Reaction Shots (John Barrett)

This is a general note for all of us who make starter/booster packs, on the one hand, and for people who follow us on the other that might be affected by our packs. Make sure no one is in a list that doesn’t want to be there. There are solid reasons why some people might not want the exposure. 1/2

Simply this. My own 2 cents is here (from April 2025): dimensionallybarrett.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-...

RIP Tom Skerritt. He was in everything and gave us some truly fine turns. If Ebert had his “Harry Dean Stanton and M. Emmett Walsh rule”, you could do worse than having a “Harry Dean Stanton/Tom Skerritt rule.” William Hughes’/@plumberduck.bsky.social interview is good reading.

This truly makes me apprehensive. I didn’t have any problems Monday, but this raises questions. For one, do the poll workers pull those machines offline? For another, are the machines from a single company and which one or is it a few and which ones?

Because they asked nicely & because this is a great thread, I feel inspired to share. But if you’re at all interested in movies, check out their superlative offerings here: alltherightmovies.com/feature/list...

I wish I could amplify Kate’s message across US media. On full blast. We have to vote this regime out.

On non-election and non-political-hellscape matters, @jacoboller.bsky.social at the @avclub.com continues to bring it. Aside from astute criticism and analysis, he’s a fine interviewer and if you’ve any love for Criterion and Kubrick, this is a read for you!

WOOHOO! A packed polling place and it only took about 20 minutes!!!

Hopefully, this long-ass line I’m in at the polls is an indication of what turn-out will be more generally. Just heard the multi-purpose cultural center on West Gray is packed. I realize this is only the first day of early voting, but maybe we’ll all be (pleasantly) surprised.

Good morning Bluesky! It’s the first day of early voting in Texas and if you’re in Harris County, here are resources to forward to friends who may need this info. Are we registered: me-l.co/eeswzh77 Sample ballot: me-l.co/t8vn2yr2 Wanna volunteer? me-l.co/k1mln5ud

The NYT is low-hanging fruit as flunky for the regime in the culture warscape. However, there are those of us old enough to remember when it was a vital cornerstone of the media. Nevertheless, we are here now and the gray lady’s dementia may not be as bad as Trump’s, but may well be linked to it.

Worth a repost!

@striverstv.bsky.social has a few more like this! You guys have to check’em out!

All I can say is…FINALLY! My 7th starter pack! Hope you find some good people to meet and orgs to join in on here!

I’ll throw this into today’s morning mix, as well. #EarlyVotingTX

@roadwomen.bsky.social has a nifty event to kick off early voting on Monday! The link takes you to facebook (lowercase intentional), but the screenshot has the deets if you’re anti-Meta (I am, but I still use it for cases like this…dang it…not sure why the org hasn’t posted here more).

If you’re looking for more to do in Houston before the No Kings rally, this’ll be fun! “No Kings: Vote Early Postcard Party, Houston, Texas” - sign up now to join me!

In case anyone needs a reminder, “No Kings: Vote Early Houston City Hall Rally - Houston Metro” is happening from 4 to 6 at City Hall! See you there!

Okay, gang! Back from another hiatus! As we get closer to the midterms, I’ll be pushing out more posts like this. Texas folks! Early voting begins Monday! Let’s get our friends and neighbors stepping up and showing up!

Not a fan of Meta but i keep FB Messenger because thats how a lot of folks in South Asia keep in contact. Or WhatsApp, soooo. Anyway, this teel was forwarded me by a friend in Nepal. Its worth a watch. www.facebook.com/share/v/1cpe...

Morning reading #5 More of a public service than a piece to read.

Morning reading #4 Fetterman, Fetterman, Fetterman… A little more genocide with your fundraising? Nice to see you’re building bridges with your buddies across the aisle. Shmuck.

Morning reading #3 See note from today’s first reading. Another example. Yeah, Kraft, helping the Palestinians to extinction is your reasoning, I suppose. The minute we read you were going to match Macklemore’s $1M, I smelled a rat. And boy do you stink.

Morning reading #2 Not saying this couldn’t have happened under anyone else, but that this happened on Kash Patel’s watch is delicious. National security has been reduced to a carnival act.

Good morning Bluesky! Morning reading #1 These assholes never disappoint.

Morning reading #5 Miles Taylor’s dispatch is sadly, not unusual. I have friends who are avoiding returning to the US and others who, when they have to, follow the same protocols as the people in his piece.

Morning reading #4 I need to tout @strategywoman.bsky.social ‘s writing more. She gives us a window in a world that few of us can imagine. Her words have wings and deliver powerful lessons. www.patreon.com/strategywoma...

Morning reading #3 This the first part of a two-parter. The second dropped yesterday, but start here. Anything Prof. Snyder writes is worth reading.

Morning reading #2 This shouldn’t have to be said. Nevertheless a strong piece about workers rights as human rights.

God morning Bluesky! Some morning reading to follow. Been a little busy with what will be at least a two-part series. Hopefully, I’ll be back in Nepal next year (not leaving until after the mid-terms was never an option). Folks there need a lot of help, so whatever you can do is appreciated. #Nepal

I know there’s a lot going on in the world, but I’m working on a two-part series on the flooding in Nepal with this first part focusing on a friend’s efforts in organizing and deploying relief to affected areas. How you can help is the other main thrust of the piece. More to follow, for sure!

OH SNAP! Mrs. Bowers dropping serious science about these tools!

Thanks to @southpaw-616.bsky.social for posting this. And yep, what he said.

Morning reading #2 Not unrelated to Gloria Steinem’s passing.

Good morning Bluesky! Can’t stay long but here are some morning reads. #1 RIP, Gloria. You were a pioneer and immensely brave, though I’m still unclear about your attitude toward sex workers and trans people.

Thought I was done! Morning reading#4 This. This right here. With Jeffries as big-talk to no- talk (& less action), this makes exquisite sense. Should the House flip, the wheels of justice need to start turning the second they touch the ground. Of course, that flip has to happen first…

Morning reading #4 (& last for the morning; I gotta get going!) Thanks to Schultziepie for reposting and to Patriot007’s comment for almost causing me to spit-take my coffee!

Morning reading #3 I wasn’t about to end a Dolly Parton morning on a downer note. Fuck the GOP, for sure, and enjoy this gem from @nathanrabin.bsky.social. I didn’t know Michael O’Donaghue, of all people, wrote a song for Parton. Give a read and give a listen; it’s a heavy song, but wow. Just…wow.

Morning reading #2 This is the opposite of Heather Cox Richardson’s lovely summation of Dolly Parton and her life’s work. It is a capsule of the venality, hypocrisy, and evil of the Republican Party, however. They can’t do one decent thing in the wake of a great woman’s passing.

The first two morning reads are related. One is a great reprise of what Dolly Parton accomplished and a reminder of the best in us. The other, Morning Reading #2, also Dolly-related, is the opposite and shows very much the worst of us.

I know we don’t live forever but it bites that a day after Dolly Parton, we say farewell to Tim Curry. (For some reason, I thought he was a good five years younger…80 isn‘t old, either, but gee whiz, I didn’t expect I’d be reading his obituary today.) www.npr.org/2026/08/26/n...