Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
@southpawdinkous.bsky.social
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
They're doing this so they can call any government program that isn't ICE or the military "rife with fraud" and thus illegitimate. They are trying to manufacture consent to say any entitlement — from Medicare to social security — must be canceled because of extreme edge cases. Don't fall for it.
The Trump administration sent out letters tonight to 5 blue states, freezing about $10 billion in funding for child care and social services programs pending a "thorough review," citing concerns over "systemic fraud."
5 Democratic-run states are told that their child care funds have been frozen
The suspension of the funds could hurt low-income families in those states, depending on how long it lasts, advocates say.
www.axios.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:34 AM
They're doing this so they can call any government program that isn't ICE or the military "rife with fraud" and thus illegitimate. They are trying to manufacture consent to say any entitlement — from Medicare to social security — must be canceled because of extreme edge cases. Don't fall for it.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
We're about to quickly re-up government funding by the end of this month because "no one wants a shutdown." Meanwhile Trump is enacting...a shutdown of TANF funds.
There are mechanisms to stop illegal withholding of appropriated funds, which won't be taken.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
There are mechanisms to stop illegal withholding of appropriated funds, which won't be taken.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Health Dept. to Freeze $10 Billion in Funding to 5 Democratic States
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:52 PM
We're about to quickly re-up government funding by the end of this month because "no one wants a shutdown." Meanwhile Trump is enacting...a shutdown of TANF funds.
There are mechanisms to stop illegal withholding of appropriated funds, which won't be taken.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
There are mechanisms to stop illegal withholding of appropriated funds, which won't be taken.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
Newsom should absolutely call the special election under the new lines. It's the map adopted by the people of California, and on top of being democratically defensible, it's the kind of hardball that DeSantis or Abbott would obviously pull in the converse scenario.
In 2022, the June special election for NE-01 took place under the new lines, even though the special was ostensibly to fill the seat under the old lines. I wonder if Newsom will attempt to call the special under the new lines, which would be a Democratic pickup.
Punchbowl News & Fox News are reporting that U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican, has died.
LaMalfa represents a currently ruby red district (CA-01) that is becoming pretty reliably blue under the state's new map. There'll be a special to replace him under current lines.
LaMalfa represents a currently ruby red district (CA-01) that is becoming pretty reliably blue under the state's new map. There'll be a special to replace him under current lines.
January 6, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Newsom should absolutely call the special election under the new lines. It's the map adopted by the people of California, and on top of being democratically defensible, it's the kind of hardball that DeSantis or Abbott would obviously pull in the converse scenario.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
Excellent point here from an expert in international relations. Trump’s brand of authoritarianism is, at its core, an aesthetic. He does not seek to achieve policy goals—he seeks a global reputation for appearing powerful.
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Excellent point here from an expert in international relations. Trump’s brand of authoritarianism is, at its core, an aesthetic. He does not seek to achieve policy goals—he seeks a global reputation for appearing powerful.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
"From Venezuela and other places" is, I suppose, technically true in the same sense that "from Antarctica and other places" would be.
MacCALLUM: You have about 100,000 dying from drug overdoses, most of those drugs from from Venezuela and other places
CROW: That's actually not true. The majority of the deaths by drugs in America are the result of meth and fentanyl. Almost none of that comes from Venezuela
CROW: That's actually not true. The majority of the deaths by drugs in America are the result of meth and fentanyl. Almost none of that comes from Venezuela
January 5, 2026 at 8:42 PM
"From Venezuela and other places" is, I suppose, technically true in the same sense that "from Antarctica and other places" would be.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
A really sad follow-up to this story — Alexis Erlinmeyer, one of the trans federal intelligence workers who was fired, has died of a pulmonary embolism. She was 31. Her family is burying her under her deadname, so friends are fundraising for an accurate memorial: www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-...
NEW—In late Feb, Chris Rufo published leaked chats between queer/trans employees at US intel agencies. Then Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she’d fire all involved.
I spoke to chat members who were fired, are on admin leave, and who kept their jobs about the new lavender scare:
I spoke to chat members who were fired, are on admin leave, and who kept their jobs about the new lavender scare:
Queer intel officers targeted by top secret chat leak get their chance to speak
Chris Rufo published the chats. Staffers say a new "lavender scare" is upon us.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 4, 2026 at 10:24 PM
A really sad follow-up to this story — Alexis Erlinmeyer, one of the trans federal intelligence workers who was fired, has died of a pulmonary embolism. She was 31. Her family is burying her under her deadname, so friends are fundraising for an accurate memorial: www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-...
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
Could an empire in decline do THIS? *launches deeply unpopular invasion cementing status as lunatic-led pariah state, its not clear what kind of move i was trying to do*
January 3, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Could an empire in decline do THIS? *launches deeply unpopular invasion cementing status as lunatic-led pariah state, its not clear what kind of move i was trying to do*
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
You couldn't publish this today. You'd have to cloak it under several layers of metaphor.
January 4, 2026 at 7:01 PM
You couldn't publish this today. You'd have to cloak it under several layers of metaphor.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
The same administration that invades bombs destabilizes and slaughters civilians in one country will now complain endlessly as more immigrants from that country flood the US
January 4, 2026 at 7:59 PM
The same administration that invades bombs destabilizes and slaughters civilians in one country will now complain endlessly as more immigrants from that country flood the US
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
So…Americans represented by Democratic Senators and Representatives?
Sorry.
We’re no longer part of “we the people,” according to this regime.
Sorry.
We’re no longer part of “we the people,” according to this regime.
Himes: "I was delighted to hear that Tom Cotton, chairmen of the Senate Intel Committee, has been in regular contact with the admin. I've had zero outreach and no D I'm aware of has. So apparently we're now in a world where the legal obligation to keep Congress informed only applies to your party."
January 4, 2026 at 7:56 PM
So…Americans represented by Democratic Senators and Representatives?
Sorry.
We’re no longer part of “we the people,” according to this regime.
Sorry.
We’re no longer part of “we the people,” according to this regime.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
Nixon insisted the bombing of Cambodia was just targeting Viet Cong outposts there and not meant to undermine its government, but the bombings destabilized the Lon Nol government and paved the way for the Khmer Rouge’s killing fields and the massacre of more than a million people.
NBC's sources said that "the potential mission in Mexico is not designed to undermine the Mexican government." But that's what it will do if the US is doing CIA drone strikes on Mexican soil over the objections of the president.
January 4, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Nixon insisted the bombing of Cambodia was just targeting Viet Cong outposts there and not meant to undermine its government, but the bombings destabilized the Lon Nol government and paved the way for the Khmer Rouge’s killing fields and the massacre of more than a million people.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
“Trump and his administration have lied, consolidated power, and committed war crimes to seize Venezuelan oil and pursue regime change for their imperialistic agenda in the Western Hemisphere,” said Rep. @ramirez.house.gov. “Trump must be impeached.”
“The calls for impeachment come in the wake of Trump’s overnight attack on Venezuela’s capital city over the weekend that left at least 40 people dead.” www.notus.org/democrats/de...
Democrats Begin to Call for Trump’s Impeachment Over Venezuela Attack
“Many Democrats have understandably questioned whether impeachment is possible again under the current political reality,” Rep. Maxine Waters said. “I am reconsidering that view.”
www.notus.org
January 4, 2026 at 8:08 PM
“Trump and his administration have lied, consolidated power, and committed war crimes to seize Venezuelan oil and pursue regime change for their imperialistic agenda in the Western Hemisphere,” said Rep. @ramirez.house.gov. “Trump must be impeached.”
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
So we now appear to be up to at least 80 Venezuelans killed.
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
So we now appear to be up to at least 80 Venezuelans killed.
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
For an operation that anonymous admin officials said yesterday was"virtually flawless."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01...
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
Trump also told Fox that a “second wave” of strikes could take place in Venezuela and warned Maduro’s supporters will have a “bad future” if they stay loyal to him.
trib.al/9nxoD6G
trib.al/9nxoD6G
After Venezuela Attack, Trump Says Something Must Be Done About Mexico
Donald Trump is hinting at a military conflict with Mexico next.
trib.al
January 4, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Trump also told Fox that a “second wave” of strikes could take place in Venezuela and warned Maduro’s supporters will have a “bad future” if they stay loyal to him.
trib.al/9nxoD6G
trib.al/9nxoD6G
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
People being like, "But Venezuelans are happy about Maduro being gone!" have the memories of goldfish. IN 2003, the narrative was that Iraqis celebrated the U.S. invasion and capture of Saddam.
Whether they were happy or not, invading Iraq was still the wrong thing to do.
Whether they were happy or not, invading Iraq was still the wrong thing to do.
January 4, 2026 at 2:39 PM
People being like, "But Venezuelans are happy about Maduro being gone!" have the memories of goldfish. IN 2003, the narrative was that Iraqis celebrated the U.S. invasion and capture of Saddam.
Whether they were happy or not, invading Iraq was still the wrong thing to do.
Whether they were happy or not, invading Iraq was still the wrong thing to do.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
This isn't a random nobody. It's the homeland security advisor's wife.
Trump has already bombed more countries in a year than any prior US President.
It's colonial fascism by definition
Trump has already bombed more countries in a year than any prior US President.
It's colonial fascism by definition
January 4, 2026 at 12:01 AM
This isn't a random nobody. It's the homeland security advisor's wife.
Trump has already bombed more countries in a year than any prior US President.
It's colonial fascism by definition
Trump has already bombed more countries in a year than any prior US President.
It's colonial fascism by definition
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
can't believe the guy whose entire political philosophy revolves around domination would turn out to be a hawk
January 3, 2026 at 7:17 PM
can't believe the guy whose entire political philosophy revolves around domination would turn out to be a hawk
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
So much of American history is just impulsive and extremely stupid elites, who don't believe in consequences because they have never personally experienced them, doing highly consequential stuff because they're bored or believe it might make them richer. I guess a lot of our culture, too.
January 3, 2026 at 7:22 PM
So much of American history is just impulsive and extremely stupid elites, who don't believe in consequences because they have never personally experienced them, doing highly consequential stuff because they're bored or believe it might make them richer. I guess a lot of our culture, too.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
You have to go through Congress for anything resembling this type of war. Round up Massie and Paul types and have him removed. The people in this administration are on actual drugs and have insatiable bloodlust and bespoke mental illnesses. He has to go, and everybody with him.
January 3, 2026 at 6:58 AM
You have to go through Congress for anything resembling this type of war. Round up Massie and Paul types and have him removed. The people in this administration are on actual drugs and have insatiable bloodlust and bespoke mental illnesses. He has to go, and everybody with him.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
If you want to know who took all of your money, it's the people with all of the money. Famously, we know that's people working in child care.
January 2, 2026 at 8:53 PM
If you want to know who took all of your money, it's the people with all of the money. Famously, we know that's people working in child care.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
The Constitution gives states the power to determine the time, place and manner of elections. Only Congress can change the rules for federal elections. The White House has no role to play in any of this.
🚨BREAKING: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a new front in its ongoing campaign for voter data held by states Friday, demanding Minnesota turn over records related to same-day registrations. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
DOJ Demands Minnesota Voting Records in New Attack on Same-Day Registration
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:28 PM
The Constitution gives states the power to determine the time, place and manner of elections. Only Congress can change the rules for federal elections. The White House has no role to play in any of this.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
i mean, the thing about this formulation is that it literally begs the question. what if one of those “average americans” is an advocate? or an expert? should they then be ignored?
ah yes, the best way to explain and understand the world is by ignoring experts and practitioners and turning our attention to the “average American,” whatever that means
This isn't about democratizing the news. It's about elevating "vibes" and "feelings" to be on par with lived experience and subject-matter expertise.
January 3, 2026 at 12:11 AM
i mean, the thing about this formulation is that it literally begs the question. what if one of those “average americans” is an advocate? or an expert? should they then be ignored?
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
If you are more interested in telling people what you think than you are in hearing what they think, you're not interested in news, you're interested in podcasting.
January 3, 2026 at 12:09 AM
If you are more interested in telling people what you think than you are in hearing what they think, you're not interested in news, you're interested in podcasting.
Reposted by Toad-faced ne’er-do-well
Wrote about the Labour Party's failed popularist experiment as feckless quant-brain U.S. liberals toy with the idea of a popularist agenda in 2026 and beyond: badfaithtimes.com/a-blaring-wa...
A Blaring Warning For The Democratic Party
Democrats don't have to wonder if popularism will fail. It already has.
badfaithtimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Wrote about the Labour Party's failed popularist experiment as feckless quant-brain U.S. liberals toy with the idea of a popularist agenda in 2026 and beyond: badfaithtimes.com/a-blaring-wa...