Catbird's Lament
@catbirdslament.bsky.social
Realizing that there are things about which I don't need to have an opinion.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
And detainees are held for much long periods of time than needed so that these companies can charge more and make billions extra. It’s state sanctioned human trafficking.
December 29, 2025 at 12:41 AM
And detainees are held for much long periods of time than needed so that these companies can charge more and make billions extra. It’s state sanctioned human trafficking.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Poverty is a policy choice. Concentrated wealth is a policy choice. Inequality is a policy choice. None of it is natural or inevitable. Remember: We have the power to build a system that serves the many, not the powerful few.
December 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Poverty is a policy choice. Concentrated wealth is a policy choice. Inequality is a policy choice. None of it is natural or inevitable. Remember: We have the power to build a system that serves the many, not the powerful few.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Justine Kurland.
Between 1997 and 2002 she embarked on road trips across America to find, and photograph, the subjects of her ‘Girl Pictures’. These road trips were always undertaken alone, and the women she photographed she scouted from whichever town she landed in.
Between 1997 and 2002 she embarked on road trips across America to find, and photograph, the subjects of her ‘Girl Pictures’. These road trips were always undertaken alone, and the women she photographed she scouted from whichever town she landed in.
December 28, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Justine Kurland.
Between 1997 and 2002 she embarked on road trips across America to find, and photograph, the subjects of her ‘Girl Pictures’. These road trips were always undertaken alone, and the women she photographed she scouted from whichever town she landed in.
Between 1997 and 2002 she embarked on road trips across America to find, and photograph, the subjects of her ‘Girl Pictures’. These road trips were always undertaken alone, and the women she photographed she scouted from whichever town she landed in.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Remember:
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
i don’t see how any of the benefits of chatgpt and other consumer-facing LLMs can possibly outweigh their incredible ability to induce suicides
Adam Raine’s life hurtled toward tragedy soon after he began talking with ChatGPT about homework. Analysis of his ChatGPT account shows how the chatbot became a confidant as he planned to end his life.
December 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Remember:
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
At the end of this year, it does us some political good to read some of the really straightforward writing on the state of our domestic politics. Because we have to be honest with ourselves. @radleybalko.bsky.social's writing is exemplary here.
Trump’s Immigration Nightmare: It Is Happening Here
With astonishing speed, the administration has toppled the most cherished pillars of a free society. And the experts agree: It’s all going to get much, much worse.
newrepublic.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
At the end of this year, it does us some political good to read some of the really straightforward writing on the state of our domestic politics. Because we have to be honest with ourselves. @radleybalko.bsky.social's writing is exemplary here.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
America is done with Trump but he is not done with us.
In 2026, we should expect stepped-up election subversion, further weaponization of the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization of their ethnic cleansing policies.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/edwineis...
In 2026, we should expect stepped-up election subversion, further weaponization of the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization of their ethnic cleansing policies.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/edwineis...
America is done with Trump but he is not done with us
We should expect stepped up election subversion, further weaponize the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization their ethnic cleansing policies.
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
America is done with Trump but he is not done with us.
In 2026, we should expect stepped-up election subversion, further weaponization of the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization of their ethnic cleansing policies.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/edwineis...
In 2026, we should expect stepped-up election subversion, further weaponization of the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization of their ethnic cleansing policies.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/edwineis...
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
That makes 32 reported deaths in ICE custody since Trump took power again.
Authorities have reported the death of a Nicaraguan immigrant in ICE custody in a hospital in Natchez, Mississippi, the seventh reported death of an immigrant in ICE custody this month.
buff.ly/NntUdNz
buff.ly/NntUdNz
Nicaraguan Man in ICE Custody Dies in Mississippi Hospital
A Nicaraguan man has died in ICE custody at a hospital in Natchez, Mississippi, the seventh reported death of a person in custody this month.
www.mississippifreepress.org
December 26, 2025 at 8:35 PM
That makes 32 reported deaths in ICE custody since Trump took power again.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
America's richest 10% now hold 60% of the nation's wealth.
The bottom half of America? It holds just 6%.
Wealth inequality is eating this country alive.
The bottom half of America? It holds just 6%.
Wealth inequality is eating this country alive.
December 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM
America's richest 10% now hold 60% of the nation's wealth.
The bottom half of America? It holds just 6%.
Wealth inequality is eating this country alive.
The bottom half of America? It holds just 6%.
Wealth inequality is eating this country alive.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
This administration lied about the people it sent to an overseas torture prison. It lies about the people it’s deporting. It lies every day to gain political advantage. Not a chance in hell they won’t lie about huge swaths of people they suspect might vote for the other party.
December 27, 2025 at 12:31 AM
This administration lied about the people it sent to an overseas torture prison. It lies about the people it’s deporting. It lies every day to gain political advantage. Not a chance in hell they won’t lie about huge swaths of people they suspect might vote for the other party.
Current view. Peace and joy for the holiday.
December 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Current view. Peace and joy for the holiday.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Here one of Richmond, Virginia's many "tacky lights" homes, this one in the Oregon Hill neighborhood.
#urbangaze #HumansofBlueSky #XtraXmas #RVA
Here one of Richmond, Virginia's many "tacky lights" homes, this one in the Oregon Hill neighborhood.
#urbangaze #HumansofBlueSky #XtraXmas #RVA
December 25, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Here one of Richmond, Virginia's many "tacky lights" homes, this one in the Oregon Hill neighborhood.
#urbangaze #HumansofBlueSky #XtraXmas #RVA
Here one of Richmond, Virginia's many "tacky lights" homes, this one in the Oregon Hill neighborhood.
#urbangaze #HumansofBlueSky #XtraXmas #RVA
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
If Trump invades Venezuela, he most likely will have a war with China & Iran. If he invades Greenland, he has war with the EU. If Americans had a jot of common sense, they would impeach their mentally unstable war-mongering President and make sure he takes his freak show of hangers on with him.
December 23, 2025 at 9:45 AM
If Trump invades Venezuela, he most likely will have a war with China & Iran. If he invades Greenland, he has war with the EU. If Americans had a jot of common sense, they would impeach their mentally unstable war-mongering President and make sure he takes his freak show of hangers on with him.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Not now, haunted Victorian shoes
Mystery as hundreds of Victorian shoes wash up on Ogmore beach
Mystery as hundreds of Victorian shoes wash up on Ogmore beach
More than 400 leather hobnailed boots, thought to date back to the 19th Century, have been found.
www.bbc.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Not now, haunted Victorian shoes
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
20 State AGs have sued Russell Vought for trying to starve the CFPB of funding.
Since 2011, the CFPB has returned over $20B to consumers.
Without the Bureau, financial predators and scammers will have an easier time picking your pocket.
Since 2011, the CFPB has returned over $20B to consumers.
Without the Bureau, financial predators and scammers will have an easier time picking your pocket.
December 23, 2025 at 5:45 PM
20 State AGs have sued Russell Vought for trying to starve the CFPB of funding.
Since 2011, the CFPB has returned over $20B to consumers.
Without the Bureau, financial predators and scammers will have an easier time picking your pocket.
Since 2011, the CFPB has returned over $20B to consumers.
Without the Bureau, financial predators and scammers will have an easier time picking your pocket.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Trump’s new foreign policy is an unprecedented and abysmal mess.
December 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Trump’s new foreign policy is an unprecedented and abysmal mess.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Read this thread, from a an account of the spiked 60 Minutes story that was (apparently mistakenly?) aired in Canada.
Weiss refusing to air this story isn't just journalistic malpractice, it's running interference to help cover up atrocities.
Weiss refusing to air this story isn't just journalistic malpractice, it's running interference to help cover up atrocities.
This has been made available, so for purposes of commenting on Bari Weiss's decision to spike the story, here's a live-post of that segment.
It begins with a "you may recall" summary of the deportation to el Salvador. Describes the admin's claim that it could deport the men without due process
It begins with a "you may recall" summary of the deportation to el Salvador. Describes the admin's claim that it could deport the men without due process
December 22, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Read this thread, from a an account of the spiked 60 Minutes story that was (apparently mistakenly?) aired in Canada.
Weiss refusing to air this story isn't just journalistic malpractice, it's running interference to help cover up atrocities.
Weiss refusing to air this story isn't just journalistic malpractice, it's running interference to help cover up atrocities.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
U.S. military spending is set to hit a record $1 trillion.
Roughly half of defense spending goes to private contractors that routinely price-gouge the government.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has failed EIGHT straight audits.
This is the military industrial complex on steroids.
Roughly half of defense spending goes to private contractors that routinely price-gouge the government.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has failed EIGHT straight audits.
This is the military industrial complex on steroids.
December 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
U.S. military spending is set to hit a record $1 trillion.
Roughly half of defense spending goes to private contractors that routinely price-gouge the government.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has failed EIGHT straight audits.
This is the military industrial complex on steroids.
Roughly half of defense spending goes to private contractors that routinely price-gouge the government.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has failed EIGHT straight audits.
This is the military industrial complex on steroids.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
“What more is there to say about the character of this petty, hollow, squalid, overstuffed man? — sometimes the point bears stressing: We are led by the most loathsome human being ever to occupy the White House.”
www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
Opinion: Our petty, hollow, squalid ogre in chief
Opinion: We are led by the most loathsome human being ever to occupy the White House.
www.sltrib.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM
“What more is there to say about the character of this petty, hollow, squalid, overstuffed man? — sometimes the point bears stressing: We are led by the most loathsome human being ever to occupy the White House.”
www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
“Coverups are difficult in free societies. They are routine for authoritarian governments. The Epstein coverup will be an indicator of how far we are down the road to authoritarianism. The success of such a coverup would take us much further down that road.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
Why the Epstein Coverup Matters
In free societies, government coverups are difficult. In authoritarian ones, they’re routine.
www.thebulwark.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“Coverups are difficult in free societies. They are routine for authoritarian governments. The Epstein coverup will be an indicator of how far we are down the road to authoritarianism. The success of such a coverup would take us much further down that road.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Mass deportations don’t protect working people—they weaken labor standards, silence organizing and empower bad employers.
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers. @jimmy-iupat.bsky.social
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers. @jimmy-iupat.bsky.social
December 20, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Mass deportations don’t protect working people—they weaken labor standards, silence organizing and empower bad employers.
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers. @jimmy-iupat.bsky.social
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers. @jimmy-iupat.bsky.social
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
HUGE NEWS from the new Epstein files:
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Epstein Files Include 1996 Child Porn Complaint That F.B.I. Ignored
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:07 AM
HUGE NEWS from the new Epstein files:
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Illuminated live oaks, St Charles avenue, New Orleans
December 20, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Illuminated live oaks, St Charles avenue, New Orleans
All the Presidents Men is not a bad goal for 2026 for me or all of us.
December 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
All the Presidents Men is not a bad goal for 2026 for me or all of us.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Why do so many feel like they've fallen behind?
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.
December 18, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Why do so many feel like they've fallen behind?
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.