Matt Baldwin
@thisbrokenwheel.bsky.social
Writer, photographer, cyclist, naturalist, martial artist, tall ship sailor. The Pirate Guy of Blue Sky, apparently. Mexican-American. No kings in America. He/him. San Diego, CA.
See also: Warren Ellis, Joss Whedon, probably a few others I can't think of right now. Years of my life invested in enjoying their work, but dropped like a hot rock the moment I found out they'd been abusing their power to harm others.
January 29, 2026 at 5:08 PM
See also: Warren Ellis, Joss Whedon, probably a few others I can't think of right now. Years of my life invested in enjoying their work, but dropped like a hot rock the moment I found out they'd been abusing their power to harm others.
I don't really see how it's "parasocial" to care that a celebrated author beats his domestic partner & throws furniture at her when he's mad.
Is it parasocial to know that Stephen King had debilitating alcohol & cocaine addictions and feel happy that he got the help he needed?
Is it parasocial to know that Stephen King had debilitating alcohol & cocaine addictions and feel happy that he got the help he needed?
January 29, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I don't really see how it's "parasocial" to care that a celebrated author beats his domestic partner & throws furniture at her when he's mad.
Is it parasocial to know that Stephen King had debilitating alcohol & cocaine addictions and feel happy that he got the help he needed?
Is it parasocial to know that Stephen King had debilitating alcohol & cocaine addictions and feel happy that he got the help he needed?
In case you're unaware, author Mary Karr (The Liar's Club) has some pretty extensive allegations of physical and emotional abuse committed by Wallace during the course of their relationship. For context.
January 29, 2026 at 4:52 PM
In case you're unaware, author Mary Karr (The Liar's Club) has some pretty extensive allegations of physical and emotional abuse committed by Wallace during the course of their relationship. For context.
He was physically and emotionally abusive to Mary Karr during the course of their romantic relationship.
January 29, 2026 at 4:49 PM
He was physically and emotionally abusive to Mary Karr during the course of their romantic relationship.
"Did Chuck Schumer turn to the camera and say he's the exact same kind of communist that I am?"
January 29, 2026 at 3:44 PM
"Did Chuck Schumer turn to the camera and say he's the exact same kind of communist that I am?"
“We will unilaterally punish you the moment we have power.”
“Cool! OK, then we’ll go ahead and ensure that you can never retake power again, then.”
“Cool! OK, then we’ll go ahead and ensure that you can never retake power again, then.”
January 29, 2026 at 3:16 PM
“We will unilaterally punish you the moment we have power.”
“Cool! OK, then we’ll go ahead and ensure that you can never retake power again, then.”
“Cool! OK, then we’ll go ahead and ensure that you can never retake power again, then.”
“Eat breakfast (lots).” Atta girl.
January 29, 2026 at 2:45 PM
“Eat breakfast (lots).” Atta girl.
At least one country in Europe (I want to say Switzerland, but don’t quote me on that) started experimenting with capping the work week at 32 hours, and they found that worker productivity increased across the board.
January 29, 2026 at 2:42 PM
At least one country in Europe (I want to say Switzerland, but don’t quote me on that) started experimenting with capping the work week at 32 hours, and they found that worker productivity increased across the board.
People are getting mad at other people for not validating their escapist power fantasies.
January 29, 2026 at 2:40 PM
People are getting mad at other people for not validating their escapist power fantasies.
“Yes, I WOULD like Chuck Schumer to punch someone out on the Senate floor!”
and
“Yes, Biden SHOULD have personally assassinated Trump at the post-election meeting!”
are both statements I’ve seen said quite sincerely this week. More than once.
and
“Yes, Biden SHOULD have personally assassinated Trump at the post-election meeting!”
are both statements I’ve seen said quite sincerely this week. More than once.
January 29, 2026 at 2:31 PM
“Yes, I WOULD like Chuck Schumer to punch someone out on the Senate floor!”
and
“Yes, Biden SHOULD have personally assassinated Trump at the post-election meeting!”
are both statements I’ve seen said quite sincerely this week. More than once.
and
“Yes, Biden SHOULD have personally assassinated Trump at the post-election meeting!”
are both statements I’ve seen said quite sincerely this week. More than once.
Pale-skinned Latino here: they will straight say this shit to our faces.
January 29, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Pale-skinned Latino here: they will straight say this shit to our faces.
“It would make *me* feel good.”
January 29, 2026 at 1:59 PM
“It would make *me* feel good.”
Because that’s how the last round of appropriations went? It varies from department to department, but government departments & project initiatives are often funded in multi-year blocks, so their funding isn’t necessarily renewed every year.
January 29, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Because that’s how the last round of appropriations went? It varies from department to department, but government departments & project initiatives are often funded in multi-year blocks, so their funding isn’t necessarily renewed every year.
“2029.”
Now, please tell me what “clarity of purpose” I could have that would materially impact the fact that ICE is already fully funded through FYE 2026 and can operate independently of a functioning or shutdown government?
Now, please tell me what “clarity of purpose” I could have that would materially impact the fact that ICE is already fully funded through FYE 2026 and can operate independently of a functioning or shutdown government?
January 29, 2026 at 6:55 AM
“2029.”
Now, please tell me what “clarity of purpose” I could have that would materially impact the fact that ICE is already fully funded through FYE 2026 and can operate independently of a functioning or shutdown government?
Now, please tell me what “clarity of purpose” I could have that would materially impact the fact that ICE is already fully funded through FYE 2026 and can operate independently of a functioning or shutdown government?
Which last November’s shutdown already demonstrated is a non-starter.
January 29, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Which last November’s shutdown already demonstrated is a non-starter.
You have a very accurate profile.
January 29, 2026 at 6:49 AM
You have a very accurate profile.
This was a ridiculous question to begin with, because there’s no causal relationship between the two. ICE is already fully funded for about the next year or so; even if the government shuts down next week, they will continue to operate unimpeded. bsky.app/profile/hugh...
I'm going to be blunt here: do you have a round number of additional Goods and Prettis before you'd feel obligated?
January 29, 2026 at 6:48 AM
This was a ridiculous question to begin with, because there’s no causal relationship between the two. ICE is already fully funded for about the next year or so; even if the government shuts down next week, they will continue to operate unimpeded. bsky.app/profile/hugh...
You both certainly seem to as well.
January 29, 2026 at 6:41 AM
You both certainly seem to as well.
Maybe we aren’t actually a bargaining chip, eh?
January 29, 2026 at 6:32 AM
Maybe we aren’t actually a bargaining chip, eh?
Sorry! I take back “guy”, that was said in error.
Everything else I stand by.
Everything else I stand by.
January 29, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Sorry! I take back “guy”, that was said in error.
Everything else I stand by.
Everything else I stand by.
“A picket line.”
Last November’s shutdown involved between 750k-*1 million* furloughed workers.
Last November’s shutdown involved between 750k-*1 million* furloughed workers.
January 29, 2026 at 4:42 AM
“A picket line.”
Last November’s shutdown involved between 750k-*1 million* furloughed workers.
Last November’s shutdown involved between 750k-*1 million* furloughed workers.