Mary F. Kesson
@mfkesson.bsky.social
"I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward . . . "
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Grading and googling hallucinated citations, as one does nowadays, and now that LLMs have been around for a while, I've discovered new horrors: hallucinated journals are now appearing in Google Scholar with dozens of citations bc so many people are citing these fake things
December 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Grading and googling hallucinated citations, as one does nowadays, and now that LLMs have been around for a while, I've discovered new horrors: hallucinated journals are now appearing in Google Scholar with dozens of citations bc so many people are citing these fake things
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
When Rob Reiner was on his all-time epic run at the start of his career, he had an opportunity to read a script that was looking for a production partner, and he lost his mind for it. He decided Castle Rock had to have it, no matter what.
December 15, 2025 at 7:37 AM
When Rob Reiner was on his all-time epic run at the start of his career, he had an opportunity to read a script that was looking for a production partner, and he lost his mind for it. He decided Castle Rock had to have it, no matter what.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
To give you a sense of how big a departure this year, the government doesn't do this for wanted criminals.
SCOOP: The Trump administration is providing the names of all travelers passing through U.S. airports to immigration officials in search of people with deportation orders, a substantial expansion of government efforts to draw on data to hunt down immigrants.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Immigration Agents Are Using Air Passenger Data for Deportation Effort
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 11:19 PM
To give you a sense of how big a departure this year, the government doesn't do this for wanted criminals.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
When I was a department chair, I leared that only 22 percent of the Navy's admirals had gone to NWC.
The other services - who all regarded us as the best - made their students *compete* to get in to NWC. The Navy fought us constantly, on the belief that education is a waste of time.
The other services - who all regarded us as the best - made their students *compete* to get in to NWC. The Navy fought us constantly, on the belief that education is a waste of time.
I’m surprised someone can get to flag rank without attending the NWC.
December 7, 2025 at 2:03 AM
When I was a department chair, I leared that only 22 percent of the Navy's admirals had gone to NWC.
The other services - who all regarded us as the best - made their students *compete* to get in to NWC. The Navy fought us constantly, on the belief that education is a waste of time.
The other services - who all regarded us as the best - made their students *compete* to get in to NWC. The Navy fought us constantly, on the belief that education is a waste of time.
More than a few Tidewater detractors would think this was the hard-hitting piece they’ve been waiting for.
"When you’re going to a concert or a sporting event, you’re worried about one thing: Will the stadium have an endless parking lot packed with thousands and thousands of cars, making entry and exit a living nightmare?" www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/don...
Don’t Worry, Our New Stadium Will Have an Endless, Gigantic Parking Lot
When you’re going to a concert or a sporting event, you’re worried about one thing: Will the stadium have an endless parking lot packed with thousa...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 4, 2025 at 12:46 AM
More than a few Tidewater detractors would think this was the hard-hitting piece they’ve been waiting for.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Senator Kelly is correct.
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
November 30, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Senator Kelly is correct.
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
I've watched countless videos now of confrontations between DHS agents and ICE observers, and it's awesome how many are women recording, challenging male agents, refusing to give up their rights. I'd say the number of women involved in documenting ICE crimes outnumber men three to one or more.
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
I've watched countless videos now of confrontations between DHS agents and ICE observers, and it's awesome how many are women recording, challenging male agents, refusing to give up their rights. I'd say the number of women involved in documenting ICE crimes outnumber men three to one or more.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
WOW! Autism Society of America, The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the Autism Science Foundation, the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and Autism Speaks put out a statement denouncing the CDC changing its website on vaccines
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
Leading Autism and Disability Organizations Statement on CDC's Vaccines and Autism Page
As national organizations dedicated to advancing the well-being of autistic individuals and partners across the disability and public health sectors, we are deeply disappointed by the latest update to...
autisticadvocacy.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:18 PM
WOW! Autism Society of America, The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, the Autism Science Foundation, the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and Autism Speaks put out a statement denouncing the CDC changing its website on vaccines
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
autisticadvocacy.org/2025/11/lead...
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Stunning development: Senators now confirm the Trump admin’s 28-point “peace plan” for Ukraine wasn’t a U.S. plan at all. It was a Russian wish list. Follow along. This is crazy. 1/
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Stunning development: Senators now confirm the Trump admin’s 28-point “peace plan” for Ukraine wasn’t a U.S. plan at all. It was a Russian wish list. Follow along. This is crazy. 1/
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
By request, here's a thread of books that I think make excellent gifts this holiday season (obviously they're cartographically inclined, you know me)
1. Best anthology
"All Over the Map" by Betsy Mason and Greg Miller
A gorgeous, full color history of maps mind-bending maps from around the world.
1. Best anthology
"All Over the Map" by Betsy Mason and Greg Miller
A gorgeous, full color history of maps mind-bending maps from around the world.
November 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
By request, here's a thread of books that I think make excellent gifts this holiday season (obviously they're cartographically inclined, you know me)
1. Best anthology
"All Over the Map" by Betsy Mason and Greg Miller
A gorgeous, full color history of maps mind-bending maps from around the world.
1. Best anthology
"All Over the Map" by Betsy Mason and Greg Miller
A gorgeous, full color history of maps mind-bending maps from around the world.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
8675309 is prime, and so is 8675311, so if you ever need a middlin'-large pair of adjacent primes to test your cryptographic suite, all you need is a 1980s earworm and a +2 and you're all set.
Man, everything is so bleak, anyone got a fun fact or little bit of trivia they want to share
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 AM
8675309 is prime, and so is 8675311, so if you ever need a middlin'-large pair of adjacent primes to test your cryptographic suite, all you need is a 1980s earworm and a +2 and you're all set.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Superior Court intern mistakenly targeted by ICE in PVD today, per RI Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Suttell
November 20, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Superior Court intern mistakenly targeted by ICE in PVD today, per RI Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Suttell
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
holy shit mike johnson is SHOOK on Epstein vote in Senate
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 AM
holy shit mike johnson is SHOOK on Epstein vote in Senate
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Melissa Tran came here on a Green Card at age 11.
She's since raised 4 kids, started a business, & is a beloved member of the Hagerstown community.
Trump is deporting her, despite a judge saying she poses no threat.
Is she the "worst of the worst"? Do you feel safer yet?
She's since raised 4 kids, started a business, & is a beloved member of the Hagerstown community.
Trump is deporting her, despite a judge saying she poses no threat.
Is she the "worst of the worst"? Do you feel safer yet?
Hagerstown mother and nail salon owner set for deportation to Vietnam
Melissa Tran’s six-month legal battle has highlighted the impacts of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign on longtime residents and their families.
www.thebanner.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Melissa Tran came here on a Green Card at age 11.
She's since raised 4 kids, started a business, & is a beloved member of the Hagerstown community.
Trump is deporting her, despite a judge saying she poses no threat.
Is she the "worst of the worst"? Do you feel safer yet?
She's since raised 4 kids, started a business, & is a beloved member of the Hagerstown community.
Trump is deporting her, despite a judge saying she poses no threat.
Is she the "worst of the worst"? Do you feel safer yet?
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
One of the most upsetting articles I've read in a long time www.theargumentmag.com/p/when-grade...
UCSD report senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347...
We are failing a generation of kids.
UCSD report senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347...
We are failing a generation of kids.
When grades stop meaning anything
The UC San Diego math scandal is a warning
www.theargumentmag.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
One of the most upsetting articles I've read in a long time www.theargumentmag.com/p/when-grade...
UCSD report senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347...
We are failing a generation of kids.
UCSD report senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347...
We are failing a generation of kids.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Agents rappelled from a Black Hawk helicopter in a massive show of force. Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building.
But after the cameras were gone, federal prosecutors did not charge anyone.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social & @blockclubchi.bsky.social
But after the cameras were gone, federal prosecutors did not charge anyone.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social & @blockclubchi.bsky.social
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 16, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Agents rappelled from a Black Hawk helicopter in a massive show of force. Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building.
But after the cameras were gone, federal prosecutors did not charge anyone.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social & @blockclubchi.bsky.social
But after the cameras were gone, federal prosecutors did not charge anyone.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social & @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Q: "Why are White House officials…meeting with Rep. Boebert in an effort to try to get her to not sign this petition calling for the release of the [Epstein] files?"
Leavitt: "I'm not going to detail conversations that took place in the situation room."
Leavitt: "I'm not going to detail conversations that took place in the situation room."
November 12, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Q: "Why are White House officials…meeting with Rep. Boebert in an effort to try to get her to not sign this petition calling for the release of the [Epstein] files?"
Leavitt: "I'm not going to detail conversations that took place in the situation room."
Leavitt: "I'm not going to detail conversations that took place in the situation room."
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
November 11, 2025 at 1:50 AM
In the century leading up to 1975, nearly 6000 freighters went down in the Great Lakes.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last.
The last. In 50 years, not a single commercial freighter has been lost in the Great Lakes.
Why?
It's NOAA. Of course it's NOAA.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue Over Jack Smith Searches
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
Six people died from tampered Tylenol and the company pulled 30 million bottles off the market. ChatGPT is accused of urging seven people towards suicide, and OpenAI just assures us they’re still working out the kinks. Billions in investment, zero accountability.
OpenAI faces 7 lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide, delusions
OpenAI is facing seven lawsuits claiming ChatGPT drove people to suicide and harmful delusions even when they had no prior mental health issues.
apnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Six people died from tampered Tylenol and the company pulled 30 million bottles off the market. ChatGPT is accused of urging seven people towards suicide, and OpenAI just assures us they’re still working out the kinks. Billions in investment, zero accountability.
Reposted by Mary F. Kesson
"If Norman Rockwell were alive today, he would be devastated to see ... that his own work has been marshalled for the cause of persecution toward immigrant communities and people of color," writes the family of late artist Norman Rockwell. bit.ly/47P4SQz
November 7, 2025 at 12:15 AM
"If Norman Rockwell were alive today, he would be devastated to see ... that his own work has been marshalled for the cause of persecution toward immigrant communities and people of color," writes the family of late artist Norman Rockwell. bit.ly/47P4SQz