Michael Oberg
@michaeloberg.bsky.social
Ex research faculty in High Performance Scientific Computing in bioinformatics and climate. Now run a nonprofit in renewable energy.
Pinned
Reposted by Michael Oberg
NEW: The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans.
We found that Trump once did the very thing he claimed could be a crime.
We found that Trump once did the very thing he claimed could be a crime.
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans. We found Trump once did the very thing he called “deceitful and potentially criminal.”
www.propublica.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans.
We found that Trump once did the very thing he claimed could be a crime.
We found that Trump once did the very thing he claimed could be a crime.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
December 7, 2025 at 5:17 PM
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
Reposted by Michael Oberg
We’re hearing reports that ICE detained a U.S. citizen for 24 hours here in the Twin Cities.
To be clear: Detaining law abiding citizens is unconstitutional. And rounding people up because of the color of their skin is disgusting.
To be clear: Detaining law abiding citizens is unconstitutional. And rounding people up because of the color of their skin is disgusting.
December 8, 2025 at 2:47 AM
We’re hearing reports that ICE detained a U.S. citizen for 24 hours here in the Twin Cities.
To be clear: Detaining law abiding citizens is unconstitutional. And rounding people up because of the color of their skin is disgusting.
To be clear: Detaining law abiding citizens is unconstitutional. And rounding people up because of the color of their skin is disgusting.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
The death rate among children under 5 is expected to grow this year for the first time in the 21st century, researchers say. A key factor, they say, is cuts to U.S. and other foreign aid
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Child deaths under 5 believed to be rising for first time in decades
Cuts to development aid from several countries is a key factor, researchers said.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The death rate among children under 5 is expected to grow this year for the first time in the 21st century, researchers say. A key factor, they say, is cuts to U.S. and other foreign aid
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Reposted by Michael Oberg
DOGE, the gift that keeps on giving dead children.
The death rate among children under 5 is expected to grow this year for the first time in the 21st century, researchers say. A key factor, they say, is cuts to U.S. and other foreign aid
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Child deaths under 5 believed to be rising for first time in decades
Cuts to development aid from several countries is a key factor, researchers said.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:36 AM
DOGE, the gift that keeps on giving dead children.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
A study on 1.7 million people in Hong Kong shows superior hybrid immunity to Covid in people who got vaccinated before infection vs. people who got infected first. "Our findings are a direct rebuttal to arguments for natural immunity," the authors write. doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
Redirecting
doi.org
December 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A study on 1.7 million people in Hong Kong shows superior hybrid immunity to Covid in people who got vaccinated before infection vs. people who got infected first. "Our findings are a direct rebuttal to arguments for natural immunity," the authors write. doi.org/10.1016/j.va...
Reposted by Michael Oberg
During ratification of the 14th Amendment, senators discussed whether the Citizenship Clause would apply to the children of immigrants and resoundingly concluded that it did. The text and history all point in one direction and the counter-arguments are patently fraudulent. I am going to lose my mind
The evidence is the text. All you have to do is read the Constitution.
December 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
During ratification of the 14th Amendment, senators discussed whether the Citizenship Clause would apply to the children of immigrants and resoundingly concluded that it did. The text and history all point in one direction and the counter-arguments are patently fraudulent. I am going to lose my mind
Reposted by Michael Oberg
There has been no debate here among constitutional scholars, historians, political scientists, anyone with a pulse really.
Any telling you that this very straightforward point, one that has been universally accepted for a century and a half, is now an "abstruse" issue is just a liar and a hack.
Any telling you that this very straightforward point, one that has been universally accepted for a century and a half, is now an "abstruse" issue is just a liar and a hack.
Anyone who knows this history should know there’s no contested issue.
December 7, 2025 at 12:50 AM
There has been no debate here among constitutional scholars, historians, political scientists, anyone with a pulse really.
Any telling you that this very straightforward point, one that has been universally accepted for a century and a half, is now an "abstruse" issue is just a liar and a hack.
Any telling you that this very straightforward point, one that has been universally accepted for a century and a half, is now an "abstruse" issue is just a liar and a hack.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
If you've ever been to a naturalization ceremony, you know they're filled with people whose palpable love of this country is twenty times stronger than the pinched "patriotism" of any native-born MAGA chud.
Just unspeakable assholery.
Just unspeakable assholery.
December 7, 2025 at 12:45 AM
If you've ever been to a naturalization ceremony, you know they're filled with people whose palpable love of this country is twenty times stronger than the pinched "patriotism" of any native-born MAGA chud.
Just unspeakable assholery.
Just unspeakable assholery.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
Zero tolerance for doomerism. Stop lazily accepting that everything is screwed forever. Stop normalising low expectations. That’s part of the problem & it’s what the bastards want. It’s also a product of privilege. People in more desperate situations don’t have the option to just sit back & shrug.
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Zero tolerance for doomerism. Stop lazily accepting that everything is screwed forever. Stop normalising low expectations. That’s part of the problem & it’s what the bastards want. It’s also a product of privilege. People in more desperate situations don’t have the option to just sit back & shrug.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
A fun fact is that the guillotine was originally invented as a, you might say, "woke" reaction to gruesome execution methods by the masculine leadership of the Valois and Bourbon kings of France
A Palantir billionaire just called for public hangings.
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
Joe Lonsdale Calls For Public Hangings
Silicon Valley radicalization escalates
www.thenerdreich.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:40 PM
A fun fact is that the guillotine was originally invented as a, you might say, "woke" reaction to gruesome execution methods by the masculine leadership of the Valois and Bourbon kings of France
Reposted by Michael Oberg
Madiba K. Dennie at Balls & Strikes:
"Abbott v. League of United Latin American Citizens is the Supreme Court’s latest rejection of a district court’s comprehensive fact-finding and analysis, without so much as full briefing or oral argument..."
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/texas...
"Abbott v. League of United Latin American Citizens is the Supreme Court’s latest rejection of a district court’s comprehensive fact-finding and analysis, without so much as full briefing or oral argument..."
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/texas...
The Supreme Court Wants Republicans to Keep the House In 2026
A federal district court found that Texas Republicans’ redistricting proposal is an illegal racial gerrymander. The conservative justices couldn't care less.
ballsandstrikes.org
December 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Madiba K. Dennie at Balls & Strikes:
"Abbott v. League of United Latin American Citizens is the Supreme Court’s latest rejection of a district court’s comprehensive fact-finding and analysis, without so much as full briefing or oral argument..."
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/texas...
"Abbott v. League of United Latin American Citizens is the Supreme Court’s latest rejection of a district court’s comprehensive fact-finding and analysis, without so much as full briefing or oral argument..."
ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/texas...
Reposted by Michael Oberg
Every legal story now is either
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
October 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Every legal story now is either
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach
or
In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
Reposted by Michael Oberg
at a certain point we will move beyond the "war crimes" debate, since there is no war, and into a "murder" debate that asks not just whether these are individual murders but whether they are widespread & systematic attacks on civilians and thus constitute crimes against humanity.
Excellent reporting from @charliesavage.bsky.social and @julianbarnes.bsky.social starting with the "plain reality" that there was no warship, and no fighting going on, in the Sept. 2 strike, or any of them:
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
1/2
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
1/2
December 6, 2025 at 12:07 AM
at a certain point we will move beyond the "war crimes" debate, since there is no war, and into a "murder" debate that asks not just whether these are individual murders but whether they are widespread & systematic attacks on civilians and thus constitute crimes against humanity.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
It really is amazing that the president has a noticeable an unexplained physical ailment that is disfiguring his right hand and there's no reporting about it. The White House's line is that it's from Trump shaking too many hands! Something is clearly being covered up.
December 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
It really is amazing that the president has a noticeable an unexplained physical ailment that is disfiguring his right hand and there's no reporting about it. The White House's line is that it's from Trump shaking too many hands! Something is clearly being covered up.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
NEW info on shipwreck attack. It gets worse.
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
December 5, 2025 at 7:50 PM
NEW info on shipwreck attack. It gets worse.
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
The 2 survivors climbed atop wreckage and waved to overhead.
"Some of the people viewing the video thought ... could have been an attempt to surrender"
Others "said the most logical explanation was ... signaling for a rescue."
1/
Reposted by Michael Oberg
They’re killing people as a twitter joke. It’s depraved. Can’t let yourself lose the capacity to be appalled and disgusted and outraged by this.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces another boat strike in response to a request/wish from Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet.
December 5, 2025 at 2:28 AM
They’re killing people as a twitter joke. It’s depraved. Can’t let yourself lose the capacity to be appalled and disgusted and outraged by this.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
This is the story tonight. Every Dem who was in that room should be telling us what they saw.
Himes: "What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service ... any American who sees the video that I saw will see the US military attacking shipwrecked sailors."
December 4, 2025 at 10:37 PM
This is the story tonight. Every Dem who was in that room should be telling us what they saw.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
That's the part that sticks with me.
This isn't some Tom Clancy novel where they do war crimes because it's the only way they can get at the evil terrorist criminal mastermind or something.
Even if we believe them -- and, ha ha, no! -- they murdered low level drug runners. That's it!
This isn't some Tom Clancy novel where they do war crimes because it's the only way they can get at the evil terrorist criminal mastermind or something.
Even if we believe them -- and, ha ha, no! -- they murdered low level drug runners. That's it!
this is just murder, and pointless murder at that.
December 5, 2025 at 1:02 AM
That's the part that sticks with me.
This isn't some Tom Clancy novel where they do war crimes because it's the only way they can get at the evil terrorist criminal mastermind or something.
Even if we believe them -- and, ha ha, no! -- they murdered low level drug runners. That's it!
This isn't some Tom Clancy novel where they do war crimes because it's the only way they can get at the evil terrorist criminal mastermind or something.
Even if we believe them -- and, ha ha, no! -- they murdered low level drug runners. That's it!
Reposted by Michael Oberg
They're not even trying to appear nonpartisan anymore.
December 4, 2025 at 11:05 PM
They're not even trying to appear nonpartisan anymore.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
Agree with this thread. Worth reading in full.
25 years ago John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and AC Barrett all worked on GWBush's 2000 Florida recount team. What they're doing now is, if anything, more nakedly partisan.
Fire-breathing dissent by Kagan, with Sotomayor and Jackson.
25 years ago John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and AC Barrett all worked on GWBush's 2000 Florida recount team. What they're doing now is, if anything, more nakedly partisan.
Fire-breathing dissent by Kagan, with Sotomayor and Jackson.
They're not even trying to appear nonpartisan anymore.
December 4, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Agree with this thread. Worth reading in full.
25 years ago John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and AC Barrett all worked on GWBush's 2000 Florida recount team. What they're doing now is, if anything, more nakedly partisan.
Fire-breathing dissent by Kagan, with Sotomayor and Jackson.
25 years ago John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and AC Barrett all worked on GWBush's 2000 Florida recount team. What they're doing now is, if anything, more nakedly partisan.
Fire-breathing dissent by Kagan, with Sotomayor and Jackson.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
"Does this feel like or look like a well-run competent administration? It took them 10 months to discover that the United States doesn't grow bananas and that therefore if we tariff bananas that that's not going to bring banana factories on shore."
December 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
"Does this feel like or look like a well-run competent administration? It took them 10 months to discover that the United States doesn't grow bananas and that therefore if we tariff bananas that that's not going to bring banana factories on shore."
Reposted by Michael Oberg
Nobody involved in this should draw a free breath for the rest of their lives
December 5, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Nobody involved in this should draw a free breath for the rest of their lives
Reposted by Michael Oberg
It's good—very good, and very important—that district courts keep issuing these 100-page rulings upholding the law. It must be incredibly dispiriting to see them overturned in a two-page, lawless, unsigned order, but please, keep them coming. They expose SCOTUS' corruption like nothing else.
December 5, 2025 at 12:41 AM
It's good—very good, and very important—that district courts keep issuing these 100-page rulings upholding the law. It must be incredibly dispiriting to see them overturned in a two-page, lawless, unsigned order, but please, keep them coming. They expose SCOTUS' corruption like nothing else.
Reposted by Michael Oberg
whether hegseth gets away with it remains to be seen but it is interesting to see that he thought trump handed him a license to murder with this job, no questions asked, and now questions are definitely being asked.
December 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
whether hegseth gets away with it remains to be seen but it is interesting to see that he thought trump handed him a license to murder with this job, no questions asked, and now questions are definitely being asked.