Sign in

Wonky

@wonkysq.bsky.social
175 followers 144 following 761 posts

Policy wonk specializing in climate change and urbanism, pessimistic optimist, 🔵😈

PostsRepliesMedia
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is absolutely monstrous, and we simply cannot allow these people to escape consequences. Everyone who carried out these activities—or knew they were happening but said nothing—must be prosecuted. Otherwise, it's going to happen again and again.
000
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I would love to see New Deal-style govt-subsidized work across all kinds of fields. Civilian Climate Corps, support for arts & culture, Main Street revitalization, repairing infrastructure in parks, building resilience to climate disruptions, etc. Lots of work to be done.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Oliver Willis @owillis.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
My demand for Democrats over the next few years is repeal, tribunals, tearing down all the bullshit and motherfucking prison for the crooks
3752488
Reposted by Wonky
ProPublica @propublica.org · 29/09/2026
According to several people involved, the Trump administration initially floated an idea that would have virtually shut down mail voting: requiring all ballots to be delivered exclusively through certified mail.
propublica.org
The Untold Origins of Trump’s Plan to Sharply Restrict Mail-In Voting
ProPublica’s reporting reveals for the first time the extent of the White House’s role in trying to dictate how mail-in ballots are processed, spurring behind-the-scenes drama that played out for near...
7484235
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This is excellent. Whether to accord all Americans the same fundamental rights and respect is not a "culture war," it's a moral issue.
Labeling a whole suite of matters as “cultural” provides the pretext to ignore or even adopt Republican positions on them. And that’s exactly what Democratic politicians are doing. I hope that Hinojosa and other Democrats who have adopted this “economics not cultural wars” frame win their races, because they will support better policies than Republicans once in office. But I am deeply concerned that if a few Democrats in red states win on this rhetoric, this perspective will become even more entrenched in the party. And that would be terrible. “Economic issues not cultural wars” produces a party that both loses elections and abandons moral causes and vulnerable people. That’s not a theoretical argument—it’s the story of the Democratic Party of my entire adulthood.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Paul Waldman @paulwaldman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"Donald Trump increased the price of gas, and now he wants you to have to buy more of it." Doesn't seem like a difficult messaging challenge for Democrats.
18514165
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Gotta love that he denies wanting to slap his name on Ford's Theater not because it's a place with deep historical significance, but because it's a real downer.
020
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
As much as I'd appreciate a tariff refund, this seems incredibly short-sighted to me, at least politically. If this succeeds, it lets Trump send out checks under his name that he will no doubt call "tariff dividends."
000
Reposted by Wonky
Costa Samaras @costasamaras.com · 23/09/2026
There's lots of reasons for despair, but here's a small bit of light: it's not hard to make change when you work together. 175 climate researchers volunteered time to ensure communities are informed about climate risks. Led by Melissa Kenney, @bobkopp.net, & me, free to read: doi.org/10.1029/2025...
doi.org
Research Priorities for Robust Climate Assessments in the United States
A network of climate assessments plays a critical role in synthesizing the state of science to support evidence-based decision-making To support future U.S. and sub-national climate assessments, ...
519261
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This article made me so angry I had to stop reading it. His attitude is "gov't is different from business, therefore gov't is bad until it becomes more like a business." He never bothers to try to understand why gov't operates the way it does or even ponder whether his view might be too narrow.
100
Reposted by Wonky
Faine Greenwood @faineg.com · 22/09/2026
"OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman gave Trump's super PAC a whopping $25 million" is one of those things that could really stand to be pointed out more:
finance.yahoo.com
OpenAI exec becomes top Trump donor with $25 million gift
The super PAC will help fund Republicans' midterm election battle.
491574674
Reposted by Wonky
Oliver Willis @owillis.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
everybody just fucking caves www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Paramount settles lawsuits with 12 US states, clearing way for Warner merger
States including California and New York sued over concerns of ‘extinguishing competition’ with $81bn merger
1213131
Reposted by Wonky
The Rude Pundit @rudepundit.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I feel like we are so used to living in a time of madness that we can't grasp just how insane the Kennedy Center dispute is. Trump took something that was running just fine and destroyed it because he couldn't put his name next to the murdered president whose memorial it is. That's completely nuts.
25693191
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This is so ridiculous. This administration keeps looking for ways, big and small, to suck joy out of our lives.
000
Reposted by Wonky
NPR @npr.org · 15/09/2026
NASA employees say they've lost vital equipment and staff needed to make sophisticated spacecraft amid the agency's abrupt relocations over the past several months. n.pr/3SK34oz
n.pr
NASA rushed engineers out of their labs. They say it risks future space missions
NASA employees say they've lost vital equipment and staff needed to make sophisticated spacecraft amid the agency's abrupt relocations over the past several months.
25428185
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
When the DOJ filing last month said the KenCen could be replaced by an outdoor amphitheater "that has been proposed, by some, for many years," I knew Trump was the one proposing it. We do need a human shield, but I don't think that's enough—they will start demolishing it from the inside and then...
2112
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I don't like it when I know more about economics than the president of the United States.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Greg Greene (he/him/his) @greene.haus · 15/09/2026
Faine has seen me say this elsewhere, but the time seems ripe — or close to it — for an advocacy campaign for folks pushed out of sectors (think science/research, public service, international aid, big tech) for billionaire/chud jollies.
412128
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Excellent article. I also recommend @brianbeutler.bsky.social piece today, which provides great context for how new, dangerous technology was handled in the past. www.offmessage.net/p/a-i-risk-a...
offmessage.net
We’re Still Not Taking This Seriously Enough
History suggests we must take radical action to reduce A.I. risk; with Donald Trump in office that means steamrolling him. Bernie Sanders has this right.
28832
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
What a selfless martyr! He'll definitely suffer consequences for his criticism, just as he's suffered consequences all his life! "It is not easy for me to write this criticism of the United States Supreme Court - it will likely cost me dearly for years to come - but I feel it my obligation and duty"
000
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I would not be surprised to learn that Don Jr genuinely thinks people give him lavish gifts all the time just because they think he's a great guy, not because he's the son of the notoriously bribeable president. He seems just that stupid.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Jeff Stein @jeffstein.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Scoop: 4 anonymous accounts that perfectly correspond w/ Trump & sons’ holdings have taken first step to enable offloading of family’s own crypto, records show Could be worth billions of dollars Meanwhile, retail investors have lost +$1B www.washingtonsun.com/donald-trump...
washingtonsun.com
Is the Trump Family Preparing to Cash Out on Its Own Crypto?
President Donald Trump and his three sons have taken a step that would permit them to sell World Liberty Financial’s digital tokens.
17332154
Reposted by Wonky
Mike Masnick @masnick.com · 11/09/2026
Just did a quick look around and I don't see very many headlines about the President of the US making people pledge allegiance to him personally while telling everyone to commit election fraud and "cheat like hell" to support his party. Seems like it should be a story?
5758171882
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
🧵
001
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
L'etat, c'est lui.
010
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Look at this little gentleman politely asking for a walnut! #sqrlpix #squirrels
A gray squirrel is sitting on a wide, white railing, with deck posts in the background. He is sitting up, facing the photographer, front paws clasped respectfully across his chest. He has a polite look of interest on his face—he's not begging for a walnut, but if you happen to have one, he'll be happy to take it.
000
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I really like this way of framing the data center issue. We produce a finite supply of energy to power things, and we ought to be prioritizing how we use that supply.
000
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Japan produces the most relatable mascot ever.
000
Reposted by Wonky
David Dayen @ddayen.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The Trump administration is using an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act to deploy military JAG lawyers in local courtrooms to prosecute Americans for gun or drug crimes or even impeding federal law enforcement. It's in line with the militarization of US cities like Memphis, writes Zachary Groz.
prospect.org
Military Lawyers Prosecuting Civilian Crimes Across the Country - The American Prospect
In a move with little precedent, Judge Advocates (JAGs) are showing up in local courtrooms to prosecute street crime.
68944
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This is an excellent article. I'm pessimistic that the people who've been told by Trump and the GOP for more than a decade that they are entitled to be their worst selves will genuinely participate in any reconciliation, but I also don't know what other option there is to deal with this ⤵️
The consequence for those agents can’t be that they simply return to their hometowns and go about their business. There has to be some sort of reckoning with the harm they caused before they get a chance to even think about returning to polite society. You can’t live in community with people like that.
020
Reposted by Wonky
madi mcvan @madisonmcvan.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The DOJ has fired Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Evans, the local prosecutor who sought the civil rights charges against Castro and "objected in the strongest possible terms" to the DOJ's decision to downgrade the charges, per CBS News
cbsnews.com
Federal prosecutor fired after investigating ICE officer for civil rights offenses in Minnesota shooting, sources say
A federal prosecutor in Minnesota who was investigating an ICE officer for possible civil rights crimes has been fired, four sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
3335199
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
This is great. Plus, if the Eckert map was more common, I bet Trump would have left Greenland alone.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Andrew Lawrence @ndrew.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
a nazi pedophile that loves data centers is fully funding the republican partys midterm efforts
562407481
Reposted by Wonky
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Again, I am just a man standing in front of the Democratic Party, begging them to make a bigger deal of this deeply unlikeable racist billionaire asshole who is constantly pushing things everyone loathes.
1203020785
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
"I crossed deserts of exposition so vast no natural dialogue could contain them" is brilliant, and "I built entire cities no one will ever visit" is heartbreakingly weary.
010
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
It is so goddamn exhausting to have this constant, grinding drone of hyperbole and juvenile insults—and I see only a fraction of it. I don't know how @atrupar.com stands it.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Just our tax dollars being wasted on the dumbest stuff
2793073581
Reposted by Wonky
Andy Craig @andycraig.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The arguments against impeaching Trump next year are all bad and spurious, but they're even weaker as applied to all the other impeachable members of the Cabinet, etc. And impeaching Hegseth for literal murder should be top of the list.
523429896
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Agree, and the U.S. Mint has no business spending taxpayer money on even commemorative, non-legal-tender coins featuring living people. Leave that shit to the Franklin Mint or whatever.
010
Reposted by Wonky
Karl Bode @karlbode.com · 02/09/2026
just absolute fucking cowards everywhere you look in U.S. tech leadership
441252212
Reposted by Wonky
Steve Benen @stevebenen.com · 02/09/2026
Ahead of the midterms, Trump isn’t even being subtle about his brazen politicization of federal disaster relief aid, explicitly tying approvals to campaign endorsements and election results. It’s one of the underappreciated scandals of his second term. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
ms.now
Trump approves disaster relief funds for 7 red states, after denying aid to blue states
Ahead of the midterm elections, the president isn’t even being subtle about his scandalous politicization of disaster aid.
581535679
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Mom hanging out with the baby squirrels #sqrlpix #squirrels
Two baby Eastern gray squirrels are poking their heads out of a hole in a tree, one on top of the other. The top one rests its head and paw on its sibling's head. In the shadows behind them, their mother's head is visible. She is outside the hole, keeping an eye on the forest and also on the photographer, who might have walnuts.An Eastern gray squirrel stretched down a tree with her beautiful reddish tail half-covering a hole in the tree. Peeping out from the hole through the red tail are two tiny baby squirrel faces.
250
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
They've committed so many crimes, but this is one in particular that should go to the ICC. They're attacking random boats and intentionally not leaving survivors. It's monstrous.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Matt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This is pretty fucking wild. I had assumed in a worst case scenario he would target blue zip codes and toss ballots based on technicalities but this is even worse than I imagined.
Not only is this system astonishingly untested, USPS has simultaneously implemented an
impracticable zero percent failure rate.
13 When ballots are submitted to USPS in large-volume
batches, if any one ballot in the batch cannot be verified against the Portal, all ballots in that
batch will be rejected. For example, if a state election official brings a batch of 10,000 ballots to
USPS and USPS is unable to match just one of those ballots against the Portal – because, for
example, someone has recently changed their name after marriage or they’ve moved – then
USPS would refuse to mail the remaining 9,999 ballots as well. As the whistleblower notes,
34895864679
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The second litter of the year for the resident matriarch is out exploring! #sqrlpix #squirrels
Three baby Eastern gray squirrels. Two are poking their heads out of a hole in a tree, the one on top just barely showing, the one underneath stretching its neck out like an eel, looking down the tree. The third is outside the hole, touching noses with the sibling on top.An unbelievably adorable baby gray squirrel, the smallest of the litter of three, poking its head out of a hole in a tree. It's got a tiny pink nose, big black eyes, and generally looks like a soft plush toy. It's perfect. Two baby gray squirrels poking their heads out of a hole in a tree. Well, one has its head out. The other one is straining to peek out, but it can't quite get by its sibling. Its little nose and teeth are visible, as is one teeny paw scrambling for purchase.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Erika McEntarfer @erikamcentarfer.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This change grants Commerce political appointees veto power over data and research releases by scientists and statisticians at NOAA, NIST, Census, and BEA.
8287186
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Once a new admin. comes in, what do we do about these sadists who gleefully torture people? We fire them... and then what? They're out on the street with an extra helping of grievance, probably banding together... it's going to be a problem, and I really hope smart people are thinking about this.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Andy Kroll @andykroll.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
We're still tracking Russ Vought, Trump's "shadow president," at @propublica.org. Here's my latest on Vought and what he's done to the CFPB after courts stopped him from killing it. Think less watchdog, more golden retriever: www.propublica.org/article/bilt...
propublica.org
The Trump Administration’s Plan for Protecting Consumers? Politely Ask Companies to Behave.
Rather than investigate a buzzy fintech startup for throwing users’ accounts into chaos, the Russell Vought-led Consumer Financial Protection Bureau trusted that the company was “back on track.” Custo...
9294100
Wonky @wonkysq.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Yeah, you hick dummies, you're so stupid to care about whether your electricity bills go up, your community's water is sucked dry, illegal generators belch out noise and pollution, and forests are cut down and replaced with ugly giant boxes that will probably be abandoned in the next 10 years.
000
Reposted by Wonky
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Returning to this post from last spring, and it feels more obvious than ever. Just a series of 30-second ads of rapid-fire headlines about scandals in one Cabinet department with the tag line at the end: Had Enough? Vote Democratic
371293315