Brendan
@bpdiamond.bsky.social
Views are my own. No one else's.
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Brendan
@bpdiamond.bsky.social
· Jun 10
Hello, friends! If you're following me, that means you're cool. Or uncool. I don't remember which. But you're likely to get a shit ton of TV and music recommendations in between tons of political content. Also the occasional #actuallyautistic post from a guy who spent 41 years thinking he was NT.
This is so important. Being an addict doesn't make you evil or bad or even weak; it means your brain works differently when it comes to intoxication. RFK isn't a bad person because he's an addict. That's the very *least* of the problems I have with him. I'm much more worried about his sociopathy.
I am a little tired of being yelled at for this but apparently not tired about: heroin addiction is not RFK’s problem. He’s a sociopath. Most addicts aren’t. Honestly, walk into an NA meeting, grab the first person with a few years to be head of HHS and they’d probably do a better job than Bobby.
This is what happens when you put a privileged, 14 year heroin addict in charge of health. Duh
November 27, 2025 at 12:39 AM
This is so important. Being an addict doesn't make you evil or bad or even weak; it means your brain works differently when it comes to intoxication. RFK isn't a bad person because he's an addict. That's the very *least* of the problems I have with him. I'm much more worried about his sociopathy.
Reposted by Brendan
Re: Families in cities, as usual my discourse stops at the Chicago city limits, but I was curious how the housing stock had changed in the last ten years. Here's 2015 and 2025 via CMAP.
3+ bed units went from 463k to 499k
3+ bed units went from 463k to 499k
November 25, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Re: Families in cities, as usual my discourse stops at the Chicago city limits, but I was curious how the housing stock had changed in the last ten years. Here's 2015 and 2025 via CMAP.
3+ bed units went from 463k to 499k
3+ bed units went from 463k to 499k
I'd be interested to actually see the study Stancil is excerpting here, particularly the geographic locations of respondents, because I don't think the numbers say what he thinks they do. Seems to me it's explained by the rise of suburbs/exurbs and the unaffordability of big cities.
Bluesky: “Obviously the housing crisis is the only reason anyone would choose to live outside of NYC”
Actual Americans: “Vegas, baby!”
Actual Americans: “Vegas, baby!”
November 25, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I'd be interested to actually see the study Stancil is excerpting here, particularly the geographic locations of respondents, because I don't think the numbers say what he thinks they do. Seems to me it's explained by the rise of suburbs/exurbs and the unaffordability of big cities.
Collins didn't *just* become a fascist or do it to cower to Trump. She was *always* a full-on, if mealy-mouthed, fascist who believed all the same things the fascists do but didn't have the courage to admit it. She's admitting it now. Mainers, you can't elect her OR Planter. You need more options.
In case anyone is wondering what kind of campaign Collins intends to run next year, now we know. No achievements, only hate:
Susan Collins backs referendum to overturn Maine’s protections for transgender students
www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/24/p...
Susan Collins backs referendum to overturn Maine’s protections for transgender students
www.bangordailynews.com/2025/11/24/p...
Susan Collins backs referendum to overturn Maine’s protections for transgender students
Collins' office said she signed onto the petition because she agrees with President Donald Trump’s interpretation of Title IX.
www.bangordailynews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Collins didn't *just* become a fascist or do it to cower to Trump. She was *always* a full-on, if mealy-mouthed, fascist who believed all the same things the fascists do but didn't have the courage to admit it. She's admitting it now. Mainers, you can't elect her OR Planter. You need more options.
Every new Jo Walton novel is An Event that reminds me of times I stayed up all night for a book or movie release when I was more able to stay up for such things. I don't read a *lot* of contemporary fiction – my expertise ends around 1970 – but Walton is the most addictive writer I have ever read.
I have the proofs for Everybody's Perfect, which means I have to stop writing my current novel, Sunlit Uplands, to work on this old thing, last year's book, which couldn't be more different if I tried. (Which I don't. It just happens.) It's good it's a step closer to you being able to read it but...
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Every new Jo Walton novel is An Event that reminds me of times I stayed up all night for a book or movie release when I was more able to stay up for such things. I don't read a *lot* of contemporary fiction – my expertise ends around 1970 – but Walton is the most addictive writer I have ever read.
I really hope that Elon Musk eventually dies in an immense, simply unbearable amount of pain caused by his body eating itself. He is the purest example of complete and utter evil that we have in modern times. He checks all the boxes short of physically murdering people. He is likely responsible
Elon Musk donated $277 million to Trump so he could steal the federal government’s data, dismantle the nation’s infrastructure, and stop foreign aid from going to nonwhite people. It’s a quid pro quo breathtaking in scope, corruption, and damage, & completely unprecedented in American history.
Bye bye, “DOGE”.
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
It no longer exists as a “centralized entity”, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/dog...
November 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I really hope that Elon Musk eventually dies in an immense, simply unbearable amount of pain caused by his body eating itself. He is the purest example of complete and utter evil that we have in modern times. He checks all the boxes short of physically murdering people. He is likely responsible
Reposted by Brendan
i don’t think it is appreciated enough how much roberts has right-wing legal theoried himself into being a dumbass
November 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
i don’t think it is appreciated enough how much roberts has right-wing legal theoried himself into being a dumbass
We can't wait for another year-plus. @durbin.senate.gov has got to resign. This guy folds easier than... a thing that folds very easily. We can't wait for Raja or Stratton or whoever. We need to pressure Durbin to resign now.
November 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
We can't wait for another year-plus. @durbin.senate.gov has got to resign. This guy folds easier than... a thing that folds very easily. We can't wait for Raja or Stratton or whoever. We need to pressure Durbin to resign now.
Reposted by Brendan
It’s truly tragic how many of these US war criminals like Cheney never face justice and die in their peacefully in their homes in their 80s and 90s. I want to be happy he is dead but I am not. The million people he killed didnt get the luxury to die how he did.
November 4, 2025 at 12:37 PM
It’s truly tragic how many of these US war criminals like Cheney never face justice and die in their peacefully in their homes in their 80s and 90s. I want to be happy he is dead but I am not. The million people he killed didnt get the luxury to die how he did.
Pathetic avoidance of the fact that the nominal leader of the Democratic Party (for now) didn't vote for the Democratic nominee for his city's election. And he's too cowardly to admit it.
Retire, @schumer.senate.gov. This is just too much. You've embarrassed us all with your incompetence.
Retire, @schumer.senate.gov. This is just too much. You've embarrassed us all with your incompetence.
Q: It's election day in NYC. Did you vote for Mamdani or Cuomo?
Schumer: "Look, I voted, and I look forward to working with the next mayor to help NYC."
Schumer: "Look, I voted, and I look forward to working with the next mayor to help NYC."
November 4, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Pathetic avoidance of the fact that the nominal leader of the Democratic Party (for now) didn't vote for the Democratic nominee for his city's election. And he's too cowardly to admit it.
Retire, @schumer.senate.gov. This is just too much. You've embarrassed us all with your incompetence.
Retire, @schumer.senate.gov. This is just too much. You've embarrassed us all with your incompetence.
Reposted by Brendan
bengals and bears was like watching two absolutely hammered dudes with beer guts swinging wildly at each other with their eyes closed outside a bar at closing time
November 2, 2025 at 9:33 PM
bengals and bears was like watching two absolutely hammered dudes with beer guts swinging wildly at each other with their eyes closed outside a bar at closing time
Like I've said, Usha Vance has zero self-respect or respect for her children, so I don't for a second feel bad for her that her husband is lying about believing she goes to hell if she doesn't accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, throwing her under the hell bus.
JD Vance slammed for saying he hopes his Hindu wife will ‘join Christianity’
JD Vance slammed for saying he hopes his Hindu wife will ‘join Christianity’
JD Vance slammed for saying he hopes his Hindu wife will ‘join Christianity’
www.independent.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Like I've said, Usha Vance has zero self-respect or respect for her children, so I don't for a second feel bad for her that her husband is lying about believing she goes to hell if she doesn't accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, throwing her under the hell bus.
Reposted by Brendan
Yesterday, Sonya Massey's killer Sean Grayson was convicted of second degree murder.
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Downstate jury finds ex-cop guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Sonya Massey
The conviction against former deputy sheriff Sean Grayson carries a potential sentence of four to 20 years.
www.wbez.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Yesterday, Sonya Massey's killer Sean Grayson was convicted of second degree murder.
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Yes yes yes yes yes! Finally I'm seeing this narrative start to break through. 《Extreme The Rock voice》 ***IT DOESN'T MATTER*** if they're completely guilty! They deserve a day in court. They are humans and have rights.
It’s outrageous they’re killing innocent people, but we also need to stress, every time, that it would not really matter even it were absolutely certain that they were drug traffickers. Murdering criminals is still, you know, murder.
The government has killed 32 people in 7 strikes with no evidence they were traffickers. The admiral leading the mission quit. If we had proof, they’d face a court, not a drone.
The law still applies, even to suspected drug traffickers, and right now, the Administration’s story isn’t adding up.
The law still applies, even to suspected drug traffickers, and right now, the Administration’s story isn’t adding up.
October 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Yes yes yes yes yes! Finally I'm seeing this narrative start to break through. 《Extreme The Rock voice》 ***IT DOESN'T MATTER*** if they're completely guilty! They deserve a day in court. They are humans and have rights.
Longtime conservative Republican who wants to drag the Democratic Party as far right as possible has opinions on why the Democratic Party is too out of touch. I'm sorry, no. AOC was literally in a blue-collar job before she was elected. Mike Johnson was... what, Joe?
Duh. Those of us on the ground last year actually speaking with middle class/working class voters and who heard from these voters every single day the same - “Trump is an asshole, but Democrats are out of touch” - could’ve saved my new political party a lot of time & money producing this “report.”👇
October 29, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Longtime conservative Republican who wants to drag the Democratic Party as far right as possible has opinions on why the Democratic Party is too out of touch. I'm sorry, no. AOC was literally in a blue-collar job before she was elected. Mike Johnson was... what, Joe?
If you vote for this racist sex pest, New Yorkers, you're worse than Silwa voters. At least they're honest about where they stand. Nepo jackass has been lying about his stances (and eliding the fact that his governorship was a failure) for 25 years and coasting on his father's name for longer.
So here's Andrew Cuomo reacting to Maria Bartiromo wondering if Mamdani will "change the look of New York" and have Muslim women "completely covered up," telling her that Mamdani "doesn't understand New York culture" because he has "dual citizenship" and "he's a citizen of Uganda."
October 29, 2025 at 4:26 PM
If you vote for this racist sex pest, New Yorkers, you're worse than Silwa voters. At least they're honest about where they stand. Nepo jackass has been lying about his stances (and eliding the fact that his governorship was a failure) for 25 years and coasting on his father's name for longer.
I'd like the reporters at Fox News and the other conservative outlets that have been platforming Riley Gaines to ask her how she feels about Lia's death. I'd very much like a *real* reporter to ask her that, but Riley is a grifter who has never been challenged in her life, so it's unlikely.
October 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I'd like the reporters at Fox News and the other conservative outlets that have been platforming Riley Gaines to ask her how she feels about Lia's death. I'd very much like a *real* reporter to ask her that, but Riley is a grifter who has never been challenged in her life, so it's unlikely.
Not the point, but Vance's Trump impression still won't get him the nomination. He has a nonwhite wife; MAGA ain't gonna stand for that in their president.
Vance says it is "totally reasonable and acceptable" for people to not want to live next door to people who speak a different language than they do
October 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Not the point, but Vance's Trump impression still won't get him the nomination. He has a nonwhite wife; MAGA ain't gonna stand for that in their president.
Reminder that Barack Obama picked Garland to be a Supreme Court Justice. I'm not saying what McConnell did to that nomination was right, but Obama specifically nominated that weenie because he is a centrist. Would we have been better off with Garland on the Court? Yes. Was he a good pick? No.
October 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reminder that Barack Obama picked Garland to be a Supreme Court Justice. I'm not saying what McConnell did to that nomination was right, but Obama specifically nominated that weenie because he is a centrist. Would we have been better off with Garland on the Court? Yes. Was he a good pick? No.
Never underestimate how incredibly stupid the ultra-wealthy are. Like, intelligence has absolutely zero impact on how much money you have. None. There is no correlation. Because Elon Musk is the second-stupidest idiot on the planet, after the guy a third of my country voted for for president.
this is an overtly fascist narrative - even the misreading of myth & literature is on brand
October 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Never underestimate how incredibly stupid the ultra-wealthy are. Like, intelligence has absolutely zero impact on how much money you have. None. There is no correlation. Because Elon Musk is the second-stupidest idiot on the planet, after the guy a third of my country voted for for president.
It really *is* interesting how Graham Planter is being held accountable for his past actions. This dude who utterly lacks any introspection whatsoever wants Mainers to elect him. He hasn't had a decent answer to the question, "Why were you in a Nazi tattoo parlor to begin with?"
"It's really interesting to have this whole power structure essentially turn on to try to drag my name through the mud." Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner describes the resistance he has experienced within the Democratic Party.
www.threads.com/@thebriefing...
www.threads.com/@thebriefing...
The Briefing with Jen Psaki (@thebriefingwithpsaki) on Threads
"It's really interesting to have this whole power structure essentially turn on to try to drag my name through the mud." Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner describes the resistance he has experienc...
www.threads.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:41 AM
It really *is* interesting how Graham Planter is being held accountable for his past actions. This dude who utterly lacks any introspection whatsoever wants Mainers to elect him. He hasn't had a decent answer to the question, "Why were you in a Nazi tattoo parlor to begin with?"
I do think it's really funny that Bill Maher proved he'd prefer a guy who sexually harasses women AND accomplished absolutely nothing as governor except grabbing women's butts over the Muslim guy who's inoffensive in every way. Almost like Maher *might* be a bigot.
October 28, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I do think it's really funny that Bill Maher proved he'd prefer a guy who sexually harasses women AND accomplished absolutely nothing as governor except grabbing women's butts over the Muslim guy who's inoffensive in every way. Almost like Maher *might* be a bigot.
Tommy Tuberville can die in a fire for all I care, given how much he hates America.
Tuberville on Trump's third term: "He might be able to go around the Constitution, but that's up to him."
October 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Tommy Tuberville can die in a fire for all I care, given how much he hates America.
If you think Elon Musk brings anything of value anywhere, or ever has, you don't deserve to be in charge of a company. I'm so sick of sub-mediocre white men getting rewarded for being idiots. Trump, Musk, Thiel, Ellison, Bezos – they're all the same. They're all rich, and they're all dumb as hell.
Going the way of so many abusive relationships 😔
#Tesla #TSLA #TeslaTakedown #BoycottTesla #BoycottMusk
#Tesla #TSLA #TeslaTakedown #BoycottTesla #BoycottMusk
October 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
If you think Elon Musk brings anything of value anywhere, or ever has, you don't deserve to be in charge of a company. I'm so sick of sub-mediocre white men getting rewarded for being idiots. Trump, Musk, Thiel, Ellison, Bezos – they're all the same. They're all rich, and they're all dumb as hell.
My mom's family did this with my grandfather's cousin. She was always "Aunt Marge." This is also common in Latine families. This gotcha is embarrassing, and the hosts should be ashamed. Do some real journalism!
In a bit of a tense moment, one of the La Mega co-hosts presses Mamdani on why he "lied" about his "aunt" having been scared to ride the subway after 9/11 while wearing a hijab.
Mamdani says it was "not a lie" because he refers to his father's cousin as his "aunt."
Mamdani says it was "not a lie" because he refers to his father's cousin as his "aunt."
October 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
My mom's family did this with my grandfather's cousin. She was always "Aunt Marge." This is also common in Latine families. This gotcha is embarrassing, and the hosts should be ashamed. Do some real journalism!