Goose
@gooseegg.bsky.social
International tax policy nerd/lawyer by day, fowl-mouthed sweetheart by night.
Tax policy, law, social security, art, gaming, parenting, geese, politics, life, etc.
Tax policy, law, social security, art, gaming, parenting, geese, politics, life, etc.
Pinned
Goose
@gooseegg.bsky.social
· Dec 10
I see some myths repeated too often about Social Security, and it’s only going to get worse with the GOP looking to make cuts. We need to defend Social Security with all our might, and it’s important to stay clear-eyed about what the real issues are, and not get distracted by the irrelevant. (1/10)
The thing to understand about Social Security is that no one understands Social Security. That’s why the GOP can lie about needing to cut benefits and Democrats can pretend there’s no problem.
I’ve written about some of the things people get wrong before, but I want to get a bit more basic (1/ ).
I’ve written about some of the things people get wrong before, but I want to get a bit more basic (1/ ).
At Colonial Williamsburg with my 8YO
Guide: does anyone have any questions?
8YO: *raises hand*
Guide: Yes?
8YO: how much longer will you be talking? I want to leave.
Guide: does anyone have any questions?
8YO: *raises hand*
Guide: Yes?
8YO: how much longer will you be talking? I want to leave.
November 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
At Colonial Williamsburg with my 8YO
Guide: does anyone have any questions?
8YO: *raises hand*
Guide: Yes?
8YO: how much longer will you be talking? I want to leave.
Guide: does anyone have any questions?
8YO: *raises hand*
Guide: Yes?
8YO: how much longer will you be talking? I want to leave.
No one who thinks page boy and beard is a good look should be ruling over anything.
November 4, 2025 at 4:58 PM
No one who thinks page boy and beard is a good look should be ruling over anything.
My 8YO just gave me the sweetest hug to make *me* feel better after I forgot and squeezed her shoulder where it was sore from her Covid booster, and I feel like the worst and best dad at the same time.
November 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM
My 8YO just gave me the sweetest hug to make *me* feel better after I forgot and squeezed her shoulder where it was sore from her Covid booster, and I feel like the worst and best dad at the same time.
I think wanting to be President for more than 8 years would be a pretty massive red flag all by itself
October 28, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I think wanting to be President for more than 8 years would be a pretty massive red flag all by itself
And here I am, a shitty person with stupid ideas instead. Story of my life.
This is a golden age for stupid people with shitty ideas
October 22, 2025 at 4:35 AM
And here I am, a shitty person with stupid ideas instead. Story of my life.
Incidentally, as if I didn’t have enough reasons to love him, TIL that Gene Kelly left the Catholic Church over the exact opposite of this (that they supported Franco and didn’t help the poor as much as he thought they should).
heartbroken to learn the pope sympathizes with the poor. how can i continue to believe in god
October 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Incidentally, as if I didn’t have enough reasons to love him, TIL that Gene Kelly left the Catholic Church over the exact opposite of this (that they supported Franco and didn’t help the poor as much as he thought they should).
There’s nothing like oral surgery to make you realize how often your 8YO accidentally hits you in the face while playing gorilla.
October 11, 2025 at 12:20 AM
There’s nothing like oral surgery to make you realize how often your 8YO accidentally hits you in the face while playing gorilla.
Specifically, GEFTA says: “Each employee … furloughed as a result of a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period of the lapse … at the earliest date possible.”
It isn’t even arguably ambiguous. There’s stuff about excepted employees too, but both are clearly covered.
It isn’t even arguably ambiguous. There’s stuff about excepted employees too, but both are clearly covered.
Let me be clear: It’s ILLEGAL to deny federal workers back pay after a shutdown.
There’s a 2019 law that guarantees it, but Trump is once again trying to break the law.
You don’t get to punish people for doing their jobs just because you’re failing at yours.
There’s a 2019 law that guarantees it, but Trump is once again trying to break the law.
You don’t get to punish people for doing their jobs just because you’re failing at yours.
October 7, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Specifically, GEFTA says: “Each employee … furloughed as a result of a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period of the lapse … at the earliest date possible.”
It isn’t even arguably ambiguous. There’s stuff about excepted employees too, but both are clearly covered.
It isn’t even arguably ambiguous. There’s stuff about excepted employees too, but both are clearly covered.
As I approach 50, one thing I’ve noticed about slang and pop culture is that, from the Baby Boomer generation and earlier, it all seems hokey and old-fashioned, and from the Millenials on, it all seems contrived and silly.
I feel lucky that GenX is the only one that has been cool this whole time.
I feel lucky that GenX is the only one that has been cool this whole time.
October 6, 2025 at 2:43 AM
As I approach 50, one thing I’ve noticed about slang and pop culture is that, from the Baby Boomer generation and earlier, it all seems hokey and old-fashioned, and from the Millenials on, it all seems contrived and silly.
I feel lucky that GenX is the only one that has been cool this whole time.
I feel lucky that GenX is the only one that has been cool this whole time.
My 8YO is sobbing because she got to the end of The Phantom Tollbooth and there’s no more of it to read. ❤️
October 5, 2025 at 10:27 PM
My 8YO is sobbing because she got to the end of The Phantom Tollbooth and there’s no more of it to read. ❤️
Reposted by Goose
"“We’re worried LGBTQ content will be deprioritized or cut entirely and that LGBTQ and especially trans employees will be on the chopping block," says one EA employee and member of the Pride Employee Working Group. "Few of us feel heard right now.”
Follow-up on the EA Saudi deal rounding up a lot of relevant reporting and putting it in some context
EA's Saudi Deal Fallout: Junk Ratings, Risky AI Bets, And Developer Fears
The sports game powerhouse promises no 'immediate' changes as uncertainty mounts
kotaku.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:01 PM
"“We’re worried LGBTQ content will be deprioritized or cut entirely and that LGBTQ and especially trans employees will be on the chopping block," says one EA employee and member of the Pride Employee Working Group. "Few of us feel heard right now.”
I was scared to start Hades II because I played original Hades obsessively* and didn’t want to be disappointed, but holy cow, it’s fantastic.
* How obsessively? Despite not being unusually good at games, I played enough to get <8 min runs with 3 weapons, <10 with all of them
* How obsessively? Despite not being unusually good at games, I played enough to get <8 min runs with 3 weapons, <10 with all of them
October 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I was scared to start Hades II because I played original Hades obsessively* and didn’t want to be disappointed, but holy cow, it’s fantastic.
* How obsessively? Despite not being unusually good at games, I played enough to get <8 min runs with 3 weapons, <10 with all of them
* How obsessively? Despite not being unusually good at games, I played enough to get <8 min runs with 3 weapons, <10 with all of them
I know two things about posse comitatus:
1. You can sing it to the tune of Gary, Indiana from the Music Man
2. A lot of grifters have said a lot of confident bullshit based on reading the Posse Comitatus Act and ignoring all of the exceptions and the lack of a meaningful enforcement mechanism.
1. You can sing it to the tune of Gary, Indiana from the Music Man
2. A lot of grifters have said a lot of confident bullshit based on reading the Posse Comitatus Act and ignoring all of the exceptions and the lack of a meaningful enforcement mechanism.
October 1, 2025 at 1:45 AM
I know two things about posse comitatus:
1. You can sing it to the tune of Gary, Indiana from the Music Man
2. A lot of grifters have said a lot of confident bullshit based on reading the Posse Comitatus Act and ignoring all of the exceptions and the lack of a meaningful enforcement mechanism.
1. You can sing it to the tune of Gary, Indiana from the Music Man
2. A lot of grifters have said a lot of confident bullshit based on reading the Posse Comitatus Act and ignoring all of the exceptions and the lack of a meaningful enforcement mechanism.
My 8YO said the thing she most likes to do with her mom is arts and crafts and the thing she most likes to do with me is hugs.
A better husband would not have spent the entire day gloating, but we play the hand we’re dealt.
A better husband would not have spent the entire day gloating, but we play the hand we’re dealt.
September 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
My 8YO said the thing she most likes to do with her mom is arts and crafts and the thing she most likes to do with me is hugs.
A better husband would not have spent the entire day gloating, but we play the hand we’re dealt.
A better husband would not have spent the entire day gloating, but we play the hand we’re dealt.
If legality still matters: Congress has sole authority to set immigration policy, and they built protections of US workers into the H-1B visa program. The executive has discretion over general fees, but it’s a blatant abuse of authority to impose an exorbitant fee to discourage use of the program.
September 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
If legality still matters: Congress has sole authority to set immigration policy, and they built protections of US workers into the H-1B visa program. The executive has discretion over general fees, but it’s a blatant abuse of authority to impose an exorbitant fee to discourage use of the program.
Me, avoiding dog poop on the sidewalk: Why aren’t people cleaning up after their dogs?
My 8YO: I think Donald Trump is behind this.
And this is the only evidence I have that she ever listens to me.
My 8YO: I think Donald Trump is behind this.
And this is the only evidence I have that she ever listens to me.
September 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Me, avoiding dog poop on the sidewalk: Why aren’t people cleaning up after their dogs?
My 8YO: I think Donald Trump is behind this.
And this is the only evidence I have that she ever listens to me.
My 8YO: I think Donald Trump is behind this.
And this is the only evidence I have that she ever listens to me.
Fatphobia Example #7384
When my kid was 3, her doctor's office got her height wrong, resulting in a BMI of 27.
Rather than, say, asking us questions and examining her to see that she was healthy regardless of weight, they immediately started scolding us in front of her about diet and exercise.
When my kid was 3, her doctor's office got her height wrong, resulting in a BMI of 27.
Rather than, say, asking us questions and examining her to see that she was healthy regardless of weight, they immediately started scolding us in front of her about diet and exercise.
September 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Fatphobia Example #7384
When my kid was 3, her doctor's office got her height wrong, resulting in a BMI of 27.
Rather than, say, asking us questions and examining her to see that she was healthy regardless of weight, they immediately started scolding us in front of her about diet and exercise.
When my kid was 3, her doctor's office got her height wrong, resulting in a BMI of 27.
Rather than, say, asking us questions and examining her to see that she was healthy regardless of weight, they immediately started scolding us in front of her about diet and exercise.
Sneakers was an amazing movie from a simpler time in which it never occurred to anyone that a guy might just lie on his online dating profile.
September 16, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Sneakers was an amazing movie from a simpler time in which it never occurred to anyone that a guy might just lie on his online dating profile.
Time to move up my annual rewatching of Sneakers. 😢
September 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Time to move up my annual rewatching of Sneakers. 😢
Reposted by Goose
ME: i can read minds
DATE: wow really?
ME: *proudly* i can write it too
DATE: wow really?
ME: *proudly* i can write it too
September 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
ME: i can read minds
DATE: wow really?
ME: *proudly* i can write it too
DATE: wow really?
ME: *proudly* i can write it too
If I had wanted my 8YO to listen to anything I said today instead of laughing, I shouldn’t have told her a joke yesterday morning. So that’s really on me as a parent.
September 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
If I had wanted my 8YO to listen to anything I said today instead of laughing, I shouldn’t have told her a joke yesterday morning. So that’s really on me as a parent.
Reposted by Goose
Also: if you have listened to him enough to know which of his views have been inaccurately reported, then you know what he *did* say. Whether he spoke with civility (which is what you’re calling his detachment from empathy) or not, what he said was abhorrent, and surely you can speak to that?
September 13, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Also: if you have listened to him enough to know which of his views have been inaccurately reported, then you know what he *did* say. Whether he spoke with civility (which is what you’re calling his detachment from empathy) or not, what he said was abhorrent, and surely you can speak to that?
Reposted by Goose
"Killing people is bad."
True. Killing *is* bad.
"You shouldn't rejoice in the killing of another human being."
Okay that's probably good for the soul.
"& you're not allowed to find it hilarious."
You're really asking a lot here.
"& you gotta pretend he wasn't a terrible person."
Wait what?
True. Killing *is* bad.
"You shouldn't rejoice in the killing of another human being."
Okay that's probably good for the soul.
"& you're not allowed to find it hilarious."
You're really asking a lot here.
"& you gotta pretend he wasn't a terrible person."
Wait what?
September 13, 2025 at 6:28 PM
"Killing people is bad."
True. Killing *is* bad.
"You shouldn't rejoice in the killing of another human being."
Okay that's probably good for the soul.
"& you're not allowed to find it hilarious."
You're really asking a lot here.
"& you gotta pretend he wasn't a terrible person."
Wait what?
True. Killing *is* bad.
"You shouldn't rejoice in the killing of another human being."
Okay that's probably good for the soul.
"& you're not allowed to find it hilarious."
You're really asking a lot here.
"& you gotta pretend he wasn't a terrible person."
Wait what?
My hottest take is that I don’t think dogs are good judges of character, and the belief that they are is driven by dog owners stroking themselves about how much their dogs love them.
My dog loved me, but he would absolutely bite anyone he thought he could take in a fight (mostly small kids).
My dog loved me, but he would absolutely bite anyone he thought he could take in a fight (mostly small kids).
September 13, 2025 at 2:23 AM
My hottest take is that I don’t think dogs are good judges of character, and the belief that they are is driven by dog owners stroking themselves about how much their dogs love them.
My dog loved me, but he would absolutely bite anyone he thought he could take in a fight (mostly small kids).
My dog loved me, but he would absolutely bite anyone he thought he could take in a fight (mostly small kids).
Reposted by Goose
At some point, white America is going to have to take a hard look at how these white men who come from intact families end up shooting to kill:
"I wish we could blame this on muslims or migrants, but turns out it was one of us." what a wild thing to say
September 12, 2025 at 8:04 PM
At some point, white America is going to have to take a hard look at how these white men who come from intact families end up shooting to kill: