Benjamin Rahn
@brahn.bsky.social
Dad. Product engineer. Ex-Stripe.
Co-founded ActBlue. Erstwhile physicist.
Co-founded ActBlue. Erstwhile physicist.
Pinned
Benjamin Rahn
@brahn.bsky.social
· Apr 8
i think it's worse than this. the Republican Party as an institution has thoroughly discredited itself as either interested in or capable of being trustworthy with respect to basic democratic governance
One man just wiped out $10 trillion in wealth, is destroying centuries-old legal protections, and seems determined to unravel humanity’s greatest public health achievement. In 3 months.
I don’t know how we get out of this. But if we do, one person can never have that kind of power again.
I don’t know how we get out of this. But if we do, one person can never have that kind of power again.
We now have rebuttals to every Republican claim of legitimacy.
* No, Republicans can't be trusted with the economy. Given the opportunity they wrecked it.
* No, they aren't tough on crime. They shut down investigations of their thieving buddies, and pardoned violent insurgents.
1/?
* No, Republicans can't be trusted with the economy. Given the opportunity they wrecked it.
* No, they aren't tough on crime. They shut down investigations of their thieving buddies, and pardoned violent insurgents.
1/?
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
My teen, who had dreamt of being an astrophysicist, just told me he wants to go to law school because, “Science isn’t going to be a priority in the US in the future…I don’t want a job where I’ll be constantly worried my funding will be taken away.”
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
December 7, 2025 at 1:23 AM
My teen, who had dreamt of being an astrophysicist, just told me he wants to go to law school because, “Science isn’t going to be a priority in the US in the future…I don’t want a job where I’ll be constantly worried my funding will be taken away.”
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
Gutting. How many future scientists have we lost?
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
This is a free country, so it is, in fact, totally OK.
December 6, 2025 at 2:13 AM
This is a free country, so it is, in fact, totally OK.
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
All corporate CEOs should understand: If you agree to attend an event at the White House, you are very likely to be filmed nodding appreciatively at a delusional racist rant. If you're ok with that, go. If not, you probably should stay away.
December 3, 2025 at 11:03 PM
All corporate CEOs should understand: If you agree to attend an event at the White House, you are very likely to be filmed nodding appreciatively at a delusional racist rant. If you're ok with that, go. If not, you probably should stay away.
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Yes, this is worth listening to.
In my very long memory of public affairs, have never heard a public statement by a "president" (a) more alarming in mental health terms, and also (b) more overtly racist and hate-filled.
Watch carefully the sycophants around Trump as he rants. They *all* know...
In my very long memory of public affairs, have never heard a public statement by a "president" (a) more alarming in mental health terms, and also (b) more overtly racist and hate-filled.
Watch carefully the sycophants around Trump as he rants. They *all* know...
I hope people take two minutes to listen to this shocking display of bigotry. It brings clarity to what we are fighting against. We should all be sick to hear such un-American drivel from the President of the United States.
Trump: "It’s a hellhole right now. And those Somalians should be out of here. They've destroyed our country. And all they do is complain, complain, complain. You have her. She’s always talking about the Constitution provides me with – go back to your own country and figure out your constitution."
December 4, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Yes, this is worth listening to.
In my very long memory of public affairs, have never heard a public statement by a "president" (a) more alarming in mental health terms, and also (b) more overtly racist and hate-filled.
Watch carefully the sycophants around Trump as he rants. They *all* know...
In my very long memory of public affairs, have never heard a public statement by a "president" (a) more alarming in mental health terms, and also (b) more overtly racist and hate-filled.
Watch carefully the sycophants around Trump as he rants. They *all* know...
I'm thinking "they lie for a living and the American people know it" is a good competitor to the floor/ceiling thing
Jeffries on the WH's explanation of Hegseth's reported double tap strike: "The White House is lying, but that's no surprise, because they lie for a living and the American people know it."
December 1, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I'm thinking "they lie for a living and the American people know it" is a good competitor to the floor/ceiling thing
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Ask yourself why there wasn’t this level of wall to wall coverage for this shooting wgme.com/news/local/i...
ICE agent who shot woman in Chicago drove Border Patrol vehicle back to Maine
An unnamed ICE agent, who shot and injured a woman in Chicago, is now back in Maine after driving the Border Patrol vehicle he was in 1,100 miles.
wgme.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Ask yourself why there wasn’t this level of wall to wall coverage for this shooting wgme.com/news/local/i...
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
This is pretty amazing. This guy just won a solid victory in Bucks County, PA, one of the most important swing counties in the country, by *explicitly and deliberately* making his race *all about* nationalizing ICE raids. Confirms the point about this now being a winning issue for Dems.
November 19, 2025 at 5:02 PM
This is pretty amazing. This guy just won a solid victory in Bucks County, PA, one of the most important swing counties in the country, by *explicitly and deliberately* making his race *all about* nationalizing ICE raids. Confirms the point about this now being a winning issue for Dems.
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Marjorie Taylor Greene is not suddenly “reasonable,” “moderate” or “brave.”
She’s just a fast rat fleeing a sinking ship, fighting for her political life while seeking a free pass for horrific past behavior and continued racist, antisemitic, anti-Muslim, antigay and anti-immigrant beliefs.
Say no.
She’s just a fast rat fleeing a sinking ship, fighting for her political life while seeking a free pass for horrific past behavior and continued racist, antisemitic, anti-Muslim, antigay and anti-immigrant beliefs.
Say no.
A reminder not to celebrate Marjorie Taylor Greene even if she’s damaging Trump. Let them fight, and let them both burn. Save your praise for people who deserve it.
Marjorie Taylor Greene to Dana Bash: "You should have Nick Fuentes on your show"
November 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene is not suddenly “reasonable,” “moderate” or “brave.”
She’s just a fast rat fleeing a sinking ship, fighting for her political life while seeking a free pass for horrific past behavior and continued racist, antisemitic, anti-Muslim, antigay and anti-immigrant beliefs.
Say no.
She’s just a fast rat fleeing a sinking ship, fighting for her political life while seeking a free pass for horrific past behavior and continued racist, antisemitic, anti-Muslim, antigay and anti-immigrant beliefs.
Say no.
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
ICE vs the clergy
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 AM
ICE vs the clergy
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
you could fact check this — there aren’t 30 million illegal immigrants and there is no evidence that the presence of an immigrant in say houston has any impact on housing in madison, wisconsin — or you could note straightforwardly that this is just nazi rhetoric
JD Vance: "A lot of young people are saying housing is way too expensive. Why is that? Because we flooded the country with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses that ought by right go to American citizens."
November 13, 2025 at 10:12 PM
you could fact check this — there aren’t 30 million illegal immigrants and there is no evidence that the presence of an immigrant in say houston has any impact on housing in madison, wisconsin — or you could note straightforwardly that this is just nazi rhetoric
November 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
DOGE was not a "cost-cutting measure," the assault on universities was not a "fight against anti-semitism," and the extra-judicial murder spree sure as shit is not an "anti-drug campaign."
You do not have to just take their word for everything.
You do not have to just take their word for everything.
![U.S. aircraft carrier nears Latin America as Venezuela tensions simmer
The USS Gerald R. Ford joins a sprawling buildup that has fueled speculation that the Trump administration intends to dramatically escalate its [highlight] antidrug campaign. [/highlight]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:u45hqzk7counfbwyg5edhmvi/bafkreidn4xekvi4whd2lz5oxc2sg26ofnbyqrhxnsbxaf4j42jnywjpeh4@jpeg)
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
DOGE was not a "cost-cutting measure," the assault on universities was not a "fight against anti-semitism," and the extra-judicial murder spree sure as shit is not an "anti-drug campaign."
You do not have to just take their word for everything.
You do not have to just take their word for everything.
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
I’m assuming that’s part of the October 2026 strategy
is he going to send out fucking checks with his signature on again
Trump says Americans will receive $2,000 tariff dividend
November 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I’m assuming that’s part of the October 2026 strategy
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
The Mamdani political sign generator is kinda fun https://homes.luddy.indiana.edu/ccshan/for/for.html
November 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
The Mamdani political sign generator is kinda fun https://homes.luddy.indiana.edu/ccshan/for/for.html
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
I havent read such a banger of an essay in a very long time. This is so well-written!
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
I havent read such a banger of an essay in a very long time. This is so well-written!
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
YIKES: NSO floats Pegasus spyware used in hypothetical "time of domestic crisis" in 🇺🇸America.
I believe they won't stop lobbying until they get Pegasus into USA.
To hack Americans. 1/
I believe they won't stop lobbying until they get Pegasus into USA.
To hack Americans. 1/
November 7, 2025 at 8:36 PM
YIKES: NSO floats Pegasus spyware used in hypothetical "time of domestic crisis" in 🇺🇸America.
I believe they won't stop lobbying until they get Pegasus into USA.
To hack Americans. 1/
I believe they won't stop lobbying until they get Pegasus into USA.
To hack Americans. 1/
Requesting a novel with a protagonist named John Scalzi written in this style.
Me, after dinner: Oh, it's still early, I bet I can still get some writing done today.
(goes upstairs)
(opens up laptop)
Brain: YOUTUBE
Me: No, brain, writing!
Brain: YOUTUBE
Me: We have a deadline!
Brain: (holds breath)
Me: UGH, FINE. But just one.
Brain: YAY
(puts on video)
(passes out)
(goes upstairs)
(opens up laptop)
Brain: YOUTUBE
Me: No, brain, writing!
Brain: YOUTUBE
Me: We have a deadline!
Brain: (holds breath)
Me: UGH, FINE. But just one.
Brain: YAY
(puts on video)
(passes out)
November 7, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Requesting a novel with a protagonist named John Scalzi written in this style.
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
November 5, 2025 at 5:28 AM
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
repeat that last line to yourself. this is enormously important.
"no longer would politics would be something that is done to us. now it would be something that WE DO"
ACTION. that WE DO. this is all real; this is all possible; this is all essential. let's DO THIS.
"no longer would politics would be something that is done to us. now it would be something that WE DO"
ACTION. that WE DO. this is all real; this is all possible; this is all essential. let's DO THIS.
November 5, 2025 at 4:31 AM
repeat that last line to yourself. this is enormously important.
"no longer would politics would be something that is done to us. now it would be something that WE DO"
ACTION. that WE DO. this is all real; this is all possible; this is all essential. let's DO THIS.
"no longer would politics would be something that is done to us. now it would be something that WE DO"
ACTION. that WE DO. this is all real; this is all possible; this is all essential. let's DO THIS.
If you see this, quote post with a robot that is not from star wars, star trek, doctor who, or transformers
October 31, 2025 at 7:28 AM
If you see this, quote post with a robot that is not from star wars, star trek, doctor who, or transformers
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
My company, Propel, is doing a direct cash transfer to some high need SNAP families given November deposits are indefinitely delayed due to the shutdown.
Propel is contributing $1 million in company funds and looking to raise another $9m from partners.
www.propel.app/shutdown-fun...
Propel is contributing $1 million in company funds and looking to raise another $9m from partners.
www.propel.app/shutdown-fun...
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
My company, Propel, is doing a direct cash transfer to some high need SNAP families given November deposits are indefinitely delayed due to the shutdown.
Propel is contributing $1 million in company funds and looking to raise another $9m from partners.
www.propel.app/shutdown-fun...
Propel is contributing $1 million in company funds and looking to raise another $9m from partners.
www.propel.app/shutdown-fun...
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Umberto Eco: Fascism promises "...a final battle, after which the movement will have control of the world. But [this] implies a further era of peace...which contradicts the principle of permanent war. No fascist leader has ever succeeded in solving this predicament."
www.nybooks.com/articles/199...
www.nybooks.com/articles/199...
The killings will continue until the War on Drugs is won (it won't be).
More illegal boat strikes by the US, this time killing 14 (with one survivor) in four separate attacks off eastern Mexican coast. Once again, no evidence or legal justification provided. Bears repeating that these strikes are illegal, immoral, and ineffective
October 28, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Umberto Eco: Fascism promises "...a final battle, after which the movement will have control of the world. But [this] implies a further era of peace...which contradicts the principle of permanent war. No fascist leader has ever succeeded in solving this predicament."
www.nybooks.com/articles/199...
www.nybooks.com/articles/199...