m2c4
@thesoundings.bsky.social
Politics and economics with sidelights in photography, astronomy, tennis, and the Canadiens...
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m2c4
@thesoundings.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Official Video)
YouTube video by Talking Heads
www.youtube.com
"The Supreme Court has turned the Constitution on its head...The Constitution and its institutions have failed our democracy." Read if for free: thesoundings.com/2025/10/well...
of throw me some $$ here: tidalsoundings.medium.com/well-how-did...
Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsS...
of throw me some $$ here: tidalsoundings.medium.com/well-how-did...
Music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IsS...
Reposted by m2c4
Why believe in the rule of law if government officials for years on end fail to stop Dollar General from routinely violating laws that bar companies from charging higher prices at the register?
Stopping a predatory strategy to rip off poor people is basic Democracy 101.
Stopping a predatory strategy to rip off poor people is basic Democracy 101.
Tricking customers with higher prices at the register is a core strategy of Dollar General & Family Dollar.
"Dollar General stores have failed more than 4,300 government price-accuracy inspections in 23 states since January 2022."
Terrific reporting from @barryyeoman.com @theguardian.com
"Dollar General stores have failed more than 4,300 government price-accuracy inspections in 23 states since January 2022."
Terrific reporting from @barryyeoman.com @theguardian.com
How the dollar-store industry overcharges cash-strapped customers while promising low prices
A Guardian investigation reveals Dollar General and Family Dollar stores often fail to honor their shelf prices – charging more at checkout for everything from frying pans to Frosted Flakes
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Why believe in the rule of law if government officials for years on end fail to stop Dollar General from routinely violating laws that bar companies from charging higher prices at the register?
Stopping a predatory strategy to rip off poor people is basic Democracy 101.
Stopping a predatory strategy to rip off poor people is basic Democracy 101.
Reposted by m2c4
Not sure if I qualify as "mainstream," but a falloff in job growth was inevitable due to curtailed immigration under Biden, accelerated under Trump. But that should not translate into losing jobs.
Mainstream (Dem) economists are brushing it off too, attributing the stepdown in job growth to the admin’s immigration policies.
December 3, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Not sure if I qualify as "mainstream," but a falloff in job growth was inevitable due to curtailed immigration under Biden, accelerated under Trump. But that should not translate into losing jobs.
Reposted by m2c4
the goal for all these brunchlord centrist types, to be clear, is to undermine and pre-empt good faith progressive reform as THE solution to authoritarianism, in favor of yet another wave of reheated deregulatory corporatism.
December 3, 2025 at 2:18 PM
the goal for all these brunchlord centrist types, to be clear, is to undermine and pre-empt good faith progressive reform as THE solution to authoritarianism, in favor of yet another wave of reheated deregulatory corporatism.
Reposted by m2c4
the whole treatise that regulation is just inherently bad is libertarian toddler gibberish. none of these writers or thinkers are interesting; they're propped up by the extraction class owners of consolidated media because the real conversation we need to have threatens their wealth and status
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
the whole treatise that regulation is just inherently bad is libertarian toddler gibberish. none of these writers or thinkers are interesting; they're propped up by the extraction class owners of consolidated media because the real conversation we need to have threatens their wealth and status
Reposted by m2c4
Reposted by m2c4
the ultimate example of the problem here was when lefties yelled at Biden that SCOTUS was going to ruin his administration, and he appointed a blue ribbon panel who said "do nothing," and Biden went "well hands tied," and then SCOTUS repealed half his achievements and crowned Trump a king
December 3, 2025 at 2:34 PM
the ultimate example of the problem here was when lefties yelled at Biden that SCOTUS was going to ruin his administration, and he appointed a blue ribbon panel who said "do nothing," and Biden went "well hands tied," and then SCOTUS repealed half his achievements and crowned Trump a king
Reposted by m2c4
that said previous Dem admins have largely be run by lawyer brained rule followers who move with glacial slowness, and the administrative process is slow as shit. Dems could stand a helping of "ask forgiveness rather than permission" and bedrock institutional reform
December 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
that said previous Dem admins have largely be run by lawyer brained rule followers who move with glacial slowness, and the administrative process is slow as shit. Dems could stand a helping of "ask forgiveness rather than permission" and bedrock institutional reform
Reposted by m2c4
I think this is like 35% correct. Trump proves that in the context of a captured judiciary and feckless opposition, you can do stuff quickly [wreak untold havoc]. it will be very different for a Dem trying to do good www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
Opinion | What the Left Could Learn From Trump’s Brutal Efficiency
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I think this is like 35% correct. Trump proves that in the context of a captured judiciary and feckless opposition, you can do stuff quickly [wreak untold havoc]. it will be very different for a Dem trying to do good www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
Reposted by m2c4
O'Hara: "There's folks that are masked, they may be kidnapping people. We have had those reports. The community should know that if you see something like that, you should call 911. Let's not forget -- we very recently had tragedy in this state by someone who was purporting to be law enforcement."
December 2, 2025 at 7:57 PM
O'Hara: "There's folks that are masked, they may be kidnapping people. We have had those reports. The community should know that if you see something like that, you should call 911. Let's not forget -- we very recently had tragedy in this state by someone who was purporting to be law enforcement."
Reposted by m2c4
An anti-discrimination rule that forecloses magazines that write about James Baldwin and Prince but not magazines that write about William F Buckley and Taylor Swift. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
U. of Alabama Suspends Black and Female Student Magazines, Citing D.E.I. Guidance
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:39 PM
An anti-discrimination rule that forecloses magazines that write about James Baldwin and Prince but not magazines that write about William F Buckley and Taylor Swift. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Reposted by m2c4
I'm sympathetic to the idea that progressives need to rethink procedural barriers to getting things done, and that this a crucial moment for American government. But we are witnessing a shift to authoritarianism right now. American needs not just a theory of power but also theory of accountability.
December 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I'm sympathetic to the idea that progressives need to rethink procedural barriers to getting things done, and that this a crucial moment for American government. But we are witnessing a shift to authoritarianism right now. American needs not just a theory of power but also theory of accountability.
Reposted by m2c4
like the "abundance" folks, this guy goes out of his way to pretend that U.S. government dysfunction is just born from an innate love of pointless bureaucracy, and isn't a direct, intentional byproduct of America's top problem: corruption and unchecked corporate power
There is such a thirst in some progressive centrist circles that they will look at the Trump administration as a model to get things done. I think its worth addressing the argument. This is from Mark Dunkelman, author of the widely praised "Why Nothing Works."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
Opinion | What the Left Could Learn From Trump’s Brutal Efficiency
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
like the "abundance" folks, this guy goes out of his way to pretend that U.S. government dysfunction is just born from an innate love of pointless bureaucracy, and isn't a direct, intentional byproduct of America's top problem: corruption and unchecked corporate power
Reposted by m2c4
i like dunkelman’s book as well but this argument really ought to grapple with the fact that trump’s agenda is mired in lawsuits and even the signature parts of it, the deportations, fall far short of the president’s ambitions
There is such a thirst in some progressive centrist circles that they will look at the Trump administration as a model to get things done. I think its worth addressing the argument. This is from Mark Dunkelman, author of the widely praised "Why Nothing Works."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...
Opinion | What the Left Could Learn From Trump’s Brutal Efficiency
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
i like dunkelman’s book as well but this argument really ought to grapple with the fact that trump’s agenda is mired in lawsuits and even the signature parts of it, the deportations, fall far short of the president’s ambitions
Reposted by m2c4
It’s really the opposite, if you only get one side of the history (and many of us do) it is completely shocking to realize much of what you “know” isn’t true or isn’t the whole story, and many young jews feel a sense of betrayal over that bsky.app/profile/prem...
Hillary Clinton blames TikTok and “totally made up” videos for young people’s views on Israel and Palestine.
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
December 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
It’s really the opposite, if you only get one side of the history (and many of us do) it is completely shocking to realize much of what you “know” isn’t true or isn’t the whole story, and many young jews feel a sense of betrayal over that bsky.app/profile/prem...
Reposted by m2c4
We did a great podcast this week on the AI bubble and I wanted to delve deeper into the financial risks:
-AI adoption isn't materializing at businesses
-GPUs may burn out faster than companies claim
-lack of revenue and higher costs could cause exits & trigger data center debt defaults
-AI adoption isn't materializing at businesses
-GPUs may burn out faster than companies claim
-lack of revenue and higher costs could cause exits & trigger data center debt defaults
How the AI Bubble Might Play Out - The American Prospect
Investment in new technology always needs startup financing, and if AI is truly God in the machine, wide adoption will pay off over time. But that isn’t materializing, at least not yet.
prospect.org
December 3, 2025 at 1:52 PM
We did a great podcast this week on the AI bubble and I wanted to delve deeper into the financial risks:
-AI adoption isn't materializing at businesses
-GPUs may burn out faster than companies claim
-lack of revenue and higher costs could cause exits & trigger data center debt defaults
-AI adoption isn't materializing at businesses
-GPUs may burn out faster than companies claim
-lack of revenue and higher costs could cause exits & trigger data center debt defaults
Reposted by m2c4
Hegseth and his ilk are why it was dumb for Democratic senators to vote for any of his nominees. Rubio joined the Cabinet without A SINGLE DISSENTING VOTE
December 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Hegseth and his ilk are why it was dumb for Democratic senators to vote for any of his nominees. Rubio joined the Cabinet without A SINGLE DISSENTING VOTE
Reposted by m2c4
Lesson 6: If you have a theory of the Supreme Court that does not include political ideology, its going to be wrong. During the Biden administration it was all major questions because they did not like his policies, and during Trump it is mostly unitary executive, because they do.
December 3, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Lesson 6: If you have a theory of the Supreme Court that does not include political ideology, its going to be wrong. During the Biden administration it was all major questions because they did not like his policies, and during Trump it is mostly unitary executive, because they do.
Reposted by m2c4
Lesson 3: The shy Trumpists think that Trump is showing us how power should be used, minus the authoritarianism of course *even though* they also critique imperious centrist figures who used power without accountability. So what does accountability mean in this context?
December 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Lesson 3: The shy Trumpists think that Trump is showing us how power should be used, minus the authoritarianism of course *even though* they also critique imperious centrist figures who used power without accountability. So what does accountability mean in this context?
Reposted by m2c4
Lesson one: Yes, you can do a lot of things if you break the law.
Lesson two: Doing something is not the same as doing a good thing - it is harder to build than it is to destroy.
Trump has built nothing like the TVA. His lawbreaking is not "freeing the stuck wheels of bureaucracy."
Lesson two: Doing something is not the same as doing a good thing - it is harder to build than it is to destroy.
Trump has built nothing like the TVA. His lawbreaking is not "freeing the stuck wheels of bureaucracy."
December 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Lesson one: Yes, you can do a lot of things if you break the law.
Lesson two: Doing something is not the same as doing a good thing - it is harder to build than it is to destroy.
Trump has built nothing like the TVA. His lawbreaking is not "freeing the stuck wheels of bureaucracy."
Lesson two: Doing something is not the same as doing a good thing - it is harder to build than it is to destroy.
Trump has built nothing like the TVA. His lawbreaking is not "freeing the stuck wheels of bureaucracy."
Reposted by m2c4
Once again, one of the most consistently replicated findings in the history of experiments is that giving people cash with zero strings attached has massive social benefits for those receiving the cash as well as the community around them
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Once again, one of the most consistently replicated findings in the history of experiments is that giving people cash with zero strings attached has massive social benefits for those receiving the cash as well as the community around them
Reposted by m2c4
Congratulations to 21 year old Democrat Akbar Ali who made history in Georgia tonight. The youngest state rep in GA history.
December 3, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Congratulations to 21 year old Democrat Akbar Ali who made history in Georgia tonight. The youngest state rep in GA history.
Reposted by m2c4
“Maybe we’re onto something.”
“How can we tell? We’ve only done this 187,623 times with the same success every single time. Could be a fluke.”
“How can we tell? We’ve only done this 187,623 times with the same success every single time. Could be a fluke.”
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
December 3, 2025 at 6:17 AM
“Maybe we’re onto something.”
“How can we tell? We’ve only done this 187,623 times with the same success every single time. Could be a fluke.”
“How can we tell? We’ve only done this 187,623 times with the same success every single time. Could be a fluke.”
Reposted by m2c4
There’s truly something deeply wrong with these people: all of them.
Fox’s Greg Gutfeld on double tap boat strike: “It's just better for us to kill them in the ocean, make them shark feed, be done with it”
December 3, 2025 at 5:32 AM
There’s truly something deeply wrong with these people: all of them.
Reposted by m2c4
Hypothetically: 1) SCOTUS kills the tariffs, 2) some major foreign policy breakthrough (maybe Russia or Bibi does him a favor), 3) Trump sends everyone a $2k “tariff rebate”, 4) OPEC/domestic oil significantly lowers gas prices, 5) dead VRA and more GMandering add a dozen more House seats.
a thing to ask yourself re: the GOP's electoral position is what could happen over the next year that could *improve* its position? and what could trump do, plausibly, that might *boost* his numbers with the public?
December 3, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Hypothetically: 1) SCOTUS kills the tariffs, 2) some major foreign policy breakthrough (maybe Russia or Bibi does him a favor), 3) Trump sends everyone a $2k “tariff rebate”, 4) OPEC/domestic oil significantly lowers gas prices, 5) dead VRA and more GMandering add a dozen more House seats.
Reposted by m2c4
Also he’s just so dimly credulous. He will believe any outrageous statement that aligns with his beliefs. What are these numbers? They don’t sound very plausible. He has no common sense.
December 3, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Also he’s just so dimly credulous. He will believe any outrageous statement that aligns with his beliefs. What are these numbers? They don’t sound very plausible. He has no common sense.