Andrew B. Koupal
@ab-koupal.bsky.social
Sarcastic drummer; casual interest in responsible governance and expanding pedestrian and rail infrastructure.
He/him. SF Bay Area
He/him. SF Bay Area
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
"an internet witch hunt"
Every single named person in this article who spread ugly lies about the Brown shooting, even putting an innocent student in danger, is a Republican. One is even a top DOJ official.
This NYT headline makes it seem like it was an everybody problem. It was not.
Every single named person in this article who spread ugly lies about the Brown shooting, even putting an innocent student in danger, is a Republican. One is even a top DOJ official.
This NYT headline makes it seem like it was an everybody problem. It was not.
December 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM
"an internet witch hunt"
Every single named person in this article who spread ugly lies about the Brown shooting, even putting an innocent student in danger, is a Republican. One is even a top DOJ official.
This NYT headline makes it seem like it was an everybody problem. It was not.
Every single named person in this article who spread ugly lies about the Brown shooting, even putting an innocent student in danger, is a Republican. One is even a top DOJ official.
This NYT headline makes it seem like it was an everybody problem. It was not.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
“I’m Black. I’m not White, Hispanic, Indian, Chinese, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, transgender, gay, non-citizen, or a temporary resident. But all these people are my people — the American people. An attack on any of them is an attack on America and on me.”
I love the east Bay Area. People of different races and religions live and work together to build the American Dream. We in liberal society take this for granted but the national rise of extremism stemming from online content seeks to take this away from us.
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-americ...
darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-americ...
The American Beauty of the East Bay
Americanism is facing its biggest challenge from extremism. The people of the Bay Area show why its worth fighting for.
darrellowens.substack.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
“I’m Black. I’m not White, Hispanic, Indian, Chinese, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, transgender, gay, non-citizen, or a temporary resident. But all these people are my people — the American people. An attack on any of them is an attack on America and on me.”
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
Every time a media organization measures the USPS via profit/loss, I lose my mind a little bit.
The USPS is a service for the American people. In the state of Alaska in particular it is never going to be profitable unless it becomes so expensive Alaskans can’t afford it.
The USPS is a service for the American people. In the state of Alaska in particular it is never going to be profitable unless it becomes so expensive Alaskans can’t afford it.
The USPS faces a tight squeeze. With fewer people using the mail, it’s lost more and more money: $9 billion in the 12 months ending in September alone.
https://cnn.it/4qkeNoF
https://cnn.it/4qkeNoF
December 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Every time a media organization measures the USPS via profit/loss, I lose my mind a little bit.
The USPS is a service for the American people. In the state of Alaska in particular it is never going to be profitable unless it becomes so expensive Alaskans can’t afford it.
The USPS is a service for the American people. In the state of Alaska in particular it is never going to be profitable unless it becomes so expensive Alaskans can’t afford it.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
Having encountered little resistance here in the U.S., the Trump regime is now weaponizing the “censorship” narrative globally, for example by rescinding travel visas for people at organizations combating hate speech in Europe.
December 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Having encountered little resistance here in the U.S., the Trump regime is now weaponizing the “censorship” narrative globally, for example by rescinding travel visas for people at organizations combating hate speech in Europe.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
From 2022-2024, the right trolled, threatened, ran hit pieces on partisan media, filed lawsuits, & launched congressional investigations against researchers as they spun a conspiracy theory about a “censorship industrial complex”. Now they are weaponizing that narrative w/ the power of the U.S. gov.
December 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
From 2022-2024, the right trolled, threatened, ran hit pieces on partisan media, filed lawsuits, & launched congressional investigations against researchers as they spun a conspiracy theory about a “censorship industrial complex”. Now they are weaponizing that narrative w/ the power of the U.S. gov.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
I see there’s a post about microplastics going around with a photo of drinking straws, so here is my semi-regular reminder that the 3 biggest sources of microplastics are tires (45%), synthetic clothing particles (35%) and paint (~10%).
Lay article attached:
Lay article attached:
One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn’t straws or grocery bags – it’s your tires
Every few years, the tires on your car wear thin and need to be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go? The answer, unfortunately, is often waterways, where the tiny microplastic particle...
www.pbs.org
December 24, 2025 at 4:49 AM
I see there’s a post about microplastics going around with a photo of drinking straws, so here is my semi-regular reminder that the 3 biggest sources of microplastics are tires (45%), synthetic clothing particles (35%) and paint (~10%).
Lay article attached:
Lay article attached:
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
Maybe they mean “breakdown” in a good way like a dance song
American food safety could be headed for a breakdown
More Americans will be exposed to foodborne illness as a result of this year's funding cuts, food safety experts predict
www.statnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Maybe they mean “breakdown” in a good way like a dance song
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
The CECOT segment, brought to you by what we still have left of the "free and open web" (thanks to Section 230 which Congress is currently trying to repeal).
Watch it. Watch it again.
www.reddit.com/r/law/commen...
Watch it. Watch it again.
www.reddit.com/r/law/commen...
From the law community on Reddit: The '60 Minutes' segment covering the detainment of deported immigrants in El Salvador's CECOT prison, which was abruptly removed from CBS News' Sunday evening broadc...
Explore this post and more from the law community
www.reddit.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:26 AM
The CECOT segment, brought to you by what we still have left of the "free and open web" (thanks to Section 230 which Congress is currently trying to repeal).
Watch it. Watch it again.
www.reddit.com/r/law/commen...
Watch it. Watch it again.
www.reddit.com/r/law/commen...
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
Are you a driver and want less traffic? Get all your neighbors on to bikes and transit.
December 23, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Are you a driver and want less traffic? Get all your neighbors on to bikes and transit.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
Found the actual men in women's bathrooms assaulting women.
ICE agents illegally break into a woman's bathroom in a NY nutrition bar manufacturing plant. "Pull up your pants," says a male agent. The agents only had a warrant to review employer documents. They didn't have a warrant to search for, detain, or arrest anyone there.
December 22, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Found the actual men in women's bathrooms assaulting women.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
Waymos are off the street for now, but what happens during the next emergency?
Prioritizing tech designed for personal convenience is not a reliable solution for our city's transit shortfalls. And now we see just how unreliable it can be when emergency strikes.
Prioritizing tech designed for personal convenience is not a reliable solution for our city's transit shortfalls. And now we see just how unreliable it can be when emergency strikes.
December 22, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Waymos are off the street for now, but what happens during the next emergency?
Prioritizing tech designed for personal convenience is not a reliable solution for our city's transit shortfalls. And now we see just how unreliable it can be when emergency strikes.
Prioritizing tech designed for personal convenience is not a reliable solution for our city's transit shortfalls. And now we see just how unreliable it can be when emergency strikes.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
None of this is “good faith political debate,” and it’s not a coincidence that all these outlets are suddenly interested in the same “discussion” at the same time.
Treating women’s humanity like a thought exercise makes it that much easier to legislate away
Treating women’s humanity like a thought exercise makes it that much easier to legislate away
December 20, 2025 at 11:25 PM
None of this is “good faith political debate,” and it’s not a coincidence that all these outlets are suddenly interested in the same “discussion” at the same time.
Treating women’s humanity like a thought exercise makes it that much easier to legislate away
Treating women’s humanity like a thought exercise makes it that much easier to legislate away
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
20. So this goes back to point 10. When we are a net exporter, decisions to produce more help producers and hurt consumers. And in this case, are ALSO bad for the climate. It's lose / lose all around.
December 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
20. So this goes back to point 10. When we are a net exporter, decisions to produce more help producers and hurt consumers. And in this case, are ALSO bad for the climate. It's lose / lose all around.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
The James Webb Space Telescope is so freaking cool. The mainstream media should spend more time telling us what it's up to: gizmodo.com/runaway-blac...
Runaway Black Hole Escapes Its Galaxy—and It's Leaving Baby Stars in Its Wake
The Webb telescope confirmed one of the fastest moving celestial objects ever detected.
gizmodo.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The James Webb Space Telescope is so freaking cool. The mainstream media should spend more time telling us what it's up to: gizmodo.com/runaway-blac...
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
It is within Donald Trump's rights to fire everyone on the Federal Reserve Board and replace them with his friends. But if a future Democratic president tries to remove Trump's friends from the Board, that will be strictly unconstitutional.
by John Roberts
by John Roberts
December 18, 2025 at 4:25 PM
It is within Donald Trump's rights to fire everyone on the Federal Reserve Board and replace them with his friends. But if a future Democratic president tries to remove Trump's friends from the Board, that will be strictly unconstitutional.
by John Roberts
by John Roberts
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
These orgs all fucked themselves by deciding to call everything AI. NOAA could've called it many other things. They chose the name closely associated with the bullshit engine. They catch that flak.
Don't want to be associated with the terrible AI stuff? That's easy to avoid.
Don't want to be associated with the terrible AI stuff? That's easy to avoid.
December 18, 2025 at 2:52 AM
These orgs all fucked themselves by deciding to call everything AI. NOAA could've called it many other things. They chose the name closely associated with the bullshit engine. They catch that flak.
Don't want to be associated with the terrible AI stuff? That's easy to avoid.
Don't want to be associated with the terrible AI stuff? That's easy to avoid.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
$8.50 for a one-way ride on the JFK AirTrain is outrageous. That compares to only $5 from Penn to Jamaica in the faster and more comfortable LIRR.
The Port Authority should charge each vehicle entering the terminal complex $8.50 instead and make the AirTrain free.
The Port Authority should charge each vehicle entering the terminal complex $8.50 instead and make the AirTrain free.
December 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
$8.50 for a one-way ride on the JFK AirTrain is outrageous. That compares to only $5 from Penn to Jamaica in the faster and more comfortable LIRR.
The Port Authority should charge each vehicle entering the terminal complex $8.50 instead and make the AirTrain free.
The Port Authority should charge each vehicle entering the terminal complex $8.50 instead and make the AirTrain free.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
But even in the best of cases there's no version of the story wherein all of our problems are gonna be fixed by lawmakers.
No matter who is in those jobs there's a lot that's up to the rest of us no matter what.
No matter who is in those jobs there's a lot that's up to the rest of us no matter what.
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 AM
But even in the best of cases there's no version of the story wherein all of our problems are gonna be fixed by lawmakers.
No matter who is in those jobs there's a lot that's up to the rest of us no matter what.
No matter who is in those jobs there's a lot that's up to the rest of us no matter what.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
This is all true. And the biggest danger Vance poses is that he is a walking skinsuit for the tech bros. Peter Thiel created his career. Elon Musk is one of his biggest boosters. If Vance is sitting in the Oval, the technofascists will wield an amount of power that will dwarf anything we've seen.
When Trump dies-- could be at any point, who knows -- we get Vance.
They'll blame a lot of stuff on Trump AND try to fast-track an even uglier Christofascism.
We must be preparing for this now & organizing accordingly.
Grassroots activism, coalitions. Dissent. Sand in gears. GOTV.
Every angle.
They'll blame a lot of stuff on Trump AND try to fast-track an even uglier Christofascism.
We must be preparing for this now & organizing accordingly.
Grassroots activism, coalitions. Dissent. Sand in gears. GOTV.
Every angle.
December 17, 2025 at 3:57 AM
This is all true. And the biggest danger Vance poses is that he is a walking skinsuit for the tech bros. Peter Thiel created his career. Elon Musk is one of his biggest boosters. If Vance is sitting in the Oval, the technofascists will wield an amount of power that will dwarf anything we've seen.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
“Paramount would use Warner to keep something like the old Hollywood alive … On the other hand, Netflix promises [to reduce] the number of independent Hollywood studios in order to build an IP powerhouse capable of winning the bigger battle for attention with Silicon Valley.”
Netflix and Paramount are battling for more than Warner Bros
They present rival visions for the future of entertainment
economist.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
“Paramount would use Warner to keep something like the old Hollywood alive … On the other hand, Netflix promises [to reduce] the number of independent Hollywood studios in order to build an IP powerhouse capable of winning the bigger battle for attention with Silicon Valley.”
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
The reason there will never be a conservative alternative to the ACA is that the ACA was the conservative alternative
December 13, 2025 at 1:32 AM
The reason there will never be a conservative alternative to the ACA is that the ACA was the conservative alternative
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
1. For at least 10 years, Pepsi has conspired with Walmart to force up grocery prices. That’s the shocking evidence made public today in an unsealed FTC lawsuit. The suit was abandoned in May by the Trump FTC just before it was to be un-redacted. We went to court to get it unsealed & won.
December 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
1. For at least 10 years, Pepsi has conspired with Walmart to force up grocery prices. That’s the shocking evidence made public today in an unsealed FTC lawsuit. The suit was abandoned in May by the Trump FTC just before it was to be un-redacted. We went to court to get it unsealed & won.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
developers chasing $$ from the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyone else is like a whole beat these days. this from the same magazine as a case in point.
How the Sports Stadium Went Luxe
Is the race to create ever more lavish spectator offerings in America’s largest venues changing the fan experience?
www.newyorker.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:28 PM
developers chasing $$ from the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyone else is like a whole beat these days. this from the same magazine as a case in point.
Reposted by Andrew B. Koupal
On this day in 1974: Instead of saving energy for the Oil Crisis, permanent Daylight Saving Time wasted millions of barrels of oil, due to increased heating needs on unnaturally darkened mornings. #OTD
December 11, 2025 at 4:34 PM
On this day in 1974: Instead of saving energy for the Oil Crisis, permanent Daylight Saving Time wasted millions of barrels of oil, due to increased heating needs on unnaturally darkened mornings. #OTD