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TJ

@tjcook-nj.bsky.social
378 followers 193 following 19 posts
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Reposted by TJ
Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 2h
This would sink a presidency in any other era. I would bet most Americans will never hear it even happened.
wapo.st
Trump bought over $1 million in SpaceX debt days before unveiling space policy
The purchase, revealed in his latest financial disclosure, involved a firm directly affected by his administration’s actions — and led by presidential ally Elon Musk.
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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 1h
I am angry tonight. Because tonight ICE shot a New Yorker. They shot a New Yorker while his five year old child was in the car. ICE makes this city less safe. We want them out. Now.
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ElieNYC @elienyc.bsky.social · 2h
When I started writing about Supreme Court expansion, you couldn’t get the question *asked* in a poll. The first time I saw it actually polled, it was 8%. Now, we here.
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Harry Litman @harrylitman.bsky.social · 2h
Holy crap. NYC man shot by masked ICE agents and whisked away. 5 year old in car, street crowded w/ families & children. Mamdani now speaking, calls it an outrage. Remember: can't use deadly force w/o imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. ICS "sows chaos and terror across our country."
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Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 5h
This thing has made me go do a lot of reading tonight, and the Wikipedia page about the last public execution in the United States is well-written. It was Rainey Bethea, a Black man hanged in front of a crowd of 20,000 in 1936, a spectacle which embarrassed Kentucky enough that they ended hangings.
Hanna placed the noose around Bethea's neck, adjusted it, and then signaled to Hash to pull the trigger. Instead, Hash, who was drunk, did nothing. Hanna shouted at Hash, "Do it!" A deputy then leaned onto the trigger, which sprang the trap door. citation needed! Bethea fell 8 feet (2.4 m), and his neck was instantly broken.
Afterward, two doctors confirmed he was dead.
His body was taken to Andrew & Wheatley
Funeral Home. Icitation needed! He wanted his body to be sent to his sister in South Carolina so that she could arrange for him to be interred next to his father, but against these wishes, he was buried in a pauper's grave at Owensboro Cemetery (also known as City Cemetery and
"Potter's Field") in Owensboro. 14]It was estimated that a crowd of about 20,000 people gathered to watch the execution.!9! One man, 36-year-old Leonard A. Peters, was killed in a car accident while driving to Owensboro to witness the hanging. Three others, including his wife, were injured. 15. Afterwards, Hanna complained that Hash should not have been allowed to perform the execution in his drunken
condition. Hanna further said it was the worst display he experienced in the 70 hangings he had supervised. citation needed]
The spot where the scaffold stood
(approximately 37.775248° -87.116462°) is now part of a drop-off/pick-up lane in front of the Owensboro Convention Center. citation needed]へ
End of public executions in
Kentucky
As the Kentucky General Assembly had been meeting in its biennial sessions at the time, the media circus surrounding the Bethea execution embarrassed members of the Kentucky
legislature. In spite of the humiliation, they could not amend laws regarding executions until the next session in 1938. However, the trial judges in two separate Kentucky rape cases ordered that the hangings of John "Pete" Montjoy and Harold Van Venison be conducted privately. Montjoy, age 23, was privately hanged in Covington on December 17, 1937.On January 17, 1938, William R. Attkisson of the Kentucky State Senate's 38th District (representing Louisville), introduced Senate Bill 69, repealing the requirement in Section 1137 that executions for convicted rapists be conducted by hanging in the county seat where they raped their victims. The bill was promoted in the Kentucky House of Representatives by Representative Charles W. Anderson Jr., one of the attorneys who assisted Bethea in his post-conviction relief motions.
After both houses approved the bill, Governor Chandler signed it into law on March 12, 1938; it became effective on May 30 of that year.
Chandler later expressed regret at having approved the repeal, claiming, "Our streets are no longer safe." The last person ever legally hanged in Kentucky was Harold Van Venison, a
33-year-old African-American singer, who was privately executed in Covington on June 3, 1938.
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ffrf.org @ffrf.org · 3h
This is exactly why we oppose prayer at city council meetings. Everyone supports government prayer until it’s a religion they don’t like. Government should represent everyone, not privilege one religion over another.
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ffrf.org @ffrf.org · 3h
Christians have somehow convinced themselves that publicly proclaiming their faith, while being praised by millions of other Christians for doing so, is an act of extraordinary courage. Being a Christian in America is not exactly a bold act of rebellion.
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 3h
“There was zero plan, except causing pain,” said one U.N. official about the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding the group with no notice or communication. “And that is not forgivable.” (Published Dec. 2025)
propublica.org
After Trump Officials Cut Food Aid to Kenya, Children Starved to Death
“Brutal and traumatizing”: Interviews and a trove of internal documents show government officials and aid workers desperately tried to warn Trump advisers about impending disaster and death.
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Abdul El-Sayed @abdulelsayed.bsky.social · 5h
Trump voters are looking my way because I'm not bought off. I want money out of politics, money in your pocket, and Medicare for All.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 4h
“A member of Congress at the scene confirmed to The Intercept that there was a child in the victim’s car when ICE agents shot at it.” theintercept.com/2026/10/08/i...
theintercept.com
ICE Agent on Scene of NYC Shooting Was Posing as Construction Worker, Eyewitness Says
A member of Congress at the scene confirmed to The Intercept that there was a child in the victim’s car when ICE agents shot at it.
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Laura Bassett @lebassett.bsky.social · 3h
“If you don’t like public executions just don’t watch it” says the crowd trying to ban drag shows and books
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Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 7h
Donald Trump has done & said so many appalling things, but siccing his racist fans on innocent Somali residents is disgustingly dangerous.
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ElieNYC @elienyc.bsky.social · 12h
Ah yes, I remember when Trotsky wrote about how Russian workers should be replaced by low wage immigrants from China so that strong Russian boys would have more time to play girls ice hockey. It's right there in the manuscript.
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Sabrina Vourvoulias @followthelede.bsky.social · 7h
Our president, folks. Utterly depraved.
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 8h
Pete Hegseth says Americans will be able to watch a Trump-approved firing-squad execution. If he follows through, the U.S. could join a disturbing club of countries known for public executions—including Iran, Afghanistan, and North Korea.
meidasnews.com
Hegseth Turns Trump’s Firing Squad Into a Public Spectacle
The Army has scheduled Nidal Hasan’s December 3 execution at Fort Hood — the first military execution since 1961 — while the Pentagon still will not explain how the firing squad will operate.
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davidrlurie @davidrlurie.com · 7h
He's a "mainstream" Republican.
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Asawin Suebsaeng @swin24.bsky.social · 6h
This is petty and least important aspect of this but: I reported on this years ago and the trump campaign falsely denied the reporting, and now via Hegseth they’re just doing it. Monstrous
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 6h
Ossoff: "The question was about the stewardship of tax dollars. And as we stand here today Rep. Collins is under federal investigation for the illegal misuse of tax dollars. For illegally funneling public money to his violent staffers girlfriend."
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🎃 Imani Gandy Corn 🎃 @angryblacklady.blacksky.app · 6h
welp
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Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley @pressley.house.gov · 6h
This is horrifying and barbaric. We should not be executing ANYONE in America. Not by firing squad. And certainly not publicly. We need to abolish the federal death penalty and impeach this incompetent, insecure, and violent Defense Secretary.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 10h
Pete Hegseth says there needs to be serious consequences for people who commit crimes, just jotting that down for future reference.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 11h
this shit is beyond parody, man. It truly is the make a wish presidency. now Trump is getting an award!
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Lee West @whodat35.bsky.social · 14h
This $129.3M ICE warehouse in Roxbury, N.J., has quietly held people all summer, neighbors told NPR. 🧵 www.npr.org/2026/10/08/n...
npr.org
ICE has quietly used this warehouse as a detention facility all summer, neighbors say
Throughout the summer, rumors have been bubbling in North New Jersey that ICE has quietly been using a warehouse as a detention center. NPR investigated.
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Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 13h
Pay to play, baby...
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Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 13h
I think in reality what socialism actually means in the American context is that trillionaire Elon Musk got $38 billion from the U.S. government and you got rejected trying to buy a $1 soda on SNAP benefits.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 13h
Here's some history the US Supreme Court doesn't want you to think about. In April 2026, SCOTUS effectively ended the Voting Rights Act. The decision has startling parallels with Plessy v. Ferguson, the decision that established “separate but equal" and cemented Jim Crow.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 14h
Man, it's a good thing Jared Polis pardoned this woman. She has absolutely learned her lesson.
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Lindsay Beyerstein @beyerstein.bsky.social · 14h
This is horrifying Tuskegee-level shit.
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Grudgie the Wail @grudgie.bsky.social · 14h
So in other words: just some stuff that makes you mad as a bigot?
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Timothy Burke @bubbaprog.xyz · 14h
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jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 15h
come 2028 vance will be cutting ads specifically denouncing his in-laws for coming to the united states
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Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 14h
Note how in all of this, Vance's comments are suffused with the rhetoric of 1930s Nazi eugenics, including the "elite human being" (in German, Herrenmensch or Übermensch). Straight from Curtis Yarvin, and Elon Musk, by the way. bsky.app/profile/atru...
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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 14h
they've got nothingggggg
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Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin @ecmclaughlin.bsky.social · 19h
What’s happening in Roxbury has been a growing site for activist intervention. ICE has been barred by the courts from using this site but is doing it anyway.
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NPR @npr.org · 19h
Throughout the summer, rumors have been bubbling in North New Jersey that ICE has quietly been using a warehouse as a detention center. NPR investigated. n.pr/4hzvA5M
n.pr
ICE has quietly used this warehouse as a detention facility all summer, neighbors say
Throughout the summer, rumors have been bubbling in North New Jersey that ICE has quietly been using a warehouse as a detention center. NPR investigated.
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Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 18h
Think about how intolerable ICE arrests are right now Then nearly double it
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Will Bunch @willbunch.bsky.social · 18h
Source: www.npr.org/2026/10/08/n...
npr.org
ICE has quietly used this warehouse as a detention facility all summer, neighbors say
Throughout the summer, rumors have been bubbling in North New Jersey that ICE has quietly been using a warehouse as a detention center. NPR investigated.
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NPR @npr.org · 18h
Real-time crime-center software is a sometimes overlooked but powerful tool allowing police to aggregate immense amounts of data, significantly expanding their surveillance reach. n.pr/47GwCHc
n.pr
Flock is catching flak. Experts say other police surveillance tools are more worrisome
Real-time crime-center software is a sometimes overlooked but powerful tool allowing police to aggregate immense amounts of data, significantly expanding their surveillance reach.
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Adam Cohen (My Personal Views Only) @axidentaliberal.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
So after the White House spokespersons tried to justify his inexplicable remarks, saying that he wasn't calling for Iran to nuke Los Angeles and San Diego, Trump *doubles down* Literally daring them to bomb the California cities
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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The Trump Crime Family
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Crooked Media @crooked.com · 07/10/2026
Katie Phang on Alito CBS interview: the most gratuitous, ass-kissing thing I have seen.
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mtsw @mtsw.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The "SI" thing is was intended to provoke this exact sort of sniveling response from the courtiers, to train the oligarchs to humiliate themselves for Trump so they'll do it again later when it really matters.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 08/10/2026
Trump: "Let them hit a missile into San Diego or Los Angeles on the way. You want to see a horror show? Let them hit San Diego. Let them hit Los Angeles. You want to see some bad things happen?"
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 07/10/2026
Sen. Thom Tillis says he expects there will be pressure on Mike Johnson to not seat the new Congress if Democrats win
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The New Republic @newrepublic.com · 07/10/2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered an extreme speech in Greece on the superiority of Western civilization—and the dangers of immigration. trib.al/Pu7tYeH
trib.al
Marco Rubio, Son of Cuban Immigrants, Praises Western Superiority
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered an extreme speech in Greece on the superiority of Western civilization—and the dangers of immigration.
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Common Dreams @commondreams.org · 06/10/2026
"Americans are done with a healthcare system that puts profits before people," said @repilhan.bsky.social.
commondreams.org
'People Are Sick of a Broken Healthcare System': Poll Shows New High of 66% Support Medicare for All
"Americans are done with a healthcare system that puts profits before people," said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
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Helen Kennedy @helenkennedy.com · 07/10/2026
Justice John Roberts grinning
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Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
In the presidential immunity case, the court considered a hypothetical of a president ordering Navy Seals to assassinate an American political rival. Trump's lawyer argued unambiguously yes, since it'd be an "official act." The Roberts Court ruled in his favor, 6-3. Why wouldn't Trump believe this?
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davidrlurie @davidrlurie.com · 07/10/2026
Trump won't stop starting wars until he is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
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CREW @citizensforethics.org · 07/10/2026
Months ago, we called for an IG investigation into a $620 million Pentagon loan to a Trump Jr.-linked company. Now, Trump's sons' investments are tied to over $6 billion in active or promised government contracts. This is exactly why we need answers.
abcnews.com
Trump sons' investments have won billions in Pentagon contracts since his election
The contract for a new plant in Baltimore is the latest linked to the brothers.
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