EchoLoom
@echoloom.bsky.social
Tracking the currents that shape our world.
Reposted by EchoLoom
I had been reluctant to amplify the theory that Trump's "reciprocal tariff rate" for a given country was based on the dumb calculation: (bilateral trade deficit) divided by (imports from that country)
But now USTR has confirmed it. Brief 🧵
But now USTR has confirmed it. Brief 🧵
April 3, 2025 at 1:39 AM
I had been reluctant to amplify the theory that Trump's "reciprocal tariff rate" for a given country was based on the dumb calculation: (bilateral trade deficit) divided by (imports from that country)
But now USTR has confirmed it. Brief 🧵
But now USTR has confirmed it. Brief 🧵
Reposted by EchoLoom
Easy to lose it in the chaos, but democratic movements continue to swell in Georgia, Hungary, and Serbia. apnews.com/article/serb...
Serbians march in 4 cities against government pressure and hate speech
Thousands of people have marched in four Serbian cities against government pressure and hate speech targeting university students and professors behind months of anti-corruption protests shaking popul...
apnews.com
April 1, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Easy to lose it in the chaos, but democratic movements continue to swell in Georgia, Hungary, and Serbia. apnews.com/article/serb...
Reposted by EchoLoom
NEW: No fewer than 10 principle scientists at NIH investigating emerging infectious diseases and neural disorders were among those fired by RFK Jr. today.
One is an esteemed scientist awarded for breakthrough research into the causes of Parkinson's disease.
By me and @emilymullin.bsky.social:
One is an esteemed scientist awarded for breakthrough research into the causes of Parkinson's disease.
By me and @emilymullin.bsky.social:
Doctor Behind Award-Winning Parkinson’s Research Among Scientists Purged From NIH
Leading scientists at the National Institutes of Health, the US’s leading medical research agency, were swept up Tuesday in the Trump administration's latest firing blitz.
www.wired.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:15 AM
NEW: No fewer than 10 principle scientists at NIH investigating emerging infectious diseases and neural disorders were among those fired by RFK Jr. today.
One is an esteemed scientist awarded for breakthrough research into the causes of Parkinson's disease.
By me and @emilymullin.bsky.social:
One is an esteemed scientist awarded for breakthrough research into the causes of Parkinson's disease.
By me and @emilymullin.bsky.social:
Reposted by EchoLoom
Sure, Val Kilmer was great in Top Gun, but to me, he'll always be Nick Rivers in the funniest comedy ever made, Top Secret (1984). A shame he had to leave us this early.
April 2, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Sure, Val Kilmer was great in Top Gun, but to me, he'll always be Nick Rivers in the funniest comedy ever made, Top Secret (1984). A shame he had to leave us this early.
Reposted by EchoLoom
So, the DOGE kids intend to rewrite the social-security administration's COBOL code-base!
and they want to do it ...
... in *a few months*
I did a huge dive into COBOL a few years ago (www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/magazi...) ...
... so let me explain why DOGE is *way* over its skis here
1/9
and they want to do it ...
... in *a few months*
I did a huge dive into COBOL a few years ago (www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/magazi...) ...
... so let me explain why DOGE is *way* over its skis here
1/9
browse by category
www.wealthsimple.com
March 30, 2025 at 6:41 PM
So, the DOGE kids intend to rewrite the social-security administration's COBOL code-base!
and they want to do it ...
... in *a few months*
I did a huge dive into COBOL a few years ago (www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/magazi...) ...
... so let me explain why DOGE is *way* over its skis here
1/9
and they want to do it ...
... in *a few months*
I did a huge dive into COBOL a few years ago (www.wealthsimple.com/en-ca/magazi...) ...
... so let me explain why DOGE is *way* over its skis here
1/9
Reposted by EchoLoom
Why the election in Wisconsin on Monday should matter to all Americans: open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Wisconsin and, Strangely, Alabama
Everything old is new again.
open.substack.com
March 30, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Why the election in Wisconsin on Monday should matter to all Americans: open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Reposted by EchoLoom
"Adding to the inanity, the government argued in court that the fact that many of these men don’t have criminal records is precisely why they’re dangerous."
Trump’s Deportations Rely on Tattoos—It’s Bullshit.
It turns out tattoos inspired by a reggaeton artist who endorsed Trump are also a marker of gang involvement.
www.thebulwark.com
March 31, 2025 at 4:00 AM
"Adding to the inanity, the government argued in court that the fact that many of these men don’t have criminal records is precisely why they’re dangerous."
Reposted by EchoLoom
Americans are a compassionate people. We help others in times of need--even if they live half way around the world. Trump gutted our capacity to help Myanmar and Thailand with the cuts to USAID. No one thinks this makes us great again. All it does is dim our light in troubled world.
Trump’s U.S.A.I.D. Cuts Hobble Earthquake Response in Myanmar (Gift Article)
While China, Russia and other nations have rushed emergency response teams to the devastated country, the U.S., once a leader in foreign aid, has been slow to act.
www.nytimes.com
March 31, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Americans are a compassionate people. We help others in times of need--even if they live half way around the world. Trump gutted our capacity to help Myanmar and Thailand with the cuts to USAID. No one thinks this makes us great again. All it does is dim our light in troubled world.
Reposted by EchoLoom
Fascinating background...
The Secret History of America’s Involvement in the Ukraine War (Gift Article)
This is the untold story of America’s hidden role in Ukrainian military operations against Russia’s invading armies.
www.nytimes.com
March 31, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Fascinating background...
Reposted by EchoLoom
Going to keep a running thread of substantial, concrete, negative consequences of the 2024 presidential election. 77 million voters chose this, and many millions of others couldn't be bothered. People I love and respect are among those millions. 💔
January 22, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Going to keep a running thread of substantial, concrete, negative consequences of the 2024 presidential election. 77 million voters chose this, and many millions of others couldn't be bothered. People I love and respect are among those millions. 💔
Reposted by EchoLoom
Reposted by EchoLoom
If you're looking for an explainer on why due process matters to share with friends and family members who might ... need convincing, I've removed the (partial) paywall from my March 19 post for "One First" on the topic:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-133-...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-133-...
Bonus 133: Due Process and the Rule of Law
Too many Americans don't understand, at a basic level, *why* the Constitution requires due process when the government deprives anyone of their life, liberty, or property.
www.stevevladeck.com
March 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
If you're looking for an explainer on why due process matters to share with friends and family members who might ... need convincing, I've removed the (partial) paywall from my March 19 post for "One First" on the topic:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-133-...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/bonus-133-...
“The Democratic party has more to learn from Alexei Navalny or the protesters in Serbia than it does from Chuck Schumer or strategists obsessing over message-testing crosstabs. This battle is half mass mobilization and half asymmetric warfare.” @jvl.bsky.social
How to Think (and Act) Like a Dissident Movement
AOC, solidarity, and people power.
open.substack.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:07 AM
“The Democratic party has more to learn from Alexei Navalny or the protesters in Serbia than it does from Chuck Schumer or strategists obsessing over message-testing crosstabs. This battle is half mass mobilization and half asymmetric warfare.” @jvl.bsky.social
Reposted by EchoLoom
I could write up why there’s no constitutional problem with the President using an auto-pen to sign official documents—or I could just post the 30-page 2005 opinion by George W. Bush’s Office of Legal Counsel that explains why in lots of detail.
I choose the latter:
www.justice.gov/file/494411/...
I choose the latter:
www.justice.gov/file/494411/...
March 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I could write up why there’s no constitutional problem with the President using an auto-pen to sign official documents—or I could just post the 30-page 2005 opinion by George W. Bush’s Office of Legal Counsel that explains why in lots of detail.
I choose the latter:
www.justice.gov/file/494411/...
I choose the latter:
www.justice.gov/file/494411/...
Reposted by EchoLoom
Quarter of workforce to be cut … At NIH, ‘everyone is on edge’ as they brace for deep cuts and more centralized control www.statnews.com/2025/03/14/n... via @statnews.com
At NIH, ‘everyone is on edge’ as they brace for deep cuts and more centralized control
As the NIH braces for cuts of up to 5,000 of its 20,000 positions, “people are scrambling and freaking out,” a researcher said.
www.statnews.com
March 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Quarter of workforce to be cut … At NIH, ‘everyone is on edge’ as they brace for deep cuts and more centralized control www.statnews.com/2025/03/14/n... via @statnews.com
Reposted by EchoLoom
Not sure when the penny is going to drop that this dude means what he tweets, does and sig heils www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/t...
Elon Musk Shared, Then Removed a Post Absolving Dictators for Genocide
The post falsely claimed that Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong were not responsible for the murders of millions of people, but rather public sector workers were.
www.nytimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Not sure when the penny is going to drop that this dude means what he tweets, does and sig heils www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/t...
Reposted by EchoLoom
"Unciphered’s business model...used powerful number-crunching machines and brilliant code crackers from the NSA and FBI to retrieve bitcoin...trapped inside digital wallets after their owners lost passwords. Unciphered reaped a share of the booty" www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
U.S. intel vets helped crypto firm soar, unaware of infamous hacker behind it
Employees said they weren’t told that the co-founder of Unciphered was Morgan Marquis-Boire, a once-celebrated spyware foe who was accused of sexual assault.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
"Unciphered’s business model...used powerful number-crunching machines and brilliant code crackers from the NSA and FBI to retrieve bitcoin...trapped inside digital wallets after their owners lost passwords. Unciphered reaped a share of the booty" www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by EchoLoom
guys they're going to stop feeding TSA's bomb-sniffing dogs, per Fox News nat security correspondent:
March 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
guys they're going to stop feeding TSA's bomb-sniffing dogs, per Fox News nat security correspondent:
Reposted by EchoLoom
ICYMI:
“Arlington National Cemetery has scrubbed information about prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members and topics such as the Civil War from its website”…in order “to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its online presence.”
“Arlington National Cemetery has scrubbed information about prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members and topics such as the Civil War from its website”…in order “to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its online presence.”
Arlington Cemetery website scrubs links about Black and female veterans
Pentagon leaders have ordered that their websites and social media pages remove articles and images that “promote” DEI.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 15, 2025 at 4:35 AM
ICYMI:
“Arlington National Cemetery has scrubbed information about prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members and topics such as the Civil War from its website”…in order “to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its online presence.”
“Arlington National Cemetery has scrubbed information about prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members and topics such as the Civil War from its website”…in order “to remove all references to diversity, equity and inclusion from its online presence.”
Reposted by EchoLoom
A teacher in Idaho has been told to remove posters reading "Everyone is welcome here" - specifically because it features different skin tones. As I wrote last week, this is a global political movement that has explicitly set the goal of eradicating the very concept of equality.
West Ada teacher stands firm after she’s told to remove ‘Everyone is welcome here’ signs
Sarah Inama said she was told by administrators that her signs “don’t allow people to express differing opinions.”
www.idahostatesman.com
March 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
A teacher in Idaho has been told to remove posters reading "Everyone is welcome here" - specifically because it features different skin tones. As I wrote last week, this is a global political movement that has explicitly set the goal of eradicating the very concept of equality.
Reposted by EchoLoom
Awful. especially scary now that we are laying off/forcing out 20% of NOAA employees. www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025...
Ten dead in Missouri as tornado risks are set to peak across swath of U.S.
Numerous significant tornadoes are expected Saturday afternoon and evening, with the highest risk across several states in the Deep South, forecasters say.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 15, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Awful. especially scary now that we are laying off/forcing out 20% of NOAA employees. www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025...
Reposted by EchoLoom
What happens when you do surgery with a chainsaw www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-...
Hundreds of Thousands Will Die
The writer, surgeon, and former U.S.A.I.D. administrator Atul Gawande on the Trump Administration’s decimation of foreign aid and the consequences around the world.
www.newyorker.com
March 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
What happens when you do surgery with a chainsaw www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-...
Reposted by EchoLoom
Elon Musk says that no one has died because he slashed humanitarian aid. I went to South Sudan to check if that's true. It's not. Meet Peter, Achol and Evan, ages 10, 8 and 5. The reckless actions of the world's richest men are killing the world's poorest kids www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | Musk Said No One Has Died Since Aid Was Cut. That Isn’t True. (Gift Article)
A journey through the front lines of global poverty shows that when the world’s richest men slash aid for the world’s poorest children, the result is sickness, starvation and death.
www.nytimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Elon Musk says that no one has died because he slashed humanitarian aid. I went to South Sudan to check if that's true. It's not. Meet Peter, Achol and Evan, ages 10, 8 and 5. The reckless actions of the world's richest men are killing the world's poorest kids www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by EchoLoom
We don't spend a penny on marketing. It's all word of mouth for @costplusdrugs.com
That's how we keep prices so low. Please spread the word !
That's how we keep prices so low. Please spread the word !
March 14, 2025 at 3:32 AM
We don't spend a penny on marketing. It's all word of mouth for @costplusdrugs.com
That's how we keep prices so low. Please spread the word !
That's how we keep prices so low. Please spread the word !