Tara
@terrababa.bsky.social
Demographer, sociologist, health policy researcher, movie buff. I endeavor to make data accurately reflect who we are and appreciate cinema that is trying to do the same.
Reposted by Tara
Screwing up Social Security is a feature of Trumpism, not a bug.
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Screwing up Social Security is a feature of Trumpism, not a bug.
Reposted by Tara
We don't have a government. We have a bunch of guys who heard things on social media.
We don't have due process. We have entire groups being punished for the alleged actions of a few.
We don't have due process. We have entire groups being punished for the alleged actions of a few.
BREAKING
The Trump administration says it has frozen all childcare payments to Minnesota in the aftermath of allegations of fraud by some in the Somali community.
Important: allegations along these lines have existed for years, which has resulted in prosecutions starting with the Biden DOJ.
The Trump administration says it has frozen all childcare payments to Minnesota in the aftermath of allegations of fraud by some in the Somali community.
Important: allegations along these lines have existed for years, which has resulted in prosecutions starting with the Biden DOJ.
December 30, 2025 at 11:43 PM
We don't have a government. We have a bunch of guys who heard things on social media.
We don't have due process. We have entire groups being punished for the alleged actions of a few.
We don't have due process. We have entire groups being punished for the alleged actions of a few.
Reposted by Tara
President Trump's first vetoes of his second term were two bills which were unanimously approved by the House and Senate.
A bill to deliver clean water to SE Colorado was sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert R-CO and a flood control bill for a tribe in Florida was sponsored by Rep. Carlos Gimenez R-FL.
A bill to deliver clean water to SE Colorado was sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert R-CO and a flood control bill for a tribe in Florida was sponsored by Rep. Carlos Gimenez R-FL.
December 31, 2025 at 2:15 AM
President Trump's first vetoes of his second term were two bills which were unanimously approved by the House and Senate.
A bill to deliver clean water to SE Colorado was sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert R-CO and a flood control bill for a tribe in Florida was sponsored by Rep. Carlos Gimenez R-FL.
A bill to deliver clean water to SE Colorado was sponsored by Rep. Lauren Boebert R-CO and a flood control bill for a tribe in Florida was sponsored by Rep. Carlos Gimenez R-FL.
Reposted by Tara
“Self-deport” is a whitewashed way to describe “fleeing the country under the threat of state violence.” I agree with Maria here — it’s important to call that exactly what it is.
What. No.
Don't use their language, @newyorker.com that is not even a real word. What the hell is wrong with "flee" or like. "Flee this godforsaken country"
Don't use their language, @newyorker.com that is not even a real word. What the hell is wrong with "flee" or like. "Flee this godforsaken country"
![[email subject line] The New Yorker Daily The Mexican Couple Planning to Self-Deport](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:un7ax3cmaqemchu5tsqnymts/bafkreihkgcfyxr6m2klg63f4wxk5dinyipggr2fz6arzkunbtsduv543wu@jpeg)
December 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
“Self-deport” is a whitewashed way to describe “fleeing the country under the threat of state violence.” I agree with Maria here — it’s important to call that exactly what it is.
Reposted by Tara
"The head of CBS news installed a private telephone line to call the CIA directly and bypass the switchboard" comes off as cartoonish left wing propaganda about the relationship between capitalist intelligence services and corporate media, not a literal fact openly told to Carl Bernstein.
I think this 1977 piece on the CIA and the media from Carl Bernstein does not get enough play. There's some truly amazing stuff in here. Including on the Sulzberger family.
www.carlbernstein.com/the-cia-and-...
www.carlbernstein.com/the-cia-and-...
The CIA And The Media — Carl Bernstein
www.carlbernstein.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM
"The head of CBS news installed a private telephone line to call the CIA directly and bypass the switchboard" comes off as cartoonish left wing propaganda about the relationship between capitalist intelligence services and corporate media, not a literal fact openly told to Carl Bernstein.
Reposted by Tara
Did you know? Last year, Minnesota eliminated prison gerrymandering.
The law, signed by Tim Walz in the spring, ended the practice of counting incarcerated people where prisons are located, which skews political power within the state.
The law, signed by Tim Walz in the spring, ended the practice of counting incarcerated people where prisons are located, which skews political power within the state.
Minnesota Just Became The Latest State to Eliminate Prison Gerrymandering
A new law will end the practice of counting incarcerated people where prisons are located, which skews political power within the state.
boltsmag.org
December 30, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Did you know? Last year, Minnesota eliminated prison gerrymandering.
The law, signed by Tim Walz in the spring, ended the practice of counting incarcerated people where prisons are located, which skews political power within the state.
The law, signed by Tim Walz in the spring, ended the practice of counting incarcerated people where prisons are located, which skews political power within the state.
Reposted by Tara
The Social Security Administration ends the year in turmoil.
A diminished workforce has struggled to respond to up to 6 million pending cases in its processing centers and 12 million transactions in its field offices — record backlogs that have delayed basic services to millions of customers.
A diminished workforce has struggled to respond to up to 6 million pending cases in its processing centers and 12 million transactions in its field offices — record backlogs that have delayed basic services to millions of customers.
How Social Security has gotten worse under Trump
Customer service deteriorated by key measures as the agency enacted sweeping cuts in Trump’s second term, internal data and interviews show.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 30, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The Social Security Administration ends the year in turmoil.
A diminished workforce has struggled to respond to up to 6 million pending cases in its processing centers and 12 million transactions in its field offices — record backlogs that have delayed basic services to millions of customers.
A diminished workforce has struggled to respond to up to 6 million pending cases in its processing centers and 12 million transactions in its field offices — record backlogs that have delayed basic services to millions of customers.
Reposted by Tara
Macron’s circle says France found no convincing evidence of a Ukrainian drone strike on Putin’s residence, per Le Monde. Russian claims contradict themselves, and partners saw nothing credible. EU leaders discussed Moscow’s reaction, while ISW and the US are also skeptical and investigating.
December 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Macron’s circle says France found no convincing evidence of a Ukrainian drone strike on Putin’s residence, per Le Monde. Russian claims contradict themselves, and partners saw nothing credible. EU leaders discussed Moscow’s reaction, while ISW and the US are also skeptical and investigating.
Reposted by Tara
Back in September of this year the Russians launched a missile into Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers building and attempted to assassinate Ukraine's Prime Minister in her office.
Why wasn't Trump "very angry" about this?
Why wasn't Trump "very angry" about this?
December 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Back in September of this year the Russians launched a missile into Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers building and attempted to assassinate Ukraine's Prime Minister in her office.
Why wasn't Trump "very angry" about this?
Why wasn't Trump "very angry" about this?
Reposted by Tara
NY Times Deputy National Editor:
December 30, 2025 at 7:23 PM
NY Times Deputy National Editor:
Reposted by Tara
Real cool that the editorial position of the NYT is that Mamdani is an existential threat to Jews everywhere because of their twisted, bad faith interpretation of everything he says while the vociferously antisemitic MTG is just a sweet lil’ angel
“Our side has been trained by Donald Trump to never apologize and to never admit when you’re wrong.” Read the inside story of how Marjorie Taylor Greene went from zealous Trump cheerleader to his loudest Republican critic: nyti.ms/3Lbzi88
December 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Real cool that the editorial position of the NYT is that Mamdani is an existential threat to Jews everywhere because of their twisted, bad faith interpretation of everything he says while the vociferously antisemitic MTG is just a sweet lil’ angel
Reposted by Tara
banging on child care centers doors yelling "SHOW ME YOUR CHILDREN" until i get tased
uhhh yeah I can see why these childcare properties weren't eager to let in some rando dudes asking "where are the kids?"
December 30, 2025 at 9:47 PM
banging on child care centers doors yelling "SHOW ME YOUR CHILDREN" until i get tased
Reposted by Tara
probably not a great sign that Trump's assistant AG for civil rights uses a slur for people with disabilities
December 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
probably not a great sign that Trump's assistant AG for civil rights uses a slur for people with disabilities
Reposted by Tara
Generative AI should fall under the rules of plagiarism.
December 20, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Generative AI should fall under the rules of plagiarism.
Reposted by Tara
President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shift billions in costs for SNAP and Medicaid to states.
But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, they may not have the money to continue the programs.
But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, they may not have the money to continue the programs.
Wave of Tax Cuts Has Left Many States Vulnerable to Trump SNAP and Medicaid Crisis
President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shift billions in costs for SNAP and Medicaid to states. But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, the...
www.propublica.org
December 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shift billions in costs for SNAP and Medicaid to states.
But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, they may not have the money to continue the programs.
But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, they may not have the money to continue the programs.
Reposted by Tara
I find it really galling when stupid people think you’re even stupider than they are.
I mean, I don’t mind geniuses thinking I’m dumb. They have a point.
But these guys thinking we’ll believe this? Gross.
I mean, I don’t mind geniuses thinking I’m dumb. They have a point.
But these guys thinking we’ll believe this? Gross.
Dr Oz on Trump lowering drug prices: "We woke the industry up to the fact that we were aware of what was happening. They said, 'Alright. The gig's up. You figured it out. We're gonna come down with our pricing.'"
December 30, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I find it really galling when stupid people think you’re even stupider than they are.
I mean, I don’t mind geniuses thinking I’m dumb. They have a point.
But these guys thinking we’ll believe this? Gross.
I mean, I don’t mind geniuses thinking I’m dumb. They have a point.
But these guys thinking we’ll believe this? Gross.
Reposted by Tara
Cornelius Eady is what is up.
Very pleased that New York City will have an inaugural poet and such a fine one in the great Cornelius Eady. Poet Elizabeth Alexander of the Mamdani arts and culture transition committee doing good work: “Poets and artists…can say things that politicians can’t say.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/n...
‘This Is Our Time’: Acclaimed Poet to Honor Mamdani With Inaugural Poem
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Cornelius Eady is what is up.
Reposted by Tara
Taking cash in a bag an FBI agent can make it difficult to get a security clearance, unless you are a Trumper.
Border czar Tom Homan didn't receive a normal background check for his role while his bribery probe was still ongoing:
Justice officials felt sure Homan would not be able to obtain a security clearance based on the evidence gathered. It remains unclear how Homan was eventually granted clearance.
Justice officials felt sure Homan would not be able to obtain a security clearance based on the evidence gathered. It remains unclear how Homan was eventually granted clearance.
Border czar Tom Homan didn’t receive normal background check during bribery probe
President-elect Trump initially balked at submitting names of likely nominees to the FBI for background checks, a basic step intended to flag possible financial conflicts or ethical problems.
www.ms.now
December 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Taking cash in a bag an FBI agent can make it difficult to get a security clearance, unless you are a Trumper.
Reposted by Tara
The industries of the future are remaking the world
“Over the past decade, while the United States ramped up fossil fuel exports, China has focused on dominating renewables. Today, Chinese companies make so many of the world’s solar panels, electric vehicles and batteries that they are slashing prices and scrambling to find buyers.” Gift link:
Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa
www.nytimes.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The industries of the future are remaking the world
Reposted by Tara
NEW: A judge in the Kilmar Abrego case just UNSEALED a Dec 3rd order showing DOJ lied to the court when it said that Blanche's office didn't have anything to do with the decision to prosecute Mr. Abrego. 1/
December 30, 2025 at 9:17 PM
NEW: A judge in the Kilmar Abrego case just UNSEALED a Dec 3rd order showing DOJ lied to the court when it said that Blanche's office didn't have anything to do with the decision to prosecute Mr. Abrego. 1/
Reposted by Tara
This is the key. You can win some elections, but you can't force people to like or respect you; ironically, Trump's people want that respect from people they claim to care nothing about. They don't hate the "elites" - they envy that club, and they're mad because money and power can't buy them in.
Trumpers have a howling void of angry insecurity where a soul should be. Unchecked power tastes like ashes in their mouth because they thought when they got it everyone would be forced to like and admire them even though they’re irredeemable assholes. But people still treat them like assholes.
Trump crony has embarrassing meltdown after more Kennedy Center performers quit www.dailykos.com/stories/2025...
December 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This is the key. You can win some elections, but you can't force people to like or respect you; ironically, Trump's people want that respect from people they claim to care nothing about. They don't hate the "elites" - they envy that club, and they're mad because money and power can't buy them in.
Reposted by Tara
BigLaw shifted because its clients did--Silicon Valley in particular.
I am writing about how useless Big Law has become in the fight for democracy and I came across this from 2021. It was bullshit then -- the SWAT teams never existed. But it's notable that firms like Paul Weiss felt the need to act like they cared. Now, they don't even need to pretend.
December 30, 2025 at 9:32 PM
BigLaw shifted because its clients did--Silicon Valley in particular.
Reposted by Tara
Terrorist Russia reopens Mariupol theatre, under Russian occupation, on a mass grave. As Russians dance on Ukrainian remains 😡
Truly sickening
Truly sickening
Russia Reopens Mariupol Theatre on a Mass Grave
The Russians dance on Ukrainian bones
open.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Terrorist Russia reopens Mariupol theatre, under Russian occupation, on a mass grave. As Russians dance on Ukrainian remains 😡
Truly sickening
Truly sickening
Reposted by Tara
$47 million fraud case dropped by Trump after Wiederhorn made huge donations to his campaign and inaugural fund. Not Somali.
December 30, 2025 at 7:53 PM
$47 million fraud case dropped by Trump after Wiederhorn made huge donations to his campaign and inaugural fund. Not Somali.
Reposted by Tara
He's using the CIA as an end-run around Congress. Trump installed Michael Ellis as General Counsel of the CIA back in September and got him to write a memo saying these attacks are legal. Ellis was part of the group that hid the "perfect" phone call with Zelenskyy that led to Trump's 1st impeachment
That’s a serious escalation, and we've heard nothing about it from our own government.
December 30, 2025 at 7:50 PM
He's using the CIA as an end-run around Congress. Trump installed Michael Ellis as General Counsel of the CIA back in September and got him to write a memo saying these attacks are legal. Ellis was part of the group that hid the "perfect" phone call with Zelenskyy that led to Trump's 1st impeachment