Tom Bigler
@tsbigler.bsky.social
Just a dude trying to survive this dystopian capitalist hellscape. Sports are fun.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
A Hampton Inn in Asheville just canceled my family's reservation because our address (incorrectly) showed Asheville—and the hotel bars locals within 50 miles.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
December 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A Hampton Inn in Asheville just canceled my family's reservation because our address (incorrectly) showed Asheville—and the hotel bars locals within 50 miles.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
In America, where irony is dead, a hotel chain uses a policy denying shelter to local people, for fear of accidentally housing homeless persons…
To deny a reservation to the author of a much-lauded book on how American economic unfairness forces working people into homelessness.
To deny a reservation to the author of a much-lauded book on how American economic unfairness forces working people into homelessness.
A Hampton Inn in Asheville just canceled my family's reservation because our address (incorrectly) showed Asheville—and the hotel bars locals within 50 miles.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
December 29, 2025 at 2:46 AM
In America, where irony is dead, a hotel chain uses a policy denying shelter to local people, for fear of accidentally housing homeless persons…
To deny a reservation to the author of a much-lauded book on how American economic unfairness forces working people into homelessness.
To deny a reservation to the author of a much-lauded book on how American economic unfairness forces working people into homelessness.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
In the U.S., we don’t think enough now about Iraq. About what administration after administration did there. That “we” is doing a lot of work. I’ve met a lot of vets who think a great deal about this, some with pride, some with regret, some with horror. Political conclusions don’t follow neatly.
December 29, 2025 at 2:37 AM
In the U.S., we don’t think enough now about Iraq. About what administration after administration did there. That “we” is doing a lot of work. I’ve met a lot of vets who think a great deal about this, some with pride, some with regret, some with horror. Political conclusions don’t follow neatly.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
A reminder: Russia doesn’t want/need Donbas; it isn’t historically/ethnically special. Ru wants all of Ukraine. Receiving the heavily fortified Donbas towns it couldn’t conquer for 11+ yrs on a silver platter from Trump would allow Ru an easier 2nd march on Kyiv. That’s what Pu is focusing on now.
December 28, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A reminder: Russia doesn’t want/need Donbas; it isn’t historically/ethnically special. Ru wants all of Ukraine. Receiving the heavily fortified Donbas towns it couldn’t conquer for 11+ yrs on a silver platter from Trump would allow Ru an easier 2nd march on Kyiv. That’s what Pu is focusing on now.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
MAGA is going to incite so much hate against Somalians and Muslims that it'll inevitable lead to hate crimes and violence but it still won't bring down the price of groceries, lower Healthcare costs or help people get jobs. Also, the focus will go back on Trump pardoning fraudsters as well.
December 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
MAGA is going to incite so much hate against Somalians and Muslims that it'll inevitable lead to hate crimes and violence but it still won't bring down the price of groceries, lower Healthcare costs or help people get jobs. Also, the focus will go back on Trump pardoning fraudsters as well.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
I told my story. It's behind a paywall, but here it is. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
A California National Guard pilot warned about Trump for years. Now she’s being forced out
Brynn Tannehill is a Navy-trained helicopter pilot who joined the California Air National Guard in 2023. She says she’s being kicked out for being transgender.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 27, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I told my story. It's behind a paywall, but here it is. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Reposted by Tom Bigler
New reporting says Don Jr. directly facilitated the pardon of a crypto whale who had promoted the Trump's family crypto. Jr. brought the pardon lawyer to the White House, and introduced him directly to his Dad. Pardon occurred right after. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/pardon-the...
December 27, 2025 at 6:14 PM
New reporting says Don Jr. directly facilitated the pardon of a crypto whale who had promoted the Trump's family crypto. Jr. brought the pardon lawyer to the White House, and introduced him directly to his Dad. Pardon occurred right after. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/pardon-the...
Reposted by Tom Bigler
I hope Edwin Eisendrath is correct when he writes that "2025 was a turning point, the year when America’s fascist consolidation reached its high-water mark and began to crumble." His outlook isn't 100% rosy, though. He sees lots of MAGA mischief-making ahead.
America is done with Trump but he is not done with us.
In 2026, we should expect stepped-up election subversion, further weaponization of the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization of their ethnic cleansing policies.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/edwineis...
In 2026, we should expect stepped-up election subversion, further weaponization of the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization of their ethnic cleansing policies.
My latest:
open.substack.com/pub/edwineis...
America is done with Trump but he is not done with us
We should expect stepped up election subversion, further weaponize the justice system to weaken their opposition, and the industrialization their ethnic cleansing policies.
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I hope Edwin Eisendrath is correct when he writes that "2025 was a turning point, the year when America’s fascist consolidation reached its high-water mark and began to crumble." His outlook isn't 100% rosy, though. He sees lots of MAGA mischief-making ahead.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
The top is after Trump’s DOJ redactions below is without, I can almost figure out who they are protecting
December 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The top is after Trump’s DOJ redactions below is without, I can almost figure out who they are protecting
Reposted by Tom Bigler
Think Tank Called ‘The Himmler Institute’ Assures Nation This All Legal https://theonion.com/think-tank-called-the-himmler-institute-assures-nation-this-all-legal/
December 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Think Tank Called ‘The Himmler Institute’ Assures Nation This All Legal https://theonion.com/think-tank-called-the-himmler-institute-assures-nation-this-all-legal/
Reposted by Tom Bigler
CBS has cancelled a story about the Christmas Nigeria bombings because Bari Weiss complained it implied that Nigerians are human beings without seeking an alternative perspective from Steven Miller.
December 26, 2025 at 6:01 PM
CBS has cancelled a story about the Christmas Nigeria bombings because Bari Weiss complained it implied that Nigerians are human beings without seeking an alternative perspective from Steven Miller.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
This is John Roberts' America.
The blatant selling of pardons is perhaps the clearest instance of criminal conduct authorized by SCOTUS. Pardons are a quintessential "official act." So, even when Trump takes a bribe to issue one, he is presumably above the criminal law.
The president’s own chief of staff was reportedly stunned by his pardon of a former Honduran president.
December 25, 2025 at 5:29 PM
This is John Roberts' America.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
The genocide will continue until morale improves.
"We’re monitoring what you do online. Disseminating, writing, or publishing inciting content online is considered a terrorist crime in every sense and may lead to arrest or imprisonment. We have warned you."
Israel warns Palestinians that posting about their suffering will be considered terrorism.
Israel warns Palestinians that posting about their suffering will be considered terrorism.
December 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The genocide will continue until morale improves.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
Reminder: it is not correct to refer to Conway as a "Never Trumper."
He was, in fact, a Trumper before he became a not-Trumper. He was literally a top pick to run Trump's DOJ in the first term. He was absolutely a Trumper.
He was, in fact, a Trumper before he became a not-Trumper. He was literally a top pick to run Trump's DOJ in the first term. He was absolutely a Trumper.
December 23, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reminder: it is not correct to refer to Conway as a "Never Trumper."
He was, in fact, a Trumper before he became a not-Trumper. He was literally a top pick to run Trump's DOJ in the first term. He was absolutely a Trumper.
He was, in fact, a Trumper before he became a not-Trumper. He was literally a top pick to run Trump's DOJ in the first term. He was absolutely a Trumper.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
It's true that Garland did nothing about Trump and Epstein while being completely aware of the crimes. The crimes were public information! Garland was installed to protect the DOJ, which protects Trump and Epstein. It's explained in this free 2023 article. sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/servants-o...
Servants of the Mafia State
Merrick Garland, Jamie Gorelick, and the truth
sarahkendzior.substack.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
It's true that Garland did nothing about Trump and Epstein while being completely aware of the crimes. The crimes were public information! Garland was installed to protect the DOJ, which protects Trump and Epstein. It's explained in this free 2023 article. sarahkendzior.substack.com/p/servants-o...
Reposted by Tom Bigler
It's the Epstein victims who need the apology.
And block anyone who defended Garland. The Garland DOJ defenders were part of a propaganda operation to make sure Epstein's victims did not see justice AND that Americans stopped pushing for it.
Also goes for defenders of Barr, but people know that.
And block anyone who defended Garland. The Garland DOJ defenders were part of a propaganda operation to make sure Epstein's victims did not see justice AND that Americans stopped pushing for it.
Also goes for defenders of Barr, but people know that.
December 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It's the Epstein victims who need the apology.
And block anyone who defended Garland. The Garland DOJ defenders were part of a propaganda operation to make sure Epstein's victims did not see justice AND that Americans stopped pushing for it.
Also goes for defenders of Barr, but people know that.
And block anyone who defended Garland. The Garland DOJ defenders were part of a propaganda operation to make sure Epstein's victims did not see justice AND that Americans stopped pushing for it.
Also goes for defenders of Barr, but people know that.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
I never again want to hear about how the Republican Party is the party of national security. You don’t incinerate our diplomatic capacity & violate all of our treaty commitments if you care about national security.
Context for Trump withdrawing dozens of ambassadors
*China has invested heavily in expanding diplomacy
*The US has significantly degraded soft power
*The US already has scores of diplomatic vacancies
*China has invested heavily in expanding diplomacy
*The US has significantly degraded soft power
*The US already has scores of diplomatic vacancies
December 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I never again want to hear about how the Republican Party is the party of national security. You don’t incinerate our diplomatic capacity & violate all of our treaty commitments if you care about national security.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
So I have the cover story in next month's TNR.
I interviewed the heads of police groups; immigration defense attorneys, ex-judges and ex-prosecutors; former DOJ and DHS officials, and the former head of Border Patrol.
They're all horrified at what we've seen, and they all fear what's coming.
I interviewed the heads of police groups; immigration defense attorneys, ex-judges and ex-prosecutors; former DOJ and DHS officials, and the former head of Border Patrol.
They're all horrified at what we've seen, and they all fear what's coming.
Trump’s Immigration Nightmare: It Is Happening Here
With astonishing speed, the administration has toppled the most cherished pillars of a free society. And the experts agree: It’s all going to get much, much worse.
newrepublic.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
So I have the cover story in next month's TNR.
I interviewed the heads of police groups; immigration defense attorneys, ex-judges and ex-prosecutors; former DOJ and DHS officials, and the former head of Border Patrol.
They're all horrified at what we've seen, and they all fear what's coming.
I interviewed the heads of police groups; immigration defense attorneys, ex-judges and ex-prosecutors; former DOJ and DHS officials, and the former head of Border Patrol.
They're all horrified at what we've seen, and they all fear what's coming.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
Just a reminder that Trump has, on camera, bragged about walking in on Miss Teen USA contestants changing and explained his 17-year-old daughter asked him not to “date” girls younger than her.
I’m not sure what’s true in the Epstein Files, but when you recall those facts it all seems plausible
I’m not sure what’s true in the Epstein Files, but when you recall those facts it all seems plausible
December 24, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Just a reminder that Trump has, on camera, bragged about walking in on Miss Teen USA contestants changing and explained his 17-year-old daughter asked him not to “date” girls younger than her.
I’m not sure what’s true in the Epstein Files, but when you recall those facts it all seems plausible
I’m not sure what’s true in the Epstein Files, but when you recall those facts it all seems plausible
Reposted by Tom Bigler
Me: would you mind saying this thing on the record that you probably shouldn't?
DHS: Buddy, we would love to say the thing.
DHS: Buddy, we would love to say the thing.
December 22, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Me: would you mind saying this thing on the record that you probably shouldn't?
DHS: Buddy, we would love to say the thing.
DHS: Buddy, we would love to say the thing.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
Also, Justice Kavanaugh sounds like he really, really wants a second try at his decision authorizing Kavanaugh Stops.
He's now insisting that immigration enforcement should not be like EXACTLY WHAT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS LIKE UNDER TRUMP'S THUGGERY.
He's now insisting that immigration enforcement should not be like EXACTLY WHAT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS LIKE UNDER TRUMP'S THUGGERY.
![arrests in Illinois. The State and the Government disagree about whether the immigration officers have violated the Constitution in making certain immigration stops and arrests. The basic constitutional rules governing that dispute are longstanding and clear: The Fourth Amendment requires that immigration stops must be based on reasonable suspicion of illegal presence, stops must be brief, arrests must be based on probable cause, and officers must not employ excessive force. Moreover, the officers must not make interior immigration stops or arrests based on race or ethnicity. Cf. Whren v. United States, 517 U. S. 806, 813 (1996) (“[T]he Constitution prohibits selective enforcement of the law based on considerations such as race”). This application does not require us to delve into the parties’ underlying dispute and to determine whether any particular immigration encounter or series of encounters in Illinois has violated those basic constitutional principles.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:24vva42nxim6zbcmnozegoef/bafkreiftd2dsbnwupyavikifhpranzsrgae4czsegm4dlyrwdixfumxmwi@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Also, Justice Kavanaugh sounds like he really, really wants a second try at his decision authorizing Kavanaugh Stops.
He's now insisting that immigration enforcement should not be like EXACTLY WHAT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS LIKE UNDER TRUMP'S THUGGERY.
He's now insisting that immigration enforcement should not be like EXACTLY WHAT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS LIKE UNDER TRUMP'S THUGGERY.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
these are the kind of numbers that, *at the end of a president's term*, herald a total wipeout for his party in the next election.
we are in december of year one.
we are in december of year one.
![Gallup poll | 12/1-12/15
President Trump approval crosstabs (%)
🟥Overall (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥Democratic (93/3 disapprove) [-90]
🟩Republican (89/8 approve) [+81]
🟥Independent (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥18-34 (68/25 disapprove) [-43]
🟥35-54 (59/36 disapprove) [-23]
🟥55+ (53/43 disapprove) [-10]
🟥No college (55/37 disapprove) [-18]
🟥College graduate (59/37 disapprove) [-22]
🟥Male (53/42 disapprove) [-11]
🟥Female (64/30 disapprove) [-34]
🟥White (52/46 disapprove) [-6]
🟥Non-white (71/21 disapprove) [-50]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreifnv6vxufu6icjvsd5toirz3lmqkzertdpdnlqh7q44momevhfjqq@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 2:26 AM
these are the kind of numbers that, *at the end of a president's term*, herald a total wipeout for his party in the next election.
we are in december of year one.
we are in december of year one.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
Imagine interviewing a victim of torture and independently confirming the details of his torture and then being told you can’t broadcast it because the people who ordered the torture wouldn’t give their side of the story.
December 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Imagine interviewing a victim of torture and independently confirming the details of his torture and then being told you can’t broadcast it because the people who ordered the torture wouldn’t give their side of the story.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
A disturbing update to this story: Despite the fact that he was about to be released from a US prison after completing a sentence here, when Kelvin Membreño was deported to El Salvador he was sent to CECOT prison and remains there. The family has not heard from him since.
NEW — Kelvin Membreño will be deported to El Salvador by ICE tomorrow. He’s the birth father of three US citizen daughters and has become an important part of their lives.
Here their adoptive mother makes a last ditch plea to let him stay in the same country as the girls. A gutting guest essay:
Here their adoptive mother makes a last ditch plea to let him stay in the same country as the girls. A gutting guest essay:
A mother's urgent plea to stop ICE from deporting her daughters’ birth father tomorrow
He served his time in the US. He deserves to heal here, too.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
A disturbing update to this story: Despite the fact that he was about to be released from a US prison after completing a sentence here, when Kelvin Membreño was deported to El Salvador he was sent to CECOT prison and remains there. The family has not heard from him since.
Reposted by Tom Bigler
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
December 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.