tkrontir.bsky.social

tkrontir.bsky.social

@tkrontir.bsky.social

102 followers51 following721 posts

This is a momentous moment in planning and waging war: Hereafter, we must plan for and counter threats to our military assets, even thousands of miles from any theater of operation. Our experience with the Russian war in Ukraine should have prepared us for this

But the incompetent morons who started this unnecessary war with Iran didn’t have a clue and didn’t take any anyone’s advice. These people should be impeached and removed immediately.

As these late-night AI excrescences multiply, be comforted (maybe) in the knowledge that only a profoundly disturbed and corrupt egomaniac is capable of such twisted frauds--at once hilarious and chilling.

The Lincoln Project@lincolnproject.us

Draft dodger cosplays with stolen valor

#McConnell #Repubnants DC Post quotes McConnell staffer, “The Senator continues to meet with staff regarding Senate and Kentucky business, including discussions on defense appropriations, foreign policy, the farm bill, ...” If he can do that, why not a 20 sec. iPhone video for the public?

No question about it. And SCOTUS's very nearly agreeing that his EO's can vacate a Constitutional amendment has no doubt given him further reason to dream.

Bill Kristol@billkristolbulwark.bsky.social

Conventional wisdom, with which I agree: Trump is more narcissistic, self-absorbed, and megalomaniacal than ever. Conventional wisdom, with which I disagree: Oh c’mon, Trump understands he really can’t run again. My hunch: Trump “understands” no such thing. He wants to run. He’ll try to.

And by the way, if Mainers were willing to chose a Platner type to support against Collins, why not some decent, if unglamorous, substitute in this critical battle for the Senate? Please! Eyes on the prize!

To the out of state consultants, pundits, and internet experts treating Maine like a political science experiment: ENOUGH! Mainers are independent. We have common sense. And we know exactly what’s at stake. Leave Maine alone, and let Mainers lead. Dirigo.

Absolutely true. (But the resulting revenue can be put to better use than renting Venice for a wedding.)

George Monbiot@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

This point needs to be made over and again: The main purpose of wealth taxes should not be to raise revenue. That's a small and secondary benefit. The main purpose should be to *reduce the fortunes of the ultrarich*. Why? Because those fortunes present a massive threat to democracy and public life.

Democrats should be out there saying: "When is the last time July 4th was cancelled in DC? We recognize the danger of climate change and will go out to meet it head-on. Donald Trump doesn't care if people roast or freeze. He cares only about pleasing his billionaire energy industry donors."

We need to get to the point where the rich, rather keeping score by parading their wealth, are content to keep score by making public how much money the body politic periodically takes away from them for the greater good. #Musk#WealthTax#InheritanceTax

It is, rather, that AI ALREADY permits the tech oligarchy to consolidate effectively its economic and political control over the entire world's economy and polity. Right now, Frankenstein is a much bigger threat to us than his monster.

View full thread
View full thread

Also tied for first will be Republican Party politicians, all of them for cowardice and a putrid exercise of self-interest, fewer for malign intent, and a not insignificant number for treason.

Only in third place will be Donald Trump. His pathology was already well-known (and ignored) from the time of his descent down the golden escalator. What he has wrought was only possible because of the people I have put ahead of him on this list.

Tied for first will be the people who voted for Trump his third time around. They will be scorned for a colossal misjudgment of their own best interests (and, of course, our country's), and maybe even more than a little for their evil intent.

I’m constantly hearing from Democratic politicians that Trump is “disconnected from the needs of ordinary Americans.” Dudes! He disconnected from the needs of anyone, foreign or domestic, except Putin and the megarich.

#plutocrats#techbros#classwar Our generation’s plutocrats have more powerful tools to subjugate us than those of the Gilded Age. (Until now the Republicans were the principal weapon.) Good to see we have a great new class warrior in James Tallarico.

I’m trying to remember the last time I saw a suit standing at the the door of a closing business, shaking hands with employees he dismissed and handing out swag bags.

Josh Marshall@joshtpm.bsky.social

I've written about the overarching post story, causes, underlying pattern. But the failure of Lewis or Bezos to even show up, literally or figuratively, on a day of devastating cuts epitomizes the profound lack of character and accountability that is so common place today within the American elite.

I'm just asking about whether they will take sensible steps hereafter, not whether they'll deliver feats of security and foreign policy genius. Not having a new Venezuelan government already in place is a bad sign. Ready, fire, aim.

1/ One of the priorities for the defense of democracy, in addition to shoring up the voting process and all that entails, must be the development of strategy to challenge Trump’s capacity simply to proclaim a state of emergency, especially on the basis of the trivialities he has employed thus far.

Brian Finucane@bcfinucane.bsky.social

POTUS announcing the military salvation of American cities

2/ In addition to fashioning legal challenges ready-made for use in 2026, we must begin a drum beat of MSM and social media performances that present scenarios he is likely to use and marshal facts, arguments, and ridicule to inform a skeptical, even hostile, public needed to defeat him.

For generations, Republicans have been screaming “treason” given any opportunity, mostly scurrilous attacks. Where are they now that the bogeyman has finally shown up for work?

tkrontir.bsky.social@tkrontir.bsky.social

This isn’t just Trump’s usual idiocy. This is what it looks like when the President of the United States is a willing subject and tool of a foreign enemy.

This isn’t just Trump’s usual idiocy. This is what it looks like when the President of the United States is a willing subject and tool of a foreign enemy.

Albert Hubble@alberthubble.bsky.social

"No one in the world can destroy America, but Americans." Trump is the best hire for Russia in all of its history.

If he believes something this preposterously ahistorical, how is it possible that such an idiot is in charge of public health? If he's lying through his teeth, how is it possible such a misanthrope is in charge of public health? In this conundrum lies the essence of our pitiful political era.

Jim Alwine@jimalwine.bsky.social

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy

Our economy always generates wealth. It's just not spread equitably among us.

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Lutnick: "Donald Trump's economy grew 4.3%. That means that Americans overall, all of us, are going to earn 4.3% more money. We're making a raise, it's a simple way to do it."

I think this kind of gutless behavior (and underlying greed) will hasten the continuing decline of networks...leading to further hyper-fragmentation of news sources...and more opportunity for ordinary people to choose their own set of facts.

Just Jack@just-jack-1.bsky.social

When a major media outlet openly capitulates to the political agenda of the executive branch, they are no longer part of the fourth estate. They are state-run media. Add Bari Weiss and CBS to the list of those who have betrayed our Republic.

The clearcut solution to our power grid problems is simply to forbid grid access to data centers. The Silicon Dons simply must be required to build their own power sources--dedicated, onsite, and completely green. 1/2

Massive AI data centers are driving up electricity rates across the country. But communities are pushing back—including Lewiston, whose city council just unanimously rejected a $300 million facility. One councilor said the proposal yielded “by far” the most constituent feedback he’s ever received.

Besides fixing the power problem, this solution serves the critical need of slowing down the rampant acceleration of AI by greedy tech bros who place profits over the careful adoption of technology bearing an existential threat to humanity. 2/2