Mel of the Valley
@melofthevalley.bsky.social
Don’t be afraid, we’re just waking up
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
Then: free speech don't care about your feelings.
Now: the state can summarily execute you for saying mean words.
Now: the state can summarily execute you for saying mean words.
Q: "Do you believe that deadly force was necessary?"
Trump: "It was highly disrespectful of law enforcement. The woman and her friend were highly disrespectful of law enforcement…Law enforcement should not be in a position where they have to put up with this stuff."
Trump: "It was highly disrespectful of law enforcement. The woman and her friend were highly disrespectful of law enforcement…Law enforcement should not be in a position where they have to put up with this stuff."
January 14, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Then: free speech don't care about your feelings.
Now: the state can summarily execute you for saying mean words.
Now: the state can summarily execute you for saying mean words.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
So, if I'm reading this right:
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
Federal prosecutors quit in protest over lack of investigation into ICE shooting
Six lawyers from US attorney’s office in Minnesota quit along with four leaders of DoJ’s civil rights division
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:35 PM
So, if I'm reading this right:
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
4 prosecutors at the Dept of Justice Civil Rights division quit because the Trump-appointed leadership won't investigate Good's killer,
and
6 from the Minnesota US Attorney's office quit when they were told instead to investigate her widow.
(HT @benjaminkabak.com)
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
The majority of the leadership team inside Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office resigned Tuesday in protest of directives from federal officials in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Joe Thompson, U.S. Attorney who uncovered massive fraud in Minnesota, resigns from office
Thompson has been at the center of the national debate around fraud in Minnesota and has claimed that billions have been stolen from tax payers.
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The majority of the leadership team inside Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office resigned Tuesday in protest of directives from federal officials in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, according to sources familiar with the decision.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
Sport England suspends account on X, saying the platform 'increasingly promotes and monetises an environment that is hostile to women and girls'. Latest from @seaningle.bsky.social
Sport England suspends X social media account and takes aim at Elon Musk
Sport England has revealed that it has suspended its account on the social media platform X
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Sport England suspends account on X, saying the platform 'increasingly promotes and monetises an environment that is hostile to women and girls'. Latest from @seaningle.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
Good to see this being posted here
Sharing, or threatening to share, a deepfake intimate image without consent is a criminal offence.
This offence, created by the Data Act last year, will be brought into force this week, and I will make it a priority offence in the Online Safety Act too.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
This offence, created by the Data Act last year, will be brought into force this week, and I will make it a priority offence in the Online Safety Act too.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Secretary of State statement to the House of Commons: 12 January 2026
DSIT Secretary of State statement after concerns over Grok AI.
www.gov.uk
January 13, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Good to see this being posted here
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
I am once again reminding you all that the UK government introduced an Online Safety Act that is effectively a porn ban on most adult porn websites, but is dithering over banning a website that is actually creating child porn.
January 13, 2026 at 11:03 AM
I am once again reminding you all that the UK government introduced an Online Safety Act that is effectively a porn ban on most adult porn websites, but is dithering over banning a website that is actually creating child porn.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
TAPPER: Does your rhetoric need to change?
FREY: I said this was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying because that was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying. I got two eyes.
FREY: I said this was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying because that was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying. I got two eyes.
January 11, 2026 at 2:34 PM
TAPPER: Does your rhetoric need to change?
FREY: I said this was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying because that was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying. I got two eyes.
FREY: I said this was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying because that was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying. I got two eyes.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
essentially repeating @jamesdaustin.bsky.social's point that people say they want a nice high street and yet aren't using their high street, in order to add: people need to also actively choose to spend more in brick and mortar shops than they would online, even if it feels unfair!
Latest from me, on an eternally overlooked, sniffed-at issue that is politically huge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK’s high streets have reached a tipping point – and Reform will reap the benefits | John Harris
When even Poundland and charity shops are closing, we’re near a point of no return. But there is hope, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:25 PM
essentially repeating @jamesdaustin.bsky.social's point that people say they want a nice high street and yet aren't using their high street, in order to add: people need to also actively choose to spend more in brick and mortar shops than they would online, even if it feels unfair!
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
Excellent, clarifying piece on the (real) legal pathway that Minnesota has to prosecute the ICE agent who shot and killed a woman today.
No, federal agents do not have absolute immunity from start charges, no matter what the Trump administration claims.
No, federal agents do not have absolute immunity from start charges, no matter what the Trump administration claims.
Wrote a piece for @slate.com explaining that states have a long history of prosecuting federal officers when they allegedly use excessive force. Federal officers are only immune from such prosecutions when they act reasonably in carrying out lawful duties.
Minnesota Could Prosecute the ICE Shooter. Trump Can’t Pardon Him.
Shortly after an ICE officer shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, city leaders began looking into whether the officer had violated state criminal law.
slate.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Excellent, clarifying piece on the (real) legal pathway that Minnesota has to prosecute the ICE agent who shot and killed a woman today.
No, federal agents do not have absolute immunity from start charges, no matter what the Trump administration claims.
No, federal agents do not have absolute immunity from start charges, no matter what the Trump administration claims.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
Failing to anticipate people would use your image generation bot to make consentless-pornography should be criminal incompetence.
Failing to include safeguards against it should be criminal negligence.
Failing to shut it down once (a) and (b) became obvious should be criminal distribution.
Failing to include safeguards against it should be criminal negligence.
Failing to shut it down once (a) and (b) became obvious should be criminal distribution.
January 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Failing to anticipate people would use your image generation bot to make consentless-pornography should be criminal incompetence.
Failing to include safeguards against it should be criminal negligence.
Failing to shut it down once (a) and (b) became obvious should be criminal distribution.
Failing to include safeguards against it should be criminal negligence.
Failing to shut it down once (a) and (b) became obvious should be criminal distribution.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
One of the most lopsided results you'll ever see in a poll, from our weekend Washington Post poll www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
January 5, 2026 at 3:39 PM
One of the most lopsided results you'll ever see in a poll, from our weekend Washington Post poll www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
It would have a series of videos of junior ministers being forced to hold increasingly absurd lines in media rounds for people with a humiliation kink.
If you follow this argument through to its logical conclusion there should be a UK Government channel on pornhub.
Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Anderson tells the Lords the Government will keep on using X.
"I still believe that X is an appropriate platform to use because I believe in freedom of speech..."
"It is incredibly important that there is a counter narrative on those platforms," she says.
"I still believe that X is an appropriate platform to use because I believe in freedom of speech..."
"It is incredibly important that there is a counter narrative on those platforms," she says.
January 5, 2026 at 4:24 PM
It would have a series of videos of junior ministers being forced to hold increasingly absurd lines in media rounds for people with a humiliation kink.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
i’d die for her
December 31, 2025 at 10:28 PM
i’d die for her
I missed this two years ago, in the Twixtmas blur. It’s beautiful.
"On the train back south I rest my head sleepily on her shoulder, stare out of the window at the rain lashing down, and breathe in her smell."
Guest blog from this time in '23
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/kinky-r...
Guest blog from this time in '23
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/kinky-r...
Guest blog: Snapshots from a kinky relationship | Girl on the Net
An intimate look into how the writer's love of kink grew alongside love for the person he was with. Featuring dominance, submission, love and loss.
www.girlonthenet.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I missed this two years ago, in the Twixtmas blur. It’s beautiful.
Oh, dear god 😡
"And I never say no"
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
December 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Oh, dear god 😡
Love this! And love the various solo holidays I have taken.
I am far more terrified of wasting precious years than I am of being alone.
NEW blog: Do the thing. Do it scared. Do it on your own.
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/do-it-o...
Gorgeous art by @stuartcb.bsky.social ❤️
NEW blog: Do the thing. Do it scared. Do it on your own.
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/do-it-o...
Gorgeous art by @stuartcb.bsky.social ❤️
December 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Love this! And love the various solo holidays I have taken.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
I am going to mark this day every year.
Gisèle Pelicot is an international hero. I hope that every single day she knows safety and love and peace.
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/dominiq...
Gisèle Pelicot is an international hero. I hope that every single day she knows safety and love and peace.
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/dominiq...
Gisèle Pelicot's power, and Dominique Pelicot's shame | Girl on the Net
Gisèle Pelicot has shown us that shame can change sides. Her heroism can never be overstated. So let's talk about Dominique Pelicot's shame.
www.girlonthenet.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:56 AM
I am going to mark this day every year.
Gisèle Pelicot is an international hero. I hope that every single day she knows safety and love and peace.
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/dominiq...
Gisèle Pelicot is an international hero. I hope that every single day she knows safety and love and peace.
www.girlonthenet.com/blog/dominiq...
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
🎶 She wore an
Itsy bitsy teeny weeny…
Itsy bitsy teeny weeny…
December 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
🎶 She wore an
Itsy bitsy teeny weeny…
Itsy bitsy teeny weeny…
Well.
NYT columnist David Brooks wrote an op-ed a few weeks ago titled, "The Epstein Story? Count Me Out,” lamenting people are too focused on the Epstein scandal + saying "the QAnon mentality has taken over."
Today he appeared in 4 photos from the Epstein dump. Welp! www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
Today he appeared in 4 photos from the Epstein dump. Welp! www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
David Brooks Said ‘Count Me Out’ Of Epstein Story, Then Wound Up In Epstein Photos
There's no indication The New York Times columnist did anything wrong. But wow, the timing of his column and the photo dump is unfortunate!
www.huffpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Well.
Well.
NYT columnist David Brooks wrote an op-ed a few weeks ago titled, "The Epstein Story? Count Me Out,” lamenting people are too focused on the Epstein scandal + saying "the QAnon mentality has taken over."
Today he appeared in 4 photos from the Epstein dump. Welp! www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
Today he appeared in 4 photos from the Epstein dump. Welp! www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
David Brooks Said ‘Count Me Out’ Of Epstein Story, Then Wound Up In Epstein Photos
There's no indication The New York Times columnist did anything wrong. But wow, the timing of his column and the photo dump is unfortunate!
www.huffpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Well.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
Today in "Don't Trust AI to Tell You Facts": How several different "AI" programs messed up the simple fact of to whom I dedicated a book, and what that means for how much you should trust "AI" to tell you the truth about things (spoiler: not much at all):
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
“AI”: A Dedicated Fact-Failing Machine, or, Yet Another Reason Not to Trust It For Anything
I search my name on a regular basis, not only because I am an ego monster (although I try not to pretend that I’m not) but because it’s a good way for me to find reviews, end-of-the-yea…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Today in "Don't Trust AI to Tell You Facts": How several different "AI" programs messed up the simple fact of to whom I dedicated a book, and what that means for how much you should trust "AI" to tell you the truth about things (spoiler: not much at all):
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
Good appointment
BREAKING: Christian Turner, a career diplomat who was UK ambassador to UN and foreign office political director, will be the UK's new man in Washington, taking over from Peter Mandelson, sources confirm.
December 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Good appointment
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
So: Trump has finally filed a law suit against the BBC.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
December 16, 2025 at 7:37 AM
So: Trump has finally filed a law suit against the BBC.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
New reports say he filed the suit in Florida yesterday.
Am going to have a look at this and will post more later.
Reposted by Mel of the Valley
In a fitting tribute, Trump turns his inanity up to eleven.
December 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
In a fitting tribute, Trump turns his inanity up to eleven.