Mara
@maralinn.bsky.social
Half pessimistic doom-scroller, half progressive socialist. Ex-librarian into rug-hooking, cats, dogs, nature, classic film, Jeopardy, US politics, climate. I try to post/repost interesting things in addition to politics.
Reposted by Mara
"...if placing “live bombs” is qualitatively different from other Jan. 6 crimes, why did the Trump administration dismiss charges against Daniel Ball — who set off an explosive device in a Capitol tunnel during a fierce battle between pro-Trump rioters and law enforcement officers?"
Following an arrest in the pipe-bombs case, the White House rejected questions about the parallels between this case and Trump’s Jan. 6 pardons.
But the closer one looks, the more legitimate this line of inquiry appears. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
But the closer one looks, the more legitimate this line of inquiry appears. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
Following arrest in pipe-bombs case, White House rejects questions about Jan. 6 pardons
With a suspect in custody, Team Trump was reluctant to talk about the president’s pardons for others convicted for violent Jan. 6 crimes.
www.ms.now
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
"...if placing “live bombs” is qualitatively different from other Jan. 6 crimes, why did the Trump administration dismiss charges against Daniel Ball — who set off an explosive device in a Capitol tunnel during a fierce battle between pro-Trump rioters and law enforcement officers?"
Reposted by Mara
Kagan's dissent is all scorchers, but this is really frying me. As long as state legislatures wait until the last possible minute, according to the SCOTUS majority, they can *always* get away with rigging the lines—no matter how flagrantly—because it'll be the "eve of an election."
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Kagan's dissent is all scorchers, but this is really frying me. As long as state legislatures wait until the last possible minute, according to the SCOTUS majority, they can *always* get away with rigging the lines—no matter how flagrantly—because it'll be the "eve of an election."
Reposted by Mara
Texas clearly did a racial gerrymander, which is illegal.
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
December 4, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Texas clearly did a racial gerrymander, which is illegal.
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
A district court found that Texas did a racial gerrymander, rejecting the new map because it is illegal.
But the Supreme Court reversed it.
Because? Must assume the gerrymanderers were acting in good faith (despite the evidence otherwise).
Reposted by Mara
This is an insane paragraph.
This is at the very least, literally, not "indisputable". The lower-court ruling you're overturning said otherwise, and there's written, public evidence the DOJ said do this for racial reasons!
"Indisputable" just means "I don't care to deal with contrary evidence."
This is at the very least, literally, not "indisputable". The lower-court ruling you're overturning said otherwise, and there's written, public evidence the DOJ said do this for racial reasons!
"Indisputable" just means "I don't care to deal with contrary evidence."
Alito's (brief) concurrence says the "impetus" for the Texas map was "partisan."
This is a response to the lower court that struck down the map, saying there's evidence of racial impetus. A big evidence was that the DOJ wrote to Texas explicitly saying they should redistrict for racial reasons.
This is a response to the lower court that struck down the map, saying there's evidence of racial impetus. A big evidence was that the DOJ wrote to Texas explicitly saying they should redistrict for racial reasons.
December 4, 2025 at 11:24 PM
This is an insane paragraph.
This is at the very least, literally, not "indisputable". The lower-court ruling you're overturning said otherwise, and there's written, public evidence the DOJ said do this for racial reasons!
"Indisputable" just means "I don't care to deal with contrary evidence."
This is at the very least, literally, not "indisputable". The lower-court ruling you're overturning said otherwise, and there's written, public evidence the DOJ said do this for racial reasons!
"Indisputable" just means "I don't care to deal with contrary evidence."
Reposted by Mara
ABC News and MS NOW reports that a Virginia grand jury has refused to re-indict Letitia James on mortgage fraud charges
December 4, 2025 at 10:41 PM
ABC News and MS NOW reports that a Virginia grand jury has refused to re-indict Letitia James on mortgage fraud charges
Reposted by Mara
📣 Dems have overperformed an avg of 13 pts across 60 Special Elections so far!
There's ~30 MORE coming up!
12/09: FL HD-90: Rob Long
12/09: FL SD-11: Ash Marwah
12/09: GA HD-23: Scott Sanders
12/09: GA HD-121: Eric Gisler
12/09: IA HD-07: Rachel Burns
#Blue25
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
There's ~30 MORE coming up!
12/09: FL HD-90: Rob Long
12/09: FL SD-11: Ash Marwah
12/09: GA HD-23: Scott Sanders
12/09: GA HD-121: Eric Gisler
12/09: IA HD-07: Rachel Burns
#Blue25
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
Chip in!
Show your support with a contribution.
secure.actblue.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
📣 Dems have overperformed an avg of 13 pts across 60 Special Elections so far!
There's ~30 MORE coming up!
12/09: FL HD-90: Rob Long
12/09: FL SD-11: Ash Marwah
12/09: GA HD-23: Scott Sanders
12/09: GA HD-121: Eric Gisler
12/09: IA HD-07: Rachel Burns
#Blue25
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
There's ~30 MORE coming up!
12/09: FL HD-90: Rob Long
12/09: FL SD-11: Ash Marwah
12/09: GA HD-23: Scott Sanders
12/09: GA HD-121: Eric Gisler
12/09: IA HD-07: Rachel Burns
#Blue25
secure.actblue.com/donate/speci...
Reposted by Mara
The AI bubble's biggest threat isn't regulation. It's the yawn.
We're hitting the 'Boredom Event Horizon'—where the novelty fades, but the $500B data center bill still arrives every month.
We're hitting the 'Boredom Event Horizon'—where the novelty fades, but the $500B data center bill still arrives every month.
December 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
The AI bubble's biggest threat isn't regulation. It's the yawn.
We're hitting the 'Boredom Event Horizon'—where the novelty fades, but the $500B data center bill still arrives every month.
We're hitting the 'Boredom Event Horizon'—where the novelty fades, but the $500B data center bill still arrives every month.
Reposted by Mara
I am a woman who joined the Let’s Rethink Chicks Having The Right To Vote Party and I am concerned they do not take me completely seriously, somebody please help me
A member of the House Republican caucus said this.
Oh. So things are BAD bad.
Oh. So things are BAD bad.
December 4, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I am a woman who joined the Let’s Rethink Chicks Having The Right To Vote Party and I am concerned they do not take me completely seriously, somebody please help me
Reposted by Mara
This is my big soap box. We gave the presidency too much power with the PATRIOT Act, extrajudicial drone strikes, indefinite detention and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Trump is just using executive authority Congress gave to the presidency after 9/11 to maximum effect.
Congress, in my opinion has ceded too much of its authority to the Executive Branch in the last nearly quarter of a century. What the administration has been doing is simply part the Post 9/11 legacy. It’s got to stop. I say this as a GWOT era veteran.
Credit to Rand Paul. He hated extrajudicial drone strike killings under Obama and he HATES them under Trump where Congress has given no authorization.
December 4, 2025 at 8:07 PM
This is my big soap box. We gave the presidency too much power with the PATRIOT Act, extrajudicial drone strikes, indefinite detention and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Trump is just using executive authority Congress gave to the presidency after 9/11 to maximum effect.
Reposted by Mara
The emergence of Eric, portable mischief-in-a-jar:
December 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The emergence of Eric, portable mischief-in-a-jar:
Reposted by Mara
“What I saw in that room is one of the most troubling scenes I’ve ever seen in my time in public service.”
Video of U.S. Military Killing Boat Strike Survivors Is Horrifying, Lawmakers Reveal
“What I saw in that room is one of the most troubling scenes I’ve ever seen in my time in public service.”
interc.pt
December 4, 2025 at 9:10 PM
“What I saw in that room is one of the most troubling scenes I’ve ever seen in my time in public service.”
Reposted by Mara
Although a #supermoon is slightly larger than a normal full moon in our skies, this difference is negligible to the human eye. But you can still see an unusually large-looking moon tonight! Want to play with the moon #illusion? Try these #tricks:
buff.ly/7DlfIio
📸 EarthSky.org.
buff.ly/7DlfIio
📸 EarthSky.org.
December 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Although a #supermoon is slightly larger than a normal full moon in our skies, this difference is negligible to the human eye. But you can still see an unusually large-looking moon tonight! Want to play with the moon #illusion? Try these #tricks:
buff.ly/7DlfIio
📸 EarthSky.org.
buff.ly/7DlfIio
📸 EarthSky.org.
Reposted by Mara
Reposted by Mara
Weren't there survivors of one of the early Trump bombing attacks on fishing boats in the Caribbean? Who were allowed to go home without charges (because they weren't "guilty" of anything)? I can't be the only one thinking Trump and Hegseth's "no survivors" edict is about "no witnesses," right?
December 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Weren't there survivors of one of the early Trump bombing attacks on fishing boats in the Caribbean? Who were allowed to go home without charges (because they weren't "guilty" of anything)? I can't be the only one thinking Trump and Hegseth's "no survivors" edict is about "no witnesses," right?
Reposted by Mara
Amazon's computing services have long helped ICE track down people to deport.
As Trump's mass deportations worsen, Amazon is investing another $50 BILLION in expanding its AI and cloud computing services for the administration.
This holiday season, consider shopping elsewhere.
As Trump's mass deportations worsen, Amazon is investing another $50 BILLION in expanding its AI and cloud computing services for the administration.
This holiday season, consider shopping elsewhere.
December 4, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Amazon's computing services have long helped ICE track down people to deport.
As Trump's mass deportations worsen, Amazon is investing another $50 BILLION in expanding its AI and cloud computing services for the administration.
This holiday season, consider shopping elsewhere.
As Trump's mass deportations worsen, Amazon is investing another $50 BILLION in expanding its AI and cloud computing services for the administration.
This holiday season, consider shopping elsewhere.
Reposted by Mara
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Mara
This man may be the most racist president this country has ever had, and twelve presidents owned slaves
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 3, 2025 at 10:29 PM
This man may be the most racist president this country has ever had, and twelve presidents owned slaves
Reposted by Mara
If the FDA has proof that vaccines killed children, it needs to release that evidence immediately.
So, let's play make-believe and pretend that Prasad has rock solid proof the vaccine killed 10 kids.
He is now sitting on it, refusing to give doctors on the ground the information they need to inform their patients.
The opposite of radical transparency.
endpoints.news/fda-says-it-...
He is now sitting on it, refusing to give doctors on the ground the information they need to inform their patients.
The opposite of radical transparency.
endpoints.news/fda-says-it-...
FDA says it won't release details of claimed Covid vaccine deaths in 'near term'
Details from an investigation by CBER Director Vinay Prasad into 10 alleged child deaths related to Covid-19 vaccines won't be coming soon, an FDA spokesperson told Endpoints News on Wednesday.
endpoints.news
December 3, 2025 at 8:23 PM
If the FDA has proof that vaccines killed children, it needs to release that evidence immediately.
Reposted by Mara
ICYMI: A Wisconsin Supreme Court justice used a fake quote and citation in a high-profile dissent. She completely turned SCOTUS' 2023 gerrymandering ruling (out of North Carolina) on its head. #AI
Nestled within this bizarre story is the important news that the Wisconsin Supreme Court has taken the first steps toward striking down its state’s GOP congressional gerrymander, a move that could net Democrats 2-3 more seats in the House of Representatives. slate.com/news-and-pol...
Conservative Justice Uses Fake Quote to Justify Wisconsin Republican Gerrymander
It is not clear how Ziegler’s misquotation wound up in the published opinion of a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice.
slate.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:07 PM
ICYMI: A Wisconsin Supreme Court justice used a fake quote and citation in a high-profile dissent. She completely turned SCOTUS' 2023 gerrymandering ruling (out of North Carolina) on its head. #AI
Reposted by Mara
There was a 13 point swing last night in TN-07.
If we see a 13 point swing in South Carolina in Nov 2026 Lindsey Graham will be retired and I will be the first ever pediatrician Senator.
If we see a 13 point swing in South Carolina in Nov 2026 Lindsey Graham will be retired and I will be the first ever pediatrician Senator.
December 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
There was a 13 point swing last night in TN-07.
If we see a 13 point swing in South Carolina in Nov 2026 Lindsey Graham will be retired and I will be the first ever pediatrician Senator.
If we see a 13 point swing in South Carolina in Nov 2026 Lindsey Graham will be retired and I will be the first ever pediatrician Senator.
Reposted by Mara
My takeaway from last night is that Republicans are in deep trouble next year but even a D+10-12 political environment in 2026 feels pretty underwhelming all things considered.
They’re looting the country and have Gestapo agents kidnapping people and states like Iowa still probably won’t flip.
They’re looting the country and have Gestapo agents kidnapping people and states like Iowa still probably won’t flip.
December 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
My takeaway from last night is that Republicans are in deep trouble next year but even a D+10-12 political environment in 2026 feels pretty underwhelming all things considered.
They’re looting the country and have Gestapo agents kidnapping people and states like Iowa still probably won’t flip.
They’re looting the country and have Gestapo agents kidnapping people and states like Iowa still probably won’t flip.
Reposted by Mara
Wow.
"It gives me no pleasure to say what I’m about to say because I worked with Pete Hegseth for seven or eight years at Fox News. This is an act of a war crime .... There’s absolutely no legal basis for it.”
- Newsmax's Judge Napolitano
"It gives me no pleasure to say what I’m about to say because I worked with Pete Hegseth for seven or eight years at Fox News. This is an act of a war crime .... There’s absolutely no legal basis for it.”
- Newsmax's Judge Napolitano
Woah. Newsmax’s legal analyst just said Pete Hegseth and everyone involved in the illegal boat strike should be “prosecuted for a war crime.”
They’ve even lost Newsmax on this one.
They’ve even lost Newsmax on this one.
December 3, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Wow.
"It gives me no pleasure to say what I’m about to say because I worked with Pete Hegseth for seven or eight years at Fox News. This is an act of a war crime .... There’s absolutely no legal basis for it.”
- Newsmax's Judge Napolitano
"It gives me no pleasure to say what I’m about to say because I worked with Pete Hegseth for seven or eight years at Fox News. This is an act of a war crime .... There’s absolutely no legal basis for it.”
- Newsmax's Judge Napolitano
Reposted by Mara
2026 is going to be a *great* year to run for office. @runforsomething.net will help you. Filing deadlines are coming up fast - it's just barely not too late to get started. runforwhat.net
Where Can I Run by Run for Something
Take the next step: Look up offices you can run for
runforwhat.net
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
2026 is going to be a *great* year to run for office. @runforsomething.net will help you. Filing deadlines are coming up fast - it's just barely not too late to get started. runforwhat.net
Reposted by Mara
If you're a Tennessee Republican looking at these results in #TN07, you gotta be scared for #TN05 next year.
Republican incumbent who's not really raising any money, Democratic opponent who's raised nearly $1 million already, AND it's a district that's 10% bluer than TN-07.
Republican incumbent who's not really raising any money, Democratic opponent who's raised nearly $1 million already, AND it's a district that's 10% bluer than TN-07.
December 3, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Reposted by Mara
TWO THINGS
1 - "Hundreds of thousands of lives saved"?
There are about 72,000 total deaths from all opioids annually - an awful tragedy, but not one averted by blasting small boats in the Caribbean.
2 - Fentanyl does NOT come from Venezuela by boat or any other way.
1 - "Hundreds of thousands of lives saved"?
There are about 72,000 total deaths from all opioids annually - an awful tragedy, but not one averted by blasting small boats in the Caribbean.
2 - Fentanyl does NOT come from Venezuela by boat or any other way.
Trump: "Pete didn't know about the second attack having to do with two people. I guess Pete would have to speak to it. I can say this. I want those boats taken out. And if we have to, we'll attack on land also."
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 PM
TWO THINGS
1 - "Hundreds of thousands of lives saved"?
There are about 72,000 total deaths from all opioids annually - an awful tragedy, but not one averted by blasting small boats in the Caribbean.
2 - Fentanyl does NOT come from Venezuela by boat or any other way.
1 - "Hundreds of thousands of lives saved"?
There are about 72,000 total deaths from all opioids annually - an awful tragedy, but not one averted by blasting small boats in the Caribbean.
2 - Fentanyl does NOT come from Venezuela by boat or any other way.