Barb’s barbs
@theupside.bsky.social
Teacher, traveler, lover of history and well-told stories
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
"The emergence of Witkoff as envoy to the Kremlin is partly a story of Putin maneuvering to nudge aside America’s diplomats and clasp hands with its billionaires." Because the billionaires lack experience, can be manipulated. and have obvious conflicts of interest.
Everything in this story is remarkable, besides this part:
"For three hours, Putin hosted Witkoff, who took notes as the president gave a lecture on the 1,000-year history of Russia"
They are so lucky that we are so stupid. Gullible. Unprofessional. Corrupt. Naive.
"For three hours, Putin hosted Witkoff, who took notes as the president gave a lecture on the 1,000-year history of Russia"
They are so lucky that we are so stupid. Gullible. Unprofessional. Corrupt. Naive.
Witkoff’s Other Backer in His Unlikely Diplomatic Ascent: Putin
The Kremlin release of an American prisoner and a Saudi backchannel bolstered the rise of Trump’s longtime friend.
www.wsj.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
"The emergence of Witkoff as envoy to the Kremlin is partly a story of Putin maneuvering to nudge aside America’s diplomats and clasp hands with its billionaires." Because the billionaires lack experience, can be manipulated. and have obvious conflicts of interest.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
I think it's clear that in addition to documenting his crimes, Epstein was a dedicated social climber and was obsessive about documenting that too. Blurring the lines between his legal and illegal life will be essential to Trump's case.
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
December 20, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I think it's clear that in addition to documenting his crimes, Epstein was a dedicated social climber and was obsessive about documenting that too. Blurring the lines between his legal and illegal life will be essential to Trump's case.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Sean Glendening is the man covering up the Trumpstein files.
December 20, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Sean Glendening is the man covering up the Trumpstein files.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
A February 2025 report from RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, written by Carter C. Price found that if the system in place before 1975 had stayed in place, the bottom 90% of Americans would have had almost $80 trillion more in 2023 than they did.
December 19, 2025
This past week feels like the final, chaotic days of a political era.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:26 AM
A February 2025 report from RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, written by Carter C. Price found that if the system in place before 1975 had stayed in place, the bottom 90% of Americans would have had almost $80 trillion more in 2023 than they did.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Exactly.
“Democrats should be banging the drum for #MedicareForAll right now… give 🇺🇸 something real that will change their lives. If they really center that and pass it Republicans would struggle to win an election for 20 years.”
Kanew & @ruwaromman.bsky.social agree we need #MedicareForAllNOW
Kanew & @ruwaromman.bsky.social agree we need #MedicareForAllNOW
December 20, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Exactly.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
This is accelerating toward a Polish-Russian war. If it's a choice between the collapse of Ukraine now (inevitably followed by being invaded by Russia) and joining the war themselves alongside the Ukrainians, they are quite likely to join.
🇺🇸🇺🇦 US intelligence confirms Putin seeks new wars in Europe, in addition to Ukraine — Reuters citing 6 anonymous sources
Putin seeks to seize all of Ukraine and conquer other parts of Europe that were part of the USSR in the past.
Putin seeks to seize all of Ukraine and conquer other parts of Europe that were part of the USSR in the past.
December 20, 2025 at 12:54 AM
This is accelerating toward a Polish-Russian war. If it's a choice between the collapse of Ukraine now (inevitably followed by being invaded by Russia) and joining the war themselves alongside the Ukrainians, they are quite likely to join.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
I don't do much looking back at my own writing, but I've been thinking about this piece a lot today. From tenderly protecting Trump from criminal consequences to enthusiastically helping him dismantle the administrative state, Roberts owns it all.
The worst chief justice of all time
Move over, Roger Taney and Melville Fuller.
open.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:46 AM
I don't do much looking back at my own writing, but I've been thinking about this piece a lot today. From tenderly protecting Trump from criminal consequences to enthusiastically helping him dismantle the administrative state, Roberts owns it all.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
(🚨) A surprise two-fer tonight! Here is an urgent PROOF report itemizing all the ways the Trump Administration has willfully violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act tonight.
The list is already quite long, and it will be updated in real time.
The list is already quite long, and it will be updated in real time.
PROOF EXCLUSIVE: Itemizing Every Violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act By the Trump Administration
Major media reports confirm that (a) Trump is personally overseeing the case—and thus all violations of federal law now known—and (b) those running the show day-to-day are all his lawyer-agents.
sethabramson.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:29 AM
(🚨) A surprise two-fer tonight! Here is an urgent PROOF report itemizing all the ways the Trump Administration has willfully violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act tonight.
The list is already quite long, and it will be updated in real time.
The list is already quite long, and it will be updated in real time.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
For 20 minutes, Americans watched Donald Trump address the nation, “drenched in pure panic as he tried to bully an entire nation into admitting he’s doing a great job,” @radiofreetom.bsky.social argues: theatln.tc/Du4KkLTo
December 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
For 20 minutes, Americans watched Donald Trump address the nation, “drenched in pure panic as he tried to bully an entire nation into admitting he’s doing a great job,” @radiofreetom.bsky.social argues: theatln.tc/Du4KkLTo
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
WATCH-- Former AG Eric Holder says Congress should consider impeachment for the DOJ officials responsible for holding back the Epstein files: “That's a nuclear option that Congress has.”
December 20, 2025 at 1:43 AM
WATCH-- Former AG Eric Holder says Congress should consider impeachment for the DOJ officials responsible for holding back the Epstein files: “That's a nuclear option that Congress has.”
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
New from Aaron! ⬇️⬇️
Massive calls to prosecute Pam Bondi and for her resignation tonight.
#USDemocracy
#Pinks
Massive calls to prosecute Pam Bondi and for her resignation tonight.
#USDemocracy
#Pinks
December 20, 2025 at 1:27 AM
New from Aaron! ⬇️⬇️
Massive calls to prosecute Pam Bondi and for her resignation tonight.
#USDemocracy
#Pinks
Massive calls to prosecute Pam Bondi and for her resignation tonight.
#USDemocracy
#Pinks
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
We should note that yesterday Senators Durbin and Duckworth issued formal criminal referrals for actions by members of the Trump regime. I think this needs to become far more common as we must attach criminality to their outrageous actions, and not let it get normalized as just boys being boys.
December 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
We should note that yesterday Senators Durbin and Duckworth issued formal criminal referrals for actions by members of the Trump regime. I think this needs to become far more common as we must attach criminality to their outrageous actions, and not let it get normalized as just boys being boys.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Ahhhh… So Trump took billions from troop housing and gave it to them as “bonuses” - Got it. A con artist to the end.
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
December 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Ahhhh… So Trump took billions from troop housing and gave it to them as “bonuses” - Got it. A con artist to the end.
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
DOJ won’t meet Friday deadline to release all the Epstein files. They’ve been redacting Trump’s name all year in 24 hour overtime shifts and it still wasn’t enough time.
December 19, 2025 at 5:41 PM
DOJ won’t meet Friday deadline to release all the Epstein files. They’ve been redacting Trump’s name all year in 24 hour overtime shifts and it still wasn’t enough time.
Guess Drumph doesn’t know the meaning of the word “memorial”
When you ask yourself, why would they go ahead and do things like this, changing signage when there's a question of the legality, you have to remember that it will cost money to undo it, and when people try to do so, they will be met with complaints that they're looking backwards and wasting money
Wasting no time, the Trump administration begins adding his name to the Kennedy Center building, ignoring the understanding that it would require an act of Congress. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/12...
December 20, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Guess Drumph doesn’t know the meaning of the word “memorial”
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
With a new moon providing dark skies, it's the best time to spot this ancient visitor before it fades away forever.
www.iflscience.com/c...
2/2
www.iflscience.com/c...
2/2
Can I See Comet 3I/ATLAS From Earth During Its Closest Approach Today? Yes, Here’s How
The comet will be farther than the Sun, but there are still ways to see it as it swings by.
www.iflscience.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:08 PM
With a new moon providing dark skies, it's the best time to spot this ancient visitor before it fades away forever.
www.iflscience.com/c...
2/2
www.iflscience.com/c...
2/2
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Kudos to Pope Leo!
Cardinal Dolan, a MAGA supporter, submitted his retirement resignation letter, customary when a Cardinal turns 75.
Often, Popes let a Cardinal stay.
Pope Leo had his replacement ready to go.
If the Catholic Church can do this....so can Congress.
Cardinal Dolan, a MAGA supporter, submitted his retirement resignation letter, customary when a Cardinal turns 75.
Often, Popes let a Cardinal stay.
Pope Leo had his replacement ready to go.
If the Catholic Church can do this....so can Congress.
Why is Cardinal Dolan resigning? What to know as Pope Leo taps Illinois bishop to replace him
News of Cardinal Timothy Dolan's replacement marked one of the most important appointments from Pope Leo XIV so far, but why did Dolan resign from his position and what sparked the change?
www.nbcchicago.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Kudos to Pope Leo!
Cardinal Dolan, a MAGA supporter, submitted his retirement resignation letter, customary when a Cardinal turns 75.
Often, Popes let a Cardinal stay.
Pope Leo had his replacement ready to go.
If the Catholic Church can do this....so can Congress.
Cardinal Dolan, a MAGA supporter, submitted his retirement resignation letter, customary when a Cardinal turns 75.
Often, Popes let a Cardinal stay.
Pope Leo had his replacement ready to go.
If the Catholic Church can do this....so can Congress.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have developed a heteromultivalent nanogel capable of killing some of the MOST dangerous bacteria known to medicine- with OVER 99.9% effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. It also showed STRONG antibacterial effects against other major threats, including E. coli and MRSA.
December 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have developed a heteromultivalent nanogel capable of killing some of the MOST dangerous bacteria known to medicine- with OVER 99.9% effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. It also showed STRONG antibacterial effects against other major threats, including E. coli and MRSA.
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
This is it folks, spot on truth !
By @politicsgirl.bsky.social
The GOP ,do not care if we live or die. 🪦
Actually from their actions, I think they want us to die.
youtube.com/shorts/sIlb9...
By @politicsgirl.bsky.social
The GOP ,do not care if we live or die. 🪦
Actually from their actions, I think they want us to die.
youtube.com/shorts/sIlb9...
What's THE PLAN here?
YouTube video by PoliticsGirl
youtube.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:42 PM
This is it folks, spot on truth !
By @politicsgirl.bsky.social
The GOP ,do not care if we live or die. 🪦
Actually from their actions, I think they want us to die.
youtube.com/shorts/sIlb9...
By @politicsgirl.bsky.social
The GOP ,do not care if we live or die. 🪦
Actually from their actions, I think they want us to die.
youtube.com/shorts/sIlb9...
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
Trump: “One year ago, our country was dead!”
The Economist, one year ago:
The Economist, one year ago:
December 18, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Trump: “One year ago, our country was dead!”
The Economist, one year ago:
The Economist, one year ago:
Reposted by Barb’s barbs
trump's "speech" tonight will prove, once again, he truly believes he can talk his way out of anything.
And, once again, he will be very wrong.
And, once again, he will be very wrong.
December 18, 2025 at 1:22 AM
trump's "speech" tonight will prove, once again, he truly believes he can talk his way out of anything.
And, once again, he will be very wrong.
And, once again, he will be very wrong.