Steven Damron
@stevendamron.bsky.social
Author of Dear Mustafa. Order in local bookstores worldwide or from Amazon online. Writing Ghostwriter in Barcelona.
Bsky topics: Writing, AI, Barcelona, gay life, and fascism, not necessarily in that order.
Bsky topics: Writing, AI, Barcelona, gay life, and fascism, not necessarily in that order.
Reposted by Steven Damron
Page One in Milwaukee.
December 13, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Page One in Milwaukee.
Reposted by Steven Damron
The other thing being missed: USAID had a number of successful programs to halt VZ migration in the region (in Colombia). Those got shut down and now Trump threatens both VZ and Colombia. What does that do to refugee movement?
It is telling how even high quality outlets like the America's Quarterly podcast often don't think through scenarios where Trump's violent incompetence might cause an electoral collapse of the US Right or even more chaos in Venezuela that affect his ability to shape outcomes
Whether it is analysis of Trump or Xi's supposed bids for world domination there is so much geopolitical hype that ignores the domestic weakness of great powers
December 13, 2025 at 1:38 PM
The other thing being missed: USAID had a number of successful programs to halt VZ migration in the region (in Colombia). Those got shut down and now Trump threatens both VZ and Colombia. What does that do to refugee movement?
Reposted by Steven Damron
(🚨) MAJOR BREAKING NEWS: FBI Admits in Court Filing That It Is Aware of Epstein “Client Lists”—Months After the Personal Lawyer for Longtime Epstein Wingman Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, Told America No Such Lists Existed
Take from this the obvious conclusion.
Take from this the obvious conclusion.
FOIA Files
Come behind the scenes as Bloomberg's FOIA expert uncovers interesting documents never seen before.
www.bloomberg.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:01 AM
(🚨) MAJOR BREAKING NEWS: FBI Admits in Court Filing That It Is Aware of Epstein “Client Lists”—Months After the Personal Lawyer for Longtime Epstein Wingman Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, Told America No Such Lists Existed
Take from this the obvious conclusion.
Take from this the obvious conclusion.
Revolut is a new bank brand in Europe. There are ATMs popping up all over Barcelona.
After my fall travels, I'm coming to the conclusion that the new bank's target market lives in airports.
How many times can you count Revolut in this photo?
#BCN
After my fall travels, I'm coming to the conclusion that the new bank's target market lives in airports.
How many times can you count Revolut in this photo?
#BCN
December 13, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Revolut is a new bank brand in Europe. There are ATMs popping up all over Barcelona.
After my fall travels, I'm coming to the conclusion that the new bank's target market lives in airports.
How many times can you count Revolut in this photo?
#BCN
After my fall travels, I'm coming to the conclusion that the new bank's target market lives in airports.
How many times can you count Revolut in this photo?
#BCN
Trump claims he'll replace income taxes with regressive tariffs.
Total tariff receipts as of last week: $259b. Total 2024 income tax: $2.9t.
Supply chain uncertainty is another tariff expense, with businesses unable to plan production.
How will Trump line his pockets without tariffs?
#fascism
Total tariff receipts as of last week: $259b. Total 2024 income tax: $2.9t.
Supply chain uncertainty is another tariff expense, with businesses unable to plan production.
How will Trump line his pockets without tariffs?
#fascism
U.S. could owe businesses $168B if Supreme Court rejects Trump tariffs
A ruling striking down emergency levies could force the federal government to return most of the tariff revenue it has collected this year, according to Penn Wharton.
finance.yahoo.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Trump claims he'll replace income taxes with regressive tariffs.
Total tariff receipts as of last week: $259b. Total 2024 income tax: $2.9t.
Supply chain uncertainty is another tariff expense, with businesses unable to plan production.
How will Trump line his pockets without tariffs?
#fascism
Total tariff receipts as of last week: $259b. Total 2024 income tax: $2.9t.
Supply chain uncertainty is another tariff expense, with businesses unable to plan production.
How will Trump line his pockets without tariffs?
#fascism
With so many Republicans leaving the US House, where will the party find qualified candidates to run for just those positions, let alone run against incumbents.
Oh, sorry, I assumed Republicans wanted qualified candidates.
#fascism
Oh, sorry, I assumed Republicans wanted qualified candidates.
#fascism
I’ve lost count of the number of elected Republican officials around the country who have been threatened with MAGA primary challengers for a variety of reasons. It is in the hundreds. What fun it must be to be a Republican who has an independent thought or position!
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
With so many Republicans leaving the US House, where will the party find qualified candidates to run for just those positions, let alone run against incumbents.
Oh, sorry, I assumed Republicans wanted qualified candidates.
#fascism
Oh, sorry, I assumed Republicans wanted qualified candidates.
#fascism
Don't worry! DHS Secretary RFK, Jr is doing pull-ups to show everyone how to be strong when confronted by viruses!
#fascism
#fascism
Experts predict this year's flu season to be worse than usual—here's why
Based on how flu spread in the Southern Hemisphere, we may be in for some pain.
www.yahoo.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Don't worry! DHS Secretary RFK, Jr is doing pull-ups to show everyone how to be strong when confronted by viruses!
#fascism
#fascism
Couple this with ICE, Trump's own national secret police, and, voila, you've got big brother!
#fascism
#fascism
Warnings Mount in Congress Over Expanded US Wiretap Powers
Experts tell US lawmakers that a crucial spy program’s safeguards are failing, allowing intel agencies deeper, unconstrained access to Americans’ data.
www.wired.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Couple this with ICE, Trump's own national secret police, and, voila, you've got big brother!
#fascism
#fascism
Hey, Kegsbreath, hit the boat with the Nobel prize winner who's carrying drugs, not the boat with the Nobel prize winner who isn't carrying drugs.
#fascism
#fascism
When the winner of the Nobel peace prize smuggled herself over the water and out of Venezuela to attend the ceremony in Oslo this week, her allies called the Pentagon to ask them not to arbitrarily murder her. www.wsj.com/world/americ...
December 12, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Hey, Kegsbreath, hit the boat with the Nobel prize winner who's carrying drugs, not the boat with the Nobel prize winner who isn't carrying drugs.
#fascism
#fascism
As Trump's popularity wanes, he will cling harder to authoritarian methods of wielding power.
That's what makes this ruling so important. With a national police force, Trump can control elections and detain his political foes.
It's a race to the mid-terms! Will the constitution prevail?
#fascism
That's what makes this ruling so important. With a national police force, Trump can control elections and detain his political foes.
It's a race to the mid-terms! Will the constitution prevail?
#fascism
If you’ve lost track of the Calif. National Guard case, earlier this week, the Judge issued an important ruling. Why now, seemingly out of the blue? This post explains its significance, as Trump tries to create a national police force & deploy troops in US cities open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...
Judge Breyer on Trump's Continued Federalization of the California National Guard
Federal District Judge Charles Breyer issued a ruling in the California National Guard case earlier this week.
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
As Trump's popularity wanes, he will cling harder to authoritarian methods of wielding power.
That's what makes this ruling so important. With a national police force, Trump can control elections and detain his political foes.
It's a race to the mid-terms! Will the constitution prevail?
#fascism
That's what makes this ruling so important. With a national police force, Trump can control elections and detain his political foes.
It's a race to the mid-terms! Will the constitution prevail?
#fascism
Reposted by Steven Damron
Rutte: Allied defense spending and production must rise rapidly. Our armed forces must have what they need to keep us safe. And Ukraine must have what it needs to defend itself.
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
December 12, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Rutte: Allied defense spending and production must rise rapidly. Our armed forces must have what they need to keep us safe. And Ukraine must have what it needs to defend itself.
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
In the shadow of Barcelona's cathedral, Fira de Santa Llúcia offers hundreds of shops with Christmas decorations. Don't wait! The fair, in its 239th year, closes on the 23rd of December.
#BCN
#BCN
December 12, 2025 at 9:03 AM
In the shadow of Barcelona's cathedral, Fira de Santa Llúcia offers hundreds of shops with Christmas decorations. Don't wait! The fair, in its 239th year, closes on the 23rd of December.
#BCN
#BCN
Reposted by Steven Damron
This report is harrowing.
I asked the Pentagon about Pete Hegseth's mentor. Then the threats started.
Journalism in the second Trump administration gets personal.
www.motherjones.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
This report is harrowing.
Reposted by Steven Damron
Idiots.
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Idiots.
Trump's and Miller's obsession with Abrego Garcia is sad testament to the state of the White House.
Too bad all these legal and law enforcement resources aren't being used to achieve meaningful law and order.
#fascism
Too bad all these legal and law enforcement resources aren't being used to achieve meaningful law and order.
#fascism
Judge orders immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention
Judge Paula Xinis said he has been detained "without lawful authority.”
www.yahoo.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Trump's and Miller's obsession with Abrego Garcia is sad testament to the state of the White House.
Too bad all these legal and law enforcement resources aren't being used to achieve meaningful law and order.
#fascism
Too bad all these legal and law enforcement resources aren't being used to achieve meaningful law and order.
#fascism
Trump and the Supreme Court have no interest in due process.
Immigration enforcement is being turbo-charged at the expense of citizens' rights. There's no significant human benefit here except meeting Stephen Miller's quotas.
#fascism
Immigration enforcement is being turbo-charged at the expense of citizens' rights. There's no significant human benefit here except meeting Stephen Miller's quotas.
#fascism
The DHS Data Grab Is Putting US Citizens at Risk
As the US government rapidly merges data from across agencies in service of draconian immigration policies, citizens increasingly risk being caught up as well.
www.wired.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Trump and the Supreme Court have no interest in due process.
Immigration enforcement is being turbo-charged at the expense of citizens' rights. There's no significant human benefit here except meeting Stephen Miller's quotas.
#fascism
Immigration enforcement is being turbo-charged at the expense of citizens' rights. There's no significant human benefit here except meeting Stephen Miller's quotas.
#fascism
December 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Reposted by Steven Damron
According to a new court filing, the Trump administration has a six-page list of banned words that Head Start locations are forbidden from using when describing their programs.
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
December 10, 2025 at 11:51 PM
According to a new court filing, the Trump administration has a six-page list of banned words that Head Start locations are forbidden from using when describing their programs.
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
Among the censored words: "disability," "race," "women," "trauma," "Gulf of Mexico." Short thread with the full list. 🧵
Reposted by Steven Damron
December 11, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Reposted by Steven Damron
Mpls Mayor Jacob Frey: "What we are seeing again & again is discrimination only to the extent that it applies to certain groups. So they're discriminating only as it applies to Latinos and Somalis ... you can't do that. You can't do that in Minneapolis. You can't do there anywhere in this country."
December 11, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Mpls Mayor Jacob Frey: "What we are seeing again & again is discrimination only to the extent that it applies to certain groups. So they're discriminating only as it applies to Latinos and Somalis ... you can't do that. You can't do that in Minneapolis. You can't do there anywhere in this country."
It's too early to say whether Trump's actions against Venezuela are really about oil.
Wait. No, it's not too early. What's the difference between Venezuela and Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Bolivia?
Why choose Venezuela first for kinetic force?
Oh, yeah, Trump is going to war for oil.
#fascism
Wait. No, it's not too early. What's the difference between Venezuela and Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Bolivia?
Why choose Venezuela first for kinetic force?
Oh, yeah, Trump is going to war for oil.
#fascism
US troops seize tanker off Venezuela coast, Trump says in daring move on tyrant
US forces have seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, Donald Trump confirmed. This marks a major escalation in tensions between the nations – and is the strongest hint yet…
share.google
December 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
It's too early to say whether Trump's actions against Venezuela are really about oil.
Wait. No, it's not too early. What's the difference between Venezuela and Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Bolivia?
Why choose Venezuela first for kinetic force?
Oh, yeah, Trump is going to war for oil.
#fascism
Wait. No, it's not too early. What's the difference between Venezuela and Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Bolivia?
Why choose Venezuela first for kinetic force?
Oh, yeah, Trump is going to war for oil.
#fascism
Outside my normal wheelhouse, but note that chemicals are a regulatory space where you might prefer Europe's regulation-style to the US' regulation light.
Also, seems like AI could help a lot in determining the relationships between chemicals and disease.
Also, seems like AI could help a lot in determining the relationships between chemicals and disease.
Scientists Thought Parkinson’s Was in Our Genes. It Might Be in the Water
New ideas about chronic illness could revolutionize treatment, if we take the research seriously.
www.wired.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Outside my normal wheelhouse, but note that chemicals are a regulatory space where you might prefer Europe's regulation-style to the US' regulation light.
Also, seems like AI could help a lot in determining the relationships between chemicals and disease.
Also, seems like AI could help a lot in determining the relationships between chemicals and disease.
Since Trump's imposition of tariffs, China's export surplus has increased to $1 trillion and the US trade deficit has ... well, look at the chart.
The Trump family has grifted billions, though, so it's all okay.
#fascism
The Trump family has grifted billions, though, so it's all okay.
#fascism
December 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Since Trump's imposition of tariffs, China's export surplus has increased to $1 trillion and the US trade deficit has ... well, look at the chart.
The Trump family has grifted billions, though, so it's all okay.
#fascism
The Trump family has grifted billions, though, so it's all okay.
#fascism