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Bits and Bobs

@carmelseaotter.bsky.social
1.6K followers 2.1K following 1.3K posts

an American.

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Reposted by Bits and Bobs
Zach Everson @zacheverson.com · 7h
“Weeks before Election Day, the nation's campaign finance regulator can't enforce the law” @gabekaminsky.bsky.social for CBS News
cbsnews.com
Weeks before Election Day, the nation's campaign finance regulator can't enforce the law
The Federal Election Commission is down to just two members ahead of what's projected to be the most expensive election cycle on record.
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Opinion Today @opiniontoday.bsky.social · 7h
The war with Iran is dominating negative news coverage of President Trump, along with prices, the economy, and gas. (@navigatorsurvey.bsky.social) More, via Opinion Today: opiniontoday.substack.com/p/261008-top...
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Axios @axios.com · 10h
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the public will be able to watch the Fort Hood shooter's execution
axios.com
Pete Hegseth says public can watch Fort Hood shooter's execution
Hegseth said Nidal Hasan is "gonna get a firing squad of soldiers. As it should be."
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Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 06/10/2026
“Anything less than a full and fair review would be a betrayal of your mission and perpetuate the outrageous mistreatment of Mr. Hearn," his attorneys tell the IGs.
nbcnews.com
Former Olympic canoeist asks government watchdogs to probe ‘nightmare’ Reflecting Pool case
The Trump administration’s “sprint” to charge Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, his attorneys wrote, “mirrored the rushed renovation itself.”
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Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 06/10/2026
“We fully understand that undertaking these investigations will not be welcomed by the political appointees who have taken positions and made statements that have already been refuted by evidence... But the job description of IGs does not include pleasing people at high levels of the government.”
nbcnews.com
Former Olympic canoeist asks government watchdogs to probe ‘nightmare’ Reflecting Pool case
The Trump administration’s “sprint” to charge Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn, his attorneys wrote, “mirrored the rushed renovation itself.”
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Silvija (still) stands with Ukraine @svecrumba.bsky.social · 7h
Virginia county sues to block Trump from building his 250-foot-tall triumphal arch. #Blues www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 7h
Breaking news: Arlington County sued to block construction of President Trump’s planned 250-foot triumphal arch, arguing that the administration failed to adequately evaluate potential environmental impacts of the project as required by federal law.
washingtonpost.com
Virginia county sues to block Trump from building his arch
Arlington County’s all-Democratic board argues that the planned 250-foot-tall arch needs more review.
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Barbara Kaskosz @kaskosz.bsky.social · 9h
Tom Nichols talks about Kimberly Guilfoyle’s corruption scandal and Secretary Rubio’s evasive comments about it. @radiofreetom.bsky.social
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Barbara Kaskosz @kaskosz.bsky.social · 8h
The DOJ is seeking criminal charges against Cassidy Hutchinson a former top aide to the WH chief of staff Mark Meadows. Hutchinson gave explosive but credible testimony to the January 6 committee. The DOJ is trying to indict her on lying to Congress which she did not do. 🎁 wapo.st/4yey3rk
wapo.st
DOJ grand jury investigating former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson
Hutchinson was a key witness before a House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
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Glenna Wiseman @glennawiseman.bsky.social · 8h
Highest Mortgage Rates in 3 Years Chill the Housing Market www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/b...
nytimes.com
Highest Mortgage Rates in 3 Years Chills the Housing Market (Gift Article)
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 7.4 percent, putting more pressure on Americans struggling to afford to buy a home.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 8h
The Trump administration wants to lift sanctions on a Russian company to benefit mostly Middle Eastern investors (who also happen to be Trump family business partners) www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/w...
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Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 15h
“He’s crawling around now, so I’m excited to chase him around the house and give him all the love that, that, you know —have been kind of withheld for the last 10 months. I’m so excited.”
nbcnews.com
‘I just want to hold him’: USS Lincoln sailor to meet 10-month-old son as ship docks
Brent Ledbetter’s boy is now 10 months old. There are more than 50 new babies waiting for sailors when they dock. The parents will be the first allowed off the ship.
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The Washington Sun @washingtonsun.com · 13h
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. will not attack Iran in the lead up to the midterm elections on Nov. 3, as Republicans struggle to message on high gas prices and rising costs linked to the monthslong conflict.
washingtonsun.com
Trump Commits to a Pause on Iran Attacks Ahead of the Midterms
The president announced on Truth Social that the U.S. is having “productive discussions” with representatives for the country.
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 07/10/2026
Donald Trump is considering striking Iran before the midterms, hoping to show progress in the war and lower gas prices, @nancyayoussef.bsky.social and @jonlemire.bsky.social report. theatln.tc/wXudi2nc
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Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 06/10/2026
First on @nbcnews.com: www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
nbcnews.com
FBI whistleblower says White House pushed unconstitutional probe of protesters
The former analyst says supervisors were told not to put things in writing, so many of the directives came in face-to-face meetings.
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Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 06/10/2026
As always, I'm on Signal: ryanjreilly.62
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Bits and Bobs @carmelseaotter.bsky.social · 10h
coloradonewsline.com/2026/10/06/t...
coloradonewsline.com
Tina Peters met with Trump to discuss election plans, former Trump administration attorney says | Colorado Newsline
A former U.S. Department of Justice attorney said Tina Peters met with President Donald Trump to discuss “election integrity."
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Kyle Clark @kylec.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
NEW: As Colorado’s Tina Peters reportedly meets with President Trump to discuss an election “plan,” her attorney says the plan involves seizing ballots nationwide and discusses strategy for a potential civil war
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Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 18h
Still More Extremists Surface in Senate Candidate Mike Collins’ Orbit talkingpointsmemo.com/the-brief/st...
talkingpointsmemo.com
Still More Extremists Surface in Senate Candidate Mike Collins’ Orbit
How Many of These Guys Are There? The latest report about far-right...
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HuffPost @huffpost.com · 08/10/2026
“I can do whatever I want if I want,” he said during an Oval Office event on Wednesday.
huffpost.com
Trump Pats Himself On The Back For Not Doing 'Bad Things' To Obama, Clinton, Biden
“I can do whatever I want if I want,” he said during an Oval Office event on Wednesday.
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The Washington Sun @washingtonsun.com · 16h
Republicans thought they had one of their best shots at flipping a Democratic Senate seat in purple New Hampshire this year. It’s looking less that way every week.
washingtonsun.com
Why Republicans’ Top Recruit Is Struggling in Purple New Hampshire
Some experts thought John E. Sununu could buck national headwinds, but it’s easier said than done.
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James Downie @jamescdownie.bsky.social · 14h
I'm sure the "Fauci lied, people died" crowd will get right on this.
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Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 11h
DoJ sues Denver over. Mask ban.
justice.gov
Justice Department Files Complaint Against the City and County of Denver, Colorado Challenging Mask Ban and Identification Requirements for Federal Officers
Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the City and County of Denver, Mayor Michael C. Johnston, City Attorney Michiko Ando Brown, and Police Chief Ronald Thomas, challenging their unconstitutional attempt to regulate federal law enforcement officers by prohibiting them from wearing masks and by requiring identification in the manner prescribed by D.R.M.C. §§
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djpowe.bsky.social @djpowe.bsky.social · 11h
Those wild-eyed leftists at the fake news Wall Street Journal have a long piece on the blatant corruption of Trump's ambassador to Greece who famously and creepily declared "The best is yet to come" at the RNC in 2020. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Exclusive | ‘Honey Please’: Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account
Text messages with a MAGA ally show Guilfoyle seeking funds and offering access to top administration officials before becoming ambassador to Greece.
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halfmarshall.bsky.social @halfmarshall.bsky.social · 11h
GIFT ARTICLE: Circadian rhythms and ADHD. wapo.st/4iawcyQ
wapo.st
The surprising new idea that is reshaping how we think about ADHD
Scientists are starting to uncover the links between being a night owl and some neuropsychiatric conditions.
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LunaLuvgood2020 @lunaluvgood2020.bsky.social · 11h
free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/u... In Maine Senate Race, Spiking Heating Oil Costs Put Susan Collins on Defensive Half of homes in Maine rely on heating oil. Rising costs driven up by President Trump’s war with Iran have become central to the state’s Senate race.
nytimes.com
In Maine Senate Race, Spiking Heating Oil Costs Put Susan Collins on Defensive (Gift Article)
Half of homes in Maine rely on heating oil. Rising costs driven up by President Trump’s war with Iran have become central to the state’s Senate race.
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 10h
Whoa. @haleaziz.bsky.social has the scoop on a truly insane plan to use some military training ships for deportations, with people presumably shackled or locked in cells for days at a time as they transit to Central and South America. Each journey would be staggeringly expensive — and dangerous.
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Considers Using Ships to Deport Immigrants (Gift Article)
Journeys to destinations including El Salvador and Venezuela could take days and cost millions. Officials cautioned that discussions are still preliminary.
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Bits and Bobs @carmelseaotter.bsky.social · 10h
www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/u...
nytimes.com
Long-Deployed Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Set for Homecoming (Gift Article)
The ship, whose crew endured food shortages, spent much of its nearly 11-month deployment in combat without a day off.
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Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · 16h
“‘Eric, I really wish you would stop papering all these things,’ Guilfoyle responded. ‘It’s really dangerous and not helpful to you or me while you could simply just call me on signal.’ …A U.S. ambassador lecturing her briber on bribing best practices.” www.thebulwark.com/p/our-big-fa...
thebulwark.com
Our Big Fat Greek Bribery Scandal
Kimberly Guilfoyle’s corruption is shocking, damning, and—by now—chump change.
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Shipwreck @shipwreck75.bsky.social · 11h
UK: FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Aseer province, Riyadh province, Najran province, Jizan province and Taif city and Taif International Airport. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen.
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Shipwreck @shipwreck75.bsky.social · 14h
US State Dept: Saudi Arabia: The U.S. Mission is aware of attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh as of October 8 and reminds all U.S. citizens to exercise heightened vigilance.
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Shipwreck @shipwreck75.bsky.social · 14h
We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport. U.S. citizens are advised to not travel near the Yemen border.
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The Associated Press @apnews.com · 14h
The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles outbreak since 1991. These graphics show the scale of the crisis.
bit.ly
Measles is surging in the US. These graphics show how bad it has gotten
The U.S. is enduring its worst year for measles since 1991. Since the beginning of last year, large outbreaks have been reported in several states, including Texas, Utah, South Carolina and, now, Pennsylvania.
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The Bulwark @thebulwark.com · 06/10/2026
"I have questions. Lots of questions. Before committing people and resources to a plan, military leaders often ask: what, who, when, where, how, and why?" ICYMI, @markhertling.bsky.social asks those questions about Hegseth's "State of the Force" speech:
lnk.thebulwark.com
Pete Hegseth Made Six Big Announcements. I Have Lots of Questions.
Like: Who? And: Why? Among others.
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Bits and Bobs @carmelseaotter.bsky.social · 10h
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
theatlantic.com
Trump Is Considering a Plan to Strike Iran Before the Midterms
Pentagon planners are weighing options, though no final decision has been made.
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Mickey Kuhns @mickeykuhns.bsky.social · 11h
Not long after Iran made this post Trump says he’s spoken with Iran officials and they had productive conversations and that the U.S will cease fire till after the midterms. If you believe this Í have a bridge to sell you.
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Erwin Rommel @bigx-1.bsky.social · 11h
Now this makes sense. www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
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Shipwreck @shipwreck75.bsky.social · 14h
The U.S. is building up its forces in the region to levels not seen since the start of the conflict, providing Trump with additional escalatory options, including a ground offensive, should diplomacy fail. thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2...
thesoufancenter.org
U.S. and Iran Could Be Moving Toward Escalation - The Soufan Center
Neither U.S. nor Iranian leaders see a clear pathway for diplomacy to secure their core objectives, pushing both sides to posture and prepare for military escalation to levels not seen since the U.S.-...
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Shipwreck @shipwreck75.bsky.social · 14h
No attacks before midterms according to Trump:
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Task & Purpose @taskandpurpose.com · 07/10/2026
81 US military fighters, helicopters, and drones have been lost or damaged in the Iran war trib.al/HbBc8cc
trib.al
81 US military fighters, helicopters, and drones have been lost or damaged in the Iran war
A new report by Congress tallied the total aircraft and drones lost or damaged in the Iran war from operations, strikes, and accidents.
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Hawthorne Abendsen III ✝🇺🇸🇮🇱🇺🇦🇹🇼😺🎷 @jasmius.bsky.social · 11h
"Brian Visalli, a 24-year IRS investigator....[futilely] sued the IRS, alleging it leaked his confidential tax and personnel records to [Retribution] Department prosecutors in retaliation for his whistle-blowing on the agency’s failure to pursue tax-dodging." www.nytimes.com/2026/10/07/b...
nytimes.com
Whistle-Blower Says I.R.S. Leaked His Tax Records in Retaliation (Gift Article)
Brian J. Visalli, a veteran investigator of tax fraud, said in a lawsuit that the agency had sent his personal and tax information to federal prosecutors.
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Neil Turkewitz @neilturkewitz.bsky.social · 11h
I know there are a million assaults on human dignity every day, but we can’t afford to let stories like this slip under the radar. The Trump Administration knows that Black home ownership pales in comparison to white homeownership, yet it seeks to dismantle programs aimed at helping to address it. 🤬
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Investigates Wells Fargo for Race-Based Lending (Gift Article)
The federal housing agency says the bank’s efforts to encourage Black homeownership amount to discrimination.
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bjkeefe @bjkeefe.bsky.social · 11h
This is pretty good. I found some of the artifacts, but not all. I posted some of the ones I found in comments underneath the quoted post. gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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melcasmith.bsky.social @melcasmith.bsky.social · 11h
www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/w...
nytimes.com
How a U.S. Diplomat Suppressed and Altered Reports Critical of Israel (Gift Article)
A top aide to Ambassador Mike Huckabee skewed information to portray the Netanyahu government in a favorable light, according to multiple officials and documents obtained by The Times.
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Paul G @pagra50.bsky.social · 11h
Without much effort Iran continues to make Trump look bad. And in turn our other enemies are licking their chops. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/07/u...
nytimes.com
From Iran to the U.K., Trump Is Being Forced Into Retreat (Gift Article)
A war that was intended to demonstrate the reach of American power has now done the opposite. It is a lesson in unintended consequences.
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USpolitics 🇺🇸 @uspol.skyfleet.blue · 11h
Who is Eric Deters? The MAGA donor Kimberly Guilfoyle sought $100,000 from for AmEx bill
thehill.com
Who is Eric Deters? The MAGA donor Kimberly Guilfoyle sought $100,000 from for AmEx bill
Eric Deters, a former Kentucky congressional candidate and longtime ally of President Trump, has emerged in the national spotlight after an explosive report revealed his alleged text exchanges with U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle over her credit card debt. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Guilfoyle, ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D)...
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Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 11h
You just knew there was an example from her time as a Fox News pundit where Kim Guilfoyle called for investigations and criminal charges against Democrats for "racketeering" and "corruption" because they were "influence peddling" and "willing to sell access." www.mediamatters.org/kimberly-gui...
mediamatters.org
FLASHBACK: At Fox, U.S. Ambassador Guilfoyle endorsed criminal investigation into Clinton “pay-for-play” claims
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Scientist4Life @skoozie76.bsky.social · 15h
If Collins wins Maine again I'll have no words. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/u...
nytimes.com
In Maine Senate Race, Spiking Heating Oil Costs Put Susan Collins on Defensive (Gift Article)
Half of homes in Maine rely on heating oil. Rising costs driven up by President Trump’s war with Iran have become central to the state’s Senate race.
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Zeteo @zeteo.com · 05/10/2026
"Trump has the power to keep Musk in the money, and Musk has the money to keep Trump in power." @mehdirhasan.bsky.social speaks with filmmaker @alexgibneyfilm.bsky.social about the "marriage of convenience" between Trump and Musk. Watch the full discussion: zeteo.com/p/this-filmm...
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epluribusfractum.bsky.social @epluribusfractum.bsky.social · 13h
NYT: The US govt, along w some Kushner allies, could take a stake in Russia's Lukoil. The deal would get the US to help Russia fund its war on Ukraine. Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/w...
nytimes.com
In Trump’s Russian Oil Deal, Middle East Funds Are the Biggest Owners (Gift Article)
A majority of ownership in a proposed multibillion-dollar deal would go to a group of Middle Eastern investors, including some with business ties to U.S. negotiators.
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