#Tag · bonfire.cafe

Moderation used to help Democrats win, but its advantages now have been greatly exaggerated.

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 3 weeks ago

#Trump #Authoritarianism #Politics #News #US #USA #America

Boston Review

How Not to Defeat Authoritarianism

Angela Antunovic boosted

Emeritus Prof Christopher May

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us · 3 weeks ago

I agree with Zoe Williams, the Epstein files are revealing how the entitled rich were happy total Epstein's money, with little care about what they needed to offer in exchange (at some time the future)....

And what it tells you is also, just how cheap they were.

#EpsteinFiles #corruption #politics

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/02/epstein-files-expose-cheap-corruption-uk

the Guardian

The Epstein files expose just how cheap corruption is in the UK

The bargain-bucket price tag on certain consciences is depressing. And the excuses of ignorance and amnesia are looking a little thin

Emeritus Prof Christopher May

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us · 3 weeks ago

And what it tells you is also, just how cheap they were.

#EpsteinFiles #corruption #politics

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/02/epstein-files-expose-cheap-corruption-uk

the Guardian

The Epstein files expose just how cheap corruption is in the UK

The bargain-bucket price tag on certain consciences is depressing. And the excuses of ignorance and amnesia are looking a little thin

David Gerard boosted

more: https://cryptadamus.substack.com/p/the-epsteincrypto-timeline-is-alarming

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com · 3 weeks ago

Jeffrey Epstein emailed All-In Podcast bro / friend of David Sacks / Uber investor etc. Jason Calacanis back in 2011 asking to be introduced to "the bit coin guys”

that’s 4 years earlier than we had evidence of Epstein being interested in crypto/bitcoin etc. prior to today.

#jasonCalacanis #Epstein #JeffreyEpstein #bitcoin #crypto #uspol #uspolitics #epsteinFiles #uspolitics #corruption

To: Jeffrey Epsteinfieevacation@gmail.com]
From: Jason Calacanis
Sent: Sat 6/4/2011 8:43:16 PM
Subject: Re:
hey pal... running out to a kids birthday party.
will dig up their info.
50 you know, these are folks who are not trying to build a business. they are the crazy open
source folks who are radicals. their motivation is more inline with Wikileaks or wikipedia.
i had these guys on my TV show on the web: YouTube - - Startups - Gavin Andresen and Amir
Taaki, Bitcoin
http:/fjc.is’kzemuH
best j
On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation(@ gmail.com> wrote:
I would like to get in touch with the bit coin guys. | I m happy to see you doing well
REA RAR ER RENEE RESTA EARS — To: Jeffrey Epsteinfieevacation@gmail.com] From: Jason Calacanis Sent: Sat 6/4/2011 8:43:16 PM Subject: Re: hey pal... running out to a kids birthday party. will dig up their info. 50 you know, these are folks who are not trying to build a business. they are the crazy open source folks who are radicals. their motivation is more inline with Wikileaks or wikipedia. i had these guys on my TV show on the web: YouTube - - Startups - Gavin Andresen and Amir Taaki, Bitcoin http:/fjc.is’kzemuH best j On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 1:36 PM, Jeffrey Epstein <jeevacation(@ gmail.com> wrote: I would like to get in touch with the bit coin guys. | I m happy to see you doing well REA RAR ER RENEE RESTA EARS

A Rather Alarming Epstein/Crypto/Russia/Israel Timeline

The longer you look at it the more alarming it gets.

more: https://cryptadamus.substack.com/p/the-epsteincrypto-timeline-is-alarming

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com · 3 weeks ago

Jeffrey Epstein emailed All-In Podcast bro / friend of David Sacks / Uber investor etc. Jason Calacanis back in 2011 asking to be introduced to "the bit coin guys”

that’s 4 years earlier than we had evidence of Epstein being interested in crypto/bitcoin etc. prior to today.

#jasonCalacanis #Epstein #JeffreyEpstein #bitcoin #crypto #uspol #uspolitics #epsteinFiles #uspolitics #corruption

A Rather Alarming Epstein/Crypto/Russia/Israel Timeline

The longer you look at it the more alarming it gets.

Chip Butty boosted

JuneSim63 💚

@junesim63@mstdn.social · 3 weeks ago

A Labour-linked lobbying firm is selling access to government officials, including tech secretary Liz Kendall and “top advisers to the prime minister”, for tens of thousands of pounds.

#Corruption #Lobbying #UKPolitics #Technology

Arden Strategies lobbying firm offers ‘cash-for-access’ to Labour ministers at Future of Tech Summit | openDemocracy
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/arden-strategies-cash-for-access-future-labour-ministers-tech-summit-liz-kendall-jim-murphy/

openDemocracy

    Revealed: Lobbyist selling access to ministers for £30,000

Firms can get direct access to tech minister and No 10 advisers in exchange for sponsoring tech event, brochure says

JuneSim63 💚

@junesim63@mstdn.social · 3 weeks ago

A Labour-linked lobbying firm is selling access to government officials, including tech secretary Liz Kendall and “top advisers to the prime minister”, for tens of thousands of pounds.

#Corruption #Lobbying #UKPolitics #Technology

openDemocracy

    Revealed: Lobbyist selling access to ministers for £30,000

Firms can get direct access to tech minister and No 10 advisers in exchange for sponsoring tech event, brochure says

#Kalshi #Polymarket #predictionMarkets #KarolineLeavitt #uspol #corruption

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com · 2 months ago

prediction markets are creating revolutionary new vectors for corruption

@mtp
What stage of capitalism is it when the White House is rigging betting markets on how long its press briefings denying war crimes will last

@predictionMarketTrader
Today's White House Press Briefing had a 98% chance of running over 65 minutes - until Karoline Leavitt abruptly ended it with seconds to spare.

Traders on the NO side made 50x in seconds. — @mtp What stage of capitalism is it when the White House is rigging betting markets on how long its press briefings denying war crimes will last @predictionMarketTrader Today's White House Press Briefing had a 98% chance of running over 65 minutes - until Karoline Leavitt abruptly ended it with seconds to spare. Traders on the NO side made 50x in seconds.

der.hans boosted

I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants …

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 2 months ago

" #Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 #infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants (intended to be spent on affordable, next-generation fiber) was stolen from local communities, and instead given to #ElonMusk & #JeffBezos...

It’s a coordinated hijacking of taxpayer money that will actually undermine affordable #internet access."
https://www.techdirt.com/2025/12/30/the-wall-street-journal-applauds-republicans-corrupt-illegal-theft-of-billions-in-taxpayer-dollars/

#GOP #Corruption #Politics #Tech #Technology #News #US #UnitedStates

Headline and text from article:
The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars

Tue, Dec 30th 2025 05:27am - Karl Bode

I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants (intended to be spent on affordable, next-generation fiber) was stolen from local communities, and instead given to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for expensive, congested satellite service.

I’ve also explained in detail why that’s a problem: These networks may be initially cheaper to deploy, but the networks lack the capacity to actually scale to meet demand. Data indicates they harm astronomy research and the ozone layer. They’re ultimately more expensive for consumers than fiber deployments, especially if those fiber deployments are by cooperatives or community owned.

In short, taxpayer money directed toward Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk is also money directed away from higher-capacity, faster, locally-owned (and usually cheaper) fiber and wireless alternatives. And it’s money given to billionaires for technology they already had deployed or would have deployed anyway. It’s a coordinated hijacking of taxpayer money that will actually undermine affordable internet access.

Enter the Wall Street Journal editorial board, which aggressively lies about all of this all of this in a new, comically terrible editorial.... — Headline and text from article: The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars Tue, Dec 30th 2025 05:27am - Karl Bode I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants (intended to be spent on affordable, next-generation fiber) was stolen from local communities, and instead given to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for expensive, congested satellite service. I’ve also explained in detail why that’s a problem: These networks may be initially cheaper to deploy, but the networks lack the capacity to actually scale to meet demand. Data indicates they harm astronomy research and the ozone layer. They’re ultimately more expensive for consumers than fiber deployments, especially if those fiber deployments are by cooperatives or community owned. In short, taxpayer money directed toward Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk is also money directed away from higher-capacity, faster, locally-owned (and usually cheaper) fiber and wireless alternatives. And it’s money given to billionaires for technology they already had deployed or would have deployed anyway. It’s a coordinated hijacking of taxpayer money that will actually undermine affordable internet access. Enter the Wall Street Journal editorial board, which aggressively lies about all of this all of this in a new, comically terrible editorial....

Techdirt

The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars

I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants …

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 2 months ago

#GOP #Corruption #Politics #Tech #Technology #News #US #UnitedStates

Techdirt

The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars

Alex Akselrod boosted

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 3 months ago

"Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of sedition in an outburst on #SocialMedia Thursday morning and said their behavior was “punishable by death.”

Their crime? Recording a #video that reminded members of the #military that they are not supposed to obey illegal orders."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/us/politics/trump-democrats-sedition-death-punishment.html

#DonaldTrump #Trump #GOP #Fascism #Corruption #Republicans #USPol #Politics #Democrats #Law #News #Press #US #USA #UnitedStates #America

Headline from the New York Times:
Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military

President Trump was reacting to a video that reminded members of the military that they are not supposed to obey illegal orders. — Headline from the New York Times: Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military President Trump was reacting to a video that reminded members of the military that they are not supposed to obey illegal orders.

https://www.nytimes.com

Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 3 months ago

"Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of sedition in an outburst on #SocialMedia Thursday morning and said their behavior was “punishable by death.”

#DonaldTrump #Trump #GOP #Fascism #Corruption #Republicans #USPol #Politics #Democrats #Law #News #Press #US #USA #UnitedStates #America

https://www.nytimes.com

Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military

#uspol #politics #uspolitics #pathetic #MedBed #fascism #nepotism #corruption

@ProPublica@newsie.social · 3 months ago

DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.

We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefitted from the deal.
https://www.propublica.org/article/kristi-noem-dhs-ad-campaign-strategy-group?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

#News #KristiNoem #DHS #Government #USPolitics #Law #TV #Advertising #Media

NashvilleGuy

@nashvilleguy@urbanists.social · 3 months ago

@ProPublica I'm shocked, shocked! #US #corruption #POTUS

Carlo Gubitosa :nonviolenza: boosted

Scott Lucas

@ScottLucas@journa.host · 3 months ago

Prosecutors to #Ukraine court: #Zelensky ex-business partner #TymurMindich "exerted undue influence" over Energy and Defense Ministers Herman Halushchenko and Rustem Umerov amid kickbacks of up to $100 million in energy sector

#UkraineWar #Corruption

Scott Lucas

@ScottLucas@journa.host · 3 months ago

#UkraineWar #Corruption

Solarbird :flag_cascadia:

@moira@mastodon.murkworks.net · 4 months ago

So, whaddya think? Is this their concept-of-a-plan for health care - know the right people and beg - or is this Scott Adams spelunking for the conspiracy theorist cure-all "MedBed"?

[ETA poll in reply]

Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays ) on Twitter:
On Monday, | will ask President Trump, via X, to help save my life. He offered to help me if I needed it.

I need it.

As many of you know, I have metastasized prostate cancer.

My healthcare provider, Kaiser of Northern California, has approved my application to receive a Show more

Robert F. Kennedy Jr [on Twitter]:
Scott. How do | reach you? The President wants to help.

Chamath Palihapitiya [on Twitter]:
Just connected you guys via text. — Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays ) on Twitter: On Monday, | will ask President Trump, via X, to help save my life. He offered to help me if I needed it. I need it. As many of you know, I have metastasized prostate cancer. My healthcare provider, Kaiser of Northern California, has approved my application to receive a Show more Robert F. Kennedy Jr [on Twitter]: Scott. How do | reach you? The President wants to help. Chamath Palihapitiya [on Twitter]: Just connected you guys via text.

#Journalism #Nonprofit #News #Media #NorthCarolina #Law #USPolitics

@ProPublica@newsie.social · 4 months ago

Journalism tip: If someone says drop the story, that’s a sign to keep reporting.

Read our full investigation ➜ https://www.propublica.org/article/paul-newby-north-carolina-supreme-court?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

Back reporters who won’t flinch. Support our independent journalism here ➜ https://give.propublica.org/campaign/726982/donate?c_src=mstdn&c_src2=adhoc_10.30.27

Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well beyond the borders of his state.

“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 4 months ago

From @ProPublica

"North Carolina’s Supreme Court... had outlawed partisan #gerrymandering in the swing state. Over Newby’s vehement dissent...

In January — once two newly elected #Republican justices were sworn in, giving the party a 5-2 majority — #GOP lawmakers quickly filed a petition...

Newby then wrote a majority opinion declaring that #partisan gerrymandering was legal"
https://www.propublica.org/article/paul-newby-north-carolina-supreme-court?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

#NorthCarolina #Corruption #Politics #USPol #News #US #USA

Text from article:
The traditional ways to undo such a decision would have been for the legislature to pass a new law that made gerrymandering legal or for Republicans to file a lawsuit. But that would’ve taken months or years.

Newby cleared a way to get there sooner, well before the crucial 2024 election.

In January — once two newly elected Republican justices were sworn in, giving the party a 5-2 majority — GOP lawmakers quickly filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to rehear the gerrymandering case. Such do-overs are rare. Since 1993, the court had granted only two out of 214 petitions for rehearings, both to redress narrow errors, not differences in interpreting North Carolina’s constitution. The lawyers who’d won the gerrymandering case were incredulous.

“We were like, they can’t possibly do this,” said Jeff Loperfido, the chief counsel for voting rights at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. “Can they revisit their opinions when the ink is barely dry?” — Text from article: The traditional ways to undo such a decision would have been for the legislature to pass a new law that made gerrymandering legal or for Republicans to file a lawsuit. But that would’ve taken months or years. Newby cleared a way to get there sooner, well before the crucial 2024 election. In January — once two newly elected Republican justices were sworn in, giving the party a 5-2 majority — GOP lawmakers quickly filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to rehear the gerrymandering case. Such do-overs are rare. Since 1993, the court had granted only two out of 214 petitions for rehearings, both to redress narrow errors, not differences in interpreting North Carolina’s constitution. The lawyers who’d won the gerrymandering case were incredulous. “We were like, they can’t possibly do this,” said Jeff Loperfido, the chief counsel for voting rights at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. “Can they revisit their opinions when the ink is barely dry?”

“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America

Ross 🏳️‍🌈🏴 boosted