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blainejohnson.bsky.social

@blainejohnson.bsky.social
463 followers 1.2K following 9 posts
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Seth Cotlar @sethcotlar.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Donald Trump prides himself on giving Huntsville, AL the cool nickname of "Rocket City." This article is from the The Huntsville Times of 13 May 1953, when Donald Trump was six years old.
'The Rocket City' To Be Huntsville's Newest Nickname
"The Rocket City" will be Huntsville's new and unofficial nickname, commeneing next week with the arrival of new pamphlets advertising the city.
The pamphlets are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
The cover, streamlined and colorful, depicts a rocket setting sail for the moon from the earth.
Within the folder are many scenes of Huntsville, its industries, hospital, schools and landmarks, plus brief descriptions and statistical data.
Jimmy Walker, secretary of the chamber, said 35,000 folders were ordered, and the first shipment is scheduled to arrive the first of next week.
The old pamphlet advertising the city had dubbed Huntsville as the "heart of the Tennessee Val-ley."
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The Daily Beast @thedailybeast.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
The "embarrassing" blunder serves as more fodder for Kristi Noem’s critics, who have accused her of being more interested in photo ops than in substantive security work.
trib.al
ICE Barbie Blamed for Humiliating Diplomatic Mess: ‘It’s Embarrassing’
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was accused of making errors before a foreign delegation arrived in the U.S. to sign an agreement that wasn’t ready.
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Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
People don't read. I've been on social media - and in classrooms! - for years warning that "terrorism" now means "anything a president says it is." Like, I was probably giving that lecture while this fellow was in high school. But thanks! Now I'll consider the possibility that Trump is lawless.
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Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 03/09/2025
Florida road crews in St. Pete were out at 3 a.m. just to do this
St. Pete Florida rainbow intersection painted black
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public health guy @publichealthguy1.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
i cannot overstate how extraordinary it is for federal civil servants to do this
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 03/09/2025
Democrats just MASSIVELY overperformed in 2 Florida special elections. House 40: Harris +35 → RaShon Young +50 (75–25). Senate 15: Harris +23 → Lavon Bracy Davis +45 (73–27). That’s 15- and 22-point swings toward Democrats.
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Kate Lambert @katelambert4.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
It's also been suggested that Trump is tickled at the thought of having a Kennedy work for him.
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The Independent @the-independent.com · 03/09/2025
Epstein victim who helped put him behind bars breaks her silence - as other survivors promise their own ‘client list’
independent.co.uk
Epstein victim who helped indict him speaks out as others plan to make ‘client list’
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Tom Scocca @tomscocca.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Don't feel like doing a repost that puts the murder video on the timeline yet again but do feel like repeating the point that the president just straight-up assassinated 11 people for supposedly doing something that wouldn't be a death-penalty crime if they were caught and convicted
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Jimmy Kimmel @jimmykimmel.com · 03/09/2025
Sorry MAGA, but I’m not leaving the country
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Just Jack @just-jack-1.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Reminder: The hallmark of every James Comer investigation is that no one is safe except for the bad guys.
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Elliot Blake @elliotblake.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
This is correct. The protests here in L.A. against ICE were just that, citizens engaging in free speech, and protests≠rebellion. Trump’s assertion that there were huge riots about to burn down the city, which would’ve prevented the Olympics from coming here (in 2028!), is pure fantasy.
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USA TODAY @handle.invalid · 03/09/2025
The Trump administration plans to detain immigrants in the nation's largest maximum-security prison — Angola, a Louisiana lock-up with a notorious history as a "prison plantation."
bit.ly
Trump administration to expand ICE detention into notorious Angola prison
Louisiana has supported federal immigration enforcement for years and has the second-highest number of ICE detention centers outside Texas.
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 03/09/2025
“Donald Trump has figured out the cheat code for authoritarianism: Fake emergencies bring real power,” @rosenzweigp.bsky.social argues. Yet more troubling is the lack of effort from Congress or the courts to curtail the use of such “emergency” powers:
bit.ly
Trump Is Inventing Fake Emergencies to Gain Real-World Power
Today, the structure of law granting exceptional emergency powers is a grave threat to democracy and an avenue toward authoritarian rule.
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Adam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
9 out of 10 agencies targeted by DOGE for layoffs are liberal-leaning. Every single proposed GOP budget increase goes to conservative agencies. They're not cutting fat—they're performing ideological surgery with a chainsaw.

A scatterplot titled “Agencies Facing DOGE Layoffs vs. GOP Budget Increases” shows how liberal-leaning federal agencies are more likely to face layoffs, while conservative-leaning ones receive budget increases. The x-axis indicates perceived ideological leaning (from liberal on the left to conservative on the right), and the y-axis (log scale) shows agency size by number of staff.

Each dot represents a federal agency and is colored by status:
	•	Red = DOGE layoffs
	•	Green = Budget increases
	•	Gray = No layoffs

Key findings visible in the plot:
	•	9 out of 10 agencies with documented layoffs are liberal-leaning.
	•	Large liberal agencies like HHS, EPA, NIH, USAID, and the Department of Education face layoffs.
	•	Conservative agencies like the Department of Defense (DOD), ICE, and CBP receive budget increases.

The note cites data from over 1,500 federal executives and analysis of agencies with 500+ staff. Author: Adam Bonica.
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
History made
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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Nationalize SpaceX!!!!
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Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
From the perspective of this dynamic, the quiet doesn’t mean it’s over. It means they’re plotting what they see as their revenge for perceived betrayal. That entails working behind the scenes to isolate the other and enlisting allies to serve as their “flying monkeys” and go on the attack for them.
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Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Apropos of nothing in particular: When narcissists reach the Discard Phase in a relationship, they seek to annihilate their previous source of narcissistic supply.
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 05/06/2025
Zing!
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Ernesto Castañeda @drernestocast.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
"In the past, the priority had been undocumented immigrants with criminal records or those with a court-issued deportation order and ICE arrest warrants, but increasingly opportunity or 'collateral' arrests have been taking place, people have been linked to gangs with no solid evidence, 🧵
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Josh Billinson @jbillinson.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
He is now calling for Trump to nationalize SpaceX lmao
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‪EdieC@momsresistance.bsky.social‬ @momspersistence.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Are these the type of men who work for ICE and cover their faces? Who vets this militia? www.fox9.com/news/homelan...
fox9.com
Homeland Security agent charged with production of child porn
A Homeland Security agent, based in Minnesota, is charged with producing child porn, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday.
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Christopher Webb @cwebbonline.com · 05/06/2025
This is f*cked up! Stories of ICE luring immigrants to hearings just to arrest them keep coming—now they’re going after kids. Martir Garcia Lara, a fourth grader from Southern California, went to a hearing in Houston with his dad. Instead of an update, they were both detained and separated by ICE.
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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Honestly, on top of the political problem, if there are adults left in the White House -- BIG IF -- Elon's meltdown really does pose very complex NatSec issues.
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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
I asked for this. And boy did @mcsweeneys.net deliver.
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Being Liberal ®🗽🏳️‍🌈 @beingliberal.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
When I saw it for the first time, I couldn't believe it's real. It is. 🤦🏼 Trump Burger has locations in Bellville, TX(979-270-5062) Flatonia, TX (361-865-3893) Kemah, TX (281-532-6305) Houston, TX (346-718-2850) THEY HAVE REQUESTED THAT PEOPLE STOP CALLING AND ASKING IF THEY SERVE CHICKEN TACOS!
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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
I was wondering if this would happen. It's a BFD.
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The Daily Beast @thedailybeast.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
The Florida meteorologist stopped his own segment to give an ominous warning about DOGE's cuts hampering his ability to track hurricanes.
trib.al
Weatherman Interrupts Broadcast to Issue Dire Warning
Meteorologist John Morales warned his viewers that DOGE cuts will lead to an inability to properly predict hurricanes.
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Adam Weinstein @adamweinstein.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Another dumb gross irony here is Harvey Milk served in the Navy and Donald Trump's Navy secretary didn't www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Hegseth Orders Navy to Strip Name of Gay Rights Icon Harvey Milk from Ship
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Navy to take the rare step of renaming a ship, one that bears the name of a gay rights icon, documents and sources show.
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Mark Joseph Stern @mjsdc.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Trump’s assault on the civil service was two-fold: grievously violate the rights of federal workers, then hobble the agencies responsible for protecting those rights so workers have no legal recourse. Now the 4th Circuit says workers may be able to win relief straight from the courts instead.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 03/06/2025
"Stating the obvious might seem partisan. Who are reporters to tell voters that perhaps they should worry about middle-of-the-night hate rants from the guy with the nuke codes?" — @playtyperguy.com
publicnotice.co
The real cover-up is of Trump's disordered mental state
Sanewashing didn't end with the 2024 campaign.
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Mia Farrow @miafarrow.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Miles Taylor: I Criticized President Trump. Now He is Accusing Me of Treason time.com/7290536/mile...
time.com
I Criticized President Trump. He is Accusing Me of Treason
"This is about whether we will allow the President—any president, of any political party—to criminalize criticism."
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Rob Shum @robshum.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Snatching ignorance and defeat from the jaws of reason and victory. (3/n)
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The Daily Beast @thedailybeast.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Jasmine Crockett may become one of the most powerful Democrats in the House.
trib.al
Jasmine Crockett Makes Play to Become Top House Democrat
The rising Democratic Party star announced a bid for a key committee position.
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Mia Farrow @miafarrow.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
We all need to stand with Chris Krebs and Miles Taylor as Trump accuses these two patriots of treason.
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Adam Klasfeld @klasfeldreports.com · 03/06/2025
BREAKING: Trump admin must process education grants "without delay" A federal judge preserved his ability to enforce the ruling even if the Senate passes a budget bill restraining his contempt power. @AllRiseNews.com www.allrisenews.com/p/linda-mcma...
allrisenews.com
BREAKING: Trump admin must process education grants "without delay"
A federal judge preserved his ability to enforce the ruling even if the Senate passes a budget bill restraining his contempt power.
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Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
I mean, if you had a serious, important job and you made a mistake like this, you'd probably get fired...
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Nicholas Handler @nicholashandler.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Wow, very interesting to see the Fourth Circuit directly address one of the biggest problem with civil service suits: that the MSPB, OSC, and FLRA have been crippled by vacanies and can't adjudicate claims over which they technically have exclusive jurisdiction.
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Acyn @acyn.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Jeffries: Yes Joni, the American people know that at some point in their lives, they are going to pass away. The cause of death should not be Republican cruelty
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CREW @citizensforethics.org · 03/06/2025
Days after Rep. Josh Gottheim announced his bid for New Jersey governor, his House office paid $180,225 on advertisements across the whole state. The Ethics Committee should look into whether that's a violation of the law.
njtoday.news
Gottheimer spent more than 10% of public-funded office budget on ads days after announcing run for New Jersey governor - NJTODAY.NET
By Will Bredderman U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer followed up his New Jersey gubernatorial campaign launch last fall with a massive digital ad buy from his congressional office — a payment to a vendor link...
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Do any of these people know anything about their jobs? bsky.app/profile/atru...
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
In the ACA fight, Pelosi noted there were so many rumors that "we have to pass the bill, so that you can find out what is in it." Republicans lied and pretended she'd said "so WE can find out what's in it" and then acted outraged. And yet now they're doing the thing they falsely accused her of.
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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett @crockett.house.gov · 03/06/2025
I’m officially running to be the Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. These are not normal times—and this cannot be a business-as-usual moment. Read my full letter to my colleagues here: crockett.house.gov/media/press-...
crockett.house.gov
Rep. Jasmine Crockett Officially Announces Candidacy for Ranking Member of House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett officially announced that she is running to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
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Sam Bagenstos @sbagen.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This is really good and very much worth reading to understand how Trump is trying to eliminate civil service protections. I'd add: the provision in the reconciliation bill that imposes a 5% retirement surcharge on new hires who want civil service protections is a further move in the same direction.
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David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Time to wake up and smell the tea, folks. The US is not only losing our competitive edge, this admin is hurting us more on that front every day. And other countries are beating us daily--notably and above all, China. My latest. open.substack.com/pub/davidrot...
open.substack.com
United We Stand...Divided, My Money's on China
It Has Become Almost Trite to Talk About US Decline. That Doesn't Mean It's Not Happening.
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 02/06/2025
I’m glad this made the Times.
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Joyce White Vance @joycewhitevance.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Law enforcement officers should never cover their faces when making arrests or conceal their identities (unless they are working undercover). They work for us. We have a right to know who they are. These face coverings are frightening & unAmerican, as though they're ashamed of what they're doing.
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Adam Rogers @jetjocko.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Ah, well, that’s very bad. Like Stalinist, Lysenkoism bad. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Exclusive: US veterans agency orders scientists not to publish in journals without clearance
Move that seeks political control of doctors’ and scientists’ published research fits a pattern of censorship by the Trump administration, veterans advocates say
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Ryan Marino, MD @ryanmarino.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
If the US stops fluoridating water, in 5 yrs American children would suffer an additional 25.4 million cavities, with an added cost of $9.8B, and loss of 2.9 million quality-adjusted life years, disproportionately borne by children currently on public health insurance or who lack insurance entirely.
jamanetwork.com
Projected Outcomes of Removing Fluoride From US Public Water Systems
This cost-effectiveness analysis evaluates a large sample of US children to determine the associations of fluoridation cessation with oral health and national dental care costs.
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