Benton
@bentontripp.bsky.social
120 followers 330 following 18 posts
Husband and Dad, Data Scientist, NC, Running, Geospatial, Bird Enthusiast 🦆, Avid Reader, ASD, He/Him
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Reposted by Benton
judiciarydems.senate.gov
BREAKING: Federal judge officially found ICE violated people’s rights during raids in Chicago, conducted unlawful arrests.
Reposted by Benton
democrats.org
Earlier this year, two Republicans were sworn in less than 24 hours after their elections.

It’s been 16 days since @adelitaforcongress.bsky.social won her race.

Mike Johnson, swear her in.
bentontripp.bsky.social
Is there any bipartisan path forward to prevent continuing resolutions from being weaponized for political messaging (e.g., like in this case, around healthcare and immigration)?
bentontripp.bsky.social
Got this email from my rep, Brad Knott. I cannot express how infuriated I am, this sort of language and complete disregard for truth is an insult to every informed voter. Elected officials should not lie to their constituents for political gain. We deserve honesty, not propaganda.

#ncpol
Dear Patriot,

The House passed a clean, bipartisan CR. The Left is playing politics, demanding a leftist wish list to keep the government open. 

And yes, it included health care for illegals. 

[Image Source: www.speaker.gov]

I want to hear what you think. 

Do you support giving free health care to illegal aliens?

Yes/No

Sincerely, 

Brad Knott
Member of Congress
Reposted by Benton
smsaideman.bsky.social
I have been talking about US autocracy but @dhnexon.bsky.social lays it out more clearly-- the American system has failed. The checks and balances didn't work, so we will need a new constitution and new institutions once the regime is eventually toppled www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2025/10/the-...
bentontripp.bsky.social
The problem with Autism isn’t in those that “have” it. It’s in those that can’t accept people who think and behave differently than what they feel is “normal”. They are the real problem here.
bentontripp.bsky.social
Autism isn’t a plague or a disease. It is a manifestation of differences in people’s neurology, and is only considered a problem because our society is systemically flawed, as people are unable to adapt to meet the needs of those who think and behave differently.
Reposted by Benton
skwinnicki.bsky.social
A colleague working through stats problems in my office just sighed and said “I hope my models aren’t as broken as I am” and I’m considering getting that as my next tattoo.
bentontripp.bsky.social
Sounds like the results of the autopsy are pending, but depending on the results, does anybody know whether the family might be taking donations to help with an independent autopsy? I feel like people would rally to help with that
Reposted by Benton
indivisible.org
We can’t afford another “Schumer Surrender,” so we’re calling on Senate Democrats to stay strong and united in the government funding fight. We’re also making sure the GOP knows it’s on them to avoid a costly shutdown. Your Members of Congress need to hear from you: indivisible.org/campaign/car...
TEN SENATE DEMOCRATS HELPED REPUBLICANS PASS THEIR MAGA FUNDING BILL BACK IN MARCH

Chuck Schumer (NY)
Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
Brian Schatz (HI)
Dick Durbin (IL)
Angus King (ME)
Gary Peters (MI)
Maggie Hassan (NH)
Jeanne Shaheen (NH)
Catherine Cortez Masto (NV)
John Fetterman (PA)
bentontripp.bsky.social
I wish this had happened 10 months ago…
Reposted by Benton
stephenking.bsky.social
As long as guns are easily available to crazy people, mass killings directed at so-called soft targets will continue. This is a fact. Countries where it's more difficult for crazy people to obtain guns have less shootings. This is also a fact. Do with these facts as you will.
bentontripp.bsky.social
Shroud, by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a fun sci-fi read
Reposted by Benton
jeffvandermeer.bsky.social
Yesss, Southern Reach Reddit... you're all grown up now. 😭
Jeff VanderMeer's bluesky

I went to Jeff VanderMeer's bluesky today to check out the reports I had seen on this subreddit. The first few posts were exactly what I expected, posts about research for a new book, pictures of birds, news from the writing world. But as I began to scroll further, past grids and grids of bird pictures, I began to feel an odd sensation in the corner of my eye. That there was some contamination. That by posting on reddit about bluesky posts about reddit we had somehow contaminated both. I began to see screenshots of the /r/SouthernReach subreddit that I didn't remember existing, that shouldn't have existed, somehow distorted. Too close up, as if Jeff had taken the screenshots from my own reddit post editor. I continued to scroll even though it felt like there was no reward in the risk. People getting fucked up by Stockholm amusement rides. A truly uncountable number of bird pictures. 

Was this what we were warned against? That by exposure this this number of bird pictures one would join the birding subreddit? That we would feel compelled to download the Merlin app to identify their chaotic and brilliant songs outside our windows? That we would sign off and go... outside?
Reposted by Benton
aoc.bsky.social
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.

This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.

It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
bentontripp.bsky.social
Brad Knott is my congressman. I reached out to him - more than once - over the last couple of months about this bill. His lack of acknowledgment or care for the well-being of his constituents, (as well as his shameful remarks in the debate early this morning), disgust me. Fuck you Brad.
ncdemocrats.bsky.social
Every single one of these NC Republicans just voted to rip food and health care away from working families.

They call it the "Big Beautiful Bill". We call it a national disgrace.
Reposted by Benton
warren.senate.gov
The Senate Republican budget policy:

Tax breaks for billionaires are FREE!

But health care costs money, so CUT!

It’s magic math — and cruel hypocrisy.
Reposted by Benton
sensorystories.bsky.social
As an autistic (level 1) person... I feel like my autism is only about 10% observable (and due to YEARS of masking, you'd have to be looking VERY closely to see it) and 90% internal, which impacts every aspect of how I exist.

And I feel like more people should know this.
Reposted by Benton
padilla.senate.gov
California is home to the most immigrants out of any state in the nation.

We also have the strongest economy out of any state in the nation.

Not despite our immigrant population –– but because of it.
bentontripp.bsky.social
Walmart is about to become a much more tolerable place to be
Reposted by Benton
governor.ca.gov
If you incite violence or destroy our communities, you are going to be held accountable. 

That kind of criminal behavior will not be tolerated. Full stop.
Reposted by Benton
jokes-for-kids.bsky.social
I don’t think there should be Father’s Day sales. Fathers are priceless! 😏🥲

Of course, it might be a good idea to get him some new golf pants though. You know, in case he gets a hole-in-one…

#fathersday #kidsjokes #humor #jokes

Find more Father’s Day humor at jokes-for-kids.com/jokes/father...!
Jokes for Kids
Discover a collection of fun and simple jokes perfect for young children. Make your little ones giggle with these easy-to-understand jokes!
jokes-for-kids.com
bentontripp.bsky.social
If your negative book review starts with "I didn't realize this was book 3...", maybe read books 1 & 2 before complaining you didn't get the characters or plot in book 3. #bookreviews #books 🤦‍♂️
Reposted by Benton
jeffjacksonnc.bsky.social
Breaking: NC Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin just conceded the election - six months, and three rounds of vote tallies, after he lost.

Our office led the legal defense of this election, pushing back against an effort to throw out tens of thousands of lawful votes.
Reposted by Benton
crockett.house.gov
Trump isn’t just playing with fire — he’s lighting the whole damn thing up. Ruining our economy, raising costs for everyday working Americans, causing stock markets to fall, and slapping tariffs on 185 countries.

This is not leadership.