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balzac.bsky.social

@balzac.bsky.social
137 followers 314 following 806 posts
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Here's the pitch Team D gives candidates: "We need you to run for office in states where you'll face long odds. We don't have the money to help your campaign. "We also reserve the right to order you to drop out, if we decide an "I" might beat the "R". Then they wonder why nobody runs.
montanafreepress.org
Who, in the end, is Alani Bankhead?
The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, buffeted by PAC money pro and con, hones her own last-ditch pitch to voters.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Expressing moral outrage at someone's heinous behavior sounds phony if you make it clear (as Chuck Schumer & most of Team D do) that you're playing to the crowd or the media. You can't call someone a monster if you imply that you can "move forward" if they say they're sorry & try to make amends.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
This is a terrible sign; it shows how corrupt & rotted-out the US economy has become. But remember that David Ellison has destroyed CBS-- the only unanswered question is "How badly will he ruin the prime-time lineup?" The same thing will happen to these properties.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Although, after the Ellisons' debt load blows up-- forcing them to sell many assets at bargain prices (possibly at inopportune times) -- their media empire will be only half-vast...
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The thing that will decide our future is the amount of pressure we apply to our leaders after the 2026 & 2028 elections. Team D loves to say "Chill out-- we've got this. We'll fix things if you shut up & let us play eleventy-dimensional chess. Wasn't true when Clinton said it. Or Obama. Or Biden.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Buried in this whinging is a tangible point: Governors can have huge impacts on state-- and ultimately-- national policy. The writer doesn't think it's the DNC's job (or DGA's) to make that case to them. Stupid voters should just grasp it. Would that be best use of their money? He doesn't say.
politico.com
Democrats Are Underfunding the Races That Could Remake the Map
Democratic donors are pouring money into Senate races as Republicans build an advantage in gubernatorial contests that could shape the party’s future.
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Reposted by @balzac.bsky.social
Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 03/10/2026
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Astonishing incompetence-- both by Trump's political operation & the media. Navistar didn't just fire 1,341 workers. They filed a WARN notice with the State of Ohio in JULY. Federal law requires employers to give 90-day notice of mass layoffs . Who holds a rally right as the cuts take effect?
apnews.com
A gut punch in Ohio: Nearly 1,400 laid off at truck factory just days before Trump rally
President Donald Trump is trying to rally voters in the Dayton, Ohio, area on Saturday. But days ago, 1,400 workers were laid off from a truck factory there.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I guess Mansonite Leslie is now the second most loathsome "Van Houten" in the USA. Matthew-- the Tompkins County DA who made it his life's work not to punish the 50-odd Cornell fratboys for rape (or conspiracy)-- is up for election in 2028. It needs to be everyone's mission to see him defeated.
abcnews.com
Tompkins County DA's office declined to review additional material on 'gang rape' case from Cornell PD, docs show
The Tompkins County DA's office declined to additional review material gathered by Cornell University police, documents reviewed by ABC News show.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It's hard not to notice (with ASU & Cornell both in the headlines right now) how colleges routinely let fraternities systematically molest pledges & coeds, athletics programs abuse players & academia degrade asst profs. Yet the people running these shows (all making $$$$) never face consequences.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I hate to point this out; it implies this sort of torture is alright IF you win enough. But Greg Powers is a failure. 167–183–27 in D1 at ASU. 4 winning seasons in 11 years. Twice in the playoffs. 9 of 11 as an independent, where he could cherry-pick matchups. He's a terrible coach.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
There have been CEOs whose opinions were worth publishing, because they had 1) delivered on promises or 2) correctly predicted trends/events. It has been many decades since those were common. None of the dildos out in the Valley qualify.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"The book has put Barker on a familiar journey: I didn’t leave the party, the party left me. It’s been trod by many... from former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to Robert Kennedy Jr." Cenk Uyguy endorses the book. She's been doing podcasts with Lara Trump, Michael Tracey & Taylor Lorenz.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
By this logic I've committed fraud by taking out credit cards I haven't used. I also pay a vendor for identity theft protection as well. But this is the scholarship you learn at California Western School of Law & San Diego Christian College. This joker knows squat about statistics.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
It has divided them into people who watched Season 1, Episode 7 of THE GOOD PLACE & those who did not. I'm sorry some researchers are this stupid. You can program software to do anything. Quoting Meg Ryan from the deli scene of "When Harry Met Sally" during sex doesn't mean AI can reach orgasm.
youtube.com
The Good Place - Chidi Kills Janet! (Episode Highlight)
YouTube video by The Good Place
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
This is why so many people were exited about first PayPal and then Bitcoin. Access to financial instruments should not be restricted or infringed by political decisions. Sex workers, dissidents & anyone employed in legal marijuana have the same problems. You have no 'right' to credit in the west.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
For the record: Every book on job-hunting I ever owned said "Never bring food or drink into the interview room". They also told you not to chew gum, suck mints or smoke. I'd assume a candidate who did this could not be sent out to clients. Would I refuse to hire them? Depends on the job.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Think about it: In what way are these cameras different than Mark Suckerberg's pervert glasses? Does it say on the ticket that I forfeit my right to privacy-- that I allow broadcasting any moment of my life without permission? If I were the husband, I'd be mortified at this share. And I'd sue.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The cancer is the voyeurism, coupled with arrogant comments prompted fron idiotic assumptions from two know-nothing assholes. I don't agree with societies who feel taking your picture is stealing your soul (giving them the right to kill you). But neither is my life "content" for broadcasters
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
He's arguably one of the worst people with a credible case for GOAT. Always demanding max salary (despite his off-court earning), sabotaging every front office & coach, insisting on bringing in his cronies (& spawn). Not an accident he had the most success in Miami, which would *not* enable him.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The proper place for this isn't the opinion section of the Neo-Times. It's the "AITA?" section on Reddit. The answer, BTW, would be "Yes." Not so much due to the original decision, but for failing to grasp what was occurring before her eyes.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
None of this surprises anyone who spends time comparing 1) original promises about a project to 2) results delivered. Some proponents are overoptimistic, others innumerate. Most just lie to get their way. Once the results can be measured. the advocates can't be punished or the work undone.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Ed Sheeran should read up on the history of Blood, Sweat & Tears. He's the 21st-century incarnation. He might as well play Sun City, too.
bstdoc.com
What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears? | Official Site
A political thriller with a classic rock band at the heart of the action. What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears? involves the U.S. State Department, the Nixon White House, the governments of...
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
There's good reason to get upset about Emperor Trump banning CNN, MSDNC & "Tiger Beat On the Potomac." That said, having access produces very little of value. You might happen to see something revealing (which the powers that be don't want you to see), but mostly all you get is horseshit.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I think it is important for Bluesky's leadership to demonstrate inclusiveness & openness. We need to ensure that we are open to all. Could someone in authority please state that one can have an account, even if you have done shoplifting or beastiality?
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Notice how the guy whose droogs did nothing to stop a campaign of terror that resulted in a murder-suicide credits NaziCam for the perp's apprehension: "Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said deputies were able to track down Rohit within seven minutes using Flock's camera system."
sfgate.com
California woman killed by stalker after years of terror
The woman was brutally slain outside of a Panera by her long-time stalker.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I hope someone will do a "60 Minutes Watch." It should list all the segments Bari Weiss allowed on, with bullet points on the bogus stuff in each bit. My working assumption: The truth/lies ratio will be close to 50%. I'd do it, but my day job (& my blood pressure) make the task difficult for me.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Some of these I use & recommend. Some are pretty good but have flaws. Some have issues (Brave). A few are pretty janky. But *ALL* of them keep your money-- & your data-- out of the hands of predatory corporations, On that basis alone, they're worth investigating & (if you like them) adopting.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The report cherry-picks a lot of data points & leaves many things unaddressed, but that's only natural. It ends with "For the complete story, hire us!" There's enough here to confirm things we all suspected. Like, "If you go dark for 2+ years, the audience tends to forget about you."
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
If she were really sorry, she'd release the text of the speech she was scheduled to deliver on 9/11/. It castigated the Clinton administration for wasting a decade dicking around with extremist groups who lacked the skills, funding or manpower to do any damage. Al-Qaeda couldn't hurt the US. 1/2
nypost.com
Condoleezza Rice apologizes to families for failing to prevent 9/11
Condoleezza Rice admitted she carries “deep personal remorse” for not doing enough to prevent 9/11, offering her apologies on Friday during a memorial ceremony at the Pentagon.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This is like Alferd G. Packer offering advice on reducing beef prices. The grid is vulnerable primarily because it's decrepit at so many points. Take out one thing, ripple effects follow. The very last thing you need is Janky Jones stumbling in.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The third commandment of campaign management has *always* been "Most voters start paying attention *after* Labor Day." Everyone has assumed that wouldn't apply in 2026, because people would engage early. If that's not the case-- if a bunch of voters are about to weigh in? Yikes...
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New episode of REACHER has an interesting last-minute decision. The end of show song was supposed to be (the lyrics are in the episodes closed captioning) Rancid's "Time Bomb", but they switched it to Motoirhead's "One More Fucking Time". Wonder what triggered that... last-minute rights issue?
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I'm sure this will be a fascinating watch. 11 seconds into the trailer (the point when you see the when fly sitting utterly entranced by the spider), you get an inkling of just how Elizabeth Madoff Holmes conned all those white guys. It was said Rasputin had the same sort of ability to hypnotize.
youtube.com
You Can See Everything | Official Teaser HD | A24
YouTube video by A24
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Reposted by @balzac.bsky.social
s. e. smith @sesmith.lol · 08/09/2026
Hey @erinbiba.bsky.social what’s better than cats playing theremin? Kittens laying theremin, obviously.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Nice Bari Weiss impression, ABC. "Citing technicality, government lets black woman kill wipipo..." No, it's Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law that George Zimmerman used to execute Trayvon Martin. But here it was a woman actually being threatened by MAGA guy. (They even mention he was a vet.)
ABC News headline: "Woman who fatally shot man during confrontation over Florida parking spot won't be charged."
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Making prescriptions available at a local pharmacy ends the biggest hassle with Cost Plus Drugs: hoping the post office will deliver your medicine-- either at all or on time. Spot checks suggest prices are comparable to GoodRX & other discount cards. In my area, it had many (not all) local chains.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Life Imitates Art, Chapter 8,126: Rewatching S1-E4 of Heroes, I saw a scene I'd forgotten: Hayden Panettiere channels Mackenzie Shirilla, after being assaulted & killed by her 'boyfriend'. Shirilla was born 8/2/04; the ep aired 8/16/06, so I doubt she saw it. Post hoc doesn't always propter hoc.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
In case you missed it, here's Karen Attiah's victory lap.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Many years ago, one of the greatest cartoonists told an audience your best work shouldn't need many words. Sometimes you'd have to identify a person/place readers didn't know until a story broke. Maybe a quote helped. Otherwise, shut up & let the drawing do the work. This is perfect.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
You know nothing, Jon Snow...
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This is a feel-good story. She was fired for social media posts that weren't wingnutty enough for Jeff Bezos; she has her job back. Of course, she'll get fired for having a squeaky office chair (or using the wrong coffee cup) on day one back. Or assigned to write obituaries. But still a win.
deadline.com
Arbitrator Orders Washington Post To Reinstate Columnist Karen Attiah
Attiah was fired last fall over social media post in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
There are several ways to look at this. One is voters are morons, so nothing we can do. Another is that Mamdani used enough codewords that conservatives listen for &/or delivered his pitch in a tone they responded to. Third: Cuomo used words &/or tone these folks associated with libtards.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
The right rule is in the second post in this thread: Never admit any piece of technology that you haven't personally vetted (or chosen after consulting an expert source) into your life. Corporations always want to collect as much data as they can from you. Often they lie about what they do.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I can usually read bad books (Bulwer-Lyttyon's Paul Clifford; The Turner Diaries, the works of Alisa Rosenbaum), but I couldn't last 2,000 words into this. It assumes you know the works it's stealing from, the author has zero writing ability & it has huge chunks of both jargon & silliness.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Van Hollen shows how easy it is to wave off the gotchas. He dismisses the loony DSA platform, correctly saying most candidates for federal office who claim to be DSA don't support it. He disagrees with a lot of them on issues. Most voters will accept that. Only bad faith types won't.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
I've thought it over carefully... I would consider the Baldwin family acceptable losses,
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Anyone wondering if this story on the vulnerability of the US power grid is hyped-up need to start reading news reports about life in Gary, Indiana. 400,000 people lost power after a storm hit the area on 8/11. Over 40K still don't have power; most optimistic estimate of a fix is 8/25.
nytimes.com
What if America Went Completely Dark?
The power grid relies on thousands of aging, hand-built transformers. If enough fail, the blackout could last years.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Intelligent people do not normally share IP from David Frum. Sane people don't recommend essays in The Atlantic. But, possibly because Frum was born & raised in Canada, this is knowledgeable, well-reasoned & insightful. Key point: "Wars are also decided by the question Who can endure more pain?"
theatlantic.com
How to Lose a Trade War
Trump’s bullying of Canada is failing.
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balzac.bsky.social @balzac.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
"[C]ommentators at MSNBC like Rachel Maddow... went all in on the conspiracy" Mad Dog promoted Russiagate because she'd spent months assuring viewers there was no way Trump could win. It saved her the need to explain how/why she was so wrong. She hadn't been mistaken-- 2016 had been fixed.
theintercept.com
RIP to the Russiagate Liberals
With Alex Vindman and George Conway’s losses, Democratic voters are forcefully rejecting the notion that Russia is to blame for America’s ills.
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