MarkMan
@madmanmark84.bsky.social
Just another older white guy, 1st-gen college in a purple state & family
This is almost beside the point. Just ask this former Captain in the US Military if he knows and accepts the Laws of War and Rules of Engagement, as would have had to state he did when he accepted his officer commission. Then read from the manual and ask him to explain why it doesn't apply here.
December 5, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This is almost beside the point. Just ask this former Captain in the US Military if he knows and accepts the Laws of War and Rules of Engagement, as would have had to state he did when he accepted his officer commission. Then read from the manual and ask him to explain why it doesn't apply here.
As the visit was known, IMO it's the *opposite* of "crazy" there was a published schedule that turned out to be off.
More is here than the Irish advertise. One of their two advanced air surveillance ships wasn't coincidentally on the flight path, & noted where the drones took off 2 hours earlier.
More is here than the Irish advertise. One of their two advanced air surveillance ships wasn't coincidentally on the flight path, & noted where the drones took off 2 hours earlier.
December 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
As the visit was known, IMO it's the *opposite* of "crazy" there was a published schedule that turned out to be off.
More is here than the Irish advertise. One of their two advanced air surveillance ships wasn't coincidentally on the flight path, & noted where the drones took off 2 hours earlier.
More is here than the Irish advertise. One of their two advanced air surveillance ships wasn't coincidentally on the flight path, & noted where the drones took off 2 hours earlier.
A different (but not disagreeing) POV:
The move to digital life organization was always inevitable, as was the struggles that would cause for the last generation(s) not growing up in that environment.
BUT the smartphone paradigm is at least a less daunting interface than the prior one, PCs.
The move to digital life organization was always inevitable, as was the struggles that would cause for the last generation(s) not growing up in that environment.
BUT the smartphone paradigm is at least a less daunting interface than the prior one, PCs.
December 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM
A different (but not disagreeing) POV:
The move to digital life organization was always inevitable, as was the struggles that would cause for the last generation(s) not growing up in that environment.
BUT the smartphone paradigm is at least a less daunting interface than the prior one, PCs.
The move to digital life organization was always inevitable, as was the struggles that would cause for the last generation(s) not growing up in that environment.
BUT the smartphone paradigm is at least a less daunting interface than the prior one, PCs.
... separately, Michael Hartnett at BofA is floating the somewhat contrarian POV that if the Fed is too dovish (cuts rates) that would be bad for the markets & economy, because it might drive long rates higher. I think his thinking aligns with Slok's?
December 5, 2025 at 3:57 PM
... separately, Michael Hartnett at BofA is floating the somewhat contrarian POV that if the Fed is too dovish (cuts rates) that would be bad for the markets & economy, because it might drive long rates higher. I think his thinking aligns with Slok's?
Except Rand's metaphor is that Atlas "shrugging" is a destructive act, it leads to a collapse of society for everyone.
I think the reference actually makes more sense as just a straight greek mythology reference. Part of why I finger Vance as the author, he's known to carry the Illiad around.
I think the reference actually makes more sense as just a straight greek mythology reference. Part of why I finger Vance as the author, he's known to carry the Illiad around.
December 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Except Rand's metaphor is that Atlas "shrugging" is a destructive act, it leads to a collapse of society for everyone.
I think the reference actually makes more sense as just a straight greek mythology reference. Part of why I finger Vance as the author, he's known to carry the Illiad around.
I think the reference actually makes more sense as just a straight greek mythology reference. Part of why I finger Vance as the author, he's known to carry the Illiad around.
"when will our military act?" What on earth are you asking for here?!?
I despise Trump & all his lackeys, but if anyone calling for a military coup I declare them a bigger threat to this country (and enemy of mine) than they are.
I despise Trump & all his lackeys, but if anyone calling for a military coup I declare them a bigger threat to this country (and enemy of mine) than they are.
December 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
"when will our military act?" What on earth are you asking for here?!?
I despise Trump & all his lackeys, but if anyone calling for a military coup I declare them a bigger threat to this country (and enemy of mine) than they are.
I despise Trump & all his lackeys, but if anyone calling for a military coup I declare them a bigger threat to this country (and enemy of mine) than they are.
It would be bizarre, even for the upside-down world of the Trump admin, if Miller wrote it. It's supposed to be written by the NSC, the current composition is below
To me it's more plausible Vance was the driving author. I haven't read the entire thing, but what I've seen is consistent with his POV
To me it's more plausible Vance was the driving author. I haven't read the entire thing, but what I've seen is consistent with his POV
December 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
It would be bizarre, even for the upside-down world of the Trump admin, if Miller wrote it. It's supposed to be written by the NSC, the current composition is below
To me it's more plausible Vance was the driving author. I haven't read the entire thing, but what I've seen is consistent with his POV
To me it's more plausible Vance was the driving author. I haven't read the entire thing, but what I've seen is consistent with his POV
The fact one can't sell what is a means of basic necessity (personal transportation) for anything close to utility replacement value, that is most definitely a "reason not to sell"
I know you're looking at this choice 100% through a political lens, but that's not how most people look at their cars
I know you're looking at this choice 100% through a political lens, but that's not how most people look at their cars
December 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The fact one can't sell what is a means of basic necessity (personal transportation) for anything close to utility replacement value, that is most definitely a "reason not to sell"
I know you're looking at this choice 100% through a political lens, but that's not how most people look at their cars
I know you're looking at this choice 100% through a political lens, but that's not how most people look at their cars
Most of this thinking is odious, but that statement "the days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over" is one I share (if coming from a different direction)
I wish European allies had taken that message more seriously when friendlier administrations suggested it.
I wish European allies had taken that message more seriously when friendlier administrations suggested it.
December 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Most of this thinking is odious, but that statement "the days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over" is one I share (if coming from a different direction)
I wish European allies had taken that message more seriously when friendlier administrations suggested it.
I wish European allies had taken that message more seriously when friendlier administrations suggested it.
Reposted by MarkMan
Trump national security strategy: Make Europe White Again.
"Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades ...certain NATO members will become majority non-European"
"the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
"Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades ...certain NATO members will become majority non-European"
"the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Trump national security strategy: Make Europe White Again.
"Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades ...certain NATO members will become majority non-European"
"the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
"Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades ...certain NATO members will become majority non-European"
"the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure"
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
It's a mistake to draw firm conclusions from a special election.
December 4, 2025 at 11:49 PM
It's a mistake to draw firm conclusions from a special election.
I've fantasized about that more than once - that Trump's popularity sinks low enough that this ends up costing them extra seats, because they spread what they thought were "their" voters too thin.
Karma, be there for us in this country's hour of need ...
Karma, be there for us in this country's hour of need ...
December 4, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I've fantasized about that more than once - that Trump's popularity sinks low enough that this ends up costing them extra seats, because they spread what they thought were "their" voters too thin.
Karma, be there for us in this country's hour of need ...
Karma, be there for us in this country's hour of need ...
Is there a video available?
ps. look out, the bluesky anti-Tufekci vigilantes will probably show up here, now that you tagged her.
ps. look out, the bluesky anti-Tufekci vigilantes will probably show up here, now that you tagged her.
December 4, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Is there a video available?
ps. look out, the bluesky anti-Tufekci vigilantes will probably show up here, now that you tagged her.
ps. look out, the bluesky anti-Tufekci vigilantes will probably show up here, now that you tagged her.
Feingold was the only *senator* voting against it
Lee was in House? Many there voted no IIRC
Lee was in House? Many there voted no IIRC
December 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Feingold was the only *senator* voting against it
Lee was in House? Many there voted no IIRC
Lee was in House? Many there voted no IIRC
Yes. The anguish is amplified that Ron Johnson beat Russ Feingold not just once, but *twice.*
(a weird personal footnote for me, I knew both Feingold and Johnson before either got into national politics. Russ' first wife was even my daughter's teacher)
(a weird personal footnote for me, I knew both Feingold and Johnson before either got into national politics. Russ' first wife was even my daughter's teacher)
December 4, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Yes. The anguish is amplified that Ron Johnson beat Russ Feingold not just once, but *twice.*
(a weird personal footnote for me, I knew both Feingold and Johnson before either got into national politics. Russ' first wife was even my daughter's teacher)
(a weird personal footnote for me, I knew both Feingold and Johnson before either got into national politics. Russ' first wife was even my daughter's teacher)
Kennedy had that chapter added because he thought it might buy him votes from the southern Dems (the power base of the Dems was in the South at that time; North was Republican).
Also, I say JFK "had it added" and not "wrote it" because it's widely known that Ted Sorensen was the actual book author.
Also, I say JFK "had it added" and not "wrote it" because it's widely known that Ted Sorensen was the actual book author.
December 4, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Kennedy had that chapter added because he thought it might buy him votes from the southern Dems (the power base of the Dems was in the South at that time; North was Republican).
Also, I say JFK "had it added" and not "wrote it" because it's widely known that Ted Sorensen was the actual book author.
Also, I say JFK "had it added" and not "wrote it" because it's widely known that Ted Sorensen was the actual book author.
Amen. I was proud my US Senator at the time, Russ Feingold, was the ONLY to vote no on the Patriot Act
One of the great failures of the Obama administration is that he not only didn't follow through on his campaign pledge to shut down Guantanamo, but he greatly expanded extrajudicial drone killings
One of the great failures of the Obama administration is that he not only didn't follow through on his campaign pledge to shut down Guantanamo, but he greatly expanded extrajudicial drone killings
December 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Amen. I was proud my US Senator at the time, Russ Feingold, was the ONLY to vote no on the Patriot Act
One of the great failures of the Obama administration is that he not only didn't follow through on his campaign pledge to shut down Guantanamo, but he greatly expanded extrajudicial drone killings
One of the great failures of the Obama administration is that he not only didn't follow through on his campaign pledge to shut down Guantanamo, but he greatly expanded extrajudicial drone killings
Emissions reduction & climate change mitigations aren't a binary questions
December 4, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Emissions reduction & climate change mitigations aren't a binary questions
"Nothing changes?"
In 2011 the WI GOP gerryamndered & starting in 2012 won 60% of assembly races despite LOSING statewide vote. GOP controlled SC upheld this.
Dems took back WI gov in 2018, then won 3 consecutive state SC races, retook control there too. Maps were fixed in 2024
"Nothing changes?"
In 2011 the WI GOP gerryamndered & starting in 2012 won 60% of assembly races despite LOSING statewide vote. GOP controlled SC upheld this.
Dems took back WI gov in 2018, then won 3 consecutive state SC races, retook control there too. Maps were fixed in 2024
"Nothing changes?"
December 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
"Nothing changes?"
In 2011 the WI GOP gerryamndered & starting in 2012 won 60% of assembly races despite LOSING statewide vote. GOP controlled SC upheld this.
Dems took back WI gov in 2018, then won 3 consecutive state SC races, retook control there too. Maps were fixed in 2024
"Nothing changes?"
In 2011 the WI GOP gerryamndered & starting in 2012 won 60% of assembly races despite LOSING statewide vote. GOP controlled SC upheld this.
Dems took back WI gov in 2018, then won 3 consecutive state SC races, retook control there too. Maps were fixed in 2024
"Nothing changes?"
"Start?" There have been articles (and protests!) "pointing that out" for more than a decade.
December 3, 2025 at 6:01 PM
"Start?" There have been articles (and protests!) "pointing that out" for more than a decade.
Eerie parallels to Wisconsin of 15 years ago (Scott Walker era). Via gerrymandering the GOP won 60% of the state assembly and senate seats in 2012 despite *losing* the overall popular vote statewide.
Gerrymandering is still bad today, but WI is lucky to be "purple" so Dems can still win statewide.
Gerrymandering is still bad today, but WI is lucky to be "purple" so Dems can still win statewide.
2012 Wisconsin State Assembly election - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Eerie parallels to Wisconsin of 15 years ago (Scott Walker era). Via gerrymandering the GOP won 60% of the state assembly and senate seats in 2012 despite *losing* the overall popular vote statewide.
Gerrymandering is still bad today, but WI is lucky to be "purple" so Dems can still win statewide.
Gerrymandering is still bad today, but WI is lucky to be "purple" so Dems can still win statewide.
Here's Taiwan's explanation of why they like it:
___
"Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung ... argued that updating the guidelines through more frequent reviews will allow both sides to engage more fully, including enabling Taiwanese officials to visit federal agencies for meetings"
___
"Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung ... argued that updating the guidelines through more frequent reviews will allow both sides to engage more fully, including enabling Taiwanese officials to visit federal agencies for meetings"
Trump signs Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act into law - Focus Taiwan
United States President Donald Trump has signed into law the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, which requires the State Department to regularly review and update guidelines governing official U.S. ...
focustaiwan.tw
December 3, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Here's Taiwan's explanation of why they like it:
___
"Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung ... argued that updating the guidelines through more frequent reviews will allow both sides to engage more fully, including enabling Taiwanese officials to visit federal agencies for meetings"
___
"Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung ... argued that updating the guidelines through more frequent reviews will allow both sides to engage more fully, including enabling Taiwanese officials to visit federal agencies for meetings"
Yes & no; only part of the "story" in this graph
It's zero surprise that slope is downward; that's how climate change works, past emissions are still being manifested in the system
The "true" question: Can we reduce the slope? From that POV there might be cause for OPTIMISM in the last 10-20 years?
It's zero surprise that slope is downward; that's how climate change works, past emissions are still being manifested in the system
The "true" question: Can we reduce the slope? From that POV there might be cause for OPTIMISM in the last 10-20 years?
December 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Yes & no; only part of the "story" in this graph
It's zero surprise that slope is downward; that's how climate change works, past emissions are still being manifested in the system
The "true" question: Can we reduce the slope? From that POV there might be cause for OPTIMISM in the last 10-20 years?
It's zero surprise that slope is downward; that's how climate change works, past emissions are still being manifested in the system
The "true" question: Can we reduce the slope? From that POV there might be cause for OPTIMISM in the last 10-20 years?
Definitely alarming!
But from pure data visualization POV the Y axis annoys me, it's misleading. ANY amount of ice decrease over this period, even 1/4 as much, could produce a graph with the same general slope downward, by tightening the Y axis range.
Are the colored bands at bottom also arbitrary?
But from pure data visualization POV the Y axis annoys me, it's misleading. ANY amount of ice decrease over this period, even 1/4 as much, could produce a graph with the same general slope downward, by tightening the Y axis range.
Are the colored bands at bottom also arbitrary?
December 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Definitely alarming!
But from pure data visualization POV the Y axis annoys me, it's misleading. ANY amount of ice decrease over this period, even 1/4 as much, could produce a graph with the same general slope downward, by tightening the Y axis range.
Are the colored bands at bottom also arbitrary?
But from pure data visualization POV the Y axis annoys me, it's misleading. ANY amount of ice decrease over this period, even 1/4 as much, could produce a graph with the same general slope downward, by tightening the Y axis range.
Are the colored bands at bottom also arbitrary?