Swiffy

@swiffy.bsky.social

1126 Followers 1337 Following

Learning and getting by on this blue planet 🫘

Short bushes with red and pink roses, looking OK.
We have heard that you were promised in Alaska the resolution of certain issues concerning Ukraine and Europe. But you can see for yourself that Ukrainian and European issues are not decided in Anchorage.
Part of a transcript from an Odd Lots episode on Helium. But the government never appropriated funds to pay for the helium. So the Bureau of Land Management or their predecessor, basically owed the government three hundred million dollars for this because no funds were appropriated, and that three hundred million dollars was accruing interest to the point where I think in nineteen ninety six, Newt Gingrich got into power and it was time to start talking about privatizing things. And Christopher Cox went to the House floor and basically said, you know, do you know the government, this dumb government has one point four billion dollars of party balloon debt. And a bill was quickly passed and you know, signed by Clinton, and we decided to sell the whole thing off. The original plan, I believe, was to sell it off in equal parts over thirty years for exactly one point four billion, with no regard to the market, just to pay off the government so called party balloon debt. And the physics community was up in arms about this. But you know, they don't have that many senators.
Old comment from Daily Kos: Twenty seven years ago [now thirty-seven], students who had occupied a square to protest their corrupt government and its poor policies came under military assault by the government and were forced to shut down the movement and escape for their lives. We don’t know how many hundreds were killed and how many hundreds more were wounded, but all protest was halted and the demonstrators were pursued and punished to keep order over the next days and years. Standing by the correctness of the violent crackdown became an imperative of the government in the decades since, and there is still no possibility of accountability. The hardliners most blamed stayed in power for many more years and live on in peaceful retirement. In time, the younger generation has lost its understanding of what happened that day, for they can benefit from no witness but crafted tales of decisive government action saving the nation from disorder on that fateful day. I don’t know the history well and am not a good person to write about it. But somehow this history is lost on DK, and I thought one small comment with a sober accounting is the least that I could contribute.
A change in headline from Feb 21, 2024 where "Biden Cancels $1.2 Billion in Student Loan Debt for 150,000 Borrowers" was changed by NYT to "A Beleaguered Biden Chips Away at Student Loan Debt, But by Bit"
Popular skeet saying: If I were a Senator who was tear-gassed by ICE, I would spend every hour of the rest of my time in office figuring out new ways to abolish ICE.
Deranged post on X about Becerra's defense of trans rights: Colorado Principled Physicians @ColoradoDoctors 🚩 XAVIER BECERRA 🚩 IS A SEASONED TRANS ACTIVIST RUNNING FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR, IT MATTERS! Everyone focusing on the mayoral race in LA, pay some attention to gubernatorial politics in California, the outcome of which has high stakes for both the state and 🇺🇸. Xavier Becerra (born 1958 in Sacramento to Mexican-American parents, first Latino HHS Secretary) served as U.S. Congressman (1993–2017), California Attorney General (2017–2021), and Biden’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary (2021–2025). He is the leading Democratic candidate for California Governor (June 2026 primary). Xavier Becerra’s record shows repeated high-level legal/regulatory actions supporting the trans industry, embedding "gender-affirming" models anywhere he can, while framing exploratory care or sex-based distinctions as “discrimination” by quoting U.S. trans activist-influenced guidelines (AAP, WPATH) over rigorous, evidence-based medical data. His actions and trend appear to be ideologically and profitably motivated by the trans industry. Let's examine his undemocratic and blind endorsement of gender ideology, in a timeline of his recent political career.
Tweet from 2022 by SecBecerra: My statement on the situation transgender youth, their families, and doctors are experiencing in the states. We will use every tool at our disposal to keep our kids and doctors safe. HHS is committed to protecting young Americans who are targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and supporting their parents, caregivers, families and their doctors. I know that many youth and their families are feeling scared and isolated because of these attacks – and I want them to know we see you, we support you and we are with you. HHS is closely monitoring the situation in the states, and will use every tool at our disposal to keep our kids and doctors safe.
Tweet from 2022 by SecBecerra: My statement on the situation transgender youth, their families, and doctors are experiencing in the states. We will use every tool at our disposal to keep our kids and doctors safe. HHS is committed to protecting young Americans who are targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and supporting their parents, caregivers, families and their doctors. I know that many youth and their families are feeling scared and isolated because of these attacks – and I want them to know we see you, we support you and we are with you. HHS is closely monitoring the situation in the states, and will use every tool at our disposal to keep our kids and doctors safe.
Bluesky post by @jamellebouie.ne, starting a thread: the consolidation of major media institutions by the president’s oligarch friends is obviously bad, but i do wonder about the ultimate impact. it is clear that trump and his allies believe that you can buy up media and pull an orban or a putin. but…
Excerpt from article: "Smirnov is still listed as a prisoner at FCI Terminal Island in Los Angeles, where his anticipated release date is February 2029, according to the Bureau of Prisons. But a process server responsible for handing off details of a civil lawsuit to Smirnov was unable to find him at the facility. An employee at the prison confirmed to the process server that while “Smirnov is affiliated with the facility,” he was “not currently housed there,” reported Sweet on Friday."
"You are bugs" on the LV Sphere from the Netflix Three Body Problem
Definition for soupçon Webster's that shows it means "a little bit" and that the ç is pronounced with an s sound
The Clinton campaign has provided its traveling press corps with more access and logistical information than its rival’s team, though at times, the lack of a fully protective pool has been problematic. For instance, reporters weren’t apprised of Clinton’s whereabouts for 90 minutes after she became unsteady after a Sept. 11 event this year. “That failure of transparency about Secretary Clinton’s whereabouts and condition created an unnecessary panic about her health situation that dominated the news cycle for days,” the WHCA’s board wrote in its letter to the Clinton campaign. “Having a protective pool would have remedied the kind of chaos and speculation that resulted from those events, which did not serve the public’s interest.”
Screenshot of parent post and quoted post in timeline at the exact same time.
Opening lines of an absurd NYT article from this past Tuesday. By Jack Healy July 15, 2025 The Mamdani momentum withered in the deserts of southern Arizona on Tuesday night. In a Democratic primary election that pitted continuity and experience against generational change, voters decided to stick with what they knew, nominating Adelita Grijalva, the oldest daughter of Representative Raúl Grijalva, to fill the House seat of her father, who had held it for more than 20 years until his death in March.
From Wikipedia page in quoted post: "Targeted Democrats The 2003 redistricting targeted ten districts with white Democratic incumbents, avoiding the seven districts with minority Democratic incumbents"
Tweet from swiffy in 2018 quoting Senator Leahy, @swiffydk Aug 24, 2018 Appropriately strong language calling out the absurdity of nominating a highly partisan political operator by a President mired in criminal scandal that goes to the heart of his legitimacy, and the Senate shenanigans to hide his record. Kavanaugh must withdraw Quote @SenatorLeahy Aug 24, 2018 I keep demanding Kavanaugh’s FULL record because it will reveal if he lied to me under oath in 2006—whether he is fit to serve on our highest court. We’ve seen just 6%; only 3% is public. The hiding of his record is a sham & a fraud against the American people. #WhatAreTheyHiding
Summary from Google AI: Ed Park's 2023 novel Same Bed Different Dreams is a 544-page exploration of Korean history, politics, and resistance to Japanese rule from the 20th century through World War II. The title comes from a Korean proverb that suggests people in close relationships can have different goals for their lives. The book is divided into three sections, each with a distinct narrative technique, and gradually reveals three separate narratives as part of a single story.
Post from Ryan Grim that screen shots a Chris Rufo tweet and comments, "DEI was an active impediment to the project of building a multiracial working class movement capable of taking on corporate and oligarch power. Rufo did the left a favor in nuking it."
Famous dril tweet updated to say, "issuing correction on a previous post of mine, regarding the terrorist Chris Rufo. You do not, under any circumstances, 'gotta scoop them'"
Tweets from Independence Day last year in NYT. Swiffy @swiffydk · Jul 5, 2024 The International Edition of the NYT is very strange on the US Independence Day! Top story is an odd one about Putin and Xi and the debate a week ago, but no mention of the Supreme Court's session Swiffy @swiffydk Here is the paper - the most prominent story on the Fourth of July is an opinion about the US in crisis. It blames the President presiding over an economic boom and recovery of American leadership, NOT the criminal candidate threatening to upend its system and bring back chaos Image 9:07 PM · Jul 20, 2024 · 66 Views View post engagements Access your post analytics Unlock advanced analytics with X Premium Swiffy @swiffydk · Jul 20, 2024 The piece first ran the day before and is written by a Cold War scholar based in Italy. It's such an odd selection for the paper to feature nytimes.com Opinion | Why America’s Adversaries Are Wrong About the Biden-Trump Debate Swiffy @swiffydk · Jul 20, 2024 Over the past few weeks since then, I frequently checked in on media how I could and on the NYT in particular. I feel I was getting the quick view of a normal less engaged news consumer, and it was very uninformative -- even misleading Swiffy @swiffydk · Jul 20, 2024 NYT has been obsessed with the notion of Biden ending his candidacy, and this has filled straight news coverage for weeks. At one point I saw NYT published an analysis of how Biden delegates would vote for other candidates and assumed it was prompted by real news Swiffy @swiffydk · Jul 20, 2024 At many points when I scanned top stories, I saw a list of bland headlines that normalized very disturbing news about the Trump candidacy along with their Biden replacement narrative. Very odd when I just wanted a quick news recap of actual events Swiffy @swiffydk · Jul 20, 2024 Coverage of the shooting at Trump's was deservedly intense but also lacking in strange ways. It came with lots of analysis and assumptions that were hard to justi…
DUF6 cylinders from Wikipedia. In good shape on the left and corroded on the right.
A post of an article about "The Trump administration is building a national citizenship data system" drew this follow up. "And the worst ... thing about this is that a Democrat elected to office will never dismantle it.... the national dems are not the folks to do it."
Old post from fka Twitter: Swiffy @swiffydk Terminology on the left is all a mess. Progressive was the label that replaced Liberal until Bernie claimed it exclusively for his camp to the exclusion of Hillary's. She had always been comfortable as a Progressive 6:21 PM · Aug 4, 2021 I see Far Left tossed around a lot, and I'm not a fan of that either. For one thing, it's often applied to a group that is less left on guns, immigration, choice, equality issues because of its connection to 2016 politics
Comments by Swiffy on fka Twitter regarding Cuomo: Swiffy @swiffydk · Jun 8, 2023 Replying to @steve_vladeck We can still blame NY dysfunction, with a special mention to Cuomo's state judicial appointments though Swiffy @swiffydk · Aug 18, 2022 Replying to @AlGiordano It's disappointing how the districts that the Dem legislature wanted were nixed by a Republican judge that Cuomo appointed who made his own districts. Now Ds are running against each other in districts that changed a lot Swiffy @swiffydk · Aug 3, 2021 An investigation has backed this up now. Gov Andrew Cuomo should resign Quote Swiffy @swiffydk · Mar 12, 2021 Too many serious, credible allegations against Gov Andrew Cuomo. He is unable to lead a state and needs to resign Swiffy @swiffydk · Mar 12, 2021 Too many serious, credible allegations against Gov Andrew Cuomo. He is unable to lead a state and needs to resign
Movie poster for 向左走，向右走 featuring Takeshi Keneshiro, Gigi Leung and a ballad by Stefanie Sun
Penalty section from the Posse Comitatus Act: "and no money appropriated by this act shall be used to pay any of the expenses incurred in the employment of any troops in violation of this section and any person willfully violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished by fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceeding two years or by both such fine and imprisonment."
Tweet from Olga Lautman on Mar 3, 2024 that includes the NYT front page with full of Biden age stories and polling, "Interesting NYT seems to be the only outlet that has no mention of Haley winning DC. But they do want to make sure everyone knows Biden is old. The screenshots are from a minute ago"
Swiffy response on Twitter to a quote Tweet. Original tweet says, "Richard Engel @RichardEngel Putin gave Trump what came close to an endorsement for 2024 election. “We surely hear that Mr. Trump says he will resolve all burning issues within several days, including the Ukrainian crisis. We cannot help but feel happy about it.” 7:42 AM · Sep 12, 2023 · 577.6K Views" Response was "Josh Marshall @joshtpm · Sep 13, 2023 Expected along with the rest of major GOP stakeholders, but Putin makes it official and endorses Trump. Notes Trump will force Ukraine to surrender to Russia, which makes Putin happy. <Quote tweet by Richard Engel> Swiffy @swiffydk They won't surrender in that event. It will mean a more horrific war for longer as Uktaine keeps fighting with less help. The war really should end already, but this hope by Putin, substantiated by R and Musk treachery is enabling Putin's gambit and prolonging the war"
Swiffy response on Twitter in June 2024 to David Sacks' support of Trump, saying "Trump will help Putin slaughter more Ukrainians, will leave the US exposed to economic disaster and collapse in jobs, exactly as he did in 2020, and will abuse government to take revenge on libs and minorities. All policies you love that compel you to back a convicted felon 9:07 PM · Jun 6, 2024 20 Views"
Tweet response by Swiffy saying, "He is definitely going forward with his tariff plans. He already had a first go at it. He see it is a presidential power where he cannot be second guessed, and then he can sell relief to favored interests that bribe him" In reply to a quote tweet, "Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias · Oct 18, 2024 The strongest case one can make for Trump starts with the premise that he's a huge liar (true) and then proceeds from there to hope that he knows better than to actually do half the stuff he says he'll do. Quote Richard Hanania @RichardHanania · Oct 18, 2024 Replying to @therealchingato and @mattyglesias I predict he will not implement massive across the board tariffs. If he does I will admit I was wrong."
Twitter post saying Axios founders made no negative commentary about Trump or his campaign for two months as of the post (and perhaps well beyond)
Thread from Swiffy on Twitter: Swiffy @swiffydk · Aug 21, 2019 I had contacts who went through Ob/Gym residency in the 00s who had very eye opening experiences. All the senior positions and power were still held by men. But by this time patients were requesting women Obs and Gyns a lot Swiffy @swiffydk · Aug 21, 2019 The result was the men had much less stressful schedules and more time. The women had a lot of scut and were frequently pulled in last minute and forced to perform with worse prep Swiffy @swiffydk · Aug 21, 2019 This was the era when senior doctor pay dramatically declined, so along with this workload disparity was the remarkable phenomenon of senior doctors with amazing mansions and stay at home wives, a situation the younger doctors could never hope to achieve Swiffy @swiffydk · Aug 21, 2019 Worth mentioning the younger doctors also had more modern training, with practice in the best new techniques and latest research on outcomes and statistics. The older doctors frequently used procedures that had become disfavored and were more dangerous Swiffy @swiffydk · Aug 21, 2019 This had a huge impact on malpractice insurance, which was split across the physicians equally. Obs have huge premiums, $200k iirc. And it was driven there by the Hospital history of a number of adverse cases, performed by the senior men, naturally, but borne by all Swiffy @swiffydk There were a lot of lifestyle complexities. And I remember abortion care led to even more severe inequities 1:43 PM · Aug 21, 2019
Some tweets on fka Twitter about the four long years with Trump in office that we suffered through and overcame
Screenshot of parent's PDF with the percentage of all Dearborn, MI voting for Harris highlighted. It's 36.74%. Some precincts do have higher figures, eg, Precinct 50 visible in the screenshot, where the number is 54.46%.