iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

It's the same reason I'll never buy a single product he has anything to do with. We drive an EV, but I won't touch a tesla or a supercharger. In general I find it pretty easy to live life with a hard rule of "no nazis".

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

Yeah, for me I can't morally stomach putting money in the pocket of a literal nazi. As you said, all the tech platforms are problematic, but there are levels. Elon is pumping out white nationalist propaganda on a daily basis and being on his site puts a little money in his pocket. I can't do it.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Oh no doubt. It’s gonna hurt for everyone. Glad I have an EV (not a Tesla).

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

As far as I know, yes. I don’t think the imports change that rapidly. But I could be mistaken. Overall though we’re pretty much even in terms of exports and imports. We were a net exporter of oil for a couple years but I believe now we’re back to about even (imports and exports are almost equal).

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Only about 10-15% of our oil comes from the Middle East, and I think about 5% comes form Saudi Arabia. So it's not a huge hit to us. Still a huge mess for the world, but we don't rely on the Middle East like we used to. We get way more (>50% of our imports) from Canada.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I think much of the reputation of the NYT being the "paper of record" is within media circles. It's navel gazing and patting themselves on the back. Just like the WHCA. They are the only ones who take themselves seriously, and from the outside they're mostly viewed as a joke.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Same! Woke up a couple weeks ago and could barely walk. X-rays negative. Ice, rest, and frustration seem to be the only treatment.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

You're correct that there are huge tax breaks being given, but those go to the corporations, not the workers.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Most construction jobs are by definition temporary. Contractors work on the jobs they win, then move on to the next thing when it's done. I am onboard with opposing data centers, but I think most people who work in the trades embrace the work, as it's not always easy to come by. It's a tough gig.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I think it means missing an open kick. Sailing it high like the guy from Argentina did at the end. But I’m not certain.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

People are such jerks. I grew up in a small town, have hunted since I was little, and I’ve fired many guns. In that scenario I don’t think I would immediately recognize it as gunfire. Context matters a lot. If it were a scene out in the woods during hunting season, sure. But it isn’t. People suck.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Never said they don’t. But that’s a far cry from the USD being the reserve currency of the world.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

The rest of the world is going to move on largely without us. We'll still be a major player, but that's a huge difference from being the global superpower we've been for the past 80 years.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

"Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses. Weaknesses that we must correct." "We have to take care of ourselves because we can't rely on one foreign partner." "The U.S. has changed and we must respond."

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

It's been as low as 47% in 1990, so there's still a ways to go. But, other countries are publicly saying that they are planning for a future without being able to count on the US. A week ago the Canadian PM gave a speech in which he said:

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

It's not going to happen all at once, but it has started. Global institutional investors have been moving their money into other currencies and precious metals. At it's peak, 73% of global currency reserves were USD. Today it's around 57%.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

If the doctor presented a one page summary with things laid out in clear, basic terms, yes. Because that's what is provided during the mortgage process.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Renew? It's a mortgage. There's no renewal. But yes, the document shows all that. Here's an example with personal specifics redacted. It shows loan amount, interest rate, that it could increase and when, my current payment, and what it could be in future years.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

My point is that undersanding all the legal terms isn't actually needed. You basically only need to understand how much the loan will be, for how long, and will the rate/payment stay the same or adjust.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Ok but how does that make it not the responsibility of the individual who signed a loan they can't afford? Just because there's a bunch of legalese in the document doesn't change the underlying terms of monthly payment, interest rate, adjustable/fixed, etc.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Exactly. Banks who created the CDS type investments and continued pumping them are responsible for the broader impacts on the economy. But each person who signed a bad mortgage is responsible for the impacts on their personal finances.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Every time I've ever taken out a mortgage they provide a single page summary that shows your loan amount, interest rate, if it's fixed or adjustable, and what those terms are. If you can't understand that, you should not sign. We are all responsible for what we sign our name to.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

I love Stafford the player, but no chance. He grew up rich in Texas, and is best friends with Kershaw. No way he's not Repub.

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Reposted by Brian Helminski

Mike Drucker @mikedrucker.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

I will donate, phone bank, and knock on doors for any Democrat who promises to do everything to the Republicans in power that they’re doing to innocent people. Not talk about the price of milk. Not talk about norms. Just want a promise that the these motherfuckers will rot.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Didn’t know that. I never turn off cellular data though.

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Reposted by Brian Helminski

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Presumably they’d be prosecuted for state crimes. Trump would likely use it as an excuse to declare the insurrection act. But what changes? There are already armed troops on the streets gassing, beating, and killing people.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Yep. Nothing can ever sync instantaneously. Data takes some time (especially in a big crowd).

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

That’s why ensuring the cellular data toggle is on is so critical. If that’s turned on the photos & videos should sync automatically.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

This is a critical step. Ensure it is syncing over cellular data or else it will wait til you’re connected to WiFi.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

For cellular data, go to Settings - Apps - Photos. Then scroll down to Cellular Data. Tap that and turn on Cellular Data.

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Reposted by Brian Helminski

Popehat @kenwhite.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

/2 The official policy of Trump supporters is that they support anything this government does. Treat them accordingly.

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Popehat @kenwhite.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

The official policy of the government of the United States of America is that they will murder anyone they want, that they will tell any lie necessary to justify that murder, and that no one who resists them has any rights they are bound to respect. /1

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

The USD is going to be replaced as the world's reserve currency. It's likely going to crush the US economy, and we deserve it. We deserve all of it.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen: Metallica No Doubt Cowboy Mouth Dave Matthews Band DMX

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

They would no longer hold office once their term ends. Or is your argument that every republican in a red state is just going to refuse to leave office?

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

I agree with you that they may not care. But just logistically, it’s really not possible for them to stop the elections. They don’t have enough troops to be in enough communities to stop it. Plus all the state pols want their jobs and aren’t going to voluntarily let them go away.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

That’s… not how it works. An executive order doesn’t just override the constitution. When he’s tried things that are unconstitutional they’ve been struck down by courts and he’s backed down. See national guard in LA & Chicago, etc.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

If they did that they would have no ability to vote or do anything, so they couldn’t elect a new speaker. Also they wouldn’t get paid so…don’t see that happening.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

In that scenario there would be no reps at all. Every rep is up for re-election. Every rep would be out of a job (including, Mike Johnson).

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Mike Johnson wouldn’t be speaker anymore. He would not even be a rep anymore because his term ends and if LA canceled their election he’d be out of a job.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

So it would be a disaster for the repubs. Not to mention that many states that cancel elections would no longer have governors or state reps/senators, etc. Bottom line: I just can't see any way they'd do this.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

If red states cancel their elections, those states would have zero reps in the house (every house race is up for reelection). Assuming no party changes, the end result would be something like 167 Ds vs 91 Rs in the house. In the senate, it would be something like the Ds gaining about 5 seats.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Then those states cease to have representation. The current congress's term expires on 1/3/27. That's not up for debate. It's in the 20th Amendment of the Constitution. So, Mike Johnson is no longer speaker after 1/3/27.

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Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Masked ICE agents, it seems, are now killing American citizens on American streets. Any Democrat who doesn’t support abolishing ICE should be instantly primaried and run out of the party. This is non negotiable. You cannot support the continued existence of this fascist murderous secret police.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

I think you’re overestimating the average person’s ability to understand this. Most people I know who are using ChatGPT, for example, many of whom are highly educated with multiple degrees, are surprised when I tell them that it often gets things wrong. Most people are using it without thinking.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

That’s a lot of wishful thinking for a court that sides with Trump nearly every time.

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Brian Helminski @bphelminski.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

My point is you said the GM has done nothing to address the oline when that’s just flatly untrue.

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