Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
@brianwilcox.bsky.social
Social scientist, retired professor, former Senate staffer, enthusiastic guitarist and bass player. More interested in policy than politics.
Californian who's lived in Texas, Ohio, Virginia, DC, Nebraska, and Porto Alegre (Brazil) but returned home.
Californian who's lived in Texas, Ohio, Virginia, DC, Nebraska, and Porto Alegre (Brazil) but returned home.
Pinned
No one let go of anyone's hand.
During the Bolsonaro regime in Brazil, resistors adopted this phrase to remind all that we need to stand together, and especially with those targeted by the regime.
That's the assignment now.
During the Bolsonaro regime in Brazil, resistors adopted this phrase to remind all that we need to stand together, and especially with those targeted by the regime.
That's the assignment now.
So...for Rush Hour 4, will Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker be working for ICE?
November 26, 2025 at 2:14 AM
So...for Rush Hour 4, will Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker be working for ICE?
Mr. Trump still regularly comes down to the Oval Office after 11 a.m.. This routine is a holdover from his first term: After he complained about being overscheduled in the mornings, Mr. Trump kept so-called executive time hours in the White House residence before he headed downstairs for work.
Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Mr. Trump still regularly comes down to the Oval Office after 11 a.m.. This routine is a holdover from his first term: After he complained about being overscheduled in the mornings, Mr. Trump kept so-called executive time hours in the White House residence before he headed downstairs for work.
A beautiful day in Channel Islands Harbor, unless you’re a believer in chemtrails. If so, 😂
November 26, 2025 at 1:11 AM
A beautiful day in Channel Islands Harbor, unless you’re a believer in chemtrails. If so, 😂
Tchau, Bozo. Até...nunca.
Bolsonaro to Start Serving 27-Year Sentence Over Coup Plot
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Tchau, Bozo. Até...nunca.
Trump is completely impotent with respect to standing up to Putin. The combination of his servility to Putin and his flagging energy is making this even more dangerous.
Russia Strikes Ukraine and Signals Resistance to Amended Peace Plan
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Trump is completely impotent with respect to standing up to Putin. The combination of his servility to Putin and his flagging energy is making this even more dangerous.
Jimmy Cliff...RIP.
R.I.P. Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come | Live From Austin City Limits TV
YouTube video by Austin City Limits
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Jimmy Cliff...RIP.
Trump: "This will be so incredibly unpopular that they'll forget about how badly I've fucked up the economy."
Trump had found an issue more unpopular than his handling of inflation - attacking Venezuela:
www.cbsnews.com/feature/cbs-...
www.cbsnews.com/feature/cbs-...
November 25, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Trump: "This will be so incredibly unpopular that they'll forget about how badly I've fucked up the economy."
I'm still flabbergasted. Bolsonaro is a 🤡, but no more so than his apparent co-conspirator Donald Trump.
How a Sabotaged Ankle Monitor Ended Bolsonaro’s House Arrest
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I'm still flabbergasted. Bolsonaro is a 🤡, but no more so than his apparent co-conspirator Donald Trump.
Thinking about getting or keeping your health care coverage plan under ACA but worried as to whether Republicans will get their act together and join Dems in holding premiums down?
This is sound advice.
This is sound advice.
KFF’s @larrylevitt.bsky.social advises signing up now, because once enrollment open ends you won’t have another chance.
You can sign as a hedge, in case a deal is passed, and decide to drop out later if there’s no deal.
You can sign as a hedge, in case a deal is passed, and decide to drop out later if there’s no deal.
November 25, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Thinking about getting or keeping your health care coverage plan under ACA but worried as to whether Republicans will get their act together and join Dems in holding premiums down?
This is sound advice.
This is sound advice.
American students spend more time learning how not to get killed at school than kids anywhere else in the world.
Is it any wonder why American kids are falling behind in math, science, and language skills?
Is it any wonder why American kids are falling behind in math, science, and language skills?
A new documentary, "Thoughts and Prayers," looks at how gun violence has led to school lockdown drills becoming a universal part of childhood in America.
That sparked the growth of an entire industry of active shooter preparedness products.
Watch part of Amna Nawaz's interview with the filmmakers
That sparked the growth of an entire industry of active shooter preparedness products.
Watch part of Amna Nawaz's interview with the filmmakers
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 AM
American students spend more time learning how not to get killed at school than kids anywhere else in the world.
Is it any wonder why American kids are falling behind in math, science, and language skills?
Is it any wonder why American kids are falling behind in math, science, and language skills?
Republicans really, really want a war!
Why? To reward their Big Oil & Gas sponsors.
Why? To reward their Big Oil & Gas sponsors.
Rep. Salazar on Venezuela: "We're about to go in ... we need to go in ... Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day"
November 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Republicans really, really want a war!
Why? To reward their Big Oil & Gas sponsors.
Why? To reward their Big Oil & Gas sponsors.
CNN reporting is sooooo bad. I have no idea what this chart is supposed to mean.
November 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
CNN reporting is sooooo bad. I have no idea what this chart is supposed to mean.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
R.I.P. TrumpCare (2:12 pm, November 24, 2025 - 2:14 pm, November 24, 2025)
You will not be mourned.
You will not be mourned.
absolutely incredible -- CNN host introduces a segment about Trump's "new healthcare proposal," but less than two minutes later breaks into her script to announce "breaking news" that Trump's healthcare proposal is being postponed
November 24, 2025 at 8:59 PM
R.I.P. TrumpCare (2:12 pm, November 24, 2025 - 2:14 pm, November 24, 2025)
You will not be mourned.
You will not be mourned.
One of my latest hobbies is watching serious people twist themselves into knots justifying their continued presence on Xitter.
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
That MAGA Account Might Be a Troll From Pakistan
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
One of my latest hobbies is watching serious people twist themselves into knots justifying their continued presence on Xitter.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
People say they love Trump because he doesn't censor his thoughts. Neither does my Grandfather and now we have to feed him at a separate table in the kitchen when we have Thanksgiving guests.
November 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
People say they love Trump because he doesn't censor his thoughts. Neither does my Grandfather and now we have to feed him at a separate table in the kitchen when we have Thanksgiving guests.
This is a disaster.
This is on Senate Republicans who put RFK Jr. in a position to destroy America's health care research infrastructure.
This must be undone.
This is on Senate Republicans who put RFK Jr. in a position to destroy America's health care research infrastructure.
This must be undone.
Unfortunately, I can confirm that this is true.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
I have known Carl for 2 decades and he is smart, dedicated, and quite apolitical, focused on science and getting stuff done on important problems.
Huge unnecessary loss of leadership and expertise.
Hearing news that Carl Dieffenbach, the Director of the Division of AIDS at #NIH (NIAID), has been removed from his position because he was "not aligned with HHS/OMB."
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
Russell Vought continues to remove great scientists as part of the Project 2025 mission to politicize and destroy NIH.
🧪 1/
November 24, 2025 at 5:59 AM
This is a disaster.
This is on Senate Republicans who put RFK Jr. in a position to destroy America's health care research infrastructure.
This must be undone.
This is on Senate Republicans who put RFK Jr. in a position to destroy America's health care research infrastructure.
This must be undone.
Trump is said to have "lashed out."
I can imagine. "You're the only thing standing between me and a Nobel Peace Prize! And a big deal for Trump Tower-Moscow."
I can imagine. "You're the only thing standing between me and a Nobel Peace Prize! And a big deal for Trump Tower-Moscow."
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Trump is said to have "lashed out."
I can imagine. "You're the only thing standing between me and a Nobel Peace Prize! And a big deal for Trump Tower-Moscow."
I can imagine. "You're the only thing standing between me and a Nobel Peace Prize! And a big deal for Trump Tower-Moscow."
Someone get her help.
I made my brother, who still has a Xitter account, look at Candace Owens posts. It gets worse than the post below.
She's clinically insane or she's mining the deepest darkest corners of Xitter for engagement and $.
I made my brother, who still has a Xitter account, look at Candace Owens posts. It gets worse than the post below.
She's clinically insane or she's mining the deepest darkest corners of Xitter for engagement and $.
November 24, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Someone get her help.
I made my brother, who still has a Xitter account, look at Candace Owens posts. It gets worse than the post below.
She's clinically insane or she's mining the deepest darkest corners of Xitter for engagement and $.
I made my brother, who still has a Xitter account, look at Candace Owens posts. It gets worse than the post below.
She's clinically insane or she's mining the deepest darkest corners of Xitter for engagement and $.
Your tax dollars at work.
Another public spending project from the Donald J Trump Administration.
Another public spending project from the Donald J Trump Administration.
Another shot of Kristi Noem and Kash Patel in the Vegas F1 paddock last night. They walked the grid before the race started.
November 23, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Your tax dollars at work.
Another public spending project from the Donald J Trump Administration.
Another public spending project from the Donald J Trump Administration.
Reposted by Brian Wilcox, the Friendly Curmudgeon
Instagram’s former head of safety and well-being Vaishnavi Jayakumar testified the company had a “17x” strike policy for accounts that engaged in the trafficking of humans for sex.
“You could incur 16 violations and upon the 17th violation, your account would be suspended"
time.com/7336204/meta...
“You could incur 16 violations and upon the 17th violation, your account would be suspended"
time.com/7336204/meta...
7 Allegations Against Meta in Newly Unsealed Filings
Court filings allege Meta tolerated sex trafficking, hid harms to teens, and prioritized growth over user safety for years.
time.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Instagram’s former head of safety and well-being Vaishnavi Jayakumar testified the company had a “17x” strike policy for accounts that engaged in the trafficking of humans for sex.
“You could incur 16 violations and upon the 17th violation, your account would be suspended"
time.com/7336204/meta...
“You could incur 16 violations and upon the 17th violation, your account would be suspended"
time.com/7336204/meta...
As someone who taught for 20 years at a flagship state land grant university, it's been incredibly painful to watch Republicans in that state absolutely starve the university but back every enhancement to the university's athletic program.
This year's budget shutters several academic departments.
This year's budget shutters several academic departments.
Public land grant universities with a mission to serve the residents of their respective states are the great economic equalizers. So of course Republicans and billionaires want to destroy them. 😖
November 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
As someone who taught for 20 years at a flagship state land grant university, it's been incredibly painful to watch Republicans in that state absolutely starve the university but back every enhancement to the university's athletic program.
This year's budget shutters several academic departments.
This year's budget shutters several academic departments.
"Those great legal scholars include Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, that really crazy one named Sidney something, and the insurance law lady."
November 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"Those great legal scholars include Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, that really crazy one named Sidney something, and the insurance law lady."
How bad is Google AI?
Well, Rachael does NOT play the guitar and Bridget (pictured with her BASS) does not play the piano. And there are plenty of photos of James available on the web.
Well, Rachael does NOT play the guitar and Bridget (pictured with her BASS) does not play the piano. And there are plenty of photos of James available on the web.
November 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
How bad is Google AI?
Well, Rachael does NOT play the guitar and Bridget (pictured with her BASS) does not play the piano. And there are plenty of photos of James available on the web.
Well, Rachael does NOT play the guitar and Bridget (pictured with her BASS) does not play the piano. And there are plenty of photos of James available on the web.
Seems bad (and likely illegal).
The Trump administration reminds me of my deceased uncle, who kept changing doctors until he found one who told him it was OK to keep smoking.
The Trump administration reminds me of my deceased uncle, who kept changing doctors until he found one who told him it was OK to keep smoking.
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Seems bad (and likely illegal).
The Trump administration reminds me of my deceased uncle, who kept changing doctors until he found one who told him it was OK to keep smoking.
The Trump administration reminds me of my deceased uncle, who kept changing doctors until he found one who told him it was OK to keep smoking.
Sean Duffy is a total dweeb.
Perhaps he should ask the airlines to treat customers more like people and less like cattle.
And maybe he should focus on safety, safety, safety, and safety before asking us to dress like Fox News hosts.
Perhaps he should ask the airlines to treat customers more like people and less like cattle.
And maybe he should focus on safety, safety, safety, and safety before asking us to dress like Fox News hosts.
Sean Duffy Wants You to Stop Wearing PJs on the Plane
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Sean Duffy is a total dweeb.
Perhaps he should ask the airlines to treat customers more like people and less like cattle.
And maybe he should focus on safety, safety, safety, and safety before asking us to dress like Fox News hosts.
Perhaps he should ask the airlines to treat customers more like people and less like cattle.
And maybe he should focus on safety, safety, safety, and safety before asking us to dress like Fox News hosts.