R.
@rwillemann.bsky.social
Husband, dad, V Vet. All in all been pretty lucky. Profoundly dismayed by US's rapid decline. I'll not live to see the recovery. Even more sadly,
my grands are not likely to either
my grands are not likely to either
Reposted by R.
Propaganda works - this is also why conservative oligarchs are investing so much to purchase trusted media brands and convert them into propaganda outlets
Excellent piece from @gelliottmorris.com on how your news diet affects your politics and how you view the Trump Regime. Those with a heavy diet of conservative media view Trump favorably, while those with a diet of non-conservative media view him unfavorably.
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/what-your-...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/what-your-...
What your news diet says about your politics
Breaking down Trump's approval and 2026 midterms vote by Americans' primary news source
www.gelliottmorris.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Propaganda works - this is also why conservative oligarchs are investing so much to purchase trusted media brands and convert them into propaganda outlets
Reposted by R.
Imagine being Sen. Mark Kelly today.
A former astronaut, who spent 54 days in space for his country, a retired Navy pilot and combat Vet who flew 39 high-risk missions in battle, and whose retirement benefits are now being taken by a drunken frat boy like Pete Hegseth.
I stand with Mark Kelly.
A former astronaut, who spent 54 days in space for his country, a retired Navy pilot and combat Vet who flew 39 high-risk missions in battle, and whose retirement benefits are now being taken by a drunken frat boy like Pete Hegseth.
I stand with Mark Kelly.
January 5, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Imagine being Sen. Mark Kelly today.
A former astronaut, who spent 54 days in space for his country, a retired Navy pilot and combat Vet who flew 39 high-risk missions in battle, and whose retirement benefits are now being taken by a drunken frat boy like Pete Hegseth.
I stand with Mark Kelly.
A former astronaut, who spent 54 days in space for his country, a retired Navy pilot and combat Vet who flew 39 high-risk missions in battle, and whose retirement benefits are now being taken by a drunken frat boy like Pete Hegseth.
I stand with Mark Kelly.
Reposted by R.
The destruction doesn't make for a photo-op like tearing down the East Wing of the White House or bulldozing the Rose Garden, but it's every bit as bad. Generations of American children learned to spell and count, learned the Preamble to the Constitution, from watching shows produced by the CPB.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
The destruction doesn't make for a photo-op like tearing down the East Wing of the White House or bulldozing the Rose Garden, but it's every bit as bad. Generations of American children learned to spell and count, learned the Preamble to the Constitution, from watching shows produced by the CPB.
Reposted by R.
BREAKING
"US attack on Greenland would mean end of NATO"
- Mette Frederiksen, Danish PM
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
"US attack on Greenland would mean end of NATO"
- Mette Frederiksen, Danish PM
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
US attack on Greenland would mean end of Nato, says Danish PM
Mette Frederiksen criticises Donald Trump’s ‘unacceptable pressure’ as Greenland counterpart condemns ‘fantasies’
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:50 PM
BREAKING
"US attack on Greenland would mean end of NATO"
- Mette Frederiksen, Danish PM
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
"US attack on Greenland would mean end of NATO"
- Mette Frederiksen, Danish PM
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by R.
Next time you look at your greatly increased monthly bill for healthcare, remember that Republicans chose to use the money set aside for supplements to defray your costs to, instead, invade Venezuela to make ExxonMobil even richer.
Thank them with your votes.
Thank them with your votes.
January 3, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Next time you look at your greatly increased monthly bill for healthcare, remember that Republicans chose to use the money set aside for supplements to defray your costs to, instead, invade Venezuela to make ExxonMobil even richer.
Thank them with your votes.
Thank them with your votes.
Reposted by R.
Zohran Mamdani has yet to give a solo press conference since taking office.
January 1, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Zohran Mamdani has yet to give a solo press conference since taking office.
Reposted by R.
I am probably less-against-AI-in-all-its-forms than many on here.
But. I don’t think a product that does this can be allowed to exist.
But. I don’t think a product that does this can be allowed to exist.
Uh… check out what ChatGPT allegedly told a man before he killed his mother and then himself.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 1, 2026 at 12:38 AM
I am probably less-against-AI-in-all-its-forms than many on here.
But. I don’t think a product that does this can be allowed to exist.
But. I don’t think a product that does this can be allowed to exist.
Reposted by R.
An essential development over the past decade-plus is that the ignorant went from feeling chastened when their ignorance was revealed to banding together and deciding that, actually, they were right. They might disagree at times, but they agreed that ignorance itself was an indicator of trust.
December 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
An essential development over the past decade-plus is that the ignorant went from feeling chastened when their ignorance was revealed to banding together and deciding that, actually, they were right. They might disagree at times, but they agreed that ignorance itself was an indicator of trust.
Reposted by R.
So they desire their actions to be "legal", except of course when they are not. Sort of post Reichstag fire State of Emergency vs Night of the Long Knives.
December 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
So they desire their actions to be "legal", except of course when they are not. Sort of post Reichstag fire State of Emergency vs Night of the Long Knives.
Reposted by R.
This is the most appalling healthcare story I’ve seen this year. University of Chicago and others are selling US donated organs to transplant tourists for profit.
Note this is illegal in many countries.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Note this is illegal in many countries.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Hospitals Cater to ‘Transplant Tourists’ as U.S. Patients Wait for Organs
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This is the most appalling healthcare story I’ve seen this year. University of Chicago and others are selling US donated organs to transplant tourists for profit.
Note this is illegal in many countries.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Note this is illegal in many countries.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/u...
Reposted by R.
NEW DATA: in November, the unemployment rate rose to the highest level since September 2021. That’s Trump’s economy.
December 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
NEW DATA: in November, the unemployment rate rose to the highest level since September 2021. That’s Trump’s economy.
Reposted by R.
‘Walter Lippmann was early to the table when it came to explaining that reality is not a choice one might make, not a thing to opt in and out of as suits your self-interest, but a bulwark against propaganda and censorship.’
Andrew O’Hagan on the liberal journalist.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Andrew O’Hagan on the liberal journalist.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Andrew O’Hagan · Fatal Realism: Walter Lippmann’s Warning
People reading newspapers, Lippmann observed, were not offended by stories of unfairness and corruption, they were...
www.lrb.co.uk
December 25, 2025 at 12:51 PM
‘Walter Lippmann was early to the table when it came to explaining that reality is not a choice one might make, not a thing to opt in and out of as suits your self-interest, but a bulwark against propaganda and censorship.’
Andrew O’Hagan on the liberal journalist.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Andrew O’Hagan on the liberal journalist.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by R.
A new report from researchers at the Yale School of Public Health warns that the U.S. government’s abrupt cancellation of funding for mRNA vaccine research could have devastating health and economic consequences for the nation.
New report sounds alarm on health fallout from mRNA vaccine funding cuts
A new report from the Yale School of Public Health warns that the U.S. government’s abrupt cancellation of funding for mRNA vaccine research could have
ysph.yale.edu
December 22, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A new report from researchers at the Yale School of Public Health warns that the U.S. government’s abrupt cancellation of funding for mRNA vaccine research could have devastating health and economic consequences for the nation.
Reposted by R.
Serious question/suggestion. The press (and normal people) refer to billionaire allies of Russia’s corrupt autocratic president as oligarchs. Shouldn’t the U.S. press call the politically influential billionaire media allies of the would-be autocratic U.S. president—Musk, Bezos, Ellison—oligarchs?
December 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Serious question/suggestion. The press (and normal people) refer to billionaire allies of Russia’s corrupt autocratic president as oligarchs. Shouldn’t the U.S. press call the politically influential billionaire media allies of the would-be autocratic U.S. president—Musk, Bezos, Ellison—oligarchs?
Reposted by R.
“The New York Times contacted Ms. Farmer about a report stamped with the date of Sept. 3, 1996. She broke down in tears.
“I’ve waited 30 years,” she said. “I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.”
“I’ve waited 30 years,” she said. “I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.”
HUGE NEWS from the new Epstein files:
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Records show that Maria Farmer, who worked for Epstein, filed a "child pornography" report to the FBI in 1996.
The FBI has never before acknowledged that complaint. The case went nowhere, and mass abuse followed.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/u...
Epstein Files Include 1996 Child Porn Complaint That F.B.I. Ignored
www.nytimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:58 AM
“The New York Times contacted Ms. Farmer about a report stamped with the date of Sept. 3, 1996. She broke down in tears.
“I’ve waited 30 years,” she said. “I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.”
“I’ve waited 30 years,” she said. “I can’t believe it. They can’t call me a liar anymore.”
Reposted by R.
Jack Smith still wants to speak in public:
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
Jack Smith says Americans should 'hear the fact' of Trump probes, wants deposition tapes released
Jack Smith wants the American public to “hear the facts” about his two criminal cases against Trump, asking Trump ally Jim Jordan to release video of his eight-
www.nbcnews.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Jack Smith still wants to speak in public:
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
In a new letter, Smith says he wants the American public to "hear the facts" about his two criminal cases against Trump — asking the House Judiciary Committee to release video of his closed-door deposition and schedule an open and public hearing.
Reposted by R.
Pediatric phalloplasty is something that takes place when there is severe genital injury or a congenital condition. I have not been able to find a single report of phalloplasty performed on a transgender minor.
This is grotesque fear-mongering.
This is grotesque fear-mongering.
Dr Oz: "The creation of a penis costs on average in America $150,000 per child ... if you add testicles, that's extra"
December 18, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Pediatric phalloplasty is something that takes place when there is severe genital injury or a congenital condition. I have not been able to find a single report of phalloplasty performed on a transgender minor.
This is grotesque fear-mongering.
This is grotesque fear-mongering.
Reposted by R.
I just gave my 20yo a rundown of the day's news, and he said, "It's all so dumb, it's hard to take seriously and so it's hard to fight. We'd be better at fighting smarter authoritarians!"
"We'd be better at fighting smarter authoritarians" is going to stick with me.
"We'd be better at fighting smarter authoritarians" is going to stick with me.
December 19, 2025 at 12:01 AM
I just gave my 20yo a rundown of the day's news, and he said, "It's all so dumb, it's hard to take seriously and so it's hard to fight. We'd be better at fighting smarter authoritarians!"
"We'd be better at fighting smarter authoritarians" is going to stick with me.
"We'd be better at fighting smarter authoritarians" is going to stick with me.
Reposted by R.
Tesla finally found a customer for cybertrucks! It's, uh, SpaceX.
Elon Musk's SpaceX bought tens of millions worth of Cybertrucks Tesla can't sell
As demand for the Cybertruck can’t reach more than about 10% of Tesla’s planned production capacity, Elon Musk used his...
electrek.co
December 19, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Tesla finally found a customer for cybertrucks! It's, uh, SpaceX.
Reposted by R.
Much has been written about the journalists who have fled The Washington Post, but I think the paper's biggest loss might be a book critic, Carlos Lozada, who's just killin' it at the New York Times. Today's roundup of "grievance memoirs" is outstanding. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
December 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Much has been written about the journalists who have fled The Washington Post, but I think the paper's biggest loss might be a book critic, Carlos Lozada, who's just killin' it at the New York Times. Today's roundup of "grievance memoirs" is outstanding. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/o...
Reposted by R.
Enemies of the people.
Do not forget them.
(Have been in that room, sat at that table. When those around it were likes of Richard Holbrooke, Cyrus Vance, Andrew Young, Shirley Hufstedler, Joe Califano, Walter Mondale, Zbig Brez. Not ... these people.)
Do not forget them.
(Have been in that room, sat at that table. When those around it were likes of Richard Holbrooke, Cyrus Vance, Andrew Young, Shirley Hufstedler, Joe Califano, Walter Mondale, Zbig Brez. Not ... these people.)
December 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Enemies of the people.
Do not forget them.
(Have been in that room, sat at that table. When those around it were likes of Richard Holbrooke, Cyrus Vance, Andrew Young, Shirley Hufstedler, Joe Califano, Walter Mondale, Zbig Brez. Not ... these people.)
Do not forget them.
(Have been in that room, sat at that table. When those around it were likes of Richard Holbrooke, Cyrus Vance, Andrew Young, Shirley Hufstedler, Joe Califano, Walter Mondale, Zbig Brez. Not ... these people.)
Reposted by R.
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
December 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Reposted by R.
Two victims of previous school shootings — Mia Tretta, who was shot in the stomach in 2019 at Saugus High School, and Zoe Weissman, who survived the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — are now at Brown. Gun violence is out of control in this country.
December 14, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Two victims of previous school shootings — Mia Tretta, who was shot in the stomach in 2019 at Saugus High School, and Zoe Weissman, who survived the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — are now at Brown. Gun violence is out of control in this country.
Reposted by R.
December 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by R.
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
BREAKING: ‘This hurts’: UNL eliminates 4 programs despite faculty, student pleas
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminates the Earth and atmospheric sciences 8-0, educational administration 7-1, statistics 7-1, textiles, merchandising and fashion design 7-1 programs.
www.dailynebraskan.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?