@vakell21.bsky.social
Northern Virginia; fan of all things Pittsburgh…Pirates, Pens, Stillers; member of the resistance; 💙🌊
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Casual reminder that the myth of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” is a cruel hoax designed to convince poor people from all walks of life that the injustices they face are a result of their own actions, rather than an oppressive system rigged against them.
December 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Casual reminder that the myth of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” is a cruel hoax designed to convince poor people from all walks of life that the injustices they face are a result of their own actions, rather than an oppressive system rigged against them.
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50 states do this challenge
Billionaires are considering cutting or reducing their ties to California by the end of the year because of a proposed ballot measure that could tax the state’s wealthiest residents.
A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving
It’s uncertain whether the proposal will reach the statewide ballot in November, but some billionaires like Peter Thiel and Larry Page may be unwilling to take the risk.
nyti.ms
December 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
50 states do this challenge
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I cannot fucking believe they’re so in the tank for this man they will also call bombings “peace”
One good thing about me is that my brain works and I don't fall for Orwellian, propaganda nonsense like this.
The Israelis are breaking the ceasefire and NBC News is actively running interference to support the Israeli government (as are most other American corporate media outlets).
The Israelis are breaking the ceasefire and NBC News is actively running interference to support the Israeli government (as are most other American corporate media outlets).
December 27, 2025 at 1:22 AM
I cannot fucking believe they’re so in the tank for this man they will also call bombings “peace”
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With fewer than 40 bills signed into law as of Dec. 22, the House and Senate set a modern record for lowest legislative output in the first year of a new presidency, according to data maintained by C-SPAN and Purdue University. https://wapo.st/3YPTQGo
December 27, 2025 at 1:30 AM
With fewer than 40 bills signed into law as of Dec. 22, the House and Senate set a modern record for lowest legislative output in the first year of a new presidency, according to data maintained by C-SPAN and Purdue University. https://wapo.st/3YPTQGo
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Remember when Democrats read out loud from Project 2025 on a national prime-time TV broadcast?
🚨🚨 SCOOP @ms.now : The Department of Veteran Affairs has quietly implemented its abortion ban following a DOJ memo issued last week.
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
Department of Veterans Affairs quietly implements abortion ban
A VA spokesperson confirmed to MS NOW that the ban was in place following a Department of Justice memo issued last week.
www.ms.now
December 27, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Remember when Democrats read out loud from Project 2025 on a national prime-time TV broadcast?
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“Peace through strength” just means war. That’s it. That’s all it means.
December 27, 2025 at 2:44 AM
“Peace through strength” just means war. That’s it. That’s all it means.
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It’s hard to believe that one man can cause so much stress, so much fear, so much pain and suffering…a man who took an oath to preserve and protect our Constitution. This man, who is inciting terror across our land, must be removed from office. In a sane world, it would happen immediately.
December 27, 2025 at 2:26 AM
It’s hard to believe that one man can cause so much stress, so much fear, so much pain and suffering…a man who took an oath to preserve and protect our Constitution. This man, who is inciting terror across our land, must be removed from office. In a sane world, it would happen immediately.
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I’m going to need to see the declination memos from DoJ where they declined to prosecute the Epstein co-conspirators, and I’m gonna need to see them for every single person they declined to prosecute.
December 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I’m going to need to see the declination memos from DoJ where they declined to prosecute the Epstein co-conspirators, and I’m gonna need to see them for every single person they declined to prosecute.
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The #EpsteinFiles have totally broken him.
December 26, 2025 at 11:37 PM
The #EpsteinFiles have totally broken him.
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As a Jew, it’s fun watching the administration post Christian nationalist messages while also saying they are doing everything they can to curb antisemitism.
Here’s the U.S. government being officially religious in a country with no official religion.
December 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
As a Jew, it’s fun watching the administration post Christian nationalist messages while also saying they are doing everything they can to curb antisemitism.
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Let's put together a list of the 10 worst antisemites on the Federal payroll. Let's talk abt the things they did--like platforming Russian-asset AfD members--that also piss off those opposed to Trump's coziness with Russia. And let's lobby Ted Cruz and Mike Pence to do something about it.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
December 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Let's put together a list of the 10 worst antisemites on the Federal payroll. Let's talk abt the things they did--like platforming Russian-asset AfD members--that also piss off those opposed to Trump's coziness with Russia. And let's lobby Ted Cruz and Mike Pence to do something about it.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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And FWIW, while the MAGAt schism (heh) over Neo-Nazis terrifies me (bc angry Neo-Nazis have a tendency to be very dangerous), that same schism offers tools to make the Admin pay for their antisemitism.
Eg, Ted Cruz wants to run for president on it.
Eg, Ted Cruz wants to run for president on it.
December 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
And FWIW, while the MAGAt schism (heh) over Neo-Nazis terrifies me (bc angry Neo-Nazis have a tendency to be very dangerous), that same schism offers tools to make the Admin pay for their antisemitism.
Eg, Ted Cruz wants to run for president on it.
Eg, Ted Cruz wants to run for president on it.
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This is VERY high up on my list of things we need to do better in 2026: Find a way to use the Admin's claim they oppose antisemitism to impose a cost for the antisemitism they routinely push out.
There's literally an EO forbidding federal funding for antisemitism!
There's literally an EO forbidding federal funding for antisemitism!
As a Jew, it’s fun watching the administration post Christian nationalist messages while also saying they are doing everything they can to curb antisemitism.
Here’s the U.S. government being officially religious in a country with no official religion.
December 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
This is VERY high up on my list of things we need to do better in 2026: Find a way to use the Admin's claim they oppose antisemitism to impose a cost for the antisemitism they routinely push out.
There's literally an EO forbidding federal funding for antisemitism!
There's literally an EO forbidding federal funding for antisemitism!
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This is what it took to shame Kristi Noem into letting an Irish green card holder who bouncing $80 in 2 checks 10 years ago free after 5 months in detention:
A veteran, Trump-voting spouse
9 US descendants
Letter signed by 18 Senators
30 character witnesses
www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-...
A veteran, Trump-voting spouse
9 US descendants
Letter signed by 18 Senators
30 character witnesses
www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-...
ICE Releases Grandma With Green Card After 5 Months in Time for Christmas
Donna Hughes Brown's case was highlighted during a hearing with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
www.star-telegram.com
December 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
This is what it took to shame Kristi Noem into letting an Irish green card holder who bouncing $80 in 2 checks 10 years ago free after 5 months in detention:
A veteran, Trump-voting spouse
9 US descendants
Letter signed by 18 Senators
30 character witnesses
www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-...
A veteran, Trump-voting spouse
9 US descendants
Letter signed by 18 Senators
30 character witnesses
www.star-telegram.com/news/nation-...
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Thanks to @magaziner.house.gov, who named and shamed Noem in a televised Congressional hearing on Dec 12th — it only took him one minute to plead the case of Donna Hughes Brown. When big social media influencers highlight the work that Dems are doing to help Trump’s voters, voters will take notice.
December 25, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Thanks to @magaziner.house.gov, who named and shamed Noem in a televised Congressional hearing on Dec 12th — it only took him one minute to plead the case of Donna Hughes Brown. When big social media influencers highlight the work that Dems are doing to help Trump’s voters, voters will take notice.
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"Shit, Trump will be lucky if this only goes on for another month and not twelve."
Much of Todd Blanche's Perceived Cover-Up Is Actually Incompetence
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/26/m...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/26/m...
Much of Todd Blanche's Perceived Cover-Up Is Actually Incompetence - emptywheel
I have no doubt that Todd Blanche's actions will one day amount primarily to a cover-up -- such as when he is eventually cornered about his actions to silence Ghislaine Maxwell. But thus far, the chao...
www.emptywheel.net
December 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
"Shit, Trump will be lucky if this only goes on for another month and not twelve."
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America has 925 billionaires as of this year. Collectively they have a record $6.9 trillion in wealth.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
December 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
America has 925 billionaires as of this year. Collectively they have a record $6.9 trillion in wealth.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.
When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
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Much of Todd Blanche's Perceived Cover-Up Is Actually Incompetence
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/26/m...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/26/m...
Much of Todd Blanche's Perceived Cover-Up Is Actually Incompetence - emptywheel
I have no doubt that Todd Blanche's actions will one day amount primarily to a cover-up -- such as when he is eventually cornered about his actions to silence Ghislaine Maxwell. But thus far, the chao...
www.emptywheel.net
December 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Much of Todd Blanche's Perceived Cover-Up Is Actually Incompetence
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/26/m...
www.emptywheel.net/2025/12/26/m...
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I somehow missed this www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/...
December 26, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I somehow missed this www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/...
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Phang: If that happened in January, how in the actual hell is Blanche now telling the American people that they suddenly discovered a million more documents?
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
December 26, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Phang: If that happened in January, how in the actual hell is Blanche now telling the American people that they suddenly discovered a million more documents?
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
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Phang: If that happened in January, how in the actual hell is Blanche now telling the American people that they suddenly discovered a million more documents?
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
GTFOH. As far back as January, the entirety of the Epstein files were transferred to Main Justice at DOJ…
December 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
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"'We request that the government pause apprehension activities during the Christmas season. Such a pause would show a decent regard for the humanity of these families.'
The White House did not mention the holiday season in its rejection of the Bishops' request..."
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
The White House did not mention the holiday season in its rejection of the Bishops' request..."
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
White House rebuffs Catholic bishops' appeal for a Christmas pause in immigration enforcement
The appeal was issued by the Miami archbishop and signed by seven other members of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops.
www.nbcnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
"'We request that the government pause apprehension activities during the Christmas season. Such a pause would show a decent regard for the humanity of these families.'
The White House did not mention the holiday season in its rejection of the Bishops' request..."
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
The White House did not mention the holiday season in its rejection of the Bishops' request..."
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
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December 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
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The firm of Trump Bondi L.L.C.
Axios has learned the White House has begun managing the DOJ's account on X to respond to posts highlighting mentions of Trump in the Epstein files.
In typical administrations, there is a wall between the White House and what is supposed to be an independent Justice Department.
In typical administrations, there is a wall between the White House and what is supposed to be an independent Justice Department.
Scoop: Trump administration expects Epstein files release could last another week
The White House has begun managing the DOJ's account on X, an effort to finish out the year and the Epstein file disclosure requirements set by Congress.
www.axios.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
The firm of Trump Bondi L.L.C.