rlonstein
@rlonstein.bsky.social
A technology drone in the hive mind. Tinkerer, motorcyclist, bicyclist. Armchair something or other.
Reposted by rlonstein
The actual "worse than watergate" scandal is how much news media collectively worked to ratfuck a Democratic presidency by largely inventing health/mental acuity concerns for hyperventilate about while largely ignoring the very real & worsening issues in front of their faces from Trump
November 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The actual "worse than watergate" scandal is how much news media collectively worked to ratfuck a Democratic presidency by largely inventing health/mental acuity concerns for hyperventilate about while largely ignoring the very real & worsening issues in front of their faces from Trump
Reposted by rlonstein
I said a few days ago that RFK Jr. was advancing a stealth campaign to ban vaccination in the US.
That campaign is accelerating, & it ain't that stealthy.
I'll have more to say about this soon, but for now, just take this in: the US under RFK Jr.'s reign of error is about to kill a lot of kids. 1/
That campaign is accelerating, & it ain't that stealthy.
I'll have more to say about this soon, but for now, just take this in: the US under RFK Jr.'s reign of error is about to kill a lot of kids. 1/
Experts say strict new FDA protocol for vaccine approval is ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
Lead FDA vaccine regulator announced new approval process after claiming Covid vaccine had killed 10 children
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I said a few days ago that RFK Jr. was advancing a stealth campaign to ban vaccination in the US.
That campaign is accelerating, & it ain't that stealthy.
I'll have more to say about this soon, but for now, just take this in: the US under RFK Jr.'s reign of error is about to kill a lot of kids. 1/
That campaign is accelerating, & it ain't that stealthy.
I'll have more to say about this soon, but for now, just take this in: the US under RFK Jr.'s reign of error is about to kill a lot of kids. 1/
Reposted by rlonstein
In recent years, Facebook has been flooded with AI-generated images of houses posted by spammy content farm pages. Many of these pages are run by Vacarino LLC, allegedly based in Oklahoma City. Further digging, however, indicates the LLC owner is based in Kosovo. www.conspirator0.com/p/this-barnd...
This barndominium does not exist, part V
None of these houses are real, and Oklahoma City is not in Kosovo
www.conspirator0.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:22 PM
In recent years, Facebook has been flooded with AI-generated images of houses posted by spammy content farm pages. Many of these pages are run by Vacarino LLC, allegedly based in Oklahoma City. Further digging, however, indicates the LLC owner is based in Kosovo. www.conspirator0.com/p/this-barnd...
Reposted by rlonstein
Part 2 of my deep dive into AltNPS. We look at the phenomena and full shady history of AltNPS accounts as a whole, some of the more problematic fallout of unchecked idolatry, and the dangers of misinformation in fandoms. And maybe finally answer, "Who is AltNPS?" (Credit in 🧵)
youtu.be/ZKvsoHqvJbc
youtu.be/ZKvsoHqvJbc
Who is AltNPS? (Part Two)
YouTube video by Aden Ng
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Part 2 of my deep dive into AltNPS. We look at the phenomena and full shady history of AltNPS accounts as a whole, some of the more problematic fallout of unchecked idolatry, and the dangers of misinformation in fandoms. And maybe finally answer, "Who is AltNPS?" (Credit in 🧵)
youtu.be/ZKvsoHqvJbc
youtu.be/ZKvsoHqvJbc
Reposted by rlonstein
When I lived in Minneapolis in 2020, @guru-merc.bsky.social was an incredible source of on-the-ground reporting in the wake of George Floyd's murder. I really respect the guy, and it's a shame to see him get ripped off so blatantly by AltNPS.
![Alt National Park Service: Amazing turnout in DC today! [There is a photo of a rally in Washington, DC, featuring signs saying "IMPEACH, CONVICT"]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7f5fdeb4ci3lefmt4zr3m3wg/bafkreicytwpmnhclnve7ne3inhbdxphizrtki3boucoyo23r75h55opq5a@jpeg)
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
When I lived in Minneapolis in 2020, @guru-merc.bsky.social was an incredible source of on-the-ground reporting in the wake of George Floyd's murder. I really respect the guy, and it's a shame to see him get ripped off so blatantly by AltNPS.
Reposted by rlonstein
Read the full story here: www.propublica.org/article/kris...
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rule...
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Read the full story here: www.propublica.org/article/kris...
Valve, what were you thinking?
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Valve, what were you thinking?
Reposted by rlonstein
While AI companies are allowed to slurp everything they want, Quad9 warns that legal fees are drowning DNS resolvers, which are now being targeted by copyright owners to enforce blocks on piracy sites
quad9.net/news/blog/wh...
quad9.net/news/blog/wh...
Quad9 | A public and free DNS service for a better security and privacy
A public and free DNS service for a better security and privacy
quad9.net
November 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM
While AI companies are allowed to slurp everything they want, Quad9 warns that legal fees are drowning DNS resolvers, which are now being targeted by copyright owners to enforce blocks on piracy sites
quad9.net/news/blog/wh...
quad9.net/news/blog/wh...
Reposted by rlonstein
just saying if one of the 8 folding Dems wants they can use this as an excuse to change their mind and not give Trump exactly what he wants
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 10:42 PM
just saying if one of the 8 folding Dems wants they can use this as an excuse to change their mind and not give Trump exactly what he wants
Reposted by rlonstein
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 10, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
Reposted by rlonstein
Not the main point here (that’s the craven cowardice in the face of lawless authoritarianism & being totally wrong here), but it is worth mentioning, since everyone is going to rail at “The Democrats,” that Angus King left the Democratic Party…32 years ago & continues not to be a member of it.
November 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Not the main point here (that’s the craven cowardice in the face of lawless authoritarianism & being totally wrong here), but it is worth mentioning, since everyone is going to rail at “The Democrats,” that Angus King left the Democratic Party…32 years ago & continues not to be a member of it.
Reposted by rlonstein
Reposted by rlonstein
40 days for what? Why cave now? Why these particular Dem Senators? *Looks at map of cities most impacted by flight cancellations.* Ah...
Schumer (NY) 🛫
Booker (NJ) 🛫
King (ME)
Hassan (NH)
Durbin (IL) 🛫
Ossoff (GA) 🛫
Shaheen (NH)
Gillibrand (NY) 🛫
Masto (NV)
Warner (VA) 🛫
Schumer (NY) 🛫
Booker (NJ) 🛫
King (ME)
Hassan (NH)
Durbin (IL) 🛫
Ossoff (GA) 🛫
Shaheen (NH)
Gillibrand (NY) 🛫
Masto (NV)
Warner (VA) 🛫
November 10, 2025 at 12:46 AM
40 days for what? Why cave now? Why these particular Dem Senators? *Looks at map of cities most impacted by flight cancellations.* Ah...
Schumer (NY) 🛫
Booker (NJ) 🛫
King (ME)
Hassan (NH)
Durbin (IL) 🛫
Ossoff (GA) 🛫
Shaheen (NH)
Gillibrand (NY) 🛫
Masto (NV)
Warner (VA) 🛫
Schumer (NY) 🛫
Booker (NJ) 🛫
King (ME)
Hassan (NH)
Durbin (IL) 🛫
Ossoff (GA) 🛫
Shaheen (NH)
Gillibrand (NY) 🛫
Masto (NV)
Warner (VA) 🛫
Reposted by rlonstein
Reposted by rlonstein
UPDATE: I have no clue whether this will actually happen or not, but it's still a good idea to CALL BOTH OF YOUR SENATORS and ask them to hold the line.
5calls.org/issue/federa...
5calls.org/issue/federa...
Demand a Strong Deal to End the Government Shutdown ⭑ 5 Calls
The federal government shutdown is now the longest running shutdown in U.S. history. The House has remained out of session for its entirety, at the …
5calls.org
November 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
UPDATE: I have no clue whether this will actually happen or not, but it's still a good idea to CALL BOTH OF YOUR SENATORS and ask them to hold the line.
5calls.org/issue/federa...
5calls.org/issue/federa...
Reposted by rlonstein
Heh. I've had this discussion a dozen times and the working theory many of us have is "this site is so freaking useful to so many people that no one wants to go out of their way to call extra attention to it."
tbh I'm a little surprised the archive[.]whatever paywall circumvention sites haven't received any attention before this www.404media.co/fbi-tries-to...
FBI Tries to Unmask Owner of Infamous Archive.is Site
The FBI has subpoenaed the domain registrar of archive.today, demanding information about the owner.
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Heh. I've had this discussion a dozen times and the working theory many of us have is "this site is so freaking useful to so many people that no one wants to go out of their way to call extra attention to it."
Reposted by rlonstein
Plenty to be thankful for tonight, not least the public humiliation of the oligarchs.
November 5, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Plenty to be thankful for tonight, not least the public humiliation of the oligarchs.
Reposted by rlonstein
But *fundamentally* Big Boy War is won with spreadsheets, it is won with production, it is won with research and development.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
November 2, 2025 at 7:24 PM
But *fundamentally* Big Boy War is won with spreadsheets, it is won with production, it is won with research and development.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
Troop training and fitness matter, but on the margins. In WWII, we buried the better men in steel; the USSR buried them in just more men.
Spreadsheets win wars.
Reposted by rlonstein
Shutdown is very uncomplicated. Trump & Republicans will starve 42 million Americans unless Democrats agree to kick 20+ million Americans off of any healthcare insurance. Kicker is that Republicans intend to do both, regardless of what Democrats choose to do at this particular hostage situation.
November 2, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Shutdown is very uncomplicated. Trump & Republicans will starve 42 million Americans unless Democrats agree to kick 20+ million Americans off of any healthcare insurance. Kicker is that Republicans intend to do both, regardless of what Democrats choose to do at this particular hostage situation.
Reposted by rlonstein
Here’s my my pitch for why you care about your state attorney general.
The entire conservative judicial machine *depends* on conservative state attorney generals.
John Roberts can’t take a case asking to destroy voting rights if a state attorney generals doesn’t bring it.
The entire conservative judicial machine *depends* on conservative state attorney generals.
John Roberts can’t take a case asking to destroy voting rights if a state attorney generals doesn’t bring it.
November 2, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Here’s my my pitch for why you care about your state attorney general.
The entire conservative judicial machine *depends* on conservative state attorney generals.
John Roberts can’t take a case asking to destroy voting rights if a state attorney generals doesn’t bring it.
The entire conservative judicial machine *depends* on conservative state attorney generals.
John Roberts can’t take a case asking to destroy voting rights if a state attorney generals doesn’t bring it.
Reposted by rlonstein
I’m still shocked that stories like this which come out daily still get largely ignored. The most corrupt person to ever hold any public office in US history. I will keep posting them every day and try to amplify them, even when most media doesn’t care. www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
October 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I’m still shocked that stories like this which come out daily still get largely ignored. The most corrupt person to ever hold any public office in US history. I will keep posting them every day and try to amplify them, even when most media doesn’t care. www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
Reposted by rlonstein
"I guess it's true for the would-be dictator to say we hate America—if we mean the Republican version of America, the one rapidly sprinting back past the era of Jim Crow and toward the engines of genocide and profit of antebellum Southern plantations."
www.the-reframe.com/america-hate...
www.the-reframe.com/america-hate...
America Haters
No Kings was a week ago. What did it mean?
www.the-reframe.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:29 PM
"I guess it's true for the would-be dictator to say we hate America—if we mean the Republican version of America, the one rapidly sprinting back past the era of Jim Crow and toward the engines of genocide and profit of antebellum Southern plantations."
www.the-reframe.com/america-hate...
www.the-reframe.com/america-hate...
Reposted by rlonstein
BREAKING:
Jack Smith is requesting that Congress and the Justice Dept. let him testify in public.
In new letters to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, Smith says he wants to testify "in open hearings" because of "the many mischaracterizations" around his investigations.
Jack Smith is requesting that Congress and the Justice Dept. let him testify in public.
In new letters to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, Smith says he wants to testify "in open hearings" because of "the many mischaracterizations" around his investigations.
October 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
BREAKING:
Jack Smith is requesting that Congress and the Justice Dept. let him testify in public.
In new letters to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, Smith says he wants to testify "in open hearings" because of "the many mischaracterizations" around his investigations.
Jack Smith is requesting that Congress and the Justice Dept. let him testify in public.
In new letters to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, Smith says he wants to testify "in open hearings" because of "the many mischaracterizations" around his investigations.
Reposted by rlonstein
I guess where I’m landing is less “oh no he’s a Nazi” and more “I just went through this shit with Fetterman and Sinema and a six year term is too long for me to take on faith that your Nazi tattoo was the accident but what you’re saying now is the truth.”
October 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I guess where I’m landing is less “oh no he’s a Nazi” and more “I just went through this shit with Fetterman and Sinema and a six year term is too long for me to take on faith that your Nazi tattoo was the accident but what you’re saying now is the truth.”