Torr 🧵
@torrleonard.bsky.social
Pinned
Torr 🧵
@torrleonard.bsky.social
· Mar 5
I’m worried that in the 2026 and 2028 elections, 49% of voters are gonna say “Trump and Musk turned out to be bad, but the rest of the GOP are fine.”
Which is why we need to tie all these bad things to the *entire GOP*.
Which is why we need to tie all these bad things to the *entire GOP*.
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“Texas Gov. Abbott, Long a Defender of “States’ Rights”, Embraces Trump’s Push to Expand Presidential Power -
Defending Texas “sovereignty” has been central to Abbott’s political identity.
Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard.”
Defending Texas “sovereignty” has been central to Abbott’s political identity.
Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard.”
Abbott embraces Trump’s views of presidential power despite support for states’ rights - The Texas Tribune
Defending Texas sovereignty has been central to Abbott’s political identity. Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard.
www.texastribune.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:40 PM
“Texas Gov. Abbott, Long a Defender of “States’ Rights”, Embraces Trump’s Push to Expand Presidential Power -
Defending Texas “sovereignty” has been central to Abbott’s political identity.
Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard.”
Defending Texas “sovereignty” has been central to Abbott’s political identity.
Yet he has helped Trump erode states’ authority over elections, policing and deploying the National Guard.”
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“This year ICE has sent more immigrant children into the federal shelter system than in the previous four years combined.
New data suggests families are being separated.”
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
New data suggests families are being separated.”
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
ICE Sent 600 Immigrant Kids to Detention in Federal Shelters This Year. It’s a New Record.
Under a zero tolerance policy, the first Trump administration separated immigrant children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. New data suggests separations are happening all over the count...
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
“This year ICE has sent more immigrant children into the federal shelter system than in the previous four years combined.
New data suggests families are being separated.”
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
New data suggests families are being separated.”
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry eliminated parole for prisoners arrested after Aug. 1, 2024, and tightened eligibility rules for those already in prison.
Then he set all of that aside for one group: undocumented immigrants.
Why? To have them deported.”
www.propublica.org/article/loui...
Then he set all of that aside for one group: undocumented immigrants.
Why? To have them deported.”
www.propublica.org/article/loui...
Louisiana Made It Nearly Impossible to Get Parole. Now It’s Releasing Prisoners to Deport Them.
Gov. Jeff Landry eliminated parole for prisoners arrested after Aug. 1, 2024, and tightened eligibility rules for those already in prison. Then he set all of that aside for one group: undocumented imm...
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
“Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry eliminated parole for prisoners arrested after Aug. 1, 2024, and tightened eligibility rules for those already in prison.
Then he set all of that aside for one group: undocumented immigrants.
Why? To have them deported.”
www.propublica.org/article/loui...
Then he set all of that aside for one group: undocumented immigrants.
Why? To have them deported.”
www.propublica.org/article/loui...
"Trump's Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules & Maiming Protesters -
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons:
religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals."
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons:
religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals."
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...
www.propublica.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:13 AM
"Trump's Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules & Maiming Protesters -
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons:
religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals."
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons:
religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals."
“It is very clearly a two-person race, but it’s also a two-vision race,” said Fishback [R].
"Look, if you want more cheap labor, if you want more H-1B visas, if you want to let our proportional share of Chinese foreign students, then Byron Donalds [R] is your guy. It’s that simple.”
"Look, if you want more cheap labor, if you want more H-1B visas, if you want to let our proportional share of Chinese foreign students, then Byron Donalds [R] is your guy. It’s that simple.”
‘Florida is Full’: James Fishback’s running pitch for governor
The investment firm CEO with ties to Trump is taking a fierce MAGA approach in an attempt to beat Republican Rep. Byron Donalds in the race.
www.semafor.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:58 PM
“It is very clearly a two-person race, but it’s also a two-vision race,” said Fishback [R].
"Look, if you want more cheap labor, if you want more H-1B visas, if you want to let our proportional share of Chinese foreign students, then Byron Donalds [R] is your guy. It’s that simple.”
"Look, if you want more cheap labor, if you want more H-1B visas, if you want to let our proportional share of Chinese foreign students, then Byron Donalds [R] is your guy. It’s that simple.”
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“the number of incoming freshmen whose math skills fall below middle-school level has surged at UC San Diego in recent years.
In 2020, 6% of first-year students were not ready for college math, the report said.
This fall, the figure was 18%.”
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
In 2020, 6% of first-year students were not ready for college math, the report said.
This fall, the figure was 18%.”
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
UC San Diego Sees Students’ Math Skills Plummet
The number of first-year students at the University of California, San Diego, whose math skills fall below a middle school level has increased nearly 30-fold over the past five years, according to a n...
www.insidehighered.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:41 PM
“the number of incoming freshmen whose math skills fall below middle-school level has surged at UC San Diego in recent years.
In 2020, 6% of first-year students were not ready for college math, the report said.
This fall, the figure was 18%.”
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
In 2020, 6% of first-year students were not ready for college math, the report said.
This fall, the figure was 18%.”
www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Reposted by Torr 🧵
"Nowadays, humans dont need to do that sophisticated math.
All you need to do is simulate what would happen if you took samples from 2 identical populations, run it perhaps a million times or so, & then see how many of those simulations returned a result as or more extreme than your real findings."
All you need to do is simulate what would happen if you took samples from 2 identical populations, run it perhaps a million times or so, & then see how many of those simulations returned a result as or more extreme than your real findings."
Statistical tests are complicated because their inventors did not have fast computers
Instead of thinking hard about the exact mathematical form of the null hypothesis, just simulate it with Monte Carlo. The bitter lesson applies to classical statistics.
agarriga.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"Nowadays, humans dont need to do that sophisticated math.
All you need to do is simulate what would happen if you took samples from 2 identical populations, run it perhaps a million times or so, & then see how many of those simulations returned a result as or more extreme than your real findings."
All you need to do is simulate what would happen if you took samples from 2 identical populations, run it perhaps a million times or so, & then see how many of those simulations returned a result as or more extreme than your real findings."
"Tehran is shrouded in toxic smog after Iran's power stations turned to dirty fuel to mitigate the energy crisis. Iran has seen crippling power blackouts in recent months —alongside a devastating drought that may force the capital to be evacuated — despite having some of world's largest oil reserves
Tehran shrouded in thick smog as Iran burns dirty fuel amid energy crisis
Nearly 59,000 Iranians die prematurely due to air pollution in year to March, according to officials.
www.aljazeera.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
"Tehran is shrouded in toxic smog after Iran's power stations turned to dirty fuel to mitigate the energy crisis. Iran has seen crippling power blackouts in recent months —alongside a devastating drought that may force the capital to be evacuated — despite having some of world's largest oil reserves
Reposted by Torr 🧵
"algorithms tends to repeat what “works,” but art opens up what is possible.
Not everything has to be immediate or predictable.
Defend slowness when it serves a purpose, silence when it speaks, and difference when evocative.
Beauty is not just a means of escape; it is, above all, an invocation"
Not everything has to be immediate or predictable.
Defend slowness when it serves a purpose, silence when it speaks, and difference when evocative.
Beauty is not just a means of escape; it is, above all, an invocation"
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
November 25, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Torr 🧵
Boring hobby I've picked up: Listening to a Grammy winning album in some genre I don't know much about. Probably not putting Silkroad and Yo-Yo Ma on heavy rotation but why not challenge myself a little as I work. Music that hasn't become familiar/comforting puts you in a different state of mind.
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Boring hobby I've picked up: Listening to a Grammy winning album in some genre I don't know much about. Probably not putting Silkroad and Yo-Yo Ma on heavy rotation but why not challenge myself a little as I work. Music that hasn't become familiar/comforting puts you in a different state of mind.
Reposted by Torr 🧵
If anybody has any idea why my Twitter account is Japanese, let me know!!
"The X account of Hank Green, a popular YouTuber, says his account is based in Japan; Green told me Sunday that he’d never been to Japan"
A little reminder that all of you trust Elon Musk's website way too much.
A little reminder that all of you trust Elon Musk's website way too much.
Elon Musk’s Worthless, Poisoned Hall of Mirrors
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:52 PM
If anybody has any idea why my Twitter account is Japanese, let me know!!
“Mr. Cotton, 81, has run the Port Authority longer than any executive director in more than 50 years, having outlasted his political patron, Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat who resigned as governor amid accusations of sexual harassment in 2021.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/n...
Rick Cotton, Head of the Port Authority, Is Stepping Down
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:34 PM
“Mr. Cotton, 81, has run the Port Authority longer than any executive director in more than 50 years, having outlasted his political patron, Andrew M. Cuomo, a Democrat who resigned as governor amid accusations of sexual harassment in 2021.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/n...
Headlines from 2025(!)
“Abortion Is Once Again Illegal in North Dakota -
On Friday, a state Supreme Court ruling reinstated a near-total abortion ban, reversing a judge’s earlier decision.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
“Abortion Is Once Again Illegal in North Dakota -
On Friday, a state Supreme Court ruling reinstated a near-total abortion ban, reversing a judge’s earlier decision.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
Abortion Is Once Again Illegal in North Dakota
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Headlines from 2025(!)
“Abortion Is Once Again Illegal in North Dakota -
On Friday, a state Supreme Court ruling reinstated a near-total abortion ban, reversing a judge’s earlier decision.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
“Abortion Is Once Again Illegal in North Dakota -
On Friday, a state Supreme Court ruling reinstated a near-total abortion ban, reversing a judge’s earlier decision.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
“California is tired of letting people die -
Long-term involuntary treatment is back.
Is it working?”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Long-term involuntary treatment is back.
Is it working?”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
California Is Tired of Letting People Die
Long-term involuntary treatment is back. Is it working?
www.theatlantic.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
“California is tired of letting people die -
Long-term involuntary treatment is back.
Is it working?”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Long-term involuntary treatment is back.
Is it working?”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
“it was an open secret that the car wash industry, which paid low wages for back-breaking labor, largely attracted people without legal status.”
"Americans don't want to do this work," the owner (who is a Green Card holder) said.
www.aol.com/articles/l-c...
"Americans don't want to do this work," the owner (who is a Green Card holder) said.
www.aol.com/articles/l-c...
This L.A. car wash depends on immigrant labor. Can it survive Trump?
The car wash industry, emblematic of California's highway culture, has long depended on immigrant labor. It's been hit hard by President Trump's deportation campaign.
www.aol.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:32 PM
“it was an open secret that the car wash industry, which paid low wages for back-breaking labor, largely attracted people without legal status.”
"Americans don't want to do this work," the owner (who is a Green Card holder) said.
www.aol.com/articles/l-c...
"Americans don't want to do this work," the owner (who is a Green Card holder) said.
www.aol.com/articles/l-c...
“small Central Valley towns are facing the prospect that many of the seasonal field workers who help power the local economy may not return.
In Firebaugh, tax receipts are already down, forcing leaders to weigh cuts to their police force, parks, and senior center.”
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
In Firebaugh, tax receipts are already down, forcing leaders to weigh cuts to their police force, parks, and senior center.”
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
How fear of Trump's immigration blitz is changing life in California farm towns
Tax receipts are down almost 30% in one California farm town, where immigrants are afraid to go out and some longtime workers are weighing self-deportation. People panicked when probation agents in gr...
calmatters.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:28 PM
“small Central Valley towns are facing the prospect that many of the seasonal field workers who help power the local economy may not return.
In Firebaugh, tax receipts are already down, forcing leaders to weigh cuts to their police force, parks, and senior center.”
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
In Firebaugh, tax receipts are already down, forcing leaders to weigh cuts to their police force, parks, and senior center.”
calmatters.org/economy/2025...
“9 months after White House booted Associated Press from WH events because it refused to refer to the Gulf of Mexico with the Trump admin’s preferred term, the Gulf of America, the news org asked a trio of federal judges Monday to permanently find that the govt violated its 1st Amendment rights.”
In Gulf of America case, AP renews legal fight to end White House ban
The Associated Press, which sued the government after being barred from covering White House events, presented its case to a circuit court panel.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
“9 months after White House booted Associated Press from WH events because it refused to refer to the Gulf of Mexico with the Trump admin’s preferred term, the Gulf of America, the news org asked a trio of federal judges Monday to permanently find that the govt violated its 1st Amendment rights.”
“Batteries for Rad Power Bikes Get Federal Fire Risk Warning -
Consumers will not be refunded or offered replacement batteries by Rad Power Bikes, the agency said, citing the company’s finances and cost of a full recall.”
Oh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Consumers will not be refunded or offered replacement batteries by Rad Power Bikes, the agency said, citing the company’s finances and cost of a full recall.”
Oh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Serious Fire Risk Warning Is Issued for E-Bike Batteries
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
“Batteries for Rad Power Bikes Get Federal Fire Risk Warning -
Consumers will not be refunded or offered replacement batteries by Rad Power Bikes, the agency said, citing the company’s finances and cost of a full recall.”
Oh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Consumers will not be refunded or offered replacement batteries by Rad Power Bikes, the agency said, citing the company’s finances and cost of a full recall.”
Oh.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
“Behind Rwanda’s World Cycling Debut, a Regime Carefully Curating Its Image -
As the first African host of the Road World Championships, Rwanda projected stability and security to the world — but behind the polished streets and cheering crowds, dissent was tightly controlled.”
As the first African host of the Road World Championships, Rwanda projected stability and security to the world — but behind the polished streets and cheering crowds, dissent was tightly controlled.”
Behind Rwanda’s World Cycling Debut, a Regime Carefully Curating Its Image
Rwanda’s hosting of the 2025 Road World Championships impressed the global cycling world with its stability, infrastructure, and sweeping landscapes. But behind the nation’s polished image lies a regi...
inkstickmedia.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
“Behind Rwanda’s World Cycling Debut, a Regime Carefully Curating Its Image -
As the first African host of the Road World Championships, Rwanda projected stability and security to the world — but behind the polished streets and cheering crowds, dissent was tightly controlled.”
As the first African host of the Road World Championships, Rwanda projected stability and security to the world — but behind the polished streets and cheering crowds, dissent was tightly controlled.”
“After US Airways left Pittsburgh high and dry, yinzers finally built an airport on their own terms—and it’s incredible.
The feel-good transportation story of the year comes from the last place you might expect.”
slate.com/business/202...
The feel-good transportation story of the year comes from the last place you might expect.”
slate.com/business/202...
This Major American Airport Is Getting a $1.7 Billion Facelift. Thank God.
After US Airways left Pittsburgh high and dry, yinzers finally built an airport on their own terms—and it’s incredible.
slate.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:12 PM
“After US Airways left Pittsburgh high and dry, yinzers finally built an airport on their own terms—and it’s incredible.
The feel-good transportation story of the year comes from the last place you might expect.”
slate.com/business/202...
The feel-good transportation story of the year comes from the last place you might expect.”
slate.com/business/202...
“Billionaires Bankroll San Francisco Comeback One Party at a Time -
Crime surveillance, food assistance, an 83-foot Christmas tree – they’re all being paid for by an increasingly influential coalition of billionaires.”
Crime surveillance, food assistance, an 83-foot Christmas tree – they’re all being paid for by an increasingly influential coalition of billionaires.”
Billionaires Bankroll San Francisco Comeback One Party at a Time
Crime surveillance, food assistance, an 83-foot Christmas tree – they’re all being paid for by an increasingly influential coalition of San Francisco billionaires.
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
“Billionaires Bankroll San Francisco Comeback One Party at a Time -
Crime surveillance, food assistance, an 83-foot Christmas tree – they’re all being paid for by an increasingly influential coalition of billionaires.”
Crime surveillance, food assistance, an 83-foot Christmas tree – they’re all being paid for by an increasingly influential coalition of billionaires.”
“Why Barcelona's Bikeshare System Is Off-Limits to Foreign Tourists -
Barcelona’s bikeshare program excludes non-Spanish visitors.
Other cities charge tourists much higher fees to rent two-wheelers.
Which policy makes more sense?”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Barcelona’s bikeshare program excludes non-Spanish visitors.
Other cities charge tourists much higher fees to rent two-wheelers.
Which policy makes more sense?”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Bikeshare Shouldn’t Kick Tourists to the Curb
Barcelona’s bikeshare program excludes non-Spanish visitors. Other cities charge tourists much higher fees to rent two-wheelers. Which policy makes more sense?
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:58 PM
“Why Barcelona's Bikeshare System Is Off-Limits to Foreign Tourists -
Barcelona’s bikeshare program excludes non-Spanish visitors.
Other cities charge tourists much higher fees to rent two-wheelers.
Which policy makes more sense?”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Barcelona’s bikeshare program excludes non-Spanish visitors.
Other cities charge tourists much higher fees to rent two-wheelers.
Which policy makes more sense?”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“What changed?
Republicans long characterized Silicon Valley as a bastion of liberalism.
But over the past half-decade, many of tech’s wealthiest titans rebelled against the Biden administration’s criticism and policing of their industry.”
Republicans long characterized Silicon Valley as a bastion of liberalism.
But over the past half-decade, many of tech’s wealthiest titans rebelled against the Biden administration’s criticism and policing of their industry.”
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 AM
“What changed?
Republicans long characterized Silicon Valley as a bastion of liberalism.
But over the past half-decade, many of tech’s wealthiest titans rebelled against the Biden administration’s criticism and policing of their industry.”
Republicans long characterized Silicon Valley as a bastion of liberalism.
But over the past half-decade, many of tech’s wealthiest titans rebelled against the Biden administration’s criticism and policing of their industry.”
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“The Turkey Pardon Is a Perfect Emblem of Our Very Dumb Politics -
It started as a way to distract from the Iran-Contra affair.
Now it’s a mockery of both American agriculture and our arbitrary legal system.”
newrepublic.com/article/1770...
It started as a way to distract from the Iran-Contra affair.
Now it’s a mockery of both American agriculture and our arbitrary legal system.”
newrepublic.com/article/1770...
The Turkey Pardon Is a Perfect Emblem of Our Very Dumb Politics
It started as a way to distract from the Iran-Contra affair. Now it’s a mockery of both American agriculture and our arbitrary legal system.
newrepublic.com
November 22, 2023 at 9:01 PM
“The Turkey Pardon Is a Perfect Emblem of Our Very Dumb Politics -
It started as a way to distract from the Iran-Contra affair.
Now it’s a mockery of both American agriculture and our arbitrary legal system.”
newrepublic.com/article/1770...
It started as a way to distract from the Iran-Contra affair.
Now it’s a mockery of both American agriculture and our arbitrary legal system.”
newrepublic.com/article/1770...
These are experimental treatments that aren’t covered by insurance, I assume?
Otherwise, treatment should be covered, and you hit your yearly out of pocket max at approx $9k.
Unless he’s trying to also cover non-treatment related costs or something.
Otherwise, treatment should be covered, and you hit your yearly out of pocket max at approx $9k.
Unless he’s trying to also cover non-treatment related costs or something.
James Van Der Beek is selling autographed and unsigned 'Varsity Blues' jerseys to raise money for his cancer treatment and to support for other families: 'Endlessly grateful for all of you.'
James Van Der Beek dons 'Varsity Blues' jersey to raise money for cancer treatment: 'Endlessly grateful for all of you'
James Van Der Beek is selling autographed and unsigned 'Varsity Blues' jerseys to raise money for his cancer treatment and to support for other families: 'Endlessly grateful for all of you.'
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
These are experimental treatments that aren’t covered by insurance, I assume?
Otherwise, treatment should be covered, and you hit your yearly out of pocket max at approx $9k.
Unless he’s trying to also cover non-treatment related costs or something.
Otherwise, treatment should be covered, and you hit your yearly out of pocket max at approx $9k.
Unless he’s trying to also cover non-treatment related costs or something.