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David Elwell

@drelwell.bsky.social
968 followers 348 following 986 posts

Inputs: words & music, pictures too. Outputs: not so much. When I'm working: editorial & publications. When I'm not: aimless.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by David Elwell
Silverman on Security @silvermansecurity.bsky.social · 4h
I want to take Chris's point 1 step further as there's an interaction effect that'll also be in play. At the same time that the decision to remove tenure for civilian faculty at the military schoolhouses, we've got a full on push to use AI for everything. These two together will be disastrous. 1/
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Truthout @truthout.org · 3h
The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza has surpassed 74,000. While this figure represents the official death toll as confirmed by local authorities, the true number could be much higher. “The [ceasefire] plan ended up just buying more time for the genocide,” says Muhammad Shehada.
buff.ly
A Year Later, Trump’s Gaza Plan Just Bought “More Time for the Genocide”
Writer and analyst Muhammad Shehada notes the release of Israeli hostages is the only plan item that’s been fulfilled.
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AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 2h
"They're going to police themselves." Trump says the tech executives gathered at the White House to discuss regulating AI signed a "morally binding" commitment to build adequate safeguards on the fast-moving technology u.afp.com/S9hU
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Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · 7h
Over 540,000 people have been deported since the start of the second Trump administration in January 2025. This has had a devastating impact not just on those detained, but on the children left behind. Human Rights Watch spoke to many parents in the aftermath of their deportations. Read more:
hrw.org
Children in Anguish as US Immigration Arrests Surge
Teresa M., a 30-year-old Guatemalan woman, had just left home for her job manufacturing cabinets when she was stopped by Alabama police in June and asked about her immigration status. A colleague was ...
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Cheryl Rofer @cherylrofer.bsky.social · 7h
I am really tired of the AI stuff, but it's what we've got now. I think I'll do a thread here on the latest, rather than an LGM post, though. Quicker for me, and less annoyance for them. Ezra Klein interviewed Bill Gates on AI. This alone should be reason to shut them all down.
nytimes.com
Opinion | Bill Gates’s Blunt Warning on A.I. (Gift Article)
As A.I. capabilities accelerate, the technologist is shocked by the “complete lack of engagement” with the question of how to manage its risks.
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#StupidSuez @diplomatofnight.com · 12h
Senator Van Hollen is forcing a vote on his 502B resolution TONIGHT. It would force the U.S. State Department to conduct a comprehensive review of Israeli human rights abuses and release that to Congress and the public. Tell your senators to vote yes at the link below imeupolicy.org/exposeisrael
imeupolicy.org
Message Your Senators: Expose Israel's Violence and Human Rights Abuses — IMEU Policy Project
We need to pressure our U.S. Senators to take real action. Tell them to report on human rights violations in the West Bank and hold Israel accountable.
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Truthout @truthout.org · 6h
Education Secretary Linda McMahon promoted the use of AI in schools, citing a controversial online charter school that has been criticized for utilizing inaccurate and confusing AI-generated lessons. “I have visited the Alpha School, where they use AI for the first two hours every single morning.”
buff.ly
AI School Praised by Education Secretary McMahon Reportedly Does “More Harm Than Good” for Students
“Accuracy of the content provided by the [AI] is a concern,” read an internal assessment of Alpha School’s lessons.
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Ari Cohn @aricohn.com · 8h
The dig at the Senator from Missouri about knowing Midwest sports teams was pretty savage. Gotta respect it.
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Lily Hay Newman @lhn.bsky.social · 9h
👀 www.wired.com/story/openai...
wired.com
OpenAI Gets Sued Over the Hugging Face Hack
A nonprofit in California is doing what Hugging Face has not, and attempting to hold OpenAI legally accountable for the actions of its agents.
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 8h
The Justice Department filed assault charges against a Venezuelan immigrant shot by ICE, alleging he struck an officer with his car's mirror while fleeing a traffic stop. The officer who said he was struck wasn't wearing a body camera, the affidavit said.
washingtonpost.com
Immigrant shot by ICE in Austin is charged with assault
An affidavit unsealed Tuesday said the officer who shot Wilber Garcés Pérez was not wearing a body camera and another officer turned his camera off.
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The Associated Press @apnews.com · 8h
BREAKING: The Supreme Court lets the Trump administration continue deporting people to third countries for now while justices weigh policy.
bit.ly
Supreme Court lets quick deportations to third countries resume while justices weigh Trump policy
The Supreme Court will allow President Donald Trump’s administration to continue deporting people to countries other than their own for now, while the justices consider whether the policy is legal.
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Africa Center for Strategic Studies @africacenter.bsky.social · 8h
Nearly 45 million Africans (roughly 3% of the African population) are forcibly displaced—having fled conflict, violence, and repression. Seven countries account for roughly 85% of that number. Get all the details in our Infographic breakdown: africacenter.org/spo...
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Professa Murray @kalimurray.bsky.social · 12h
Aw, man these little Senate staffers are cooking in conspiracy juice.
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Professa Murray @kalimurray.bsky.social · 10h
It was not just the Office of Technology Assessment: it was a whole structure that supported Congressional decision-making and Gingrich torched it (primarily because facts and expertise are apparently Democratic). It is time to double Congress’s budget and bulk up it staffing again.
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T.J. Stiles @tj-stiles.bsky.social · 12h
So Trump personally picked a soundtrack of a choir singing “LOVE ME!”? That is the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard.
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The Washington Sun @washingtonsun.bsky.social · 12h
The GAO says it cannot find assurances that DOGE properly handled Americans’ data. www.washingtonsun.com/agencies/doge…
washingtonsun.com
Congress’ Watchdog Arm Is Not Assured That DOGE Protected Americans’ Data
Several federal agencies did not answer the congressional auditor’s questions about data security.
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San Mateo Flock Out @sanmateoflockout.bsky.social · 12h
"Sorry, your [job/benefits/etc] application is declined because your [disease/neurotype/etc] makes you ineligible to live."
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Micah @rincewind.run · 12h
the left has gotten sports, in its entirety, in the national divorce this is why bluesky is the official app of sports
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Erin Kissane @kissane.myatproto.social · 14h
A thing I learned about Meta when I was trying to understand how their statements relate to their actions a few years ago is that *they just tell absolutely indefensible lies* and journalists almost always let them. They believed no one would ever punish them for it in any way that matters.
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Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 12h
What a fucking embarrassment
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Reuters @reuters.com · 17h
Soldiers and mercenaries killed at least 34 civilians in Mali, Amnesty report says reut.rs/4dDRdiU
reut.rs
Soldiers and mercenaries killed at least 34 civilians in Mali, Amnesty report says
At least 34 civilians were killed in seven incidents during military joint operations in Mali by the army and Russia's ​Wagner mercenary group between June 2023 and December 2025, Amnesty ‌International said in a report on Tuesday.
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Reuters @reuters.com · 16h
Cuba's top trade official says US impeding reforms, denies talks with Trump associates reut.rs/4hrslMs
reut.rs
Cuba's top trade official says US impeding reforms, denies talks with Trump associates
Cuba's top trade ​official dismissed reports that companies linked to US President Donald Trump had come to Cuba this year to talk business, while calling ‌the US trade embargo the biggest impediment to the roll-out of historic free-market reforms.
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Aram Sinnreich @aramsinn.bsky.social · 16h
After the decades of struggle to bring broadband to rural areas in the US, *this* is where the "information superhighway" brought them.
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e.w. niedermeyer @niedermeyer.online · 16h
well well well, will you look at that electrek.co/2026/09/15/t...
electrek.co
Tesla's record month: 4 fatal Autopilot and Full Self-Driving crashes
July 2026 set a record for Tesla driver-assist crashes: 236, including 4 fatal ones the public never connected to Autopilot or FSD.
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Professa Murray @kalimurray.bsky.social · 16h
This is not a campaign ad; we are watching in real time, the Trump Administration self-soothe…which is worse. Why is it only appearing on Fox? Well, that is what the Boss watches. Our tax dollars are being used to Natalie Harp the President. Those ads are the closest we ever to get to insight.
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Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 16h
Talking recently to family members of people snatched up and expelled to third countries by ICE, I learned: 1) All of those captured were in 287(g) jurisdictions; 2) None of the family members had known what 287(g) was and had erroneously thought people with no arrests were safe.
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Lorenzo Salgado, jr. @oznezol.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
One step closer to justice for my dad, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.
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Sami Eerola @eerolasami.bsky.social · 16h
USA:n hybridisota Brasiliaa vastaan kiihtyy
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Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Inside the anti-climate campaign against researchers" by @chelseaeharvey.bsky.social, Lesley Clark and @corbinhiar.bsky.social for @politico.com: www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Inside the anti-climate campaign against researchers
A POLITICO investigation reveals more than 100 open records requests demanding documents from climate scientists nationwide.
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Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 15h
McDonald’s uses “machine-learning algorithms to continually analyze data from millions of daily transactions across McDonald’s nearly 14,000 restaurants and generate what the company calls ‘the optimal price’ at each location for each menu item, from Big Macs ‌to discounted coffee for seniors.”
reuters.com
Inside McDonald’s push to have AI price your Big Mac
McDonald’s is increasingly using artificial intelligence to guide menu prices across the U.S. and some global markets, a plan that aims to boost headquarters’ profit but risks alienating customers and...
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 16h
NEW: A new White House rule would prohibit anyone from using federal grant money for voter registration drives, including ones that help disabled Americans vote. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to restrict voting access.
propublica.org
This White House Plan Threatens Funding That Helps Disabled Americans Vote
A new rule from the Office of Management and Budget would prohibit anyone from using federal grant money for voter registration drives. It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to restr...
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Patrick Clarkin @patrickclarkin.bsky.social · 17h
A recent assessment by the UN Satellite Centre found that the number of destroyed structures across Gaza has increased by 9% since a “ceasefire” took effect nearly a year ago. Overall, about 82% of structures in Gaza…have been damaged, and about two-thirds of those have been destroyed.
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 16h
A bipartisan effort to ban the demolition of presidential memorials — including the Kennedy Center — was blocked Monday night in the Senate by an objection from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
washingtonpost.com
GOP senator blocks bill to stop Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center
The bipartisan effort to ban the demolition of presidential memorials was thwarted in the Senate by an objection from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
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CNN @cnn.com · 29/09/2026
Migrant children as young as 2 are showing up at immigration courts nationwide, many without attorneys, to make their case to stay in the US and avoid deportation. cnn.it/4huSk5M
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emptywheel @emptywheel.bsky.social · 17h
Jamie Raskin calls out the shitty ads as a crime (this was cited by CNN and other stories). This is the kind of Xitter post that I beg of @raskin.house.gov or other MoCs to cross-post over here -- not least bc more people over here are likely to magnify it.
Rep. Jamie Raskin

@RepRaskin
This may be felony criminal theft and conversion of government property for political campaign purposes. 18 U.S.C. § 1641. It is a Hatch Act violation for any government employees who worked on it or used government resources to make it. It is blatantly unethical under numerous federal ethics provisions proscribing the use of government resources for political campaigns.
Quote
Yashar Ali 🐘
@yashar
·
Sep 24
The White House is currently airing this video as an ad during commercial breaks on Fox News. 

It looks and sounds like a political spot and includes a disclaimer stating that it is paid for by the U.S. government.

The soundtrack: as images of Trump flash across the screen,

2:30 PM · Sep 24, 2026
·
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Reposted by David Elwell
Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
How clear is it that Trump's taxpayer funded ads are illegal? I explain why it is 10/10 clear. Senate in passing the law: Ban is designed to stop public funds used for "glorification" of an individual official. GAO: funds can not be used for "self-aggrandizement" nor partisan political purposes.
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Austin Kocher, PhD @austinkocher.com · 15h
All 11 active D.C. Circuit judges hear argument today on whether Judge James Boasberg's criminal contempt inquiry into the March 2025 Alien Enemies Act flights can go forward. The court streams it live. 🧵 www.youtube.com/USCourtsCADC
youtube.com
United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
This is the official YouTube Channel for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. For more information regarding the Court's oral arguments, please visit our web site.
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Silverman on Security @silvermansecurity.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This is akin to what Putin did via the GRU fronts in the Prigozhin network in the Sahel. Especially Dagalo's/Hemedti's controlled parts of southern Sudan. They took the gold out through MERO-Gold & MERO-Invest & then laundered them through the UAE. Because no one legit will touch it.
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Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · 29/09/2026
A federal judge ruled that the Trump admin violated her order prohibiting overcrowding at ICE's Baltimore holding room — the very facility I've been sounding the alarm on after we saw this terrible footage last year. The judge is right to threaten contempt — the abuses must end.
‘Spectacular failure’: Baltimore ICE facility violated overcrowding order, judge finds
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Eric Columbus @ericcolumbus.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"The sources added that Patel consistently kept Bailey at arm's length and cut him out of meetings the deputy FBI director should attend because Bailey was constantly flagging things that were unconstitutional." www.cbsnews.com/news/top-fbi...
cbsnews.com
Top FBI official Andrew Bailey, who was once widely seen as Patel successor, resigns
Bailey was originally brought in to help ease tensions between former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino.
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TheCatMan @bigbrohem.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Wow. “Boasberg is now, in a sense, carrying the load for American society and history. The administration has been intent, from its first minutes in office, on the Orwellian project of whitewashing history and erasing Trump’s perfidy, the worst by any president in our history”
harrylitman.substack.com
The Question Boasberg Won't Drop, and Team Trump is Desperate Not to Answer
Judge Boasberg’s contempt investigation reaches key hearing.
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News for 38 Year Olds @newsfor38yearolds.com · 28/09/2026
US deportations are triggering a 'cascade' of rights abuses, UN experts warn France 24 www.france24.com/en/americas/202609…
france24.com
US deportations are triggering a 'cascade' of rights abuses, UN experts warn
France 24
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Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
All we know for sure is that Andrew Bailey was *not* fired for having sex with animals. Because that is OK at Kash Patel's FBI.
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Common Dreams @commondreams.org · 28/09/2026
“This is not normal," said the president of the union representing CDC workers. "What we are witnessing is the dismantling of public health infrastructure our country relies on."​
commondreams.org
Trump and RFK Jr.'s Gutting of CDC 'Should Terrify Everyone,' Advocates Say
“This is not normal," said the president of the union representing CDC workers. "What we are witnessing is the dismantling of public health infrastructure our country relies on."
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Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · 28/09/2026
Bundibugyo outbreak tops 8,000 confirmed cases as disease remains out of control apnews.com/article/cong...
apnews.com
Congo's Ebola outbreak tops 8,000 confirmed cases as disease remains out of control
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in Congo has surged past 8,000 as the country struggles with a shortage of health workers. The new statistics were released Sunday.
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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 28/09/2026
"it certainly sounds like the US government through the DFC is being used leverage a deal for business pals of the Trump family." talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/us-ta...
talkingpointsmemo.com
US Tax Dollars Now Used to Secure Deals for Trump Family Cronies
This has gotten very little attention, as far as I can tell....
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Kristin Kuster @kristinkuster.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Holy shit, this is terrifying:
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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Even as profits soar, corporate tax payments are down 25% this year thanks to Trump and Republicans’ big, ugly bill. One of the main beneficiaries? Big Tech — which is using the tax breaks to help fuel its AI boom as it spends a fortune on the midterm elections. Remember this...
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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Measles: What is likely going to happen in Florida (and much of the US) as MMR vaccination has dropped below the threshold needed to prevent outbreaks? Hundreds of deaths in the next 5 years projected throughout the US. www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 28/09/2026
"Around 15 percent of all ULP charges brought against employers are brought against the USPS. Around 23 percent of all ULP charges brought against unions are brought against the postal unions." www.nlrbedge.com/p/the-postal...
nlrbedge.com
The Postal Service is Drowning the NLRB
An easy way to cut down the NLRB backlog.
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