Optimistic Pessimism
@vetrano.me
I survive strokes, write a bit, speak sometimes, analyze data, do IT, and attempt to start websites.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
Basically yes
I wonder if Roman elites watching the fall of their empire also thought: “This is so stupid.”
April 13, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Basically yes
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
When the last university is shuttered, when elementary schools teach only The Art of the Deal, Bret Stephens will still be there to say, “this is all because of woke.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/o...
Opinion | ‘A Really Easy Mark for Trump’: Three Columnists on the Threats to Elite Colleges (Gift Article)
What went wrong for higher education?
www.nytimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
When the last university is shuttered, when elementary schools teach only The Art of the Deal, Bret Stephens will still be there to say, “this is all because of woke.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/o...
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
Reminder that excluding crude oil, the US has maintained a consistent trade SURPLUS with Canada to the tune of nearly $30bn at latest count.
March 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Reminder that excluding crude oil, the US has maintained a consistent trade SURPLUS with Canada to the tune of nearly $30bn at latest count.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
The 666 was no fluke.
March 5, 2025 at 2:20 AM
The 666 was no fluke.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
This is Marco Rubio explaining how the USA promised to defend Ukraine forever if they got rid of their nuclear arsenal left after the Soviet Union fell.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
March 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is Marco Rubio explaining how the USA promised to defend Ukraine forever if they got rid of their nuclear arsenal left after the Soviet Union fell.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
This is why lil marco was sinking into the couch. He was hoping we wouldn’t find it…so don’t RT right now this very second.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
If you understand German: I tried to make the case I am outlining in the thread below on German television.
The Trumpists really mean it. Just as on the domestic level, they are going for regime change - for a fundamentally different world order:
The Trumpists really mean it. Just as on the domestic level, they are going for regime change - for a fundamentally different world order:
March 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
If you understand German: I tried to make the case I am outlining in the thread below on German television.
The Trumpists really mean it. Just as on the domestic level, they are going for regime change - for a fundamentally different world order:
The Trumpists really mean it. Just as on the domestic level, they are going for regime change - for a fundamentally different world order:
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
NEW: A searing editorial in the The Kyiv Independent.
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
Editorial: A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky
It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
In the past several weeks, the U.S. leadership has demonstrate...
kyivindependent.com
February 28, 2025 at 10:45 PM
NEW: A searing editorial in the The Kyiv Independent.
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
“It’s time to say it plainly. America’s leadership has switched sides in the war. The American people have not, and they should speak up.
“A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky.”
@kyivindependent.com
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
NEW: Voice of America is in upheaval. Journalists are facing HR investigations for comments critical of Trump. One of VOA's highest-profile journalists was put on leave today after a Trump aide called him a traitor. And the White House bureau chief was reassigned. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/b...
Voice of America Journalists Face Investigations for Comments About Trump
The broadcaster placed a longtime journalist on leave amid growing concerns about its editorial independence.
www.nytimes.com
February 28, 2025 at 11:33 PM
NEW: Voice of America is in upheaval. Journalists are facing HR investigations for comments critical of Trump. One of VOA's highest-profile journalists was put on leave today after a Trump aide called him a traitor. And the White House bureau chief was reassigned. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/28/b...
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
"History will remember this day— when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for."
February 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"History will remember this day— when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for."
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
Stand with Ukraine.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
February 28, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Stand with Ukraine.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
This is an enormous scandal on par and maybe worse than the Eric Adams scandal.
First of many, but here we have a completely manufactured criminal investigation. One career prosecutor already resigned over it. Goal is simply to claw back $20 billion in Biden era climate money. Open and shut corruption. www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
FBI investigating Trump EPA claims of fraud in $20B Biden grant fund
While career prosecutors in two U.S. attorney offices and a U.S. judge balked at a court-ordered freeze, Citibank has locked down billions without explanation.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 28, 2025 at 2:19 AM
This is an enormous scandal on par and maybe worse than the Eric Adams scandal.
This performative politic bullshit and constant click driving towards stories about what new dogshit the administration is doing is not helpful. Anyone paying attention understands, and you’re only communicating to those paying attention - ESPECIALLY here on Bsky. Get organized, get local, fight.
February 28, 2025 at 2:16 AM
This performative politic bullshit and constant click driving towards stories about what new dogshit the administration is doing is not helpful. Anyone paying attention understands, and you’re only communicating to those paying attention - ESPECIALLY here on Bsky. Get organized, get local, fight.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
Andrew Tate has learned his lesson.
by Susan Collins
by Susan Collins
February 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Andrew Tate has learned his lesson.
by Susan Collins
by Susan Collins
This is still a surprise to anyone?
No.
We know how this works. The old guard is too busy faffing about and playing performative politics.
No.
We know how this works. The old guard is too busy faffing about and playing performative politics.
DOGE recommends cuts to the FAA.
Hundreds of workers get fired, including those tasked with producing air traffic navigation maps.
Now Starlink is reportedly in line to take over a $2 billion contract to upgrade the nation's air traffic control systems.
See how this works?
Hundreds of workers get fired, including those tasked with producing air traffic navigation maps.
Now Starlink is reportedly in line to take over a $2 billion contract to upgrade the nation's air traffic control systems.
See how this works?
February 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
This is still a surprise to anyone?
No.
We know how this works. The old guard is too busy faffing about and playing performative politics.
No.
We know how this works. The old guard is too busy faffing about and playing performative politics.
He hasn’t been shy about his nuke and repave intent for everything.
February 28, 2025 at 2:02 AM
He hasn’t been shy about his nuke and repave intent for everything.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
All eugenics programs are founded on ignorance since they believe in the fictions of race and nation, but the eugenics program this country is currently pursuing by eliminating vaccines and vaccine research is particularly idiotic.
February 27, 2025 at 11:25 PM
All eugenics programs are founded on ignorance since they believe in the fictions of race and nation, but the eugenics program this country is currently pursuing by eliminating vaccines and vaccine research is particularly idiotic.
This is sickeningly accurate. Deeply unfortunate, but sickeningly accurate.
This whole country wants bad things for others more than they want good things for themselves.
February 28, 2025 at 1:57 AM
This is sickeningly accurate. Deeply unfortunate, but sickeningly accurate.
More and more I lay in bed thinking, “Tomorrow is the day I wake up and life isn’t increasingly Kafkaesque anymore; I’ll be informed this bit of insanity was all just a mass Truman show like experience.” because it just keeps all getting more fucking absurd by the day. I mean we knew it would, but…
February 27, 2025 at 4:37 AM
More and more I lay in bed thinking, “Tomorrow is the day I wake up and life isn’t increasingly Kafkaesque anymore; I’ll be informed this bit of insanity was all just a mass Truman show like experience.” because it just keeps all getting more fucking absurd by the day. I mean we knew it would, but…
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
Investors are piling their money into safe haven US govt bonds amid fears that Donald Trump will trigger an economic downturn....consumer confidence plummeted in February.
Upbeat mood seen among US businesses at the start of the year has evaporated...a darkening picture of heightened uncertainty.
Upbeat mood seen among US businesses at the start of the year has evaporated...a darkening picture of heightened uncertainty.
Investors bet on US downturn as Trump triggers ‘red flags’
Funds are flowing from capital markets into less risky government bonds in anticipation of slowdown
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 27, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Investors are piling their money into safe haven US govt bonds amid fears that Donald Trump will trigger an economic downturn....consumer confidence plummeted in February.
Upbeat mood seen among US businesses at the start of the year has evaporated...a darkening picture of heightened uncertainty.
Upbeat mood seen among US businesses at the start of the year has evaporated...a darkening picture of heightened uncertainty.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
A child died this morning from measles in an outbreak in West Texas.
I just talked with a local health official, who called this death so sad, and so completely preventable.
I just talked with a local health official, who called this death so sad, and so completely preventable.
🚨Texas measles outbreak nears 100 cases, w/16 hospitalizations. Officials suspect it's spilled just across the border to New Mexico.
Low vax rates+undetected infections mean it will grow.
“This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better”
My latest kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Low vax rates+undetected infections mean it will grow.
“This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better”
My latest kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread - KFF Health News
Health officials expect a measles outbreak in West Texas to exceed 100 cases because of low vaccination rates and undetected infections. Vaccine misinformation and new laws may make such situations mo...
kffhealthnews.org
February 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
A child died this morning from measles in an outbreak in West Texas.
I just talked with a local health official, who called this death so sad, and so completely preventable.
I just talked with a local health official, who called this death so sad, and so completely preventable.
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
“It’s a really aggressive move that reflects an administration that is either out of touch with how the world really works or that doesn’t care and wants to cause chaos.”
Trump Takes Aim at Chinese Shipping Amid Widening Trade War (Gift Article)
A new proposal would impose steep levies on Chinese-made ships arriving at U.S. ports, threatening to increase costs for imports.
www.nytimes.com
February 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
“It’s a really aggressive move that reflects an administration that is either out of touch with how the world really works or that doesn’t care and wants to cause chaos.”
Reposted by Optimistic Pessimism
The message is clear: unless you are directly benefiting billionaires your life is worthless
February 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
The message is clear: unless you are directly benefiting billionaires your life is worthless