is almost entirely the work of Purdue Pharmaceuticals and the Sackler family of murderous profiteers, but because Americans can't imagine anything being their fault, we've invaded Venezuela over it
January 3, 2026 at 5:37 PM
My dad struggled with addiction his entire adult life, due in large part American healthcare’s complete and utter failure to treat the severe and intractable chronic pain he was in from age 17 onward.
Ain’t got shit to do with Venezuela.
Ain’t got shit to do with Venezuela.
Yall I just woke up what the fuck
January 3, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Yall I just woke up what the fuck
Reposted by Sam
Don't overthink the Trump admin's reasoning here. They don't have a grand scheme. They are willing to upend the international order because they think everyone else will be too scared to fuck with them. And whatever terrorist attacks this inspires against us will just help them electorally.
January 3, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Don't overthink the Trump admin's reasoning here. They don't have a grand scheme. They are willing to upend the international order because they think everyone else will be too scared to fuck with them. And whatever terrorist attacks this inspires against us will just help them electorally.
Reposted by Sam
I hold no brief for Maduro. He's a murdering autocratic dictator who has done deep long term economic damage to his country.
But do not fantasize that there is a rightwing, Western-oriented majority waiting in the wings in Venezuela, and the only obstacle to a color revolution is Maduro.
But do not fantasize that there is a rightwing, Western-oriented majority waiting in the wings in Venezuela, and the only obstacle to a color revolution is Maduro.
January 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I hold no brief for Maduro. He's a murdering autocratic dictator who has done deep long term economic damage to his country.
But do not fantasize that there is a rightwing, Western-oriented majority waiting in the wings in Venezuela, and the only obstacle to a color revolution is Maduro.
But do not fantasize that there is a rightwing, Western-oriented majority waiting in the wings in Venezuela, and the only obstacle to a color revolution is Maduro.
Reposted by Sam
this one’s super shameful.
encryption was rolled out because 2020 activists learned how to listen to their scanners to know when SRG would be showing up to beat them up, and NYPD disliked that.
the only actual impact this has is preventing news teams from being able to report on emergencies.
encryption was rolled out because 2020 activists learned how to listen to their scanners to know when SRG would be showing up to beat them up, and NYPD disliked that.
the only actual impact this has is preventing news teams from being able to report on emergencies.
Among the bills vetoed by Gov Hochul in the close of the year,
the "Keep police radio public act," which would have ensured that police dispatch radio remained audible to the press.
Encrypted radio communications make it much harder for the press to keep law enforcement accountable.
the "Keep police radio public act," which would have ensured that police dispatch radio remained audible to the press.
Encrypted radio communications make it much harder for the press to keep law enforcement accountable.
Here's Every Bill That Kathy Hochul Vetoed in 2025
One hundred and forty laws that almost were.
nysfocus.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:54 PM
this one’s super shameful.
encryption was rolled out because 2020 activists learned how to listen to their scanners to know when SRG would be showing up to beat them up, and NYPD disliked that.
the only actual impact this has is preventing news teams from being able to report on emergencies.
encryption was rolled out because 2020 activists learned how to listen to their scanners to know when SRG would be showing up to beat them up, and NYPD disliked that.
the only actual impact this has is preventing news teams from being able to report on emergencies.
I also bruise very easily…because I have a genetic condition lmao
Oh my goodness, this Wall Street Journal piece about Trump's ailing health that includes an interview with him (gift link). There are a number of ridiculous details in it and I'll put a few of them in this thread. (1/6)
Exclusive | As Signs of Aging Emerge, Trump Responds With Defiance
In an interview, President Trump—the oldest man to assume the office—said he has eschewed some advice from his doctors and regrets getting advanced imaging.
www.wsj.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:31 PM
I also bruise very easily…because I have a genetic condition lmao
Reposted by Sam
🥳🥳🥳 I also gave to @thexylom.com because I believe in putting my money where my mouth is!
Every additional $$ helps rebuild The Xylom's rainy-day fund, which was completely depleted in 2025. It takes a village for independent, human-powered reporting to not just survive but thrive!
Every additional $$ helps rebuild The Xylom's rainy-day fund, which was completely depleted in 2025. It takes a village for independent, human-powered reporting to not just survive but thrive!
UPDATE: We have met our initial goal of $30,000 (including matching funds), thanks to 111 readers pitching in!
But we’re giving ourselves one more challenge: To add $1,700 by midnight and max out NewsMatch’s main match cap for the first time. Can you help us do this?
fundrazr.com/sustain-the-...
But we’re giving ourselves one more challenge: To add $1,700 by midnight and max out NewsMatch’s main match cap for the first time. Can you help us do this?
fundrazr.com/sustain-the-...
Sustain The Xylom!
Support The Xylom's independent reporting by making a monthly recurring donation!
fundrazr.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:45 PM
🥳🥳🥳 I also gave to @thexylom.com because I believe in putting my money where my mouth is!
Every additional $$ helps rebuild The Xylom's rainy-day fund, which was completely depleted in 2025. It takes a village for independent, human-powered reporting to not just survive but thrive!
Every additional $$ helps rebuild The Xylom's rainy-day fund, which was completely depleted in 2025. It takes a village for independent, human-powered reporting to not just survive but thrive!
ICYMI: The racketeering charges in the eponymous Cop City RICO case were dismissed yesterday. However, this is just the first step in what will surely be a lengthy appeals process.
As expected, count 1 of the Cop City RICO indictment has been dismissed by Fulton County Judge Kevin Farmer on the grounds that the Attorney General's office did not seek the required permission to prosecute a RICO indictment.
The state has already announced its intent to appeal this ruling.
The state has already announced its intent to appeal this ruling.
December 31, 2025 at 2:52 PM
ICYMI: The racketeering charges in the eponymous Cop City RICO case were dismissed yesterday. However, this is just the first step in what will surely be a lengthy appeals process.
Reposted by Sam
For my hero of 2025 at @motherjones.com, I wrote about the late great disabled disability justice oracle Alice Wong, including her work with Disability Visibility Project, Crips for eSims for Gaza, and #CripTheVote. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Hero of 2025: Alice Wong
The disability justice icon's last message: "Don’t let the bastards grind you down."
www.motherjones.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:08 PM
For my hero of 2025 at @motherjones.com, I wrote about the late great disabled disability justice oracle Alice Wong, including her work with Disability Visibility Project, Crips for eSims for Gaza, and #CripTheVote. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Sam
As it happens, I have experience with high-level government demands to stop an explosive, accurate story from running, and I also have experience with 60 Minutes spiking a story I was involved in, so I have thoughts about the travesty at CBS. If you want some journalism anecdotes, here are a lot:
Watching Bari Weiss Murder Investigative Journalism at CBS
Notes from someone who's withstood White House demands to stop an explosive story—and who once even had a 60 Minutes piece spiked
www.forever-wars.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:06 PM
As it happens, I have experience with high-level government demands to stop an explosive, accurate story from running, and I also have experience with 60 Minutes spiking a story I was involved in, so I have thoughts about the travesty at CBS. If you want some journalism anecdotes, here are a lot:
As expected, count 1 of the Cop City RICO indictment has been dismissed by Fulton County Judge Kevin Farmer on the grounds that the Attorney General's office did not seek the required permission to prosecute a RICO indictment.
The state has already announced its intent to appeal this ruling.
The state has already announced its intent to appeal this ruling.
December 30, 2025 at 9:55 PM
As expected, count 1 of the Cop City RICO indictment has been dismissed by Fulton County Judge Kevin Farmer on the grounds that the Attorney General's office did not seek the required permission to prosecute a RICO indictment.
The state has already announced its intent to appeal this ruling.
The state has already announced its intent to appeal this ruling.
i should do something nice for myself -> buy affordable secondhand knitting machine -> use it for the first time, experience joy -> uh oh my back hurts but when doesn't it -> oh god i'm in so much pain -> it's been a week, it's not better -> congratulations, it's a muscle spasm
merry christmas
merry christmas
December 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM
i should do something nice for myself -> buy affordable secondhand knitting machine -> use it for the first time, experience joy -> uh oh my back hurts but when doesn't it -> oh god i'm in so much pain -> it's been a week, it's not better -> congratulations, it's a muscle spasm
merry christmas
merry christmas
Reposted by Sam
If you pay attention to any large industry long enough and follow it to its logical conclusion you eventually end up sounding like a communist even if you started off testing CPU case fans. youtu.be/cUrJVdF2me0?...
December 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
If you pay attention to any large industry long enough and follow it to its logical conclusion you eventually end up sounding like a communist even if you started off testing CPU case fans. youtu.be/cUrJVdF2me0?...
Are the Chicago Bears the real Toronto Blue Jays we made along the way?
December 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Are the Chicago Bears the real Toronto Blue Jays we made along the way?
Reposted by Sam
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
December 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Terrifying headline if you don’t realize they are sports teams.
Starting a new hobby with a connective tissue disorder is just finding new ways to injure myself
December 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Starting a new hobby with a connective tissue disorder is just finding new ways to injure myself
Reposted by Sam
I spent a few days in Buffalo, where Trump's sweeping health care cuts are already closing facilities and leaving people in pain.
One organizer told me: "A cut that is as big as this, in terms of the human suffering that will create–it’s actually immeasurable."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
One organizer told me: "A cut that is as big as this, in terms of the human suffering that will create–it’s actually immeasurable."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Trump’s health cuts leave ‘huge void’ in Buffalo, New York – and patients fearing lack of care
After a traumatic brain injury, Rita Buckley worries the skills she worked hard to regain will atrophy as the largest healthcare provider in the area closes clinics
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I spent a few days in Buffalo, where Trump's sweeping health care cuts are already closing facilities and leaving people in pain.
One organizer told me: "A cut that is as big as this, in terms of the human suffering that will create–it’s actually immeasurable."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
One organizer told me: "A cut that is as big as this, in terms of the human suffering that will create–it’s actually immeasurable."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by Sam
In which state government documents that yes, if federal funds are cut, the state has to backfill or do without or change things somehow
#gapol
Follow @gapolbot.bsky.social for the latest in Georgia public documents fresh off the internet, including reports from the audit dept ⬇️
#gapol
Follow @gapolbot.bsky.social for the latest in Georgia public documents fresh off the internet, including reports from the audit dept ⬇️
# gapol Report from Georgia Dept. of Audits & Accts DOAA Analysis of Federally Funded Positions in Georgia State Government https://www.audits.g
December 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
In which state government documents that yes, if federal funds are cut, the state has to backfill or do without or change things somehow
#gapol
Follow @gapolbot.bsky.social for the latest in Georgia public documents fresh off the internet, including reports from the audit dept ⬇️
#gapol
Follow @gapolbot.bsky.social for the latest in Georgia public documents fresh off the internet, including reports from the audit dept ⬇️