Michael Mechanic
@michaelmechanic.bsky.social
Mother Jones editor; author of "Jackpot," an "entertaining and eviscerating" (Jane Mayer) book on America's wealth insanity (readjackpot.com); piano player turned punk rock drummer turned old-time fiddler; dad of Gen Zers; gardener; curmudgeon about town.
Pinned
It's a good day when your book shows up on a senator's desk. You can get your own copy via ReadJackpot.com/order
My neighbor was at Albany Bulb in the East Bay and met a photographer named Charlie who had captured this amazing shot there. If you know him, send me his last name to credit.
November 28, 2025 at 10:47 PM
My neighbor was at Albany Bulb in the East Bay and met a photographer named Charlie who had captured this amazing shot there. If you know him, send me his last name to credit.
It is wrong to punish an entire community for the actions of one person. The only thing that might have prevented this is not putting National Guard troops where they shouldn't be. And now the administration is doubling down on its bad decision.
This dude was vetted six ways from Sunday. Can’t say he wasn’t vetted enough. Vetted by multiple administrations.
November 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
It is wrong to punish an entire community for the actions of one person. The only thing that might have prevented this is not putting National Guard troops where they shouldn't be. And now the administration is doubling down on its bad decision.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
Maybe the admin should reverse its decision to de-prioritize counter terrorism in favor of deportations
November 27, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Maybe the admin should reverse its decision to de-prioritize counter terrorism in favor of deportations
Precisely the wrong move.
Trump Orders 500 More National Guard Members to D.C. After Shooting
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Precisely the wrong move.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
Since *apparently* we live in a world where this is fucking topical:
You can indeed disobey illegal orders in the military. In fact, I was trained to do exactly that. It is mandatory.
To my understanding, the US's laws around this are based in their constitution, so the version I learned was-
You can indeed disobey illegal orders in the military. In fact, I was trained to do exactly that. It is mandatory.
To my understanding, the US's laws around this are based in their constitution, so the version I learned was-
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Since *apparently* we live in a world where this is fucking topical:
You can indeed disobey illegal orders in the military. In fact, I was trained to do exactly that. It is mandatory.
To my understanding, the US's laws around this are based in their constitution, so the version I learned was-
You can indeed disobey illegal orders in the military. In fact, I was trained to do exactly that. It is mandatory.
To my understanding, the US's laws around this are based in their constitution, so the version I learned was-
They actually sell pitchforks.
It’s getting real for Home Depot. The flash mob is only the warm up, the nationwide boycott hits on November 27th.
Chant: “Tax the rich tax, the motherf*cking rich.”
Chant: “Tax the rich tax, the motherf*cking rich.”
November 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
They actually sell pitchforks.
The replacement nominee...
November 25, 2025 at 11:06 PM
The replacement nominee...
Speaking of death panels. There are plenty of them at DHS these days.
Unbelievable.
Very few things piss me off more than anti-vax morons killing their children.
Very few things piss me off more than anti-vax morons killing their children.
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Speaking of death panels. There are plenty of them at DHS these days.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
Came across some quality street agitprop today
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Came across some quality street agitprop today
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
What this article describes is, in effect, a judicial coup intended to permanently lock in Republican power and preserve corruption across the three branches and throughout corporate America. It's appalling.
This is all John Roberts’ fault
Trump owes his corrupt and abusive reign to one man.
www.motherjones.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:55 PM
What this article describes is, in effect, a judicial coup intended to permanently lock in Republican power and preserve corruption across the three branches and throughout corporate America. It's appalling.
In other words, a US govt special envoy is working on behalf of a foreign government. Seems actionable.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
In other words, a US govt special envoy is working on behalf of a foreign government. Seems actionable.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
Retired 4-star Army General Barry McCaffrey said the Pentagon's threats to Sen. Mark Kelly are making the U.S. start to look like the government of North Korea.
November 25, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Retired 4-star Army General Barry McCaffrey said the Pentagon's threats to Sen. Mark Kelly are making the U.S. start to look like the government of North Korea.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
The President is struggling to find a turkey convicted of financial crimes that he can pardon.
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The President is struggling to find a turkey convicted of financial crimes that he can pardon.
He should quit DOD and go back to drinking, at which he has far greater skill.
November 25, 2025 at 8:42 PM
He should quit DOD and go back to drinking, at which he has far greater skill.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
when its definitely not a hostage situation
November 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
when its definitely not a hostage situation
Soon after the 2024 election, I argued that runaway wealth inequality in our country, however ironic it seems, is why Trump won. Come November 2026, I predict it's gonna crush him.
Why did Trump really win? It's simple, actually.
When the economy thrives while half of America struggles, something has got to give.
www.motherjones.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Soon after the 2024 election, I argued that runaway wealth inequality in our country, however ironic it seems, is why Trump won. Come November 2026, I predict it's gonna crush him.
I don't see anything in the founding documents that says America shall be a hedge fund.
$10 Billion and Counting: Trump Administration Snaps Up Stakes in Private Firms
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I don't see anything in the founding documents that says America shall be a hedge fund.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
Today, after months of requests, I toured the Broadview ICE Processing Facility. I want to share what I saw.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Today, after months of requests, I toured the Broadview ICE Processing Facility. I want to share what I saw.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
They are getting coal in their stockings.
November 24, 2025 at 11:34 PM
They are getting coal in their stockings.
Winning isn't the point. They are just deliberately harassing these people, and wasting their time and money, and will go on doing it until someone kicks them into the street, or more fittingly, into Tartarus.
Appealing the dismissal instead of re-indicting is a way to kick the can down the road and avoid a lot of short-term humiliation over the other flaws in the case.
Leavitt: “We believe the attorney in this case, Lindsey Halligan, is not only extremely qualified…but she was in fact legally appointed. And I know the DOJ will be appealing this in very short order.”
November 24, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Winning isn't the point. They are just deliberately harassing these people, and wasting their time and money, and will go on doing it until someone kicks them into the street, or more fittingly, into Tartarus.
Reposted by Michael Mechanic
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Fugazi's "Suggestion" is perhaps the best feminist anthem ever written by a man. And it's a song everyone mentioned in Epstein's emails, especially Trump, should be forced to listen to on repeat.
Suggestion
YouTube video by Fugazi - Topic
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Fugazi's "Suggestion" is perhaps the best feminist anthem ever written by a man. And it's a song everyone mentioned in Epstein's emails, especially Trump, should be forced to listen to on repeat.
One tragedy of our culture is that the many people who have no interest in hoarding excessive resources and doing selfish things have to waste so much of their time and energy playing defense against the ones who do.
November 23, 2025 at 6:25 PM
One tragedy of our culture is that the many people who have no interest in hoarding excessive resources and doing selfish things have to waste so much of their time and energy playing defense against the ones who do.
So, the Russian dude whom Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff, Trump's crypto business partner, met with in Miami to hammer out this "peace" proposal is head of Moscow's sovereign wealth fund. It sure leaves one to wonder whether Trump's true agenda was his long-coveted Trump Tower Moscow.
November 23, 2025 at 6:19 PM
So, the Russian dude whom Marco Rubio, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff, Trump's crypto business partner, met with in Miami to hammer out this "peace" proposal is head of Moscow's sovereign wealth fund. It sure leaves one to wonder whether Trump's true agenda was his long-coveted Trump Tower Moscow.