スコット
@y2skot.bsky.social
Words and bent ideas. Reconstituted writer (goldenrod draft) and editor. Fixed-rope abseil expert.
Vancouver Is | London
Vancouver Is | London
Reposted by スコット
Though I do like this response on US attacks regarding 'freedom of speech' in Europe.
December 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Though I do like this response on US attacks regarding 'freedom of speech' in Europe.
Reposted by スコット
Excellent read. A detailed primer on how cash skews and subverts American (and other) elections.
“When the policy preferences of wealthy Americans conflict with those of everyone else, the wealthy always win. Not sometimes. Not on certain issues.”
“When the policy preferences of wealthy Americans conflict with those of everyone else, the wealthy always win. Not sometimes. Not on certain issues.”
Study after study shows campaign ads barely move the needle. So where does money’s real power come from? I ranked the five ways money corrupts politics—from least to most corrosive. What I’ve learned from 15 years of tracking political money:
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
Campaign ads barely move the needle. The real influence is hiding in plain sight.
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Excellent read. A detailed primer on how cash skews and subverts American (and other) elections.
“When the policy preferences of wealthy Americans conflict with those of everyone else, the wealthy always win. Not sometimes. Not on certain issues.”
“When the policy preferences of wealthy Americans conflict with those of everyone else, the wealthy always win. Not sometimes. Not on certain issues.”
Reposted by スコット
Study after study shows campaign ads barely move the needle. So where does money’s real power come from? I ranked the five ways money corrupts politics—from least to most corrosive. What I’ve learned from 15 years of tracking political money:
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
Campaign ads barely move the needle. The real influence is hiding in plain sight.
open.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Study after study shows campaign ads barely move the needle. So where does money’s real power come from? I ranked the five ways money corrupts politics—from least to most corrosive. What I’ve learned from 15 years of tracking political money:
Reposted by スコット
The new U.S. National Security Strategy aims to operationalise what is called the Vance–Trump Doctrine—treating Europe, its liberal democratic model, and the EU’s rule-of-law institutions as strategic obstacles rather than partners. This is a profound shift. It’s time to pay attention.
The NSS of the US is to overturn small-l liberalism in Europe and corruption is one means they plan to do that.
NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY DROPPED
There is a LOT here, but omg NATO allies are going to seethe at this paragraph
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
There is a LOT here, but omg NATO allies are going to seethe at this paragraph
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 6, 2025 at 11:32 PM
The new U.S. National Security Strategy aims to operationalise what is called the Vance–Trump Doctrine—treating Europe, its liberal democratic model, and the EU’s rule-of-law institutions as strategic obstacles rather than partners. This is a profound shift. It’s time to pay attention.
Reposted by スコット
‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk for 400 years
‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk for 400 years
Cameras capture lone creature collecting materials for its lodge in riverside nature reserve
A wild beaver has been spotted in Norfolk for the first time since beavers were hunted to extinction in England at the beginning of the 16th century.
It was filmed dragging logs and establishing a lodge in a “perfect beaver habitat” on the River Wensun at Pensthorpe, a nature reserve near Fakenham in Norfolk. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:17 AM
‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk for 400 years
Reposted by スコット
If the US becomes just another authoritarian government with nukes like China or Russia, why should the Europeans sentimentally side with us? It would be in their national interest to keep their options open.
The values of the United States of America as articulated in this latest National Security Strategy are the same as those of Russia and China. The only difference is blood (race) and soil (geography). Otherwise there's little for anyone to prefer one to the other.
December 7, 2025 at 6:11 AM
If the US becomes just another authoritarian government with nukes like China or Russia, why should the Europeans sentimentally side with us? It would be in their national interest to keep their options open.
Reposted by スコット
All across Europe, as well as in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, US allies are reading Trump's national security strategy and realizing that it was authored by people who view them as enemies while idolizing Vladimir Putin and plagiarizing from his recent speeches.
December 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
All across Europe, as well as in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, US allies are reading Trump's national security strategy and realizing that it was authored by people who view them as enemies while idolizing Vladimir Putin and plagiarizing from his recent speeches.
Reposted by スコット
“All good cons [or bad cons with easy marks] eventually crumble, and we’re starting to see the earliest signs that the MAGA movement – one of the greatest [dumbest] and most destructive cons in American history – may be poised to fall.
It’s coming, I tell you. And it’s going to be spectacular.”
It’s coming, I tell you. And it’s going to be spectacular.”
Trump is horrendously unpopular. Even MAGA is catching on. | Opinion
All good cons eventually crumble, and we're starting to see the earliest signs that the MAGA movement may be poised to fall.
www.usatoday.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:48 AM
“All good cons [or bad cons with easy marks] eventually crumble, and we’re starting to see the earliest signs that the MAGA movement – one of the greatest [dumbest] and most destructive cons in American history – may be poised to fall.
It’s coming, I tell you. And it’s going to be spectacular.”
It’s coming, I tell you. And it’s going to be spectacular.”
Reposted by スコット
Perhaps the smartest #ClimateAction investment in cities is in public transit. While others make excuses, Paris is building a WHOLE NEW METRO NETWORK CONNECTING SUBURBS.
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
Paris is getting a whole new Metro network. And it’s huge | CNN
The Grand Paris Express will add four lines, 68 stations and 200 kilometers of track to the French capital’s 120-year-old Metro system, providing vital suburban links – just not quite in time for the ...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Perhaps the smartest #ClimateAction investment in cities is in public transit. While others make excuses, Paris is building a WHOLE NEW METRO NETWORK CONNECTING SUBURBS.
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
“…the Grand Paris Express, a new 200km system with 4 new lines & 68 new stations.”
#ActionStartsHere
@mayors4climate.bsky.social
Reposted by スコット
It is an absolutely delightful irony that the richest man in the world is universally acknowledged to be a huge fucking loser who not a single living person envies in any way at all
Remember folks: if you have any small amount of artistic talent, any sex appeal, or can make your friends laugh, the richest man on earth is crying screaming throwing up because he can’t be you.
December 7, 2025 at 12:23 AM
It is an absolutely delightful irony that the richest man in the world is universally acknowledged to be a huge fucking loser who not a single living person envies in any way at all
Reposted by スコット
A huge number of people were deprived of citizenship by the Nazis. Political opponents first, then Jews. Maybe more than 200,000 people in total.
without birthright citizenship in the united states, you don't have a democracy and you don't have rule of law.
revoking birthright citizenship gives fascists free rein to purge the country of literally anyone they don't like. it opens the door to atrocities and mass murder. i am not exaggerating.
revoking birthright citizenship gives fascists free rein to purge the country of literally anyone they don't like. it opens the door to atrocities and mass murder. i am not exaggerating.
December 7, 2025 at 6:24 AM
A huge number of people were deprived of citizenship by the Nazis. Political opponents first, then Jews. Maybe more than 200,000 people in total.
Reposted by スコット
Remember after his first admin ended we found out the White House pharmacy was pumping out amphetamines and highly controlled substances like they were candy? Do we actually think things are better now?
White House pharmacist whistleblower where you at.
White House pharmacist whistleblower where you at.
December 7, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Remember after his first admin ended we found out the White House pharmacy was pumping out amphetamines and highly controlled substances like they were candy? Do we actually think things are better now?
White House pharmacist whistleblower where you at.
White House pharmacist whistleblower where you at.
To punctuate: the *total* cost for *all* of NASA’s interplanetary explorations—and how spectacularly wondrous and illuminating they’ve been—cost just half of what Zuckerberg spent on his stupid “metaverse”.
For comparison, every robotic mission NASA has ever sent in its history, from the dawn of the Space Age 65 years ago to today, from Mercury to Pluto and beyond, has cost less than $40B.
I know which one has done more for humankind and which one should be dismantled.
I know which one has done more for humankind and which one should be dismantled.
Mark Zuckerberg’s gamble on the ‘Metaverse’ has cost Meta more than $77B
The company now plans to cut spending on it and shift focus to AI wearables instead
(via WSJ)
The company now plans to cut spending on it and shift focus to AI wearables instead
(via WSJ)
December 7, 2025 at 5:05 AM
To punctuate: the *total* cost for *all* of NASA’s interplanetary explorations—and how spectacularly wondrous and illuminating they’ve been—cost just half of what Zuckerberg spent on his stupid “metaverse”.
Reposted by スコット
without birthright citizenship in the united states, you don't have a democracy and you don't have rule of law.
revoking birthright citizenship gives fascists free rein to purge the country of literally anyone they don't like. it opens the door to atrocities and mass murder. i am not exaggerating.
revoking birthright citizenship gives fascists free rein to purge the country of literally anyone they don't like. it opens the door to atrocities and mass murder. i am not exaggerating.
December 7, 2025 at 3:24 AM
without birthright citizenship in the united states, you don't have a democracy and you don't have rule of law.
revoking birthright citizenship gives fascists free rein to purge the country of literally anyone they don't like. it opens the door to atrocities and mass murder. i am not exaggerating.
revoking birthright citizenship gives fascists free rein to purge the country of literally anyone they don't like. it opens the door to atrocities and mass murder. i am not exaggerating.
Reposted by スコット
Oh, have I got a word for you!
Introducing #trumpery
In use since the 15th century, this word descends from Middle English meaning 'deceit'. In speech, it means 'worthless nonsense' aka bullshit. In wares, it means 'trivial, useless articles' as in everything he hawks
Introducing #trumpery
In use since the 15th century, this word descends from Middle English meaning 'deceit'. In speech, it means 'worthless nonsense' aka bullshit. In wares, it means 'trivial, useless articles' as in everything he hawks
December 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Oh, have I got a word for you!
Introducing #trumpery
In use since the 15th century, this word descends from Middle English meaning 'deceit'. In speech, it means 'worthless nonsense' aka bullshit. In wares, it means 'trivial, useless articles' as in everything he hawks
Introducing #trumpery
In use since the 15th century, this word descends from Middle English meaning 'deceit'. In speech, it means 'worthless nonsense' aka bullshit. In wares, it means 'trivial, useless articles' as in everything he hawks
Reposted by スコット
Japan condemns incidents near Okinawa as 'dangerous' and says it has lodged a 'strong protest' with China.
Japan accuses Chinese jets of directing fire-control radar at its aircraft
Japan condemns incidents near Okinawa as 'dangerous' and says it has lodged a 'strong protest' with China.
bit.ly
December 7, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Japan condemns incidents near Okinawa as 'dangerous' and says it has lodged a 'strong protest' with China.
Reposted by スコット
This is immoral. "3-year-old child forced to serve as her own attorney in Tucson immigration court. More than a dozen undocumented minors were forced to serve as their own attorneys in front of an immigration judge as the Trump admin. ramps up removal proceedings." coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
Three-year-old child forced to serve as her own attorney in Tucson immigration court
More than a dozen undocumented minors were forced to make their case in front of an immigration judge as the Trump administration ramps up removal proceedings.
coppercourier.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:02 AM
This is immoral. "3-year-old child forced to serve as her own attorney in Tucson immigration court. More than a dozen undocumented minors were forced to serve as their own attorneys in front of an immigration judge as the Trump admin. ramps up removal proceedings." coppercourier.com/2025/12/05/c...
This is just the beginning.
December 7, 2025 at 4:52 AM
This is just the beginning.
Reposted by スコット
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
December 7, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Reposted by スコット
Don’t forget, for many years #Uber insisted loudly that it would reduce traffic in cities. Instead, Uber drivers cruise without passengers 40% of the time. Uber and Lyft no longer claim they reduce traffic. They now admit they increase congestion.
So much for “making cities better…”
Via @wsj.com
So much for “making cities better…”
Via @wsj.com
The Ride-Hail Utopia That Got Stuck in Traffic
Uber and Lyft said they would ease congestion. Instead they made it worse.
www.wsj.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Reposted by スコット
interesting developments in the American borrowing of “queue”
December 6, 2025 at 9:03 PM
interesting developments in the American borrowing of “queue”
Reposted by スコット
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.“
We’ll take the Statue of Liberty & these new U.S. citizens.
You can keep Stephen Miller and Donald Trump, and their small, cruel, heartless racism.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
We’ll take the Statue of Liberty & these new U.S. citizens.
You can keep Stephen Miller and Donald Trump, and their small, cruel, heartless racism.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Immigrants kept from Faneuil Hall citizenship ceremony as feds crackdown nationwide
Trump administration is pausing naturalizations for immigrants from 19 countries.
www.wgbh.org
December 7, 2025 at 4:14 AM
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.“
We’ll take the Statue of Liberty & these new U.S. citizens.
You can keep Stephen Miller and Donald Trump, and their small, cruel, heartless racism.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
We’ll take the Statue of Liberty & these new U.S. citizens.
You can keep Stephen Miller and Donald Trump, and their small, cruel, heartless racism.
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Reposted by スコット
Losing 77 billion dollars making something no one wants and pivoting to another thing that no one wants
Mark Zuckerberg’s gamble on the ‘Metaverse’ has cost Meta more than $77B
The company now plans to cut spending on it and shift focus to AI wearables instead
(via WSJ)
The company now plans to cut spending on it and shift focus to AI wearables instead
(via WSJ)
December 7, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Losing 77 billion dollars making something no one wants and pivoting to another thing that no one wants
Reposted by スコット
Once again, we are learning in real time how many of our colleagues, institutions, & university leaders are simply not actually interested in education:
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Abolishing programs in earth sciences and statistics is just pure, uncut vandalism.
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
December 7, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Once again, we are learning in real time how many of our colleagues, institutions, & university leaders are simply not actually interested in education:
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...