Steve Ely
@stevereally.bsky.social
Longtime librarian, currently unaffiliated.
Reposted by Steve Ely
With new caps on federal student loans, the private lending sector is going to get very interesting. Like Sallie Mae selling a seed portfolio of student loans to an investment firm and committing to selling $2 billion more annually for the next three years. finance.yahoo.com/news/sallie-...
Sallie Mae Launches Private Credit Strategic Partnership with KKR
NEWARK, Del., November 12, 2025--Sallie Mae, the leader in private student lending, has announced a multi-year strategic partnership with KKR, a leading global investment firm.
finance.yahoo.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
With new caps on federal student loans, the private lending sector is going to get very interesting. Like Sallie Mae selling a seed portfolio of student loans to an investment firm and committing to selling $2 billion more annually for the next three years. finance.yahoo.com/news/sallie-...
Reposted by Steve Ely
There’s a BBC story about the Sara Sharif murder review and the child welfare advocate said it should be illegal for parents to physically punish a child: “You can’t hit an adult, why should you be able to hit a child?”
What a straightforward way to cut through the noise and make a legal argument.
What a straightforward way to cut through the noise and make a legal argument.
November 13, 2025 at 2:27 PM
There’s a BBC story about the Sara Sharif murder review and the child welfare advocate said it should be illegal for parents to physically punish a child: “You can’t hit an adult, why should you be able to hit a child?”
What a straightforward way to cut through the noise and make a legal argument.
What a straightforward way to cut through the noise and make a legal argument.
Reposted by Steve Ely
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
International Criminal Court to ditch Microsoft Office for European open source alternative | Euractiv
The court will move its internal work environment to Open Desk, a German-developed open source software
www.euractiv.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The International Criminal Court is ditching Microsoft Office, saying it’s too dependent on US tech, in favor of Open Desk, a German open source alternative.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
The move comes after Microsoft revoked ICC head Karim Khan’s email access when he was sanctioned by the US for the warrant against Netanyahu.
Reposted by Steve Ely
Mentioned herein: Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, Matthew Calamari (COO of Trump Org.), lots of Ken Starr, the particularly gross phrase "I was getting too soft; women are bad for the knees." Unknown sender but I think I can tell from context clues. Oh, and "I'm flying tonight with Hannity."
November 13, 2025 at 6:03 AM
Mentioned herein: Jared Kushner, Steve Bannon, Matthew Calamari (COO of Trump Org.), lots of Ken Starr, the particularly gross phrase "I was getting too soft; women are bad for the knees." Unknown sender but I think I can tell from context clues. Oh, and "I'm flying tonight with Hannity."
Reposted by Steve Ely
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Reposted by Steve Ely
This is far worse than anyone expected.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump Administration to Drastically Cut Housing Grants
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
This is far worse than anyone expected.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Trump's HUD plan would cut *two-thirds* of permanent housing and push as many as 170,000 formerly homeless people back onto the street—redirecting funds to work mandates, forced treatment, and encampment sweeps.
All as mass internment camps are being built.
Reposted by Steve Ely
Neutrality and objectivity are not the same thing and are, in fact, often contradictory goals. The objective truth is often not neutral in its political implications, and it would be a useless exercise if it was.
Got turned down on a piece about ICE in Chicago for an international news org because they believed I couldn’t be objective about my neighbors getting kidnapped. And well, guilty as charged I guess.
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Neutrality and objectivity are not the same thing and are, in fact, often contradictory goals. The objective truth is often not neutral in its political implications, and it would be a useless exercise if it was.
Reposted by Steve Ely
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
Reposted by Steve Ely
Wife and I are self employed over 60 with one son still on our insurance. Our monthly will go from around $800 to over $2500 for a bronze plan.
November 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Wife and I are self employed over 60 with one son still on our insurance. Our monthly will go from around $800 to over $2500 for a bronze plan.
Reposted by Steve Ely
The definition of "race ideology," which will likely be banned at Texas A&M, includes "accus[ing a race or ethnicity] of being oppressors in a racial hierarchy or conspiracy."
That's functionally a ban on teaching vital swaths of American history.
That's functionally a ban on teaching vital swaths of American history.
The Texas A&M University System will vote on Thursday on whether to prohibit faculty at its 11 universities from teaching “race or gender ideology” unless those lessons are pre-approved by each campus president or a delegate.
Texas A&M to vote on banning “race and gender ideology”
The proposal appears to mark the first time a Texas university system offers definitions of what kind of instruction related to race and gender should not be permitted.
www.texastribune.org
November 11, 2025 at 3:53 AM
The definition of "race ideology," which will likely be banned at Texas A&M, includes "accus[ing a race or ethnicity] of being oppressors in a racial hierarchy or conspiracy."
That's functionally a ban on teaching vital swaths of American history.
That's functionally a ban on teaching vital swaths of American history.
Reposted by Steve Ely
This is why ousting Schumer isn't enough. Democratic senators don't pressure each other much, they have weak leadership by design, and they want to preserve arcane Senate rules that let them hide behind process.
Without primaries or massive outside pressure, this is where they'll be.
Without primaries or massive outside pressure, this is where they'll be.
“There’s no real appetite to oust Schumer, though. Nor is there any interest from another Democrat to challenge him, according to interviews with more than a dozen Democratic senators.” @punchbowlnews.bsky.social
Oh Sen Dems are not in disarray - they are in array - in their collective cowardice.
Oh Sen Dems are not in disarray - they are in array - in their collective cowardice.
November 11, 2025 at 12:26 PM
This is why ousting Schumer isn't enough. Democratic senators don't pressure each other much, they have weak leadership by design, and they want to preserve arcane Senate rules that let them hide behind process.
Without primaries or massive outside pressure, this is where they'll be.
Without primaries or massive outside pressure, this is where they'll be.
Reposted by Steve Ely
Giving Trump whatever he wants but shaking my head so people know I'm not happy about it bsky.app/profile/atru...
Kaine on why he thinks just getting a vote on healthcare is a win: "We're the minority party, but everybody will get to see who is standing for them when it comes to lowering their healthcare costs"
November 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Giving Trump whatever he wants but shaking my head so people know I'm not happy about it bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by Steve Ely
Remember when they said the reason they caved in March was so they could get a better deal in September lmao
November 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Remember when they said the reason they caved in March was so they could get a better deal in September lmao
Reposted by Steve Ely
The caucus’s deference to one another is the problem not just Schumer. They’re not going to elect a leader who will publicly call them out for hiding behind off-cycle and retiring members.
Even the handful of progressive senators don’t go after their peers in a meaningful way.
Even the handful of progressive senators don’t go after their peers in a meaningful way.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The caucus’s deference to one another is the problem not just Schumer. They’re not going to elect a leader who will publicly call them out for hiding behind off-cycle and retiring members.
Even the handful of progressive senators don’t go after their peers in a meaningful way.
Even the handful of progressive senators don’t go after their peers in a meaningful way.
Reposted by Steve Ely
After their resounding victory in Tuesday’s elections, the Democrats had no choice but to surrender.
November 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
After their resounding victory in Tuesday’s elections, the Democrats had no choice but to surrender.
Reposted by Steve Ely
Caving now will teach Trump and Republicans that they can win any fight simply by threatening to cause terrible harm to regular people. no possible way that could have future adverse consequences
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Caving now will teach Trump and Republicans that they can win any fight simply by threatening to cause terrible harm to regular people. no possible way that could have future adverse consequences
Reposted by Steve Ely
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Reposted by Steve Ely
Importantly: the one thing they wanted was a fucking giant favor to the GOP in the midterms to begin with. As is usually the case, Dems opened negotiations with a capitulation to the GOPs favor, and then cave from there.
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Importantly: the one thing they wanted was a fucking giant favor to the GOP in the midterms to begin with. As is usually the case, Dems opened negotiations with a capitulation to the GOPs favor, and then cave from there.
Reposted by Steve Ely
Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin were unanimously reelected to Senate leadership this year
Hey just a reminder that it only takes 23 Senate Democrats to remove and replace Chuck Schumer as minority leader. They don't do it because the majority of Senate Democrats approve of the way he does politics.
November 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin were unanimously reelected to Senate leadership this year
Do the people talking about a primary against Schumer think he's up for election again before 2028?
November 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Do the people talking about a primary against Schumer think he's up for election again before 2028?
Reposted by Steve Ely
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 AM
How about we shut down the government for this very popular and specific goal and then, hear me out, we hold out for like a month and a half and then, ok this part is important, after a watershed election where we ran the table, ONLY THEN, fold and don't get the one thing we said we wanted.
Reposted by Steve Ely
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The original Dem demands were:
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
1) Permanent ACA subsidies
2) Medicaid funding restored
3) No more blank checks for the regime (rescission)
They dropped Medicaid immediately. Went silent on rescission. Cut back to 1 year of subsidies on Friday. And surrendered today.
The Senate Democrats!
Reposted by Steve Ely
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
i think this is key. taking the deal would amount to taking the blame. it would turn a clear political victory into an unambiguous defeat.
Reposted by Steve Ely
Let’s be perfectly clear on this: Schumer himself is not up for reelection until 2028. The vote to replace him as caucus leader can happen tomorrow morning. Every day Democrats are not calling for it, they need to explain why. Every. Fucking. Day.
November 10, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Let’s be perfectly clear on this: Schumer himself is not up for reelection until 2028. The vote to replace him as caucus leader can happen tomorrow morning. Every day Democrats are not calling for it, they need to explain why. Every. Fucking. Day.