Maku Atherton
@makuatherton.bsky.social
Proud centrist against the Far Right and Far Left.
I don't care about pronouns, so use whatever you like.
I don't care about pronouns, so use whatever you like.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
…also, not too early perhaps to start thinking about an MTG third party race against Trump or the Trumpist candidate in 2028…
November 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
…also, not too early perhaps to start thinking about an MTG third party race against Trump or the Trumpist candidate in 2028…
Reposted by Maku Atherton
I’m not really a dark-arts kind of guy, but I’ll note that Democratic donors might look at funding “True MAGA” or “Release the Epstein Files” independent or third party candidates in red CDs and states, in order to take votes from Republicans colluding in the Epstein coverup.
November 16, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I’m not really a dark-arts kind of guy, but I’ll note that Democratic donors might look at funding “True MAGA” or “Release the Epstein Files” independent or third party candidates in red CDs and states, in order to take votes from Republicans colluding in the Epstein coverup.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Rep. Massie is being polite, as he should be, and is trying to get more Republican votes for the discharge petition, as he should be doing.
But the truth is, I think, that Trump is trying to protect himself.
But the truth is, I think, that Trump is trying to protect himself.
Karl: "What is [Trump] afraid of?"
Rep. Thomas Massie: "I think he's trying to protect a bunch of rich and powerful friends…That's my operating theory on why he's trying so hard to keep these files closed."
Rep. Thomas Massie: "I think he's trying to protect a bunch of rich and powerful friends…That's my operating theory on why he's trying so hard to keep these files closed."
November 16, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Rep. Massie is being polite, as he should be, and is trying to get more Republican votes for the discharge petition, as he should be doing.
But the truth is, I think, that Trump is trying to protect himself.
But the truth is, I think, that Trump is trying to protect himself.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Sen. Chris Murphy on Trump and Epstein:
“Trump wouldn't be acting this way if he wasn't so deeply worried about what’s in those files. What we've already seen is incriminating. He wouldn't be fighting so hard if there wasn't something especially incriminating.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/chris-murp...
“Trump wouldn't be acting this way if he wasn't so deeply worried about what’s in those files. What we've already seen is incriminating. He wouldn't be fighting so hard if there wasn't something especially incriminating.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/chris-murp...
Chris Murphy: Trump’s Freakout Over the Epstein Files Tells You Everything
NOTE: There are a few moments when the video cuts out.
www.thebulwark.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Sen. Chris Murphy on Trump and Epstein:
“Trump wouldn't be acting this way if he wasn't so deeply worried about what’s in those files. What we've already seen is incriminating. He wouldn't be fighting so hard if there wasn't something especially incriminating.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/chris-murp...
“Trump wouldn't be acting this way if he wasn't so deeply worried about what’s in those files. What we've already seen is incriminating. He wouldn't be fighting so hard if there wasn't something especially incriminating.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/chris-murp...
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Marjorie Taylor Greene, telling it like it is this morning, on why Donald Trump turned against her:
“It all comes down to the Epstein files."
“It all comes down to the Epstein files."
November 16, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene, telling it like it is this morning, on why Donald Trump turned against her:
“It all comes down to the Epstein files."
“It all comes down to the Epstein files."
Reposted by Maku Atherton
"Trump and Vance imagine that they can grift endlessly. They do not understand that their grift depends upon the honest labor and decent convictions of millions of Americans. Were there not Americans who actually worked, there would be nothing and no one to grift."
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
The Grift Bubble
A Political Theory of American Collapse
open.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
"Trump and Vance imagine that they can grift endlessly. They do not understand that their grift depends upon the honest labor and decent convictions of millions of Americans. Were there not Americans who actually worked, there would be nothing and no one to grift."
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Reposted by Maku Atherton
The “distract” discourse, whether from politicians or operatives or journalists, may well be THE stupidest discourse.
(serious unbiased journalist voice) “are you trying to distract from the president’s refusal to make health care affordable by pointing out that he was also friends with a pedophile?”
Margaret Brennan to Tom Suozzi: "Can you explain the focus this past week in the House by Democrats on the Jeffrey Epstein files? Is this a tactic to distract from the failure to extract healthcare changes?"
November 16, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The “distract” discourse, whether from politicians or operatives or journalists, may well be THE stupidest discourse.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Trump retreats on Epstein files. Three lessons:
1. It can be easier to fracture the MAGA coalition than get "responsible" Republicans to step up.
2. Democrats should fight rather than find reasons not to fight.
3. Dems need to be anti-elitist not just anti-GOP.
www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-eps...
1. It can be easier to fracture the MAGA coalition than get "responsible" Republicans to step up.
2. Democrats should fight rather than find reasons not to fight.
3. Dems need to be anti-elitist not just anti-GOP.
www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-eps...
Trump’s Epstein Humiliation Grows
The president saw defeat and ran. But that doesn’t mean the fight over releasing the files is over.
www.thebulwark.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Trump retreats on Epstein files. Three lessons:
1. It can be easier to fracture the MAGA coalition than get "responsible" Republicans to step up.
2. Democrats should fight rather than find reasons not to fight.
3. Dems need to be anti-elitist not just anti-GOP.
www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-eps...
1. It can be easier to fracture the MAGA coalition than get "responsible" Republicans to step up.
2. Democrats should fight rather than find reasons not to fight.
3. Dems need to be anti-elitist not just anti-GOP.
www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-eps...
And he says it with a Steven Universe userpic. The irony.
And that, I think, sums it up: Bluesky has a lot of folks who think liberals - of which I am not one, actually - are the real problem, the fascist collaborators, etc
Does it fucking matter WHAT movement??
Lmao ffs with libs like these who needs fascists!
Lmao ffs with libs like these who needs fascists!
November 17, 2025 at 8:57 PM
And he says it with a Steven Universe userpic. The irony.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
And that, I think, sums it up: Bluesky has a lot of folks who think liberals - of which I am not one, actually - are the real problem, the fascist collaborators, etc
Does it fucking matter WHAT movement??
Lmao ffs with libs like these who needs fascists!
Lmao ffs with libs like these who needs fascists!
November 17, 2025 at 7:14 PM
And that, I think, sums it up: Bluesky has a lot of folks who think liberals - of which I am not one, actually - are the real problem, the fascist collaborators, etc
Reposted by Maku Atherton
This is where I part company with you, and I'll say again that when I was teaching about "terrorism," people told me I was being semantic and too narrow, and yet now...
*waves hands at all this*
Terrorism is everything. Precision is never a bad idea.
*waves hands at all this*
Terrorism is everything. Precision is never a bad idea.
November 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
This is where I part company with you, and I'll say again that when I was teaching about "terrorism," people told me I was being semantic and too narrow, and yet now...
*waves hands at all this*
Terrorism is everything. Precision is never a bad idea.
*waves hands at all this*
Terrorism is everything. Precision is never a bad idea.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
YES. Many of the people objecting have no interest in a united front and would just as soon delegitimize anyone they think of as "centrist."
November 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
YES. Many of the people objecting have no interest in a united front and would just as soon delegitimize anyone they think of as "centrist."
Reposted by Maku Atherton
That chart is from October 2024. Therefore, Joe Biden is a fascist. Why won’t you admit it, Tom?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
November 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
That chart is from October 2024. Therefore, Joe Biden is a fascist. Why won’t you admit it, Tom?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Reposted by Maku Atherton
New definition of fascism: Lots of people in jail.
Russia has a lower incarceration rate than America, therefore Russia is freer than America. (Half the rate, so twice as free!)
Worst. Graduate Seminar. Ever.
Russia has a lower incarceration rate than America, therefore Russia is freer than America. (Half the rate, so twice as free!)
Worst. Graduate Seminar. Ever.
November 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
New definition of fascism: Lots of people in jail.
Russia has a lower incarceration rate than America, therefore Russia is freer than America. (Half the rate, so twice as free!)
Worst. Graduate Seminar. Ever.
Russia has a lower incarceration rate than America, therefore Russia is freer than America. (Half the rate, so twice as free!)
Worst. Graduate Seminar. Ever.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Yes, and they're panicking and giving in to the contagion of fear that Trump is gladly trying to spread
November 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Yes, and they're panicking and giving in to the contagion of fear that Trump is gladly trying to spread
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Usually, I have to be on Twitter arguing with Trumpers to get this level of sophisticated response
Die then or at least STFU ya old pos
It's like the longest, worst graduate seminar with the least bright students I ever had to teach, and the semester never ends
November 16, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Usually, I have to be on Twitter arguing with Trumpers to get this level of sophisticated response
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Vote. Protest. Vote. Donate. Vote. Organize. Vote. Talk to your neighbors. Vote. Stay informed. Vote. Keep a sense of humor. Vote.
Also, vote
Also, vote
Tom, I’m a follower and someone who listens to you, and reads what you have to say. Stop arguing with nonsense. Instead, tell us, every day, what we need to do to stop fascism/ authoritarianism. Please.
November 16, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Vote. Protest. Vote. Donate. Vote. Organize. Vote. Talk to your neighbors. Vote. Stay informed. Vote. Keep a sense of humor. Vote.
Also, vote
Also, vote
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Reposted by Maku Atherton
You honestly don’t seem to realize that you have become a self-parody, Tom.
Your inability to let anything go, as demonstrated in your aggressive and dismissive quote-posts, only highlights your fragility, and how utterly important it is for you to protect your ego.
Your behavior is quite funny!
Your inability to let anything go, as demonstrated in your aggressive and dismissive quote-posts, only highlights your fragility, and how utterly important it is for you to protect your ego.
Your behavior is quite funny!
November 16, 2025 at 5:50 AM
You honestly don’t seem to realize that you have become a self-parody, Tom.
Your inability to let anything go, as demonstrated in your aggressive and dismissive quote-posts, only highlights your fragility, and how utterly important it is for you to protect your ego.
Your behavior is quite funny!
Your inability to let anything go, as demonstrated in your aggressive and dismissive quote-posts, only highlights your fragility, and how utterly important it is for you to protect your ego.
Your behavior is quite funny!
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Well, at least you’re at peace with it!
Apparently you need no one else — not even people who might agree with you; because it’s apparently more fun for you to engage in intellectual combat that tears down people aligned with your views; and that makes you feel very, very smart!
Enjoy that, Tom.
Apparently you need no one else — not even people who might agree with you; because it’s apparently more fun for you to engage in intellectual combat that tears down people aligned with your views; and that makes you feel very, very smart!
Enjoy that, Tom.
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Well, at least you’re at peace with it!
Apparently you need no one else — not even people who might agree with you; because it’s apparently more fun for you to engage in intellectual combat that tears down people aligned with your views; and that makes you feel very, very smart!
Enjoy that, Tom.
Apparently you need no one else — not even people who might agree with you; because it’s apparently more fun for you to engage in intellectual combat that tears down people aligned with your views; and that makes you feel very, very smart!
Enjoy that, Tom.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Reposted by Maku Atherton
“You literally can’t let anything go” - pot/kettle/black
November 16, 2025 at 7:47 AM
“You literally can’t let anything go” - pot/kettle/black
Reposted by Maku Atherton
I find his curmudgeonly manner entertaining. Don't take the disagreement personally. There's some good natured self deprecation in there if you look closely.
November 16, 2025 at 6:09 AM
I find his curmudgeonly manner entertaining. Don't take the disagreement personally. There's some good natured self deprecation in there if you look closely.
Reposted by Maku Atherton
Your ego seriously knows no bounds. You’re hilarious.
You do realize that you even posting that meme belies what it says, right?
You literally can’t let anything go. I pity you.
You do realize that you even posting that meme belies what it says, right?
You literally can’t let anything go. I pity you.
November 16, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Your ego seriously knows no bounds. You’re hilarious.
You do realize that you even posting that meme belies what it says, right?
You literally can’t let anything go. I pity you.
You do realize that you even posting that meme belies what it says, right?
You literally can’t let anything go. I pity you.