Ben Plume
@pittbaster.bsky.social
I like nature, sci-fi, books, and being Dad. Live in the Maryland DC suburbs with a pretty cool spouse. Admittedly tired.
Reposted by Ben Plume
The networks were afraid not to run Trump because they assumed he would use his office to punish them if they didn’t. The irony is that this is what Biden was warning about, a warning they chose not to share with America.
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...
As Biden warned about democracy’s collapse, TV networks aired reruns
Broadcasters NBC, CBS and ABC usually air presidential prime-time addresses live. But they found Biden's Philadelphia speech more "political" than newsworthy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The networks were afraid not to run Trump because they assumed he would use his office to punish them if they didn’t. The irony is that this is what Biden was warning about, a warning they chose not to share with America.
Reposted by Ben Plume
The word gatekeepers here is really telling. Actual creatives know gatekeepers are the executives and publishers and techbros standing between you and your audience. Rando billionaires think people who are more creative than them are gatekeepers.
I have grown to believe that excessive wealth does something to your brain that is analogous to a serious head injury
December 18, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The word gatekeepers here is really telling. Actual creatives know gatekeepers are the executives and publishers and techbros standing between you and your audience. Rando billionaires think people who are more creative than them are gatekeepers.
Reposted by Ben Plume
A link between AI, buying media outlets, and the obsession over longevity is that we have people who are in existential crises because they have discovered the limits of limitless wealth.
December 18, 2025 at 12:50 PM
A link between AI, buying media outlets, and the obsession over longevity is that we have people who are in existential crises because they have discovered the limits of limitless wealth.
Reposted by Ben Plume
Yikes on bikes
1/ At bargaining yesterday, @propublica.org management said that they should have 100% discretion to replace workers with AI and would not commit to labeling future AI-generated content.
December 18, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Yikes on bikes
Reposted by Ben Plume
The insect apocalypse is upon us
Bees and butterflies could disappear forever
40% of world insects are in rapid decline and facing extinction due to Industrial Arg, habitat destruction, urbanization and mass use of deadly pesticides
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bees and butterflies could disappear forever
40% of world insects are in rapid decline and facing extinction due to Industrial Arg, habitat destruction, urbanization and mass use of deadly pesticides
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Half the tree of life’: ecologists’ horror as nature reserves are emptied of insects
A new point in history has been reached, entomologists say, as climate-led species’ collapse moves up the food chain even in supposedly protected regions free of pesticides
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:22 AM
The insect apocalypse is upon us
Bees and butterflies could disappear forever
40% of world insects are in rapid decline and facing extinction due to Industrial Arg, habitat destruction, urbanization and mass use of deadly pesticides
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Bees and butterflies could disappear forever
40% of world insects are in rapid decline and facing extinction due to Industrial Arg, habitat destruction, urbanization and mass use of deadly pesticides
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Ben Plume
Today about 80% of Americans grow sterile lawns, covering 40 million acres, that is a dead zone for birds and Bees
Americans could save disappearing Bees and birds if they simply let their gardens grow wild to feed pollinators and birds
therevelator.org/turning-lawn...
Americans could save disappearing Bees and birds if they simply let their gardens grow wild to feed pollinators and birds
therevelator.org/turning-lawn...
Going Beyond Grass: Turning Lawns Into a Pollinators’ Paradise • The Revelator
It’s time to rethink the American lawn: a landscaping default that sucks up money, water, chemicals, and time.
therevelator.org
December 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Today about 80% of Americans grow sterile lawns, covering 40 million acres, that is a dead zone for birds and Bees
Americans could save disappearing Bees and birds if they simply let their gardens grow wild to feed pollinators and birds
therevelator.org/turning-lawn...
Americans could save disappearing Bees and birds if they simply let their gardens grow wild to feed pollinators and birds
therevelator.org/turning-lawn...
Reposted by Ben Plume
This framing is dishonest. It was a bipartisan bill. Enough Republicans actually defected and voted no to kill the bill. Three Democrats crossed over to save it.
They should be stripped of their committee assignments and thrown out of the party, quite frankly.
They should be stripped of their committee assignments and thrown out of the party, quite frankly.
Today House Republicans voted 216-211 to pass MTG’s bill to criminalize gender-affirming care for minors nationwide, marking the first time a national ban on care for trans youth has reached — and passed — the House floor.
www.huffpost.com/entry/marjor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/marjor...
Marjorie Taylor Greene's Bill Punishing Doctors And Parents Clears House Floor
If passed, the bill would punish doctors and parents who provide or consent to a minor receiving gender-affirming care.
www.huffpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:55 AM
This framing is dishonest. It was a bipartisan bill. Enough Republicans actually defected and voted no to kill the bill. Three Democrats crossed over to save it.
They should be stripped of their committee assignments and thrown out of the party, quite frankly.
They should be stripped of their committee assignments and thrown out of the party, quite frankly.
Reposted by Ben Plume
Truly insane that the networks took this speech live after refusing to do the same for Biden in 2022
In a nationwide address that major US TV networks are carrying live, President Trump announces 1,450,000 military members will receive a "warrior dividend" of $1776 before Christmas.
December 18, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Truly insane that the networks took this speech live after refusing to do the same for Biden in 2022
Reposted by Ben Plume
The hypocrisy of the networks carrying this speech but turning down far more substantive speeches from Biden and Obama is off the charts.
There was zero news in this speech which merited primetime coverage by broadcasters. Absolutely zero.
There was zero news in this speech which merited primetime coverage by broadcasters. Absolutely zero.
December 18, 2025 at 2:27 AM
The hypocrisy of the networks carrying this speech but turning down far more substantive speeches from Biden and Obama is off the charts.
There was zero news in this speech which merited primetime coverage by broadcasters. Absolutely zero.
There was zero news in this speech which merited primetime coverage by broadcasters. Absolutely zero.
Reposted by Ben Plume
It seems awfully telling that Republicans were unwilling to hold this hearing publicly. It’s not like the case hinged on classified information; they’re just afraid of the public hearing what Smith has to say.
NEW: Jack Smith told lawmakers he developed "proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump engaged in a “criminal scheme” to overturn his election loss.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jack Smith tells Congress he could prove Trump engaged in a 'criminal scheme' to overturn 2020 election
Smith testified about his investigations into Trump during a closed-door hearing with members of the House Judiciary Committee.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:45 PM
It seems awfully telling that Republicans were unwilling to hold this hearing publicly. It’s not like the case hinged on classified information; they’re just afraid of the public hearing what Smith has to say.
Reposted by Ben Plume
Holy. Moley.
And I love the way he just calls him "man."
And I love the way he just calls him "man."
LUHAN: Is the FCC an independent agency?
CARR: I think th---
L: Yes or no
C: There's a test for this in the la---
L: It's yes or no, Brendan! On your website, it simply says, man, 'the FCC is independent.' This isn't a trick question
C: The FCC is not
L: So is your website lying?
C: Possibly
CARR: I think th---
L: Yes or no
C: There's a test for this in the la---
L: It's yes or no, Brendan! On your website, it simply says, man, 'the FCC is independent.' This isn't a trick question
C: The FCC is not
L: So is your website lying?
C: Possibly
December 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Holy. Moley.
And I love the way he just calls him "man."
And I love the way he just calls him "man."
Reposted by Ben Plume
DC statehood now.
DC Cir. will allow the continued deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. while the litigation continues.
Decision rests on idea that D.C. has no sovereignty (or federalism interest) of its own bc it is not a state.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Decision rests on idea that D.C. has no sovereignty (or federalism interest) of its own bc it is not a state.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![The District of Columbia, in contrast, is a federal district, not a sovereign State. From its inception, the District has been a creation of Congress. See U.S. CONST. Art. I, § 8, cl. 17 (vesting Congress with the power “[t]o exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District * * * as may * * * become the Seat of Government of the United States”). And not just a federal district, but also the Nation’s Capital—a jurisdiction in which Congress has distinctive power to provide for the defense of the operations and property of the federal government.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:24vva42nxim6zbcmnozegoef/bafkreiduu334jmbcannco2umj5xadaxgbhvpktvqbjjkdzdnwxnunung7y@jpeg)
December 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
DC statehood now.
Reposted by Ben Plume
"You will be haunted," resumed the Ghost, "by Three Spirits."
Scrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.
"So you and two others, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering voice.
"No. Three more."
"So four spirits" said Scrooge.
The ghost’s head dropped as it sighed. “Fuck’s sa
Scrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.
"So you and two others, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering voice.
"No. Three more."
"So four spirits" said Scrooge.
The ghost’s head dropped as it sighed. “Fuck’s sa
December 24, 2024 at 5:48 PM
"You will be haunted," resumed the Ghost, "by Three Spirits."
Scrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.
"So you and two others, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering voice.
"No. Three more."
"So four spirits" said Scrooge.
The ghost’s head dropped as it sighed. “Fuck’s sa
Scrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.
"So you and two others, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering voice.
"No. Three more."
"So four spirits" said Scrooge.
The ghost’s head dropped as it sighed. “Fuck’s sa
Reposted by Ben Plume
This is incredible. The company operating the scams is owned by Marc Andreessen who sits on the board of Meta. Ostensibly, the AI generated ad farm is violating Meta’s terms of service.
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
Hack Reveals the a16z-Backed Phone Farm Flooding TikTok With AI Influencers
A hacker gained control of a 1,100 mobile phone farm powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok.
www.404media.co
December 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
This is incredible. The company operating the scams is owned by Marc Andreessen who sits on the board of Meta. Ostensibly, the AI generated ad farm is violating Meta’s terms of service.
Reposted by Ben Plume
While the media chums it up with Greene, reminder that she has a bill going before the House today to make it a *federal crime* to provide or advocate for healthcare for trans youth.
Marjorie Taylor Greene: "What I'd like to see from the president is empathy for Americans. Donald Trump is a billionaire and he's the president. When he looks into a camera and says 'affordability is a hoax,' he's talking to Americans that are suffering and have been for many years now."
December 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
While the media chums it up with Greene, reminder that she has a bill going before the House today to make it a *federal crime* to provide or advocate for healthcare for trans youth.
I think the word for the reason starts with ‘r.’ Ends with -ism.
On that last post: I genuinely cannot think of any good-faith reason to bar international adoptions from those 39 countries. Under this new ban, consulates will refuse adoption visas for any baby from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nigeria, or any of the 39 other countries.
December 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I think the word for the reason starts with ‘r.’ Ends with -ism.
Reposted by Ben Plume
1/
Foreign clips are being imported to predict a US collapse supposedly tied to migration. The move skips local evidence & jumps straight to fear. Identity cues stitch Ireland, Brussels, & Australia onto US politics so distant events feel immediate. #DV1 #VoicesForVictory #ProudBlue 12/16/25 AM
Foreign clips are being imported to predict a US collapse supposedly tied to migration. The move skips local evidence & jumps straight to fear. Identity cues stitch Ireland, Brussels, & Australia onto US politics so distant events feel immediate. #DV1 #VoicesForVictory #ProudBlue 12/16/25 AM
December 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
1/
Foreign clips are being imported to predict a US collapse supposedly tied to migration. The move skips local evidence & jumps straight to fear. Identity cues stitch Ireland, Brussels, & Australia onto US politics so distant events feel immediate. #DV1 #VoicesForVictory #ProudBlue 12/16/25 AM
Foreign clips are being imported to predict a US collapse supposedly tied to migration. The move skips local evidence & jumps straight to fear. Identity cues stitch Ireland, Brussels, & Australia onto US politics so distant events feel immediate. #DV1 #VoicesForVictory #ProudBlue 12/16/25 AM
Reposted by Ben Plume
Would subscribe to a newsletter that’s just Stephen Miller’s family calling him out
Stephen Miller's cousin unloads on him:
“We’re Jewish—we grew up knowing how hated we were just for existing. Now he’s trying to take away the exact thing his own family benefited from: that ability to prosper, to build community, to live a rewarding life.”
newrepublic.com/article/2041...
“We’re Jewish—we grew up knowing how hated we were just for existing. Now he’s trying to take away the exact thing his own family benefited from: that ability to prosper, to build community, to live a rewarding life.”
newrepublic.com/article/2041...
December 16, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Would subscribe to a newsletter that’s just Stephen Miller’s family calling him out
Reposted by Ben Plume
Move fast, break the government, and starve people.
NEW: Without USAID funding to help buy food for refugees, the World Food Program rushed to prioritize families based on need, determining that only half the population would get food.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
Refugees learned which half they were in from a number stamped on the back of their ration card.
After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death
“Brutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.
www.propublica.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Move fast, break the government, and starve people.
Reposted by Ben Plume
The little orange bars on the right are what Trump is calling “the greatest economy in history.”
December 16, 2025 at 11:03 PM
The little orange bars on the right are what Trump is calling “the greatest economy in history.”
Reposted by Ben Plume
Here are posts from Donald Trump and Kamala Harris about the death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele
And an a observation, with thanks to the poet John Greenleaf Whittier
“of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: ‘It might have been”
And an a observation, with thanks to the poet John Greenleaf Whittier
“of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: ‘It might have been”
December 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Here are posts from Donald Trump and Kamala Harris about the death of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele
And an a observation, with thanks to the poet John Greenleaf Whittier
“of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: ‘It might have been”
And an a observation, with thanks to the poet John Greenleaf Whittier
“of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: ‘It might have been”
I think you mean “welcome to the age of entitled assholes who think their adult children have to do what they say.”
Welcome to the pissed-off parent pushback: After years of therapists and others encouraging adult children to cut ties with families they deem harmful or “toxic,” estranged parents are speaking out on.wsj.com/4s49U52
These Moms Are Done Being ‘Doormats’ for Their Estranged Children
Parents publicly blast their adult offspring for cutting them off, drawing tens of thousands of online followers.
on.wsj.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I think you mean “welcome to the age of entitled assholes who think their adult children have to do what they say.”
Reposted by Ben Plume
Reposted by Ben Plume
December 16, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Reposted by Ben Plume
This is either the prelude to the biggest US military mistake since Iraq, or Tuesday. I’m not trying to be glib. He’s not being strategically unpredictable. It’s just rantings that may harm untold numbers of innocent people. It’s deadly serious, which his posts are not.
POTUS announces a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers in an apparent attempt to extort Venezuela.
Real gunboat diplomacy.
Real gunboat diplomacy.
December 17, 2025 at 12:21 AM
This is either the prelude to the biggest US military mistake since Iraq, or Tuesday. I’m not trying to be glib. He’s not being strategically unpredictable. It’s just rantings that may harm untold numbers of innocent people. It’s deadly serious, which his posts are not.