Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
@kdbyproxy.bsky.social
I used to write laws… then I invented Knee Defender. ex-HPSCI, ex-Senate tech, taxes, trade/FP, ethics, antitrust… crime & even reputed parliamentarian
Pinned
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Alice Brock, restaurateur and painter, passed away last year the week before Thanksgiving at the age of 83. 2/2
Artist and Cook Alice Brock, Made Famous by a Song, Dies at 83 - The Provincetown Independent
Alice May Brock of Provincetown, made famous by Arlo Guthrie’s 1967 song “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” died on Nov. 21, 2024 at the Lily House hospice in Wellfleet. Her caregiver Viki […]
provincetownindependent.org
November 27, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Alice Brock, restaurateur and painter, passed away last year the week before Thanksgiving at the age of 83. 2/2
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Sixty years ago this week in the Berkshire (MA) Eagle: "Saturday, Richard J. Robbins, 19, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Arlo Guthrie, 18, of Howard Beach, N.Y., each paid a fine of $25 in Lee District Court after pleading guilty of illegally disposing of rubbish...."
web.archive.org/web/20201125... 1/2
web.archive.org/web/20201125... 1/2
November 27, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Sixty years ago this week in the Berkshire (MA) Eagle: "Saturday, Richard J. Robbins, 19, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Arlo Guthrie, 18, of Howard Beach, N.Y., each paid a fine of $25 in Lee District Court after pleading guilty of illegally disposing of rubbish...."
web.archive.org/web/20201125... 1/2
web.archive.org/web/20201125... 1/2
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
And the turkey looks pretty rough too.
November 27, 2025 at 8:44 PM
And the turkey looks pretty rough too.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Putin's plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Cartoon by Michael de Adder
Cartoon by Michael de Adder
November 27, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Putin's plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Cartoon by Michael de Adder
Cartoon by Michael de Adder
That Trump was wrong to deploy National Guard troops in DC is in no way to blame for two of them being shot here. And while it would have been just as wrong to blame that if the shooter had been a local angered by troops in his city, reporting says he wasn't; he traveled X-country to do this.
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November 27, 2025 at 6:16 AM
That Trump was wrong to deploy National Guard troops in DC is in no way to blame for two of them being shot here. And while it would have been just as wrong to blame that if the shooter had been a local angered by troops in his city, reporting says he wasn't; he traveled X-country to do this.
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David Letterman. Oprah and Uma.
Olivia Nuzzi. Donald Trump.
Olivia Nuzzi. Donald Trump.
![On the left:
At the Oscars 1995. A screengrab of David Letterman as host, on stage, gesturing towards the unseen audience (and the camera). Below him, left is a screengrab of Oprah with big laughing smile, right is a screengrab of Uma Thurman with a big laughing smile. Below the Letterman image, and above the side-by-side Oprah and Uma images, there's text of what Letterman said that night. [but wait]
Now, to the right of all that, two photos:
Olivia Nuzzi in a leopard-skin-like skin-tight dress, from the high-waist up, against a sky-blue background. Somewhat below her and to the right is a photo of Donald Trump, seen from the high-waist up, looking sternly down at the photographer as Trump sits at the defendant's table at his New York City trial.
Yellow tie, white shirt, standard blue suit. His right hand clenched, resting on the table, his left hand resting on it.
The text on the left is Letterman saying, "Oprah... Uma." Then "Uma... Oprah."
On the right, text below Nuzzi's photo says "Nuzzi."
And that's it.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mf6x4tcxia23iqiflhqtv2dg/bafkreihr7bhfw2lujrstv5omirocqm37qjs6shdpvwppreu6irs2hfrf4y@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 5:34 AM
David Letterman. Oprah and Uma.
Olivia Nuzzi. Donald Trump.
Olivia Nuzzi. Donald Trump.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
If you think studies w/ mice & rats cld be applicable to humans, then RFKjr's adolescent use of heroin may be a part of the problem. Eg, "Adolescent morphine exposure induced long-term cognitive impairment and prefrontal neurostructural abnormality in adulthood in male mice"
doi.org/10.1016/j.he...
doi.org/10.1016/j.he...
![Research article
Adolescent morphine exposure induced long-term cognitive
impairment and prefrontal neurostructural abnormality in
adulthood in male mice
Ye Lu, Yijie Guo, Lulu Sun, Tong Liu, Ziqing Dong, Min Jia, Lixia Zhuo, Fangyuan Yin, Yongsheng Zhu, Xiancang Ma, Yunpeng Wang, Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, China Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, China c College of Forensic Science, School of Medicine […] China
School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China, Lead Contact, China
A B S T R A C T
Opioids abuse in adolescence is becoming a pressing public health issue. While evidence suggests that exposure to opioids during adolescence leads to lasting alterations in brain development, the long-term cognitive implications in adulthood remain uncertain. We developed a male mouse model of adolescent morphine exposure and used the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), along with the open field, novel object recognition, Y maze and Barnes maze tests, to assess changes in cognitive behavior. We found that exposure to morphine during adolescence led to deficits in multidimensional cognitive functions in mice, including attention, information processing speed, and behavior inhibition. Notable, these impairments persisted into adulthood. Furthermore, the morphine-exposed mice exhibited decreased learning efficiency and spatial memory. Adolescent morphine exposure also induced significant and persistent morphological changes and synaptic abnormalities in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neurons, which may be responsible for cognitive impairments in adulthood. Together, our study suggests that opioid exposure during adolescence profoundly affects cognitive development and emphasizes that opioid-induced disruption of neurons in adolescence may link mPFC-associated cognitive impairments in adulthood.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mf6x4tcxia23iqiflhqtv2dg/bafkreidse3uokxqug5mox432f7rrmd3ug7tnmutaayx6lbthbyupimy6ra@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
If you think studies w/ mice & rats cld be applicable to humans, then RFKjr's adolescent use of heroin may be a part of the problem. Eg, "Adolescent morphine exposure induced long-term cognitive impairment and prefrontal neurostructural abnormality in adulthood in male mice"
doi.org/10.1016/j.he...
doi.org/10.1016/j.he...
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
They don't have to ban vaccines outright. They can just force people to jump through enough hoops to get vaccines that they eventually stop trying and give up.
The CDC has turned off its vaccine search tool.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
The vaccines.gov site now gives an error when you enter a valid zip code.
They also removed text saying “Vaccines can help you stay healthy” and added a banner saying the site is being updated.
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
They don't have to ban vaccines outright. They can just force people to jump through enough hoops to get vaccines that they eventually stop trying and give up.
Apart from whether or not this is the right response, we now know from his response time today that, while Trump may not really care about our troops, he cares more about the troops than he does about members of Congress.
November 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Apart from whether or not this is the right response, we now know from his response time today that, while Trump may not really care about our troops, he cares more about the troops than he does about members of Congress.
HOT TAKE: In a long delayed response to those calling the Democratic Party the "Democrat Party", the other party shall now be referred to as the Republicany Party, and its members Republicanies*.
(* – "reh-PUH-bleh ka-neez";
also:"reh-PUH-bleh ka-NIN-eez")
1/
www.thedailybeast.com/tepublican-o...
(* – "reh-PUH-bleh ka-neez";
also:"reh-PUH-bleh ka-NIN-eez")
1/
www.thedailybeast.com/tepublican-o...
Trump, 79, Has Baffling Plan to Rename the Republican Party After Himself
The president’s new nickname idea is not one of his best.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:36 PM
HOT TAKE: In a long delayed response to those calling the Democratic Party the "Democrat Party", the other party shall now be referred to as the Republicany Party, and its members Republicanies*.
(* – "reh-PUH-bleh ka-neez";
also:"reh-PUH-bleh ka-NIN-eez")
1/
www.thedailybeast.com/tepublican-o...
(* – "reh-PUH-bleh ka-neez";
also:"reh-PUH-bleh ka-NIN-eez")
1/
www.thedailybeast.com/tepublican-o...
@orinkerr.bsky.social And it began...
Nov. 26, 1925: Roy Olmstead, a police officer-turned-bootlegger described as the “king of the Pacific Coast rum trade,” is arrested as he’s helping to load 100 cases of liquor into a fleet of cars outside Seattle. He was tracked by police who had wiretapped his phone.
November 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
@orinkerr.bsky.social And it began...
DAILY BEAST: "Trump is reportedly locked in a bizarre standoff with the architect he personally tapped to design a new White House ballroom – b/c the president wants it even bigger than the White House itself."
In the last image his architect released, its footprint looked bigger already.
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In the last image his architect released, its footprint looked bigger already.
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November 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
DAILY BEAST: "Trump is reportedly locked in a bizarre standoff with the architect he personally tapped to design a new White House ballroom – b/c the president wants it even bigger than the White House itself."
In the last image his architect released, its footprint looked bigger already.
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In the last image his architect released, its footprint looked bigger already.
1/
HEADLINE: Trump says China's Xi 'more or less agreed' [ fill in the blank ]
I'll take the under.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
I'll take the under.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
November 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
HEADLINE: Trump says China's Xi 'more or less agreed' [ fill in the blank ]
I'll take the under.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
I'll take the under.
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Somebody just liked me on a dating app and then asked me to review his book. I am aghast.
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Somebody just liked me on a dating app and then asked me to review his book. I am aghast.
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
NEW (and CURIOUS) at SCOTUS: Court defers Trump administration's emergency plea to fire the Register of Copyrights pending upcoming decisions in two related cases that haven't been argued yet
November 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
NEW (and CURIOUS) at SCOTUS: Court defers Trump administration's emergency plea to fire the Register of Copyrights pending upcoming decisions in two related cases that haven't been argued yet
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Curious because this keeps the top U.S. copyright official in her job for at least a couple more months after she was fired earlier this year.
November 26, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Curious because this keeps the top U.S. copyright official in her job for at least a couple more months after she was fired earlier this year.
And a package cannot be "delayed in transit" when it has yet to start its transit.
November 26, 2025 at 1:38 AM
And a package cannot be "delayed in transit" when it has yet to start its transit.
FUN FIND: On Carter's way out the door in 1981, AAG Phil Heymann rec'd an OLC memo: "We believe that Congress may not 'waive' or abrogate its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause. [… T]he clause protects Congress chiefly by protecting the speech and debate of every member."
Link in ALT
Link in ALT
![Date stamped: 16 Jan 1981
MEMORANDUM FOR PHILIP B. HEYMANN
Assistant 'Attorney General
Criminal Division
Re: The Power of Congress to Abrogate its Members' Rights under the Speech or
Debate Clause
In your memorandum of September 18, 1979, you asked our opinion whether Congress can "waive" its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution. The Solicitor General has taken the position, in the Supreme Court, that Congress has the power to abrogate its members' Speech or Debate Clause protection. See Brief for the United States at 18-21, 76-88, United States v. Helstoski, 442 U.S. 477 (1979); Brief for the United States. at 10-32, United States v. Brewster, 408 U.S. 501 (1972). We disagree. We believe that Congress may not "waive" or abrogate its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause.
[snip]
But in our view the clause protects Congress chiefly by protecting the speech and debate of every member -- even if a majority of his colleagues wish to deny him
that protection.
https://www.justice.gov/d9/pages/attachments/2022/10/17/la_19810116_the_power_of_congress_to_abrogate_its_members_rights_under_the_speech_or_debate_clause.pdf](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mf6x4tcxia23iqiflhqtv2dg/bafkreieb6idlrbmw642six46cbtpkdnxcr2tkvbqypxqknltptqi5wu3ti@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 11:12 PM
FUN FIND: On Carter's way out the door in 1981, AAG Phil Heymann rec'd an OLC memo: "We believe that Congress may not 'waive' or abrogate its members' rights under the Speech or Debate Clause. [… T]he clause protects Congress chiefly by protecting the speech and debate of every member."
Link in ALT
Link in ALT
TIL: I can set my home thermostat to lie.
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
TIL: I can set my home thermostat to lie.
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
"Can we get some heat in here?!"
"Put on a sweater."
"But–?"
"What does the thermostat say?"
"70."
"70?! That is warm enough."
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Philadelphia Inquirer. The fame Dunham wins for the Ford gig will later land him a vaudeville contract.
November 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Philadelphia Inquirer. The fame Dunham wins for the Ford gig will later land him a vaudeville contract.
PSA: Military retirement appears to be exempt from congressional financial disclosure reporting (as is the value of a senator's primary residence).
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
November 24, 2025 at 9:19 PM
PSA: Military retirement appears to be exempt from congressional financial disclosure reporting (as is the value of a senator's primary residence).
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
November 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
PSA: Military retirement appears to be exempt from congressional financial disclosure reporting (as is the value of a senator's primary residence).
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Re: Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Reposted by Ira 'Bluebeard Homer' Goldman
Me, on why and how Marco Rubio is actually the good guy on the Ukraine "piece" deal.
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Marco Rubio in the Room
YouTube video by emptywheel
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Me, on why and how Marco Rubio is actually the good guy on the Ukraine "piece" deal.
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
YES. If you're part of a decision-making group & you don't like the direction it's going, and you say it publicly, at the next meeting, you may not be in the room. And w/ Rubio, he's barely been in the room from the get-go.
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
Me, on why and how Marco Rubio is actually the good guy on the Ukraine "piece" deal.
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Yikes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7s...
Marco Rubio in the Room
YouTube video by emptywheel
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
YES. If you're part of a decision-making group & you don't like the direction it's going, and you say it publicly, at the next meeting, you may not be in the room. And w/ Rubio, he's barely been in the room from the get-go.
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
Rare props to Rubio for how he (non-pejoratively) used those senators.
1/
This take is very, very funny and very, very, very sadly true.
hey don't be so hard on yourselves; it delivered oceans of sensitive government and citizen data to billionaires
Musk’s DOGE Quietly Killed Off After Delivering Almost Nothing
The agency disbanded eight months ahead of schedule.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This take is very, very funny and very, very, very sadly true.