Lee Franke
@leefranke.bsky.social
Dad of 2. 2 Dogs, 2 cats, 2 kids.
Marine 0311. 84-91.
Aggie Band Class of '87
Connoisseur of Dad jokes
LLAP
Marine 0311. 84-91.
Aggie Band Class of '87
Connoisseur of Dad jokes
LLAP
Pinned
Reposted by Lee Franke
BREAKING: Chile’s governing coalition candidate concedes defeat in the presidential runoff to ultra-conservative José Antonio Kast.
Chile's leftist candidate concedes defeat to ultra-conservative Kast in presidential runoff
The candidate of Chile’s left-wing governing coalition, communist Jeannette Jara, has conceded defeat after early presidential results showed a strong lead for ultra-conservative José Antonio Kast, as voters opted for change following years of rising fears over heightened crime and immigration.
bit.ly
December 14, 2025 at 11:10 PM
BREAKING: Chile’s governing coalition candidate concedes defeat in the presidential runoff to ultra-conservative José Antonio Kast.
Reposted by Lee Franke
"ICE and CBP must be abolished" is the only reasonable position. We can debate the specifics of new agencies for immigration functions, but these agencies are simply too infected with a culture of impunity, racism, and fascism to continue. They're gangs with badges.
Armed ICE agents trapped US citizens in a restaurant and demanded their papers. Federal agents walked into East African restaurants in Cedar-Riverside, MN. They closed and blocked the doors. Then they demanded to see everyone’s papers. Every person present was a US citizen.
Federal agents use chemical irritant on crowd in Somali neighborhood of Minneapolis amid Trump crackdown
Federal agents have used chemical irritant to disperse a crowd in a heavily Somali neighborhood in Minneapolis. This happened Tuesday during a identification checks amid the Trump administration's cra...
www.mprnews.org
December 14, 2025 at 8:49 PM
"ICE and CBP must be abolished" is the only reasonable position. We can debate the specifics of new agencies for immigration functions, but these agencies are simply too infected with a culture of impunity, racism, and fascism to continue. They're gangs with badges.
Reposted by Lee Franke
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002): USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E, art by John Eaves
"Being a fan of Matt Jefferies Enterprise, along with Andy [Probert]'s refit and Bill George's Excelsior, I wanted to use these concepts as the roots."
"Being a fan of Matt Jefferies Enterprise, along with Andy [Probert]'s refit and Bill George's Excelsior, I wanted to use these concepts as the roots."
December 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002): USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E, art by John Eaves
"Being a fan of Matt Jefferies Enterprise, along with Andy [Probert]'s refit and Bill George's Excelsior, I wanted to use these concepts as the roots."
"Being a fan of Matt Jefferies Enterprise, along with Andy [Probert]'s refit and Bill George's Excelsior, I wanted to use these concepts as the roots."
Reposted by Lee Franke
NEW
A verified @gofundme.com has been set up for the hero in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting.
Ahmed al Ahmed is a father of two and has been hospitalized with his own injuries, but he is expected to recover.
These funds are controlled by GoFundMe.
Link To Donate: bit.ly/4iTnHaa
A verified @gofundme.com has been set up for the hero in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting.
Ahmed al Ahmed is a father of two and has been hospitalized with his own injuries, but he is expected to recover.
These funds are controlled by GoFundMe.
Link To Donate: bit.ly/4iTnHaa
December 14, 2025 at 11:10 PM
NEW
A verified @gofundme.com has been set up for the hero in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting.
Ahmed al Ahmed is a father of two and has been hospitalized with his own injuries, but he is expected to recover.
These funds are controlled by GoFundMe.
Link To Donate: bit.ly/4iTnHaa
A verified @gofundme.com has been set up for the hero in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting.
Ahmed al Ahmed is a father of two and has been hospitalized with his own injuries, but he is expected to recover.
These funds are controlled by GoFundMe.
Link To Donate: bit.ly/4iTnHaa
Reposted by Lee Franke
Philip Rivers is as I write this 10 completions in 16 attempts, averaging 5.1 yards per drop back. His team is in the lead just after half time. He has a TD pass.
Those of us of advancing years, rejoice.
(Hope I haven't jinxed the old fellow.)
Those of us of advancing years, rejoice.
(Hope I haven't jinxed the old fellow.)
December 14, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Philip Rivers is as I write this 10 completions in 16 attempts, averaging 5.1 yards per drop back. His team is in the lead just after half time. He has a TD pass.
Those of us of advancing years, rejoice.
(Hope I haven't jinxed the old fellow.)
Those of us of advancing years, rejoice.
(Hope I haven't jinxed the old fellow.)
Reposted by Lee Franke
Reposting Civic Sage from Threads, who shared her insight - as a Texan - on why Texas can be blue again. And why it's so hard to vote there. /1
December 14, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Reposting Civic Sage from Threads, who shared her insight - as a Texan - on why Texas can be blue again. And why it's so hard to vote there. /1
Reposted by Lee Franke
Reposted by Lee Franke
Read this thread.
It's exactly right. But also note on the internet related stories—the banning of TikTok and the attack on Sec 230—Democrats happily helped MAGA accomplish their goals and people have cheered it on.
Democrats trying to destroy 230 are not helping you. They're helping Trump.
It's exactly right. But also note on the internet related stories—the banning of TikTok and the attack on Sec 230—Democrats happily helped MAGA accomplish their goals and people have cheered it on.
Democrats trying to destroy 230 are not helping you. They're helping Trump.
There’s a specific mechanism in authoritarian movements that we’re seeing play out in real-time across American media and tech. It’s a simple rule: "If we cannot co-opt it, we must destroy it."
It is the logic of "scorched earth." It's the logic of the Nero Decree and it's happening right now. 🧵
It is the logic of "scorched earth." It's the logic of the Nero Decree and it's happening right now. 🧵
December 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Read this thread.
It's exactly right. But also note on the internet related stories—the banning of TikTok and the attack on Sec 230—Democrats happily helped MAGA accomplish their goals and people have cheered it on.
Democrats trying to destroy 230 are not helping you. They're helping Trump.
It's exactly right. But also note on the internet related stories—the banning of TikTok and the attack on Sec 230—Democrats happily helped MAGA accomplish their goals and people have cheered it on.
Democrats trying to destroy 230 are not helping you. They're helping Trump.
Reposted by Lee Franke
Wow: Harris County Democratic officials voted Sunday 186 to 80 to bar Houston Mayor John Whitmire from seeking the party's endorsement over his handling of ICE and appearing at a fundraiser for Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Tx)
Story by @fbugenhagen.bsky.social:
www.chron.com/politics/art...
Story by @fbugenhagen.bsky.social:
www.chron.com/politics/art...
Democrats cut off Whitmire over ICE support and GOP alignment
On Sunday night, Harris County Democrats moved to approve a resolution barring Houston Mayor John Whitmire from future party endorsements.
www.chron.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Wow: Harris County Democratic officials voted Sunday 186 to 80 to bar Houston Mayor John Whitmire from seeking the party's endorsement over his handling of ICE and appearing at a fundraiser for Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Tx)
Story by @fbugenhagen.bsky.social:
www.chron.com/politics/art...
Story by @fbugenhagen.bsky.social:
www.chron.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Lee Franke
The Texas A&M Aggies reach the NCAA final four for the first time after handing top-ranked Nebraska its first loss of the season. bit.ly/4agGOsI
December 15, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Reposted by Lee Franke
Reposted by Lee Franke
White House Refuses to Rule Out Summary Executions of People on Its Secret Domestic Terrorist List
The Trump administration ignored questions about whether it would order the killings of those on its NSPM-7 list — even while answering our other queries.
theintercept.com
December 14, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Reposted by Lee Franke
This is fucking grim. Somebody invented a white guy, an "IT professional" named Edward Crabtree, who stopped the Bondi shooting and spread it all over the internet, which was picked up by AI agents and slop aggregation sites.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
December 14, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This is fucking grim. Somebody invented a white guy, an "IT professional" named Edward Crabtree, who stopped the Bondi shooting and spread it all over the internet, which was picked up by AI agents and slop aggregation sites.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
Reposted by Lee Franke
Texas is about to deploy a potential solution to the oil industry’s toxic wastewater problem — but it’s a move that carries environmental risks of its own.
Toxic water from Texas oil production is set to be treated and pumped into rivers
Texas is about to deploy a potential solution to the oil industry’s toxic wastewater problem — but it’s a move that carries environmental risks of its own.
www.dallasnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Texas is about to deploy a potential solution to the oil industry’s toxic wastewater problem — but it’s a move that carries environmental risks of its own.
Reposted by Lee Franke
President Donald Trump was openly rebuked by Republicans this past week on several fronts, and in such an open manner that one analyst argued GOP lawmakers are already eyeing "life after Trump.
'Life after Trump': Analyst says GOP ditching president 'faster' than ever seen
President Donald Trump was openly rebuked by Republicans this past week on several fronts, and in such an open manner that one analyst argued GOP lawmakers are already eyeing “life after Trump.”Journalist and CNN host Manu Raju asked a panel of experts on his “Inside Politics Sunday” show whether Tr...
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 12:00 AM
President Donald Trump was openly rebuked by Republicans this past week on several fronts, and in such an open manner that one analyst argued GOP lawmakers are already eyeing "life after Trump.
Reposted by Lee Franke
I can’t unsee this
December 15, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I can’t unsee this
Ollie Rathbone's dramatic late equaliser ensured the Red Dragons shared the points this afternoon 👇
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
REPORT | Wrexham AFC 2-2 Watford
Ollie Rathbone’s equaliser in injury time secured Wrexham a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Watford to make it eight home games unbeaten.
www.wrexhamafc.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Reposted by Lee Franke
War for Ukraine Day 1,387 update has posted.
Balloon Juice - War for Ukraine Day 1,387: Putin Does Not Recognize Anyone Else's Sphere of Influence and Near Abroad
A quick housekeeping note: Thank you all for keeping it civil in the comments last night. It is much appreciated. As I wrote about and then we discussed in the comments over the weekend, the new Natio...
balloon-juice.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:23 AM
War for Ukraine Day 1,387 update has posted.
What a goal 😮💨
Matty James' long-range pass found Windass, who produced an excellent finish on the half volley!
21' | Wrexham AFC 1-0 Watford FC
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
Matty James' long-range pass found Windass, who produced an excellent finish on the half volley!
21' | Wrexham AFC 1-0 Watford FC
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC
December 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
December 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Lee Franke
Exploring the effects of paid sick leave adoption on participation in the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs, as well as the health of persons with disabilities, from Assamidanov, Dave, Kim, Lipton, Qian, and Sabia www.nber.org/papers/w34542
December 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Exploring the effects of paid sick leave adoption on participation in the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs, as well as the health of persons with disabilities, from Assamidanov, Dave, Kim, Lipton, Qian, and Sabia www.nber.org/papers/w34542
Reposted by Lee Franke
'AI is coming' I tell the museum stakeholders as I proudly cut the ribbon of our new Artificial Insemination exhibition
December 12, 2025 at 11:03 AM
'AI is coming' I tell the museum stakeholders as I proudly cut the ribbon of our new Artificial Insemination exhibition
Reposted by Lee Franke
Javier, our new CEO, wanted to thank everyone for a fun and motivating first week. You all have made his transition process enjoyable. He has much to do but insisted on relaying that his initial numbers indicate that the dogs are all very good and will likely continue to be ❤️
December 12, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Javier, our new CEO, wanted to thank everyone for a fun and motivating first week. You all have made his transition process enjoyable. He has much to do but insisted on relaying that his initial numbers indicate that the dogs are all very good and will likely continue to be ❤️