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Penelope Wang

@pennywriter.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1.1K following 541 posts

Freelance writer/editor. Focus: personal finance, consumer protection, preserving civilization. Priors: Consumer Reports, Money mag. You won't believe the dream I just had.

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Reposted by Penelope Wang
Kevin Baird @kevinbaird.bsky.social · 2h
"Oracle...has nearly doubled its long-term debt to more than $160 billion over the past two years, as the company refashions itself as a provider of computing power for artificial intelligence work. It now ranks as the fifth-largest borrower in the US corporate bond market..."
bloomberg.com
Larry Ellison Risk Exposed by Paramount and Oracle Debt Binges
As Paramount Skydance Corp. and Oracle Corp. vault into the ranks of corporate America’s biggest borrowers, their links to the same man — billionaire Larry Ellison — are starting to stir angst on Wall...
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 9h
The American dream remains elusive in the valley that inspired East of Eden
theguardian.com
The American dream remains elusive in the valley that inspired East of Eden
John Steinbeck’s hometown of Salinas is the least affordable city in the US for the middle class, a recent Brookings Institution analysis found
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Amanda Katz @katzish.bsky.social · 10h
‘“The money should be granted as Congress intended, and essentially, they’re ignoring what Congress did,” said Representative Zoe Lofgren.’ The Trump White House is instead redirecting the money designated for basic research towards pet causes like AI
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Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 10h
Trump’s ballroom must be instantly torn down for rule of law, fire code hazards, damnatio memoriae, and symbolic reassertion that We the People are sovereign. But also clearly for national security. Like the bribe plane from Qatar, we know foreign interests are involved but don’t know all they did.
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Eric Lipton NYT @ericlipton.nytimes.com · 12h
JUST POSTED: Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have pushed a multibillion oil deal with Russia as part of peace talks that will bring profits to their family business partners. A new front for Trump-era conflicts of interest. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/u...
nytimes.com
U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies (Gift Article)
President Vladimir V. Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with President Trump’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pushing a deal that raises new questions about conflicts of inter...
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ΜΑΝΟΣ ΤΡΑΧΙΑΣ™ @trahias.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Stephen Magsig (American, b.1946) "8-10 White Street," 2009 Oil on linen 62 x 48 in #art #painting #artist #BlueSkyArt
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fravery.bsky.social @fravery.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Howard Russell Butler (American, 1856 - 1934) Solar Eclipse, Lompoc, 1923. Princeton University Art Museum
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Stephen Spaulding @stevespaulding.bsky.social · 22h
Exactly one month out from an election that will decide who controls the U.S. Senate -- the chamber every judicial nominee needs to clear -- Justice Alito confirms in a television interview that he is considering retirement from the high court. 1/
politico.com
Justice Alito confirms he is considering retirement
The conservative Supreme Court justice said in a CBS News interview that he’ll revisit the issue next year.
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Mo Ryan @moryan.bsky.social · 22h
I've been a journalist for 35 yrs &never done anything like this. Esp in this area, I can't think of anyone reputable who'd do this. I hate this happened to you & IMO it's not ethical. IF it were possible they were going to share yr interview internally, you should have been told up front at MINIMUM
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Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 23h
Each election year, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) takes extra steps to ensure ballots sent through the mail arrive at election offices on time. This year, it’s delaying those efforts. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
USPS pushes back measures that ensure mail ballots arrive on time
“The shorter timeframe is noteworthy and I don’t know why they’re doing this,” Steve Hutkins, who writes for Save the Post Office, told Democracy Docket.
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Center for Biological Diversity @biologicaldiversity.org · 23h
"All #BorderWall and road construction across the entire Big Bend region is halted! What a massive, historic victory for everyone across #BigBend — the toughest, most beautiful souls I know. I’m a puddle of tears. More to come soon." - @laikenjordahl.bsky.social, National #PublicLands Advocate
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
There are a lot of Trump officials who need to be impeached, but Russell Vought -- the quarterback of all the Project 2025 fuckery and a central player in the administration's overreach -- really needs to be at the top of the list.
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Penelope Wang @pennywriter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Alternative funds are risky for small investors, with potential conflicts of interest, like the payment of performance fees on gains a fund hasn’t earned yet and limited ability to withdraw your money. 🎁 www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
wsj.com
Private Equity Has a Problem. Uncle Sam Says Your Wallet Can Fix It.
A government proposal would help fund managers sell alternative investments to a wider audience.
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Lindsay Beyerstein @beyerstein.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This is not a "creative way to work around Congress," NYT, this is part of a constitutional crisis. Congress decides how money is to be spent, not our demented king.
nytimes.com
National Science Foundation Diverted $1.4 Billion in Science Funds Mandated by Congress (Gift Article)
The move, affecting about one-fifth of the National Science Foundation’s primary research budget, is the latest sign of how the White House is asserting more control over grants.
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Akeiisa Coleman @acinthedc.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
#Medicaid advocates worry that the expedited timeline in those states will lead to thousands of people losing coverage because they’re confused about the new rules, even if they are eligible for the program — & that MT may offer a troubling preview of what will happen nationwide next year. #MTleg
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CNBC @cnbc.com · 02/10/2026
Your health insurance premiums may take a big jump in 2027 — here's why
cnb.cx
Your health insurance premiums may take a big jump in 2027 — here's why
Many consumers are likely on the hook for an increase of about 10% or more in 2027, experts said.
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Penelope Wang @pennywriter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A first-round presidential election is being held on Sunday, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a leftist, is practically tied with a right-wing challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/w...
nytimes.com
U.S. Suspends Consular Services in Brazil on Eve of Elections (Gift Article)
The State Department cited unspecified security concerns in announcing the unusual move. A closely fought presidential election in Brazil takes place on Sunday.
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Razzball @razzball.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Announcing the merger with Titanic footage is an incredible bit
David Ellison • @ellisonskyd... 2h
What once was the peak, is now just the beginning.
Paramount and Warner Bros. shaped over a century of culture. By combining them, we aren't rewriting history — we're equipping these iconic studios with a more powerful engine. Together, we are Skydance: a creative-first ho Show
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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
In terms of consequences, the changes would have two effects. First, they would eliminate existing demographic data that we use for things like estimating racial inequality. That is by design, of course. Second, it would make the Census less accurate by discouraging non-citizens from participating.
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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
New from @datahistorian.bsky.social at Can We Still Govern?: The Trump administration's "radical proposal" to alter the Census would add a citizenship question, exclude non-citizens for Congressional calculations, and remove questions about race/ethnicity. 🧵 donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-2030-c...
donmoynihan.substack.com
The 2030 Census is in Trouble
Trump wants to add a citizenship question and ban questions on race
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 02/10/2026
Calling all NYC artists — painters, filmmakers, poets, musicians and more! Did you know our city provides grants to support your work every year? And this year, we're DOUBLING the amount — from $5,000 up to $10,000 per artist! Deadlines are approaching fast — apply today at nyc.gov/artistgrants.
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Simon Rosenberg @simonwdc.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Given how much money the Rs have that they are willing to write off the former Chair of the RNC in a state Trump won shows how much trouble they are in.
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@Above96th @above96th.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I happened upon a Solitary Sandpiper on the edge of the Central Park Pool. Often people tell me my photos look like a painting--this time I agree! This may be one of my favorite all-time photos. 🥰🥰🥰 #Sandpiper #CentralPark #birdcpp
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Dean Frey @dean.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Remembering Wallace Stevens on his birthday 🎂 📷 Walter Sanders for Life Magazine, 1950 The caption read: "Poet and Vice President of Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co., Wallace Stevens." "The imperfect is our paradise."
Stevens walks out from between the columns of his impressive insurance company building, hands behind his back. He turns to the camera & smiles.
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Brett "Solidarity 2026" Banditelli @banditelli.org · 02/10/2026
The chart explains AI hype more than any chart that's ever been charted.
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Ian Kremer @wolverinebear.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Under the second Trump administration, the White House has often ignored Congress to carry out its agenda. Entire agencies, like USAID, have been gutted. ICE has grown explosively. Behind it all is one man you may not have heard of: Russell Vought. #Project2025 #OMB #democracy #Blues
propublica.org
Who’s the Shadow President?
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Penelope Wang @pennywriter.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
During the presidential campaign, Colin O'Brien, head of security at the US Institute of Peace, hadn’t taken DOGE seriously. That changed when DOGE started breaking into agencies and shutting them down. 🎁 www.wsj.com/politics/mic...
wsj.com
Essay | Exclusive | Michael Lewis on the Lone Security Guard Who Resisted DOGE
The inside story of the high-stakes D.C. standoff where security chief Colin O’Brien fought off DOGE operatives to protect an independent agency.
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Aaron Sojourner @aaronsojourner.org · 02/10/2026
Job growth may be decelerating: +41 K/mo over most-recent 12 months +66 K/mo over most-recent 6 months +51 K/mo over most-recent 3 months +29 K this past month Huge amounts of uncertainty reduces businesses’ willingness to invest in jobs
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Aaron Sojourner @aaronsojourner.org · 02/10/2026
+29K jobs gained last month (mid-Aug to mid-Sept). -60K jobs in revisions of prior 2 months. The big picture
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LaPoodella @lapoodella.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Most American Children Are Being Auto-Enrolled in Trump Accounts. What to Know. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/b... Kinda socialist and kinda fascist. His big donor Mellon is the administrator and he chose the bank. Who gets the $ if the kid dies or doesn’t go to school? I prefer free tuition.
nytimes.com
What to Know About Trump Accounts as More Than 60 Million Children Are Auto-Enrolled (Gift Article)
The Trump administration may have just signed up your child — and more than 60 million others — for a 530A savings account (if you haven’t already done so).
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Mike Hixenbaugh @mikehixenbaugh.com · 02/10/2026
We’ve got the inside story of how Trump’s displeasure with seeing homeless people in D.C. became the first domino in a series of actions that culminated in the administration’s stunning decision to weaken the rights of millions of disabled Americans to live in their homes and communities.
nbcnews.com
How Trump’s homelessness crackdown became a sweeping retreat from disability rights
After issuing a memo making it easier to institutionalize homeless people, the Justice Department began abandoning cases protecting disabled people’s right to live in the community.
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Laurent Peraldi @tintamarre.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Bonne nuit Joel Meyerowitz
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Matthew Cortland (they) @matthewcort.land · 02/10/2026
States do not have the money to backfill Medicaid.
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Shannon Mattern @shannonmattern.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This is John Cage’s handmade paper, composed of milkweed, cattail, pigweed, honeysuckle, saffron, and more — at the NYPL
Very fibrous handmade paper with different colored globs and flecks from various plants
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Gothamist @gothamist.com · 02/10/2026
Hochul names NY AG James as special prosecutor on alleged rape case at Cornell University gothamist.com/news/hochul-...
gothamist.com
Hochul names NY AG James as special prosecutor on alleged rape case at Cornell University
The governor said she does not have faith that the police and the Tompkins County DA effectively investigated the case.
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Whitney Curry Wimbish @whitneycwimbish.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Here's the second part that includes info about some of the ways Trump has been treating TSA workers like dirt for months. They deserve better. This sucks.
prospect.org
Union Sues TSA Over Secret Plan to Privatize Security - The American Prospect
The American Federation of Government Employees says the Trump administration hid its plan to turn airport security over to private companies like Palantir.
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Whitney Curry Wimbish @whitneycwimbish.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This is part of the regime's attempt to crush organized labor and replace unionized TSA workers with contractors. They tried to eliminate workers bargaining rights last year, then forced them to work through the shutdown w/o pay for more than a month, and now this.
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Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) @hansilowang.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
NEW: The U.S. Postal Service's "extraordinary measures" starting Oct. 24 for mail-in ballots for the midterm general election include: - creating "Ballot Postmark ONLY" lines & drive-through ballot mail options at some post offices - extending opening/closing times by 30 minutes at some post offices
about.usps.com
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 01/10/2026
I recommend people read this to get a sense of the president's grave cognitive impairment. Trump is either unwilling or unable (or maybe both) to answer the questions he's actually asked, so he just rants and raves while the interviewers do their best to provide structure to his random brain firings
time.com
Read TIME’s ‘What Trump Has Built’ Interview Transcript
The U.S. President discussed the war in Iran, press freedom, AI, and more ahead of the midterm elections.
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Edward Hopper @edwardhopper.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Automat - 1927 botfrens.com/collections/173/conten…
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Jay Willis @jaywillis.net · 01/10/2026
Man, imagine you're minding your own business, getting kind of drunk with your friends at a picturesque brewery in Maine, when suddenly John Roberts walks by and you get to start heckling him. Must have felt incredible. That's the dream. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/u...
The chief justice used to preside over a Supreme Court whose members were afforded more privacy and freedom than many other public officials. Once, years ago, Mr. Lipson and the chief justice found themselves up the peninsula from Port Clyde without a car, Mr. Lipson recalled in an interview. So he stuck out his thumb by the side of the road and a pickup truck pulled over. He and the nation’s top jurist hopped in the back and hitchhiked back to town.

Now, Mr. Lipson said, he is cautious about introducing his friend to strangers. This year, on an outing to nearby Monhegan Island, people recognized the chief justice as he walked by a brewery and started to chant: You should be ashamed.
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Ben K. @benjaminkabak.com · 30/09/2026
I feel dumb even just having to say this but the reason passports are mailed out in plain regular envelopes is that so that people do not attempt to steal easily recognizable passports in the mail. bsky.app/profile/carn...
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Leslie Molson @ladymolson.com · 01/10/2026
This is looting
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Bryn Nelson @seattlebryn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Kind of a big deal for the nation’s top health agency to downplay disability, given that you can download these very graphics from the CDC website that highlight the fact that disabilities are quite common & impactful! We should all be asking *why* this admin is suddenly so keen to hide them. 🧪
Two images from the CDC: The first says, “Disability impacts all of us” and shows a diverse set of 6 people with disabilities. The second image is an outline of the US and says, “More than 1 in 4* adults in the United States have some type of disability.” The * explains that it’s actually 28.7%.
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James Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Somehow not everyone is aware of fact alluded to below. So one more time: John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett were all on GWBush 2000 'Florida Recount' team. (Which made GWB first prez in 112 yrs to 'win' after losing popular vote. Now they 'impartially' rule on our future.)
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Charlie Warzel @cwarzel.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
For a long time I've wanted a sense of how trump has or hasn't interacted with chatbots (we know he posts a lot of slop sure). And this TIME anecdote about Grok arguably leading Trump into war is just extremely bracing
Since returning to office, Trump has marveled at AI’s capabilities. He is increasingly in thrall to the tech executives courting him. In December 2025, Elon Musk returned to the Oval Office for a clandestine meeting. Trump spent hours asking Grok, Musk’s AI chatbot, questions about his presidency and legacy, according to an official present. At the time, Trump was ordering missile strikes against Venezuelan boats he alleged were smuggling drugs into the U.S. He asked Grok how Venezuelans would react if the U.S. captured Maduro. According to the official present, the chatbot responded that Maduro was a repressive and deeply unpopular dictator and that many Venezuelans would likely celebrate his downfall. After Trump ordered the mission to seize Maduro, the following month, celebrations broke out in the streets. Trump, according to officials, came away thinking Grok was ingenious.
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Michael Mechanic @michaelmechanic.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
US military spending isn't just DOD. As David Vine writes in @motherjones.com, it is spread across at least 15 other federal agencies, and the total likely exceeds the combined military budgets of every other nation on Earth. These figures are "likely to stun most Americans,” notes one expert.
motherjones.com
Think Trump’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request is outrageous? This'll blow your mind.
We already spend at least that much on the US military each year, and maybe a lot more.
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Penelope Wang @pennywriter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Mamdani administration said it intends to take “prompt” legal action against Columbia if College Walk is not “immediately” opened to the public. www.columbiaspectator.com/city-news/20...
columbiaspectator.com
Mamdani threatens to sue Columbia to open campus gates
<i>Updated Sept. 30 at 11:14 p.m.</i>
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Emily M. Bender @emilymbender.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
New from @timnitgebru.blacksky.app and me: "It is high time for us to regulate usage of systems sold as “AI”, not because they are magical machines, but because they are error-prone products that shouldn’t be used in high stakes scenarios." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Forget ‘superintelligence’: error-prone AI nearly sparked world war three this month | Timnit Gebru and Emily M Bender
The risks of AI aren’t what we think they are, as a recent security incident between China and the United States reveals
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Matthew Dowd @matthewjdowd.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Latest WSJ poll: "63% want to pause AI development 61% want a billionaire wealth tax 59% want Medicare for All 57% want a $20 minimum wage 58% want to end U.S. military aid to Israel" This is the center of the country politically. it is time all adjust to this political spectrum, esp. media.
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