Brian Kovalesky
@briankov.bsky.social
U.S. Historian; teacher of History at CSU Dominguez Hills; basketball fanatic. I strive to be intelligent in a non-artificial way.
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
What a nonsense equivocal take. He’s deeply weak and at the end of the road. Lashing out ineffectively (Epstein) or acquiescing embarrassingly (Mamdani) will be his only choices going forward. And she’s politically smart to get off a sinking boat via the power of no. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
Trump Shows His Power, and Greene Reveals His Weakness
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:43 AM
What a nonsense equivocal take. He’s deeply weak and at the end of the road. Lashing out ineffectively (Epstein) or acquiescing embarrassingly (Mamdani) will be his only choices going forward. And she’s politically smart to get off a sinking boat via the power of no. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/u...
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
Most average working Americans abide by laws and norms. Most are kind and decent. But there is growing rot at the top of our system. And its stench can no longer be ignored. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-thought-732
Sunday thought
The rot at the top
robertreich.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Most average working Americans abide by laws and norms. Most are kind and decent. But there is growing rot at the top of our system. And its stench can no longer be ignored. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-thought-732
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
NEW: Would President Trump feel comfortable living in Zohran Mamdani's New York City?
"I would, I really would."
nbcnews.app.link/Qh7NmUZcuYb
"I would, I really would."
nbcnews.app.link/Qh7NmUZcuYb
November 21, 2025 at 9:38 PM
NEW: Would President Trump feel comfortable living in Zohran Mamdani's New York City?
"I would, I really would."
nbcnews.app.link/Qh7NmUZcuYb
"I would, I really would."
nbcnews.app.link/Qh7NmUZcuYb
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
Increasing temperatures are already killing huge numbers of people.
A ProPublica and @us.theguardian.com analysis found that Trump’s “America First” agenda is expected to add substantially to the toll, with the vast majority of deaths occurring outside the U.S.
By @fastlerner.bsky.social
A ProPublica and @us.theguardian.com analysis found that Trump’s “America First” agenda is expected to add substantially to the toll, with the vast majority of deaths occurring outside the U.S.
By @fastlerner.bsky.social
Trump’s Anti-Green Agenda Could Lead to 1.3 Million More Climate Deaths. The Poorest Countries Will Be Impacted Most.
Most of the people expected to suffer these temperature-related deaths live in poor countries in Africa and South Asia that are least prepared to cope with the increasing heat from climate change.
www.propublica.org
November 22, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Increasing temperatures are already killing huge numbers of people.
A ProPublica and @us.theguardian.com analysis found that Trump’s “America First” agenda is expected to add substantially to the toll, with the vast majority of deaths occurring outside the U.S.
By @fastlerner.bsky.social
A ProPublica and @us.theguardian.com analysis found that Trump’s “America First” agenda is expected to add substantially to the toll, with the vast majority of deaths occurring outside the U.S.
By @fastlerner.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." –Justice Louis Brandeis
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
November 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." –Justice Louis Brandeis
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Words spoken many years ago that are just as relevant today.
We must continue the fight to get big money out of politics.
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
📽️ WATCH: Student Kenneth Santizo captured ICE and FBI officers stopping a family on their way to church in the Boston suburbs.
Agents broke the window, forced Daniel Flores-Martinez to his knees and slammed him to the ground while his children and his wife, a U.S. citizen, sobbed in the car.
Agents broke the window, forced Daniel Flores-Martinez to his knees and slammed him to the ground while his children and his wife, a U.S. citizen, sobbed in the car.
August 17, 2025 at 3:01 AM
📽️ WATCH: Student Kenneth Santizo captured ICE and FBI officers stopping a family on their way to church in the Boston suburbs.
Agents broke the window, forced Daniel Flores-Martinez to his knees and slammed him to the ground while his children and his wife, a U.S. citizen, sobbed in the car.
Agents broke the window, forced Daniel Flores-Martinez to his knees and slammed him to the ground while his children and his wife, a U.S. citizen, sobbed in the car.
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
NEW: The class-action lawsuit claims that decimating the agency’s Office for Civil Rights will leave it unable to address issues of discrimination at school — violating the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment.
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social and @jodiscohen.bsky.social
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social and @jodiscohen.bsky.social
Parents Sue Trump Administration for Allegedly Sabotaging Education Department’s Civil Rights Division
The class-action lawsuit claims that decimating the agency’s Office for Civil Rights will leave it unable to address issues of discrimination at school — violating the equal protection clause of the F...
propub.li
March 14, 2025 at 1:42 PM
NEW: The class-action lawsuit claims that decimating the agency’s Office for Civil Rights will leave it unable to address issues of discrimination at school — violating the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment.
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social and @jodiscohen.bsky.social
By @jsmithrichards.bsky.social and @jodiscohen.bsky.social
This is the problem with the Democratic Party. It is unwilling to stand up for principles because of political calculations. This is a moment where people want principled leadership. This is not it. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Chuck Schumer to vote for Republican funding bill to avert shutdown
Minority leader laments ‘Hobson’s choice’ but says shutdown would give Trump and Musk ‘carte blanche’
www.theguardian.com
March 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
This is the problem with the Democratic Party. It is unwilling to stand up for principles because of political calculations. This is a moment where people want principled leadership. This is not it. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
The real choice Democrats face is not between a continuing resolution that allows the government to function normally or a government shutdown.
Under the Trump regime, the government is not functioning normally. It is already shutting down.
Why vote to legitimize Trump's coup?
Under the Trump regime, the government is not functioning normally. It is already shutting down.
Why vote to legitimize Trump's coup?
March 14, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The real choice Democrats face is not between a continuing resolution that allows the government to function normally or a government shutdown.
Under the Trump regime, the government is not functioning normally. It is already shutting down.
Why vote to legitimize Trump's coup?
Under the Trump regime, the government is not functioning normally. It is already shutting down.
Why vote to legitimize Trump's coup?
No words for this. Dems should highlight this big time. Republicans act like they’re the pro-soldier party, yet they treat them horribly.
Trump’s executive orders have blocked entrance to the country for more than 110,000 refugees, including thousands of Afghans who worked with the U.S. military.
“We feel betrayed,” said one Afghan American soldier.
With @texastribune.org
“We feel betrayed,” said one Afghan American soldier.
With @texastribune.org
These Soldiers Risked Their Lives Serving in Afghanistan. Now They Plead With Trump to Let Their Sister Into the U.S.
Trump’s executive orders have blocked entrance to the country for thousands of Afghans, including those who worked with the U.S. military and their relatives. Two brothers hope answers come quickly…
propub.li
February 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
No words for this. Dems should highlight this big time. Republicans act like they’re the pro-soldier party, yet they treat them horribly.
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
This is how our government has been corrupted:
1) Donors give huge sums to elect politicians to office.
2) Elected officials rewrite the rules in the donors' favor.
3) Donors make a huge profit.
4) Repeat.
For the sake of democracy, we must get Big Money out of politics.
1) Donors give huge sums to elect politicians to office.
2) Elected officials rewrite the rules in the donors' favor.
3) Donors make a huge profit.
4) Repeat.
For the sake of democracy, we must get Big Money out of politics.
February 23, 2025 at 7:01 PM
This is how our government has been corrupted:
1) Donors give huge sums to elect politicians to office.
2) Elected officials rewrite the rules in the donors' favor.
3) Donors make a huge profit.
4) Repeat.
For the sake of democracy, we must get Big Money out of politics.
1) Donors give huge sums to elect politicians to office.
2) Elected officials rewrite the rules in the donors' favor.
3) Donors make a huge profit.
4) Repeat.
For the sake of democracy, we must get Big Money out of politics.
Truth right here…
Just a random reminder that trickle-down economics was invented by conservatives in the 1980s to justify massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. It’s been nothing short of a disaster.
February 23, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Truth right here…
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
Public health teams are being gutted, imperiling work to safeguard organ donation and prevent maternal and infant death.
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
They Worked to Prevent Death. The Trump Administration Fired Them.
Public health teams are being gutted, imperiling efforts to safeguard organ donation and prevent maternal and infant death. Many workers expressed fear at what would happen to the work they left…
propub.li
February 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Public health teams are being gutted, imperiling work to safeguard organ donation and prevent maternal and infant death.
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
“We are hollowing out our government in a way that is going to hurt people and is going to get people killed.”
https://propub.li/4370xr2
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
Not content with purchasing the presidency, Elon Musk now wants to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court as well.
His PAC just pumped $1M into supporting anti-choice right-wing extremist Brad Schimel.
Wisconsin — don't become Musk's latest acquisition! Vote @crawfordforwi.bsky.social.
His PAC just pumped $1M into supporting anti-choice right-wing extremist Brad Schimel.
Wisconsin — don't become Musk's latest acquisition! Vote @crawfordforwi.bsky.social.
February 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Not content with purchasing the presidency, Elon Musk now wants to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court as well.
His PAC just pumped $1M into supporting anti-choice right-wing extremist Brad Schimel.
Wisconsin — don't become Musk's latest acquisition! Vote @crawfordforwi.bsky.social.
His PAC just pumped $1M into supporting anti-choice right-wing extremist Brad Schimel.
Wisconsin — don't become Musk's latest acquisition! Vote @crawfordforwi.bsky.social.
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
One person did benefit from the biotech company AquaBounty coming to Pioneer, Ohio: the town’s mayor.
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
The One That Got Away: This Small Town Is Left in Limbo After Betting Big on GMO Salmon
AquaBounty GMO salmon was going to be the future of fish — and the future for one Ohio village that offered incentives to make a new facility happen. But years after breaking ground, there are no…
propub.li
February 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
One person did benefit from the biotech company AquaBounty coming to Pioneer, Ohio: the town’s mayor.
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
His company bought land for $600K before the deal was publicly announced, then flipped that property to AquaBounty for ~$2.1M.
By @annaleighclark.bsky.social
Spent part of this past week protesting staff layoffs at CSU Dominguez Hills. #UnionStrong #CFA #DownWithAusterity
February 23, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Spent part of this past week protesting staff layoffs at CSU Dominguez Hills. #UnionStrong #CFA #DownWithAusterity
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
Federal workers, we recognize that this is an unpredictable time.
Our team is actively pairing your tips with reporters on this list and across our newsroom to make sure you're speaking to someone with the right expertise. How to get in touch:
Our team is actively pairing your tips with reporters on this list and across our newsroom to make sure you're speaking to someone with the right expertise. How to get in touch:
What ProPublica’s Reporters Will Be Covering During Donald Trump’s Second Presidency — and How to Contact Them
From Trump’s relationships with billionaires to immigration, here are some of the issues and topics our reporters will be keeping an eye on as his second presidency begins.
propub.li
February 17, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Federal workers, we recognize that this is an unpredictable time.
Our team is actively pairing your tips with reporters on this list and across our newsroom to make sure you're speaking to someone with the right expertise. How to get in touch:
Our team is actively pairing your tips with reporters on this list and across our newsroom to make sure you're speaking to someone with the right expertise. How to get in touch:
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
Our nation's federal employees are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are vital members of our community. They make our government actually work for people. Remember this.
A fired national park ranger lost his dream job. He says the public is losing more
Brian Gibbs was an environmental educator at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. His job was among those nixed by the Trump administration as it pushes to shrink federal spending.
www.npr.org
February 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Our nation's federal employees are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are vital members of our community. They make our government actually work for people. Remember this.
Support @propublica.org and @texastribune.org ! This is all just going to get worse, and outlets like these are sorely needed to expose the misdeeds of 47.
ProPublica and @texastribune.org have identified nearly a dozen immigrants who have been flown to Guantanamo Bay. Government officials have refused to release the names of detainees or provide details about the crimes that landed them in detention.
By Perla Trevizo and @micarosenberg.bsky.social
By Perla Trevizo and @micarosenberg.bsky.social
U.S. Claims Immigrants Held at Guantanamo Are “Worst of the Worst.” Their Families Say They’re Being Unfairly Targeted.
ProPublica and The Texas Tribune have identified nearly a dozen immigrants who have been flown to Guantanamo Bay. Government officials have refused to release the names of detainees or provide…
propub.li
February 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Support @propublica.org and @texastribune.org ! This is all just going to get worse, and outlets like these are sorely needed to expose the misdeeds of 47.
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
"the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees who had served for less than two years. That included researchers working on cancer treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics and burn pit exposure, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, said Thursday."
February 16, 2025 at 3:48 AM
"the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees who had served for less than two years. That included researchers working on cancer treatment, opioid addiction, prosthetics and burn pit exposure, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, said Thursday."
Reposted by Brian Kovalesky
House Republicans released a draft budget that aims to cut $2 trillion in spending.
The programs impacted could include Medicaid, SNAP, and education programs.
Why the cuts? To finance another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
The programs impacted could include Medicaid, SNAP, and education programs.
Why the cuts? To finance another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
February 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
House Republicans released a draft budget that aims to cut $2 trillion in spending.
The programs impacted could include Medicaid, SNAP, and education programs.
Why the cuts? To finance another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
The programs impacted could include Medicaid, SNAP, and education programs.
Why the cuts? To finance another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
It's reverse Robin Hood.
The adage “follow the money” always holds up.
When SpaceX’s Starship blew up in January, Musk called it “barely a bump in the road,” brushing off the FAA’s concerns.
Yet during the accident, dozens of airplanes scrambled to avoid debris. Pieces of the craft were later found on beaches and roads.
Yet during the accident, dozens of airplanes scrambled to avoid debris. Pieces of the craft were later found on beaches and roads.
One Agency Tried to Regulate SpaceX. Now Its Fate Could Be in Elon Musk’s Hands.
The Trump ally and DOGE chief is expected to turn his budget-slashing sights on the FAA’s little-known commercial spaceflight office, which has proposed fines and grounded SpaceX after explosions and…
propub.li
February 16, 2025 at 8:08 PM
The adage “follow the money” always holds up.
I’ve just discovered the concept of The Network State. It really does track with what we’re seeing now with Elon and the tech broligarchs. www.bbc.com/news/article...
The Bitcoin bros who want to crowdfund a new country - BBC News
How a group of Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs plan to create "the network state."
www.bbc.com
February 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I’ve just discovered the concept of The Network State. It really does track with what we’re seeing now with Elon and the tech broligarchs. www.bbc.com/news/article...