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Varietas Conatus

@bdgr16.bsky.social
137 followers 171 following 578 posts

Retired physical scientist with an unmanageable number of unrelated side interests and projects. USN veteran.

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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
A few years ago, our neighborhood sidewalks and yards experienced a massive emergence of these tiny froglets—so many everywhere that it was difficult not to step on them. It was only one day out of the 26 years we’ve lived here, and I haven’t seen any at all before or since.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Counterpoint: the Worst Ruling in the Century was Citizens United in 2010, without which we probably wouldn’t have the current Supreme Court. Or Trump.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
It will outlive more than the term. It may outlive the 21st century.
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Reposted by Varietas Conatus
Filipe Campante @filipecampante.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Something like this will have to happen in this country once Trumpism is defeated. In the absence of accountability, the world will rightly assume that it will happen again.
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Linda UWSⓥ @lindavt.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Republicans in Congress could have ended this 6 years ago. They could end it tomorrow. Republicans chose worldwide chaos and misery. Vote. Them. Out. And if they scheme to not obey the result of the election, we will physically remove them ourselves.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Folks need to start paying attention to what has actually worked elsewhere — see linked thread below. Attending a protest is easy. Participating in a general strike is risky and costly. I don’t know whether enough Americans are ready to make the necessary sacrifice. bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
More than ever, the Ballroom is a emerging as the defining metaphor for the entire Trump administration. It’s as if Caligula and Louis XIV collaborated on a court where spectacle, self-display, and personal loyalty eclipse institutional constraint. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Trump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized
A stairway to nowhere: Three months that could change the White House for generations.
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Reposted by Varietas Conatus
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
A history of the top marginal tax rates on the wealthiest Americans: 1940: 81% 1950: 84% 1960: 91% 1970: 72% 1980: 70% 1990: 28% 2000: 40% 2010: 35% For 50 years, corporate backed politicians in Congress have slashed taxes to line the pockets of their wealthy donors.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
I didn’t realize “hope” was an investment strategy. Wall Street traders are suckers if they’re betting based on anything Trump says.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Performative unless it has real teeth and clear aims. Other countries (see link) have successfully used them but only with persistence and real sacrifice. bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
For a general strike to be effective, its aims must be specific, and it must last, not just one day, but for as long as it takes. Otherwise it’s not serious; it’s performative. Thread below. bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Never undersood why there aren’t mass demonstrations at Fox HQ
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Counterpoint: zero is too generous.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
This is what courage looks like (thread): bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Congress will get the message when America follow the example of other countries. (reposted thread) bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
bsky.app
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
The protests have their place, but America isn’t serious about change until it reaches for the one tool that, historically, has actually worked: a general strike.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
It’ll never wor…. oh, wait… bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Hypothesis: she’s doing exactly what the oligarchs wanted her to do — help sabotage independent journalism. Nobody in theitr right mind believes billionaires are buying up all the traditional news outlets because they’re great financial investments.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Every time I see the stock market react sharply to some random word dump by DJT, I think that traders must be very stupid.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
God, I hate that the laws (and SCOTUS) allow personal and corporate wealth to even *try* to buy elections. I don’t know if the oligarchs and plutocrats fully appreciate how much anger they’re provoking.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
I’m still driving my 2012 Leaf too. And the shocks are still OK! Useful range is down to 40 miles, though,
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Jennifer Shin - WTAF @jennifershin.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
The GOP hates America and everything it stands for. Their words and actions prove it. Facts don't lie, but the GOP does; over and over again.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Not many pop singers sound that great a capella. He kills it.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Who are these investors?
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Just as I always suspected, the stock market is gullible as f***.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
This is the first I’ve heard of anyone even considering that. I hope it’s true.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Trump’s approval is already in the toilet after just one year, so he’s an overachiever as reviled despots go. But he’s also an overachiever with regard to rapidly destroying democratic safeguards and institutions, which is why we do not, IMO, have the luxury of passively watching.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Good lord. Did you really just equate DJT with GWB? I’ve been alive for 12 different presidents, and DJT isn’t even in the same moral universe as the other 11—and I include Nixon among the latter. Trump is utterly new in every possible awful way. Good night, and good luck with your rally.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Here’s a potentially controversial take — intended as food for thought…. longer thread bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
So let’s get started. With actions that match the urgency of the situation. Every day that passes is another guardrail dismantled, another $2 billion spent on an illegal war, another day without justice for Epstein victims, another wrecking ball to irreplaceable institutions.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
The brakes don’t wear out as fast due to regenerative braking. That said, maintenance on EVs isn’t zero; it’s just a lot less. Motor is basically maintenance free, and there’s no transmission.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Counterpoint: If no one in a position of influence ever CALLS on Americans to sacrifice their comfortable daily lives for a greater cause, it will never happen. The lack of visible, bold leadership in defense of democracy and the rule of law is utterly disheartening.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
I agree that it’s necessary. But too few Americans seem to recognize that’s it’s no longer sufficient in the face of an existential emergency.
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Hear me out… bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Other countries could set an example for Americans — but Americans aren’t paying attention to what works. bsky.app/profile/bdgr...
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
In every case just listed, people did more than just wave signs. And in every single case, they got results. Citizens around the world are looking at Americans and pleading, “DO SOMETHING.” 14/14
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
• 2022 — Sri Lanka (general strike): Contributed to resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. • 2023 — Israel (general strike): Helped pause judicial overhaul legislation. 13/x
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
• 2020 — Belarus (general strike attempts): Limited success; some workplace concessions but regime remained. • 2021 — Colombia (national strike): Withdrawal of tax reform and cabinet changes. 12/x
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
• 2019 — Sudan (general strike): Contributed to power-sharing agreement after fall of Omar al-Bashir. • 2019 — Ecuador (national strike): Government reversed fuel subsidy cuts. • 2019 — Chile (general strike within protests): Led to agreement for constitutional reform process. 11/x
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
• 2012 — Nigeria (fuel subsidy strike): Partial reinstatement of fuel subsidies. • 2013 — South Africa (public sector/general strikes): Achieved wage increases. • 2016 — India (nationwide general strike): Led to some labor and wage concessions at state/sector levels. 10/x
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Varietas Conatus @bdgr16.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
• 2008 — Greece (repeated general strikes): Slowed or modified some austerity measures. • 2010 — France (pension reform strikes): Limited concessions; some policy adjustments despite reform passage. • 2011 — Egypt (general strike wave): Helped force resignation of Hosni Mubarak. 9/x
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