Alexander Howard
@digiphile.bsky.social
Dad, writer, cyclist, citizen, cereal dilettante. Advocate for freedom of information, open governance, & democracy. Lover of the Oxford Comma, hater of hubris. Recovering journalist. Trying to move carefully, & fix things. https://civic-texts.ghost.io
An interesting chart about how Members of the House of Representatives voted on funding the Department of Homeland Security by @pbump.com that shows, instead of tells.
Great column on AI featuring @mims.bsky.social + more data visualizations this week:
www.howtoreadthisch.art/the-robots-h... #ddj
Great column on AI featuring @mims.bsky.social + more data visualizations this week:
www.howtoreadthisch.art/the-robots-h... #ddj
January 24, 2026 at 4:32 PM
An interesting chart about how Members of the House of Representatives voted on funding the Department of Homeland Security by @pbump.com that shows, instead of tells.
Great column on AI featuring @mims.bsky.social + more data visualizations this week:
www.howtoreadthisch.art/the-robots-h... #ddj
Great column on AI featuring @mims.bsky.social + more data visualizations this week:
www.howtoreadthisch.art/the-robots-h... #ddj
No White House should use AI to mislead the public with propaganda about Americans.
It’s crucial for public safety & a national security: The White House must keep credibility & retain public trust in case of war or disaster or pandemic.
It’s crucial for public safety & a national security: The White House must keep credibility & retain public trust in case of war or disaster or pandemic.
January 23, 2026 at 4:37 PM
No White House should use AI to mislead the public with propaganda about Americans.
It’s crucial for public safety & a national security: The White House must keep credibility & retain public trust in case of war or disaster or pandemic.
It’s crucial for public safety & a national security: The White House must keep credibility & retain public trust in case of war or disaster or pandemic.
If you’re in the path of this winter storm, please take it seriously!
❄️Prepare for snow, ice, losing heat, inability to travel.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
💡Follow @nws.noaa.gov
📲Charge devices
⚠️Add CO/MO detectors
🍝Stock nonperishable food
💊Fill prescriptions
Safety kit for cars
❄️Prepare for snow, ice, losing heat, inability to travel.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
💡Follow @nws.noaa.gov
📲Charge devices
⚠️Add CO/MO detectors
🍝Stock nonperishable food
💊Fill prescriptions
Safety kit for cars
January 23, 2026 at 2:15 PM
If you’re in the path of this winter storm, please take it seriously!
❄️Prepare for snow, ice, losing heat, inability to travel.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
💡Follow @nws.noaa.gov
📲Charge devices
⚠️Add CO/MO detectors
🍝Stock nonperishable food
💊Fill prescriptions
Safety kit for cars
❄️Prepare for snow, ice, losing heat, inability to travel.
Get #WinterReady: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
💡Follow @nws.noaa.gov
📲Charge devices
⚠️Add CO/MO detectors
🍝Stock nonperishable food
💊Fill prescriptions
Safety kit for cars
The @nws.noaa.gov is doing everything they can to warn Americans about the risks of this inbound winter storm. 🇺🇸
Make sure you’re prepared by getting #WinterReady before snow & ice arrives: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
Avoid non-essential travel, if you can.
Enjoy the snow, where possible.❄️⛄️
Make sure you’re prepared by getting #WinterReady before snow & ice arrives: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
Avoid non-essential travel, if you can.
Enjoy the snow, where possible.❄️⛄️
January 23, 2026 at 2:25 AM
The @nws.noaa.gov is doing everything they can to warn Americans about the risks of this inbound winter storm. 🇺🇸
Make sure you’re prepared by getting #WinterReady before snow & ice arrives: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
Avoid non-essential travel, if you can.
Enjoy the snow, where possible.❄️⛄️
Make sure you’re prepared by getting #WinterReady before snow & ice arrives: www.ready.gov/winter-ready
Avoid non-essential travel, if you can.
Enjoy the snow, where possible.❄️⛄️
Spotted on a neighbor’s hedge on Capitol Hill in the District of Columbia:
X
was born
Twitter
🕊️🏳️⚧️
X
was born
🕊️🏳️⚧️
January 22, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Spotted on a neighbor’s hedge on Capitol Hill in the District of Columbia:
X
was born
Twitter
🕊️🏳️⚧️
X
was born
🕊️🏳️⚧️
This garden statue of an elephant has been steadily deteriorating over many years in Washington, but continues to sit near Eastern Market, painted pink with a wee necklace.
It seems like some sort of apt metaphor for our times, but I can’t quite put my trunk on it.
It seems like some sort of apt metaphor for our times, but I can’t quite put my trunk on it.
January 22, 2026 at 5:01 PM
This garden statue of an elephant has been steadily deteriorating over many years in Washington, but continues to sit near Eastern Market, painted pink with a wee necklace.
It seems like some sort of apt metaphor for our times, but I can’t quite put my trunk on it.
It seems like some sort of apt metaphor for our times, but I can’t quite put my trunk on it.
The Department of Homeland Security is violating the Fourth Amendment by entering homes without a warrant, empowered by a secret memorandum to Congress provided by a whistleblower & disclosed to the Associated Press. apnews.com/article/ice-...
This is why open government matters in our democracy.
This is why open government matters in our democracy.
January 22, 2026 at 12:28 AM
The Department of Homeland Security is violating the Fourth Amendment by entering homes without a warrant, empowered by a secret memorandum to Congress provided by a whistleblower & disclosed to the Associated Press. apnews.com/article/ice-...
This is why open government matters in our democracy.
This is why open government matters in our democracy.
I’m old enough to remember @Twitter’s Suggested User List — I was there for technology — which had the same goal. X’s “starter packs” sound like @bsky.app’s feature & share a similar goal: help new people find accounts to follow.
The difference may be algorithmic recs, vs humans.
The difference may be algorithmic recs, vs humans.
January 21, 2026 at 9:57 PM
I’m old enough to remember @Twitter’s Suggested User List — I was there for technology — which had the same goal. X’s “starter packs” sound like @bsky.app’s feature & share a similar goal: help new people find accounts to follow.
The difference may be algorithmic recs, vs humans.
The difference may be algorithmic recs, vs humans.
Today’s political conditions won’t allow it this year, but there could be better possible futures if “We the People” have a dream, again.
Hold the line. Remember that the role peaceful protest & civil disobedience played in world history.
Stay in line, on Election Day.
We shall overcome, someday.
Hold the line. Remember that the role peaceful protest & civil disobedience played in world history.
Stay in line, on Election Day.
We shall overcome, someday.
January 20, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Today’s political conditions won’t allow it this year, but there could be better possible futures if “We the People” have a dream, again.
Hold the line. Remember that the role peaceful protest & civil disobedience played in world history.
Stay in line, on Election Day.
We shall overcome, someday.
Hold the line. Remember that the role peaceful protest & civil disobedience played in world history.
Stay in line, on Election Day.
We shall overcome, someday.
Our union will never fully heal until there are truth & reconciliation commissions for:
-Colonialism & the genocide of indigenous people
-Chattel slavery & apartheid states across the South
-Unconstitutional policing, war crimes, & corruption in the Trump regime, with public trials & accountability
-Colonialism & the genocide of indigenous people
-Chattel slavery & apartheid states across the South
-Unconstitutional policing, war crimes, & corruption in the Trump regime, with public trials & accountability
January 20, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Our union will never fully heal until there are truth & reconciliation commissions for:
-Colonialism & the genocide of indigenous people
-Chattel slavery & apartheid states across the South
-Unconstitutional policing, war crimes, & corruption in the Trump regime, with public trials & accountability
-Colonialism & the genocide of indigenous people
-Chattel slavery & apartheid states across the South
-Unconstitutional policing, war crimes, & corruption in the Trump regime, with public trials & accountability
Sad to see the Trump administration took down Serve.gov & MLKDay.gov, where Americans could learn about how “We the People” can serve one another on #MLKDay.
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2013/01...
But we don’t need a website to serve:
Volunteer.
Bear witness.
Protest.
Teach.
Run for office.
🇺🇸
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2013/01...
But we don’t need a website to serve:
Volunteer.
Bear witness.
Protest.
Teach.
Run for office.
🇺🇸
January 19, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Sad to see the Trump administration took down Serve.gov & MLKDay.gov, where Americans could learn about how “We the People” can serve one another on #MLKDay.
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2013/01...
But we don’t need a website to serve:
Volunteer.
Bear witness.
Protest.
Teach.
Run for office.
🇺🇸
obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2013/01...
But we don’t need a website to serve:
Volunteer.
Bear witness.
Protest.
Teach.
Run for office.
🇺🇸
Yesterday, I noticed a faded but still legible sign outside of the FAA HQ in DC, at 7th & Independence. I stopped & learned it was a notorious location in the chattel slave trade.
There’s no webpage at the link to GSA, but
historians remember, so all Americans can:
folklife.si.edu/magazine/yel...
There’s no webpage at the link to GSA, but
historians remember, so all Americans can:
folklife.si.edu/magazine/yel...
January 17, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Yesterday, I noticed a faded but still legible sign outside of the FAA HQ in DC, at 7th & Independence. I stopped & learned it was a notorious location in the chattel slave trade.
There’s no webpage at the link to GSA, but
historians remember, so all Americans can:
folklife.si.edu/magazine/yel...
There’s no webpage at the link to GSA, but
historians remember, so all Americans can:
folklife.si.edu/magazine/yel...
New beta feature from @bsky.app:
“Show when you're live.”
“Set your live status on Bluesky to add a badge to your avatar. Tapping it takes people straight to your stream.”
I like the dialog that informs a creator upon log-in.
Anyone who livestreams used this yet, or plan to do so?
“Show when you're live.”
“Set your live status on Bluesky to add a badge to your avatar. Tapping it takes people straight to your stream.”
I like the dialog that informs a creator upon log-in.
Anyone who livestreams used this yet, or plan to do so?
January 16, 2026 at 5:12 PM
New beta feature from @bsky.app:
“Show when you're live.”
“Set your live status on Bluesky to add a badge to your avatar. Tapping it takes people straight to your stream.”
I like the dialog that informs a creator upon log-in.
Anyone who livestreams used this yet, or plan to do so?
“Show when you're live.”
“Set your live status on Bluesky to add a badge to your avatar. Tapping it takes people straight to your stream.”
I like the dialog that informs a creator upon log-in.
Anyone who livestreams used this yet, or plan to do so?
They failed to both assign accountability for systemic, catastrophic failures to prepare our nation for an authoritarian assault on American institutions & democracy, and to light the way forward for what must be done by a Congress and presidency committed to strengthening our union in the future.
January 15, 2026 at 2:56 PM
They failed to both assign accountability for systemic, catastrophic failures to prepare our nation for an authoritarian assault on American institutions & democracy, and to light the way forward for what must be done by a Congress and presidency committed to strengthening our union in the future.
After Washingtonians voted to adopt ranked choice voting, the DC Board of Elections is rolling it out for this year’s primaries and general election.
Learn more & fill out sample ballot on BOE’s
interactive website: dcboe.org/rcv
Learn more & fill out sample ballot on BOE’s
interactive website: dcboe.org/rcv
January 14, 2026 at 3:14 PM
After Washingtonians voted to adopt ranked choice voting, the DC Board of Elections is rolling it out for this year’s primaries and general election.
Learn more & fill out sample ballot on BOE’s
interactive website: dcboe.org/rcv
Learn more & fill out sample ballot on BOE’s
interactive website: dcboe.org/rcv
Lucky and Daphne also recommend daily naps.
December 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Lucky and Daphne also recommend daily naps.
Hello again, DC.
You’re feeling mighty balmy, after the wintry climes of upstate NY.
You’re feeling mighty balmy, after the wintry climes of upstate NY.
December 29, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Hello again, DC.
You’re feeling mighty balmy, after the wintry climes of upstate NY.
You’re feeling mighty balmy, after the wintry climes of upstate NY.
Ice storm up on the hill, here in upstate New York.
Just spent a couple hours scraping, breaking, salting, feeding birds, and taking out trash & recycling over the ice rink that is the driveway.
Thankful that the Subaru I’ve inherited from my Mom is a good winter vehicle, with a fine defroster.
Just spent a couple hours scraping, breaking, salting, feeding birds, and taking out trash & recycling over the ice rink that is the driveway.
Thankful that the Subaru I’ve inherited from my Mom is a good winter vehicle, with a fine defroster.
December 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Ice storm up on the hill, here in upstate New York.
Just spent a couple hours scraping, breaking, salting, feeding birds, and taking out trash & recycling over the ice rink that is the driveway.
Thankful that the Subaru I’ve inherited from my Mom is a good winter vehicle, with a fine defroster.
Just spent a couple hours scraping, breaking, salting, feeding birds, and taking out trash & recycling over the ice rink that is the driveway.
Thankful that the Subaru I’ve inherited from my Mom is a good winter vehicle, with a fine defroster.
It’s homemade chicken soup and hot tea weather in upstate New York as a wintry mix of precipitation bounces off the roofs above & windows around.
Chocolate 🍫 peppermint 🍃 pu-erh 🍵 is tasty! I am learning about shou pu-erh teas as a result:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu%27er...
Chocolate 🍫 peppermint 🍃 pu-erh 🍵 is tasty! I am learning about shou pu-erh teas as a result:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu%27er...
December 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
It’s homemade chicken soup and hot tea weather in upstate New York as a wintry mix of precipitation bounces off the roofs above & windows around.
Chocolate 🍫 peppermint 🍃 pu-erh 🍵 is tasty! I am learning about shou pu-erh teas as a result:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu%27er...
Chocolate 🍫 peppermint 🍃 pu-erh 🍵 is tasty! I am learning about shou pu-erh teas as a result:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu%27er...
The @opengovpartnership.org Independent Review Mechanism submitted its assessment of the Biden administration’s implementation of the prebaked, unambitious, weak commitments it chose:
www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/un...
TL/DR: High completion rate, low to no impact, now dust in the wind.
www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/un...
TL/DR: High completion rate, low to no impact, now dust in the wind.
December 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The @opengovpartnership.org Independent Review Mechanism submitted its assessment of the Biden administration’s implementation of the prebaked, unambitious, weak commitments it chose:
www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/un...
TL/DR: High completion rate, low to no impact, now dust in the wind.
www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/un...
TL/DR: High completion rate, low to no impact, now dust in the wind.
Can you read alt text?
![Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria I @NigeriaMFA
x.com
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Press Release
No: MFA/PR/2025/122
NIGERIA-UNITED STATES SECURITY COOPERATION AND INTELLIGENCE COLLABORATION HITS AT TERRORIST TARGETS IN NIGERIA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confirms that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism. This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.
In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.
Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity. Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria's values and to international peace and security.
The Federal Government continues to work closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria's own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.
Signed:
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr
Spokesperson,
Vinistry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
Friday 26th, December 2025
7:20 PM • 12/25/25 • 144K Views
415
1] 942
2K
345](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nvcdncwptloiqkfucqicx2hp/bafkreidw4kftpo7kx6xolb7qtzq3relc3q77fz2ze2bprvnijelyqhrs3u@jpeg)
December 26, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Can you read alt text?
Yeah, this is …worth adding.
Beware worm holes under the rabbits’ work.
Beware worm holes under the rabbits’ work.
December 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Yeah, this is …worth adding.
Beware worm holes under the rabbits’ work.
Beware worm holes under the rabbits’ work.
Merry Christmas ☕️🎄🎁 to everyone celebrating this morning around the United States and the world. 🌎
May you and yours find peace, community, and kindness today.🕊️
Much love and light to everyone who’s missing family, wherever you are. May you be blessed by their memories.🌟
May you and yours find peace, community, and kindness today.🕊️
Much love and light to everyone who’s missing family, wherever you are. May you be blessed by their memories.🌟
December 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Merry Christmas ☕️🎄🎁 to everyone celebrating this morning around the United States and the world. 🌎
May you and yours find peace, community, and kindness today.🕊️
Much love and light to everyone who’s missing family, wherever you are. May you be blessed by their memories.🌟
May you and yours find peace, community, and kindness today.🕊️
Much love and light to everyone who’s missing family, wherever you are. May you be blessed by their memories.🌟
Per @axios.com, @whitehouse-47.bsky.social took control of @TheJusticeDept & is using it like @RapidResponse47, further eroding public confidence in USG accounts as nonpartisan, trustworthy sources of info.
Congress should confirm & check partisan abuses of official accounts by taxpayer-funded staff
Congress should confirm & check partisan abuses of official accounts by taxpayer-funded staff
December 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Per @axios.com, @whitehouse-47.bsky.social took control of @TheJusticeDept & is using it like @RapidResponse47, further eroding public confidence in USG accounts as nonpartisan, trustworthy sources of info.
Congress should confirm & check partisan abuses of official accounts by taxpayer-funded staff
Congress should confirm & check partisan abuses of official accounts by taxpayer-funded staff