Sign in

Johan_Lars

@johanlars.bsky.social
257 followers 276 following 66 posts

Pro-progress. Pro-animals. Pro-environment. Former Tech. Former Lawyer. No DMs.

PostsRepliesMedia
Johan_Lars @johanlars.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
When Dems win, we need to hold every single one of these people accountable. If that doesn't happen, then Dem leadership needs to gtfo
000
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Drew Harwell @drewharwell.com · 23/09/2026
Five cops in Indianapolis were just criminally charged with abusing Flock to spy on their ex-wives, their wives' ex-partners and women they met on duty. Audit was triggered by us at the @washingtonpost.com, the prosecutor said. From last month: wapo.st/4yfNHng
12552551588
Johan_Lars @johanlars.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
It was always a scam. And every politician, celebrity, academic who shilled for it should have to answer for it
000
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 06/09/2026
Got 'em: The @thebulwark.com added an editor's note to the review, acknowledging that the author's direct affiliation with the Foundation for American Innovation ("the foundation shaping the tech right," according to Inc.) created a conflict that should have been forthrightly disclosed.
Editor's note from Bulwark: 1
Editor’s note (September 3, 2026, 1:10 p.m. EDT): In a response to this review posted to social media, Gil Durán, author of The Nerd Reich, has highlighted that the reviewer, Jacob Bruggeman, is affiliated with the Foundation for American Innovation (FAI). Durán mentions FAI in his book, once, in a sentence that reads as follows: “This merging of tech and far-right networks—hosted by the Foundation for American Innovation, which Inc. later described as ‘the foundation shaping the tech right’—seemed like a live test of [Balaji] Srinivasan’s theory.” Bruggeman’s affiliation with FAI is an unpaid, nonresident fellowship (in other words, it is not his day job), and while it was mentioned in his byline beneath this review, we should have made a point of additionally disclosing it in a footnote like this.
491999425
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 10/09/2026
“The Nerd Reich” was the #1 bestseller at @bookshop.org for August. “See why people are talking about this one!” Lots more to come, folks! Thank you to all who bought and/or boosted the book. The word-of-mouth is working. Buy it here: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Image of Nerd Reich book as #1 bestseller for august on Bookshop
22458106
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 27/08/2026
We did it! “The Nerd Reich” is a New York Times Instant Bestseller! My book debuts at #3 on the non-fiction list. Thanks to all who pre-ordered /bought the book—or requested it at the public library or promoted it on social. Without you, I’m just an unemployed guy with a laptop. But with you…
Image: Nerd Reich book cover, a New York Times Instant Bestseller
1564235820
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Jason Song Quinn (Comms Open) @hulkhoquinn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Think about Miss Piggy. She lost a best friend and now an ex-lover in matter of 24 hours.
Miss Piggy and Dolly Parton in fancy dresses posing together photo of Tim Curry surrounded by muppets, smiling for a photo. A quote from curry is added “it didn’t go very well. It didn’t survive the shoot. She felt I wasn’t being faithful to her” it’s him discussing his ill fated affair with miss piggy
117313038383
Johan_Lars @johanlars.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Holy shit.
000
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Sam - the last shofet @sam-of-pnw.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
These are classic examples of ELDER ABUSE! This are perpetrated by democratic fundraising consultants, democratic scam PACs, the DCCC & DSCC, and individual democratic politicians. More than half the funds raised in this scammy way end up in the consultants’ pockets. Adam is doing god’s work.
021
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Adam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The Democratic Party has let a consulting industry exploit elderly donors in its name, wreck its reputation and finances in the process, and walk away rich whether the party wins or loses. When a mirror is held up, the instinct is to break the glass rather than look. On why the press looks away:
data4democracy.substack.com
The Bulwark Killed an Investigation into Political Fundraising Spam After Its Publisher Took the Consultants’ Side
This is a story about the Democratic Party captured by its consultants, and about what happens when the pro-democracy press is asked to say so.
642206764
Reposted by Johan_Lars
derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I appreciate that Dolly Parton refused to participate in "dress respectability" and, by her own account, modeled her aesthetic after a town "tramp," who she thought was beautiful. She separated aesthetics from character and understood "classiness" to be about how you treat people, not how you dress.
194354255287
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Judd Legum @juddlegum.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
1. The New York Post and others have repeatedly claimed that Mayor Mamdani “doxxed” wealthy New Yorkers when he published a list of property owners to implement the new pied-a-terre tax. THIS IS NOT TRUE BECAUSE ALL OF THIS INFORMATION WAS ALREADY PUBLIC AND EASILY SEARCHABLE ONLINE
301240294
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
You can’t talk about debt without talking about how we got into a bad predicament, and there’s only one correct answer: tax cuts enacted this century
U.S. debt is on track to reach historic levels
Debt held by the public as a percentage of the gross domestic product, 1792-2055
- Historical - • Projected → Without Bush and Trump tax cuts
187.55%
180%
160
140
120|
100
80
99.38%
60
• 47.85%
40
20
0
1800|
1820 1840 1860|
1880
1900 1920 1940|
1960|
1980 2000 2020 2040|
Hover or click to see values.
• Notes:
Source: Authors' calculations using data from the Congressional Budget Office, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Reserve, the Yale Budget Lab, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. A full list of sources is available here.
Chart: Center for American Progress
7234441179
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Charles Gaba ✡️ @charlesgaba.com · 20/08/2026
🚨 AGAIN: When you donate thru one of MY Blue26.org pages, nothing goes to third parties (besides the cc processing fee), I never send emails or text messages, and you can opt out of sharing your email/phone number with the campaigns. (Oh, and “recurring donation” is UNCHECKED by default)
blue26.org
Blue26.org
Not a PAC. Just helping raise money for Democratic candidates to help save democracy.
04816
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Aaron Huertas @aaronhuertas.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
We have a major Democratic law firm, two major party committees, and two media outlets dead to rights suppressing research into how digital fundraising firms scam seniors and barely a peep from the national press corps or elected officials. A goddamn shame.
271654510
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Abdul El-Sayed @abdulelsayed.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
My name is not raising your gas prices. My name is not the reason we’re in an illegal war. My name is not the reason you can’t afford your healthcare. My name is not the reason that you can’t afford your rent or your insurance.
20389742561
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Adam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I wrote this because most journalists facing this pressure can’t. The paper we count on to check authoritarianism spiked an investigation into the Democratic Party because the party’s lawyers threatened to sue. Holding authoritarians accountable starts with holding your own side accountable.
data4democracy.substack.com
With Fear and Favor
Institutions don’t have courage. They have incentives.
26633227
Reposted by Johan_Lars
G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 17/08/2026
by this logic andrew cuomo would have been indistinguishable from a communist. it's a useful insight about the constraints of governing, but maybe tells us little about the executive? (at the same time i'm confident in predicting mamdani has filled more potholes than cuomo would have)
211112
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Ebony Elizabeth Thomas @ebonyteach.blacksky.app · 16/08/2026
You know what? FOX 2 Detroit ended their high school essay contest in 1995 because of me. I was the last winner. A (white) teacher at another HS accused me and my (white) AP English teacher of cheating. Essay was "too long." Previous winners read their essays on TV. I only got to visit the studio.
2034554984
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Better Things Are Possible @internethippo.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Wife: The trash is overflowing. Can you-- Me: Well I can't take it out but here's what I'll say. We need a strong trash can. And I'm committed to reforming the kitchen so the trash doesn't pile up
415155641
Reposted by Johan_Lars
BeijingPalmer @beijingpalmer.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I think the ultimate test of this is actually Boris Johnson. Boris *was fired from his first job* for making up stories, only to go on to be hired into a prestigious role at the Telegraph and spend years lying about the EU at Brussels. And I mean literally lying here; not bad punditry.
312478568
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Gillian Brockell @gillianbrockell.com · 17/08/2026
Some professional news: I’m starting at The American @prospect.org on Monday, where I’ll continue my reporting on ICE flights and third-country removals.
1404132434
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 16/08/2026
Xavier Becerra has gone silent since winning the primary for California governor. But here he is with Peter Thiel protégé Garry Tan—Palantir’s employee #10. “Garry’s List” is an AI-generated right-wing news site. Garry is a top Network State figure & tweeted “die slow” at SF city leaders in 2024.
Photograph of Becerra with Carrie Tan at A Gary’s list event
43865302
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Joe Flynn @chinajoeflynn.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
It's an odd thing to say of a politician, but Jeffries has no ambition. He's an NYC machine flunky who got tapped by Pelosi to lead the Dems because her no. 1 choice lost a primary. This is as good as it's gonna get for him. He has no vision for the party or America. He's just defending his turf.
631556235
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Adam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
There are four overlapping scandals here: 1. Fundraising spam tactics are hallmarks of elder financial exploitation 2. The Dem establishment is in on it 3. Most of what is raised goes to fundraising consultants 4. Capitulation to legal threats by NYT and The Bulwark on a fully vetted story 🧵👇
data4democracy.substack.com
Hook and Squeeze
How Democratic consultants, committees, and party leaders built a fundraising spam pipeline that funnels money from a captive pool of elderly donors into their own operations.
22871347
Reposted by Johan_Lars
derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
trying to learn about audio equipment and intentionally looking for stores with one star reviews so i know the person at the shop is an enthusiast and not a businessperson
A Google review of an audio store reads: "Worst phone interaction I've ever had in my entire life. I called to ask if they had an electrostatic headphone amp, I was informed that it was a waste of money to own electrostatic headphones. Then I tried to say that I know a lot about headphones and own many and that I am just looking for an amplifier, but then I was interrupted and told that I don't know anything. Wild!"A Google review of an audio store reads: "I normally have tremendous empathy for the mentally ill but not with this guy. He's abusive, slanderous and bizarrely demanding -- and that's if he likes you. Maybe he can still repair stuff but I wouldn't know; I walked away after the third time he screamed at me for asking a simple question and that's no exaggeration. Actual screaming. Just wild."
1836145487
Reposted by Johan_Lars
David Roberts @volts.wtf · 15/08/2026
I know you're not allowed to say this during the current debate, but the reason the left dominates academics, art, comedy, and music is that the right has stupid, discredited ideas, they're not funny, and dull resentment does not make for good art. No grand conspiracy required.
205101582134
Reposted by Johan_Lars
G Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 16/08/2026
Very dumb discourse today. For one thing, this is a take about an unrealized future election outcome using cherry-picked data. For another, Cohn Jain et al all ignore that Haley Stevens was polling just as bad!
826331
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Boo!-per Lund @cooperlund.online · 16/08/2026
This is a great example of why Jeffries is not the man for the moment, and a bad choice to be Speaker. Instead of hitting the unity notes that Dems are doing well in Michigan and Wisconsin, he’s obsessing about local NYC politics because he’s afraid of losing power and it’s hurting Dems nationally.
223774664
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Hakeem Jeffries is not up for the job. They have got to get rid of him in January.
465138901678
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Adam Bonica @adambonica.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
The fundraising texts you delete are working on someone. It’s infuriating and heartbreaking. An 85yo in Ohio gave more than double the value of his home. A 91yo in an Indianapolis senior facility gave 25K times. The DCCC/DSCC don’t just tolerate the spammers who exploit seniors. They take part.
data4democracy.substack.com
Hook and Squeeze
How Democratic consultants, committees, and party leaders built a fundraising spam pipeline that funnels money from a captive pool of elderly donors into their own operations.
17845351588
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Getting all my political talking points from the comments of the pro wrestling subreddit from now on.
There have been more school shootings in the 2026-2027 school year (which started last week) than there are transgender athletes competing. This is a nothing issue pushed by nothing people while the rich continue to rob us blind.
71103111856
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Anat Shenker-Osorio @anatosaurus.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Imagine a country where the ruling regime is putting babies in concentration camps and people openly advertise the fight for higher wages and universal healthcare as their greatest foe.
5753229
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Jared Holt @jaredlholt.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The "centrist" think tank Third Way is looking to pay someone between $140,000 and $150,000 to spend their days trying to dig up dirt on DSA members. They're trying to sell this gig as "anti-extremism" work, which I find completely disgusting.
from job listing:

As the Director of Anti-Extremism, a typical day might include…

Assembling and updating a database of the DSA’s most extreme ideas and statements and a repository of voting records, affiliations, and issue positions to make available to allies and partners;
Leading public opinion research to identify and test the contrasts that move base voters away from these extreme candidates;
Overseeing the development of memos, talking points, rapid response materials, and other products that make the case against these extreme forces in American politics;
Promoting and marketing our research and materials to ensure they reach decisionmakers quickly, repeatedly, and at scale through a coordinated distribution infrastructure;
Recruiting and arming a group of young, diverse spokespeople to fight the DSA from a center-left perspective and assembling a broad coalition of organizational partners to make the case against extremism;
Running an earned media program to create a drumbeat of our message in op-eds, television appearances, podcasts, and traditional and digital media engagement.
48267481678
Johan_Lars @johanlars.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Just an absolutely insane trade
000
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 03/07/2026
Mamdani: "As we mark 250 years ... we see the wealthiest country -- one where children go to sleep hungry while the world's first trillionaire hungers for more ... we see masked agents terrorizing our streets, eating food cooked by undocumented neighbors before spiriting them away in unmarked vans"
556286299498
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Max Kennerly @maxkennerly.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Guaranteed: 1) Black girls will be harassed and demanded to be tested over and over again regardless of how competitive they are. 2) Winners from public schools will be relentlessly hounded by the parents and coaches of losers at private schools, with the goal of making them quit the sport.
205107493189
Reposted by Johan_Lars
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 30/06/2026
absolutely vital to win the senate this november. need to basically blockade judicial confirmations for the next two years.
14792541788
Johan_Lars @johanlars.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
100%
000
Johan_Lars @johanlars.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
NYT is no longer the paper of record. They've failed in these times
010
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Tricia Lockwood @tricialockwood.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
*nodding solemnly with full comprehension* yes, I see. there’s a special kind of kid who can’t play sports or go to the bathroom
113847802
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Nancy Armour @nrarmour.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
The ban is heinous for what it does to transgender athletes. But if you think cisgender girls and young women won’t be caught up in the fallout, too, you are woefully ignorant
27892012415
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Just shocking this was a 5-4 ruling. This Court is so so badly broken.
44690471643
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Coach Finstock @coachfinstock.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
All the horny World Cup cameramen who always find the hot ladies in the crowd are gonna be eating well during tonight's Ecuador v Mexico tilt.
820310
Reposted by Johan_Lars
Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The best part about this story is I have no idea if it happened but it sounds like something I did 100%
26154663
Reposted by Johan_Lars
dan sinker @dansinker.com · 01/07/2026
This is the best description of this debacle I've seen. Imagine how shitty a thing has to be to not attract tourists in DC on the mall in June.
926454
Johan_Lars @johanlars.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Great description
000
Reposted by Johan_Lars
John Pfaff @johnpfaff.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Also a Big Yikes for reactionary centrist pundits (yes, that one in particular, but also others) with the bad habit of treating poll numbers as some sort of immutable assessment of values rather than messy metrics of temporary and easily moved attitudes of a generally mid-to-low info electorate.
113320
Reposted by Johan_Lars
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 30/06/2026
i expect that 1) will be the modal outcome.
553997592