Reposted by Firelight
Quick question, did anything happen in 2008 that prompted the tightening of financial rules
Bessent: "These 2008, 2009, 2010 financial rules were too tight. They hamstrung the American financial system. It was time for a change ... we have to take the financial system out of this straitjacket ... the regulated system is too constrained."
December 16, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Quick question, did anything happen in 2008 that prompted the tightening of financial rules
Reposted by Firelight
Here's a clip of Rob Reiner that brings me a lot of joy & how I'm happiest to remember him. It's an episode of Gomer Pyle from 1969 and Rob's the hippie in yellow, just 21 years old. Sitcoms weren't supposed to talk about the Vietnam War, so they found a way to sing about it instead.
December 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Here's a clip of Rob Reiner that brings me a lot of joy & how I'm happiest to remember him. It's an episode of Gomer Pyle from 1969 and Rob's the hippie in yellow, just 21 years old. Sitcoms weren't supposed to talk about the Vietnam War, so they found a way to sing about it instead.
Dark matter/energy are, likely, the epicycles of our era; to eventually be discarded. Whether this is the correct(er) answer I can't say, but if the universe were twice as old as we assume—as this suggests—it might resolve other problems we have with observations of the early universe by the JWST.
A new equation may explain the Universe without dark matter
A new theory claims dark matter and dark energy don’t exist — they’re just side effects of the universe’s changing forces. By rethinking gravity and cosmic timelines, it could rewrite our understandin...
www.sciencedaily.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Dark matter/energy are, likely, the epicycles of our era; to eventually be discarded. Whether this is the correct(er) answer I can't say, but if the universe were twice as old as we assume—as this suggests—it might resolve other problems we have with observations of the early universe by the JWST.
If the American system of government allows unilateral power over the law—as Trumpism insists it does—then at a certain point we must consider a wholly new system of government. One that clearly and firmly enshrines democratic values at its core.
Landmark case up for argument at SCOTUS at 10am on the power of presidents to fire independent agency heads.
Here’s my quick preview in Espresso, @economist.com’s daily app.
I’ll be posting live analysis during the oral argument in this thread
Here’s my quick preview in Espresso, @economist.com’s daily app.
I’ll be posting live analysis during the oral argument in this thread
December 8, 2025 at 4:52 PM
If the American system of government allows unilateral power over the law—as Trumpism insists it does—then at a certain point we must consider a wholly new system of government. One that clearly and firmly enshrines democratic values at its core.
I hope @governorferguson.bsky.social is listening, although I sincerely doubt it.
Washington didn't vote for a Republican governor, so I'm not sure why Bob insists on acting like one. If Washington is to thrive we need to fix the broken tax code, not cut our throats.
Washington didn't vote for a Republican governor, so I'm not sure why Bob insists on acting like one. If Washington is to thrive we need to fix the broken tax code, not cut our throats.
Washingtonians want legislators and Governor Ferguson to balance the state budget with progressive revenue, not more cuts
The governor told reporters at a December media availability he plans to propose a supplemental budget for 2026 that relies on cuts to balance, with no new revenue. This would…
The governor told reporters at a December media availability he plans to propose a supplemental budget for 2026 that relies on cuts to balance, with no new revenue. This would…
Washingtonians want legislators and Governor Ferguson to balance the state budget with progressive revenue, not more cuts
The governor told reporters at a December media availability he plans to propose a supplemental budget for 2026 that relies on cuts to balance, with no new revenue. This would be a huge mistake. Legislators must chart a different course.
www.nwprogressive.org
December 4, 2025 at 12:12 AM
I hope @governorferguson.bsky.social is listening, although I sincerely doubt it.
Washington didn't vote for a Republican governor, so I'm not sure why Bob insists on acting like one. If Washington is to thrive we need to fix the broken tax code, not cut our throats.
Washington didn't vote for a Republican governor, so I'm not sure why Bob insists on acting like one. If Washington is to thrive we need to fix the broken tax code, not cut our throats.
A plurality of the British public, along with Macaulay Culkin, know what's up.
British public’s verdict is in: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie
British public’s verdict is in: Die Hard is not a Christmas movie
Survey also reveals Britons’ favourite festive film, views on tear-jerkers and family cinema trips
When Macaulay Culkin recently said he didn’t consider Die Hard to be a Christmas film – wading into one of pop culture’s most heated holiday debates – he was booed by a live audience.
But it looks like the British people are behind the actor, with a survey revealing that Home Alone is the UK’s favourite festive film, while Die Hard has officially been voted not a Christmas movie. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:29 PM
A plurality of the British public, along with Macaulay Culkin, know what's up.
Reposted by Firelight
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
Reposted by Firelight
In less than one year, Donald Trump’s misguided tariff policy has ceded US global economic dominance to China. @pkrugman.bsky.social with the receipts. open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
November 3, 2025 at 12:13 PM
In less than one year, Donald Trump’s misguided tariff policy has ceded US global economic dominance to China. @pkrugman.bsky.social with the receipts. open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
It's CDOs. They're doing CDOs again. Except instead of houses (a thing someone will always need) it's data centers. Massive, absurd data centers so vast only a very few companies need them for one specific purpose, which itself has never earned a profit.
"sophisticated financial engineering" oh that's not good
October 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
It's CDOs. They're doing CDOs again. Except instead of houses (a thing someone will always need) it's data centers. Massive, absurd data centers so vast only a very few companies need them for one specific purpose, which itself has never earned a profit.
Why are “safe/secure borders” and “closed borders” presumed to be the same thing? Reasonably, closed borders encourage clandestine migration and overstaying visas.
Open borders would encourage people to enter by official means where it may be documented, and leave knowing they are free to return.
Open borders would encourage people to enter by official means where it may be documented, and leave knowing they are free to return.
October 25, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Why are “safe/secure borders” and “closed borders” presumed to be the same thing? Reasonably, closed borders encourage clandestine migration and overstaying visas.
Open borders would encourage people to enter by official means where it may be documented, and leave knowing they are free to return.
Open borders would encourage people to enter by official means where it may be documented, and leave knowing they are free to return.
Reposted by Firelight
I speculated that one reason they're hiding their faces is to keep people from outing criminal backgrounds. Well, I was right.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Some new ICE recruits have shown up to training without full vetting
The recruits have had criminal backgrounds or failed drug tests or were unable to meet physical or academic standards, raising concerns about the agency’s rush to hire immigration officers, sources to...
www.nbcnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I speculated that one reason they're hiding their faces is to keep people from outing criminal backgrounds. Well, I was right.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
I had a thought related to Platner and his Nazi tattoo.
On the right, they are all-in on virtue ethics: Elect “virtuous” leaders and they will bring prosperity, full stop. Elect the wrong sort of person—leftists, women, minorities—and the outcome will always be bad because they are morally tainted.
On the right, they are all-in on virtue ethics: Elect “virtuous” leaders and they will bring prosperity, full stop. Elect the wrong sort of person—leftists, women, minorities—and the outcome will always be bad because they are morally tainted.
October 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I had a thought related to Platner and his Nazi tattoo.
On the right, they are all-in on virtue ethics: Elect “virtuous” leaders and they will bring prosperity, full stop. Elect the wrong sort of person—leftists, women, minorities—and the outcome will always be bad because they are morally tainted.
On the right, they are all-in on virtue ethics: Elect “virtuous” leaders and they will bring prosperity, full stop. Elect the wrong sort of person—leftists, women, minorities—and the outcome will always be bad because they are morally tainted.
Seeing Trump bulldozing the White House and nakedly stealing centomillions from the Treasury met with impotent harrumphing is doing a lot to suggest that no force will stop him *except* force
Put another way: if Congress will not impeach him, what other option is there for such a lawless president?
Put another way: if Congress will not impeach him, what other option is there for such a lawless president?
October 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Seeing Trump bulldozing the White House and nakedly stealing centomillions from the Treasury met with impotent harrumphing is doing a lot to suggest that no force will stop him *except* force
Put another way: if Congress will not impeach him, what other option is there for such a lawless president?
Put another way: if Congress will not impeach him, what other option is there for such a lawless president?
What a deeply refreshing conversation. This is the discourse that the left should be having more of.
In truth, I feel that there is no chance of a return to normalcy without fundamental reform of our constitutional system.
In truth, I feel that there is no chance of a return to normalcy without fundamental reform of our constitutional system.
My discussion of the US constitution with Aziz Rana is out with @education.dsausa.org
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
What Should the Left Say About the Constitution?
Podcast Episode · Class · 10/13/2025 · 1h 30m
podcasts.apple.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
What a deeply refreshing conversation. This is the discourse that the left should be having more of.
In truth, I feel that there is no chance of a return to normalcy without fundamental reform of our constitutional system.
In truth, I feel that there is no chance of a return to normalcy without fundamental reform of our constitutional system.
Reposted by Firelight
Yup. This guy nailed it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1Qv...
How I View the US After 13 Years Living in Europe
YouTube video by Evan Edinger
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Yup. This guy nailed it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1Qv...
I'm not sure if we're 10 years too early or 10 years too late for ED-209 to be a thing, but if it were available today I can't help but imagine Stephen Miller would be literally jizzing in his tighty-whiteys at the thought of deploying them as-is in LA, Chicago, and Portland.
October 14, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I'm not sure if we're 10 years too early or 10 years too late for ED-209 to be a thing, but if it were available today I can't help but imagine Stephen Miller would be literally jizzing in his tighty-whiteys at the thought of deploying them as-is in LA, Chicago, and Portland.
I love me some Tron, but if Tron as a franchise has to be the sacrificial anode to end Jared Leto's career as a going concern, so be it.
‘TRON: ARES’ has earned $14.3M in its opening day at the domestic box office.
For comparison, ‘MORBIUS’ opened to $17.3M.
For comparison, ‘MORBIUS’ opened to $17.3M.
October 12, 2025 at 1:30 AM
I love me some Tron, but if Tron as a franchise has to be the sacrificial anode to end Jared Leto's career as a going concern, so be it.
Reposted by Firelight
Never, ever Newsom. Fuck that guy.
Gavin Newsom vetoes gender education bill, declines to sign other trans protections - buff.ly/MTUAV85
October 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Never, ever Newsom. Fuck that guy.
"Gratitude" is the reverse side of the "Uppity" coin. Both are terms reserved for perceived lessers.
When they say you should show gratitude, what they mean is you should know your place and show deference to your betters.
When they say you should show gratitude, what they mean is you should know your place and show deference to your betters.
The Vice President of the United States used his social media page to tell Joy Reid, a private citizen with no connection to the government, that she should express "gratitude" for how this country has treated her.
Black women remain the most consistent targets in all of this.
Black women remain the most consistent targets in all of this.
October 4, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"Gratitude" is the reverse side of the "Uppity" coin. Both are terms reserved for perceived lessers.
When they say you should show gratitude, what they mean is you should know your place and show deference to your betters.
When they say you should show gratitude, what they mean is you should know your place and show deference to your betters.
Reposted by Firelight
My new piece, up now @thenation.com: "If only trans activists had known what size check to cut for Chappelle, they could have shut him up years ago and saved themselves all the picketing at Netflix." www.thenation.com/article/cult...
The Sad Spectacle of American Comedians Selling Out in Saudi Arabia
It turns out that edgy free-speech warriors will scuttle their principles for a check from a brutal autocratic regime.
www.thenation.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
My new piece, up now @thenation.com: "If only trans activists had known what size check to cut for Chappelle, they could have shut him up years ago and saved themselves all the picketing at Netflix." www.thenation.com/article/cult...
I just realized that those AI slop videos that are making the rounds have the *exact* same vibe as those weirdly specific targeted t-shirts that you'd see advertised on Facebook like 10-15 years ago, that pulled data from your user profile, like, "My husband was born in APRIL and loves MOTORCYCLES."
October 1, 2025 at 10:07 PM
I just realized that those AI slop videos that are making the rounds have the *exact* same vibe as those weirdly specific targeted t-shirts that you'd see advertised on Facebook like 10-15 years ago, that pulled data from your user profile, like, "My husband was born in APRIL and loves MOTORCYCLES."
Reposted by Firelight
Buying a company by taking out a massive loan, then making the company you bought responsible for paying off that loan, is so patently evil that it should be beyond illegal. The kind of thing that inspires enlightened societies without corporal punishment to bring back the death penalty as a one-off
September 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Buying a company by taking out a massive loan, then making the company you bought responsible for paying off that loan, is so patently evil that it should be beyond illegal. The kind of thing that inspires enlightened societies without corporal punishment to bring back the death penalty as a one-off
Every American should, over their life, be able to afford to:
* Own their home
* Raise a family
* Take vacations
* See a doctor
* Retire
If Democrats want to be elected, they should be screaming from the hilltops about how they plan to solve these five problems.
* Own their home
* Raise a family
* Take vacations
* See a doctor
* Retire
If Democrats want to be elected, they should be screaming from the hilltops about how they plan to solve these five problems.
September 29, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Every American should, over their life, be able to afford to:
* Own their home
* Raise a family
* Take vacations
* See a doctor
* Retire
If Democrats want to be elected, they should be screaming from the hilltops about how they plan to solve these five problems.
* Own their home
* Raise a family
* Take vacations
* See a doctor
* Retire
If Democrats want to be elected, they should be screaming from the hilltops about how they plan to solve these five problems.
The demand we are seeing to speak only lovingly of Charlie Kirk speaks to a great sickness of the radical right. Namely: the need to be loved by force, because consensual love is necessarily conditional, and therefore can be withdrawn.
September 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The demand we are seeing to speak only lovingly of Charlie Kirk speaks to a great sickness of the radical right. Namely: the need to be loved by force, because consensual love is necessarily conditional, and therefore can be withdrawn.