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James T.

@jathaj.bsky.social
269 followers 570 following 934 posts

Public librarian. Erstwhile historian. Personal account - posts do not represent the views of my employer.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by James T.
ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 29/09/2026
in reality Democrats are the only US party interested in child benefits. conservatives and centrists hate the welfare state, they think the working class must be forced to work by the threat of destitution. so every policy must have a work requirement, which is impossible for stay at home parents
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Ned Resnikoff @resnikoff.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
California's ballot proposition system is not *only* a rent-seeking venue but it is largely for rent-seeking disguised as unmediated democracy
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Hamilton Nolan @hamiltonnolan.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
It is an absolute disgrace that every major union in California is not backing the billionaire tax. Petty ass crabs in a pot doing the work of Sergey Brin. Wake up!
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
TFW you’ve been tokenmaxxing and now can’t afford to fix your bumper.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Serious question: is King Charles, who has mostly German ancestors, also not English? Or are only non-white people excluded from being English?
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Erik Loomis @erikloomis.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
It's not just this bill--Newsom's entire administration has included vetoing dozens if not hundreds of good bills that would make people safer, increase their rights at work, etc. Anyone who cares about policy wants this person nowhere near the White House
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
What a toad. Can only summon the energy to emerge from his life support tank if it’s to do an Islamophobia.
nytimes.com
Giuliani Says Mamdani Should Skip 9/11 Memorial
During an anti-Muslim diatribe, the former mayor called for Mr. Mamdani to skip the ceremonies. The mayor has said he is going.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
It’s important to note that even compared to “legacy” Republican media stooges, like Limbaugh or Mark Levin, the average Piker stream feels like the PBS News Hour.
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 31/08/2026
in john roberts’ constitution, congress does not exist and the power of the purse belongs to the president, who is an elected dictator embodying the authentic Will of the People
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Spotted this sad looking coyote on my way home this morning.
Sad looking coyote standing on sidewalk
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The Why? of Horus
A shiny gold Tesla Cybertruck an eye of Horus decal on the passenger door parked in a parking lot.
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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 06/08/2026
war crimes aside, I am increasingly irritated at how much of our time and energy is eaten up by this tiny little country that treats us like dog shit and still expects endless money and deference. we have our own problems
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
I can hardly believe my eyes
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Happy 250th America! The HOA has let the hot tub become a scum-filled nightmare in emulation of the reflecting pool to mark the occasion.
A hot tub filled with dirty water.
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Jordan Grimes @cafedujord.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Last year the California legislature passed Senate Bill 79, which legalized multifamily housing within a half mile of major public transit stops across California. This legislation was nearly a decade in the making. As of today, is officially active! Let the building begin!
A picture of Bugs Bunny in a tuxedo with the caption "i wish all NIMBY cities in California a very Build Housing."
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Jesus, I see what you’ve done for other people, and I want that for me.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
JFC, can we just have real electric cars already?
nytimes.com
A New Era of Super-Hybrid Cars Is Coming
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Why have any non-police government workers at all?
sanjosespotlight.com
Divided San Jose council approves police housing preference - San José Spotlight
A measure to allow San Jose Police Department personnel to jump to the front of the line in a new workforce housing effort has won approval. But the victory comes only after sharp dissent on the City ...
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Elon Musk’s is truly one life that is not worth living. If your day has even one happy moment you are experiencing more meaning and fulfillment than the world’s richest man ever has.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
How about that? It’s almost like some people still go to the library for the books…
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
How many Einsteins did the solar system gain from this?
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Just do it already. This fascist overreach is taking forever.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
In addition to wanting to be ensconced, I would drape myself in velvet if it were socially acceptable.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Televangelist with caption that reads “Jesus, I see what you’ve done for other people, and I want that for me.”
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Data Bear 🏳️‍🌈 @dataandpolitics.net · 19/05/2026
I think the best indicator of Matt Mahan's supposed "pro housing" agenda is that San Jose lost 2.3% of its population during the past 5 years.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Americans are justifiably suspicious their elites will do nothing to protect their jobs, privacy, creative works, or lives from reckless application of AI.
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Next door in Silicon Valley @nextdoorsv.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
I love explaining to people outside of California how school districts where the median home value is $1.5M ask parents to contribute $1K-$2K in donations per child so that the music teacher won't be laid off. Great system!
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Nied [5'7"] @nied.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
I am Tom Steyer's strongest soldier now.
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Stan Oklobdzija @stano.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
These pardons don't have to be honored and Trump v. U.S. can just be ignored. Ultimately, the monopoly on legal force is what decides which laws are real and which are fake.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
I’ve always said New York is the Tirana of America.
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ceej @ceej.online · 07/04/2026
I’ve been thinking about this guy almost daily for ten fucking years. essentially my entire 30’s. when he finally croaks I imagine I’ll let out a sigh so deep it realigns my fucking spine
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Sam (ABeardedPanda) @abeardedpanda.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
this guy isn't just a danger to our democracy, he's a danger to every democracy on the planet
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mtsw @mtsw.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
The media told us, based on the amount of coverage they devoted to it, that the number one military-related issue of the 2024 campaign was whether Tim Walz retiring from the National Guard after 21 years was too soon or not.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
In happier news, my kid had a great time going through his Easter basket and a tomato vine I left in its grow bag from last season is already sprouting tomatoes.
Raggedy tomato vine with a few small, green tomatoes growing on it.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 05/04/2026
The biggest story in the world right now is that the president of the United States is a demented old man who takes pleasure in torturing and killing people and is committing crimes with impunity. And yet most legacy media outlets are too cowardly to tell it like it is.
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Stan Oklobdzija @stano.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Like at least North Korea has to set up a special, state run TV station for the lady in the hanbok, whereas the NYT just does the same thing for free because they went to Yale with Trump admin staffers and their kids attend the same private school.
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Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Remember all this nonsense about the supposed inferiority of “third world” immigration? They really believed that and applied their theory to international relations and it failed. Racism makes you stupid.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Someone as easily manipulated and incapable of skepticism as Ezra Klein just shouldn’t live in the Bay Area.
nytimes.com
Opinion | I Saw Something New in San Francisco
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
🎶 From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, you won’t have any oil unless you pay Iran a fee.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Maybe I should throw my hat in the ring for California governor? I’m sure the candidacy of a complete unknown wouldn’t be a doomed waste of resources and a potentially disastrous distraction.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
This is absolutely not a surprise, but the inevitable outcome of the jungle primary in a state whose “progressive” party mostly rejects the idea that you should have to contribute the greater good, whether by allowing new housing, paying property tax, or dropping out of the race for governor.
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Data Bear 🏳️‍🌈 @dataandpolitics.net · 25/03/2026
I don’t have strong views about who should be the next governor of California, but I do feel strongly that candidates currently poling at < 5% have already been assessed by voters and found lacking. Arguing whether voters should like them more is irrelevant to winning the election.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Did anyone who actually read the book come away feeling that Stephenson thought that the metaverse, or really anything in the dystopia he conjures, was a good idea?
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
media.tenor.com
Misto GIF
Alt: GIF of Tim Heidecker as Decker, the show within a show from On Cinema At the Cinema
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Aaron Sofaer ✍️🏳️‍⚧️ @aaronsofaer.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
the candidates being asked to drop are polling below 5% in a race where if the Democrats don't consolidate we risk both top slots going to Republicans, it is a goddamn disgrace that the no-chancers aren't dropping. You wanna coalesce around Becerra go ahead, at least he *does* poll at >=5%.
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Mikhail Gorbaechev @mikhailgorbaechev.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
I think we just need to make this shit mandatory.
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
I guess we now all know what we'll post when Trump dies.
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James T. @jathaj.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Man, this really sucks. One of the best spots in downtown San Jose. I think that leaves downtown without a single movie theater. RIP 3Below.
3Below
Theaters & Cafe
A message to our community:
The Final Chapter of 3Below Theaters
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Carly Goodman @carlygoodman.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Re: the right to have grandchildren, isn’t there someone you forgot to ask? 🤔
is is an original publication-not a reprint. Cover printed in U.S.A.
MANKIND'S INALIENABLE RIGHTS:
1. The right to eat well.
2. The right to drink pure water.
3. The right to breathe clean air.
4. The right to decent, uncrowded shelter.
5. The right to enjoy natural beauty.
6. The right to avoid regimentation.
7. The right to avoid pesticide poisoning.
8. The right to freedom from thermonuclear war.
9. The right to limit families.
10. The right to educate our children.
11. The right to have grandchildren.


Dr. Paul R. Ehrlich is Professor of Biology and Director of Graduate Study for the Department of Biological Sciences,
Stanford University.
His specialty is population biology. He has written over seventy scientific papers and several books on this and related subjects.
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Philip N Cohen @philipncohen.com · 16/03/2026
Paul Ehrlich, famous for being wrong, dies at 93.
PROLOGUE

The battle to feed all of humanity is over. In the 1970s
and 1980s hundreds of millions of people will starve to
death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon
now. At this late date nothing can prevent a substantial
increase in the world death rate, although many lives
could be saved through dramatic programs to "stretch"
the carrying capacity of the earth by increasing food
production and providing for more equitable distribution
of whatever food is available. But these programs will
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