Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 5m

The CFPB is one of the most staunch financial watchdogs for the American people.

The agency has returned at least $20B to the victims of financial fraud and abuse since 2011.

It's no longer protecting consumers now...BECAUSE THIS REGIME DOESN'T WANT IT TO!

Reuters @reuters.com · 8h

White House budget director Vought plans to shut down CFPB within months, says it's no longer protecting consumers reut.rs/4qjMIyT

White House budget director Vought plans to shut down CFPB within months, says it's no longer protecting consumers

White House budget director Russell Vought said he wants to close the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and expects to do so within the next two to three months.

reut.rs

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Marsh Views @khshan.bsky.social · 2h

There are so many sensors on the Subaru, somewhat different from my last car.

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Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 2h

Through legislation, investments, and partnerships, California salutes the 160,000 active duty service members and nearly 1.5 million veterans who call the Golden State home.

We're committed to honoring their dedication and selflessness every day by giving back.

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CNN @cnn.com · 3h

President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that he would halt Russian oil imports.

Trump says Modi told him that India would stop importing Russian oil | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him earlier Wednesday that he would halt Russian oil imports.

www.cnn.com

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Marsh Views @khshan.bsky.social · 2h

Trump overheard on 'hot mic' apparently talking business with Indonesian leader

"I'll have Eric call you," Trump told Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

abcnews.go.com/US/trump-ove...

Trump overheard on 'hot mic' apparently talking business with Indonesian leader

President Trump was apparently overheard discussing what seemed to be a Trump family business venture with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

abcnews.go.com

Marsh Views @khshan.bsky.social · 3h

He died in 2011 after fighting alcohol addiction for years. Lyrics for Baker Street mention giving up booze; so sad he wasn't able to overcome it.

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Marsh Views @khshan.bsky.social · 3h

I liked so many of his songs.

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

And to clarify, Trump would have to provide notice of the covert action "as soon as possible" or at least "in a timely fashion" to SSCI and HPSCI, but after that there is no ongoing reporting, AFAIK. /END

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

Technically, covert action cannot involve "traditional military activities" -- presumably to ensure that this is not exploited precisely in this way, as a loophole for unaccountability -- but it's not clear what that means and how it would be enforced 9/

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

The fact that they apparently don't care that Venezuela (and the world) knows that the CIA is doing this -- in fact, it sounds like they very much want it to be known -- tells me that they don't care about plausible deniability, just a more flexible legal ground to continue what they are doing 8/

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

It also doesn't have to be justified based on Article II war powers, which do not provide any justification for the current strikes in the Caribbean. In short, the Trump admin can keep doing their drug boat drone strikes through this if the military option starts getting jammed up 7/

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

Which means no need for ongoing reporting to Congress, no 60-day clock, and none of those pesky "rules of engagement" that Hegseth hates that might keep military folks from carrying out an order, or dumb international law "rules" that get in the way 6/

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

Following Iran-Contra Congress put a bunch of guardrails in place for covert actions through the Intelligence Authorization Act of 1991. In particular, to undertake a covert action, POTUS must sign a written finding that the CA is necessary to support "an identifiable foreign policy objective" 4/

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

These operations are covert in order to conceal the role of the U.S. in them -- basically providing "plausible deniability" so that these kinds of things can, theoretically, happen simultaneously as other overt (e.g., diplomatic) efforts towards the same goal. More on this in a bit. 3/

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

So for background, covert action is a secret operation (emphasis on "secret") undertaken to affect the political, economic, or military conditions of the target country. You probably know the CIA did this a lot in the 60s and 70s (as many of you remind me all the time) 2/

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

🧵 This reporting confirms my suspicion on why, based on reporting last week, the CIA's Deputy Director, Michael Ellis, installed himself as the agency's general counsel. 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...

Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela

www.nytimes.com

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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 4h

I suspect that Ellis installed himself in order to ensure that the agency provided requisite intelligence/findings to support the President's sign-off. But why CA, if the military is already doing stuff? Well, CA involves the CIA, not the military, and evades the War Powers Resolution, for one 5/

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Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 4h

"In unison."

Amen.

www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Reporters leave Pentagon en masse after refusing to sign on to new rules

After turning in their press credentials, journalists covering the Defense Department walked out rather than comply with its restrictive new policies.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 4h

I am sounding the alarm that the GOP is engaged in an all out attack voting rights and free and fair elections. Voter suppression, gerrymandering, and troops in blue cities are just some of the ways they are using to try to rig the rules to keep power in 2026 and beyond.

Pay attention and act!

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Marsh Views @khshan.bsky.social · 4h

A reminder of better times in America from 1978.

Gerry Rafferty - Right Down the Line

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSfO...

Gerry Rafferty - Right Down the Line

YouTube video by MissTerri1979

www.youtube.com

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Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 4h

Just a deep, dark cesspool of corruption like we’ve never seen before in US history at every single agency and level of government. Republicans in Congress continue to ignore all of it and if people still care about having a Republic they will vote them out as soon as they can.

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Marsh Views @khshan.bsky.social · 4h

The 2A Nazis may get to keep their weapons.

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MAGA HATER @maga-hater.bsky.social · 5h

@ianhansen.bsky.social

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Marsh Views @khshan.bsky.social · 4h

The Nazis need a country to escape to after their war crimes. Right?

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Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 8h

He gives $20 Billion of OUR dollars to bailout Argentina without consulting Congress or the American people. Does that seem like the actions of a KING to you?

Join us & let him know just what you think about that this Saturday, 10/18

#NoThronesNoCrownsNO_KINGS 👑

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