Pat Morton
@patmorton.bsky.social
Cat lover, compulsive activist, prof @ucr, fascinated by architecture.
Reposted by Pat Morton
Despite having an office of hundreds of attorneys, Ken Paxton is frequently opting for private lawyers — many to whom he has personal or political ties — to argue on behalf of Texas.
One attorney cost taxpayers more than $24,000 for a day’s work.
With @texastribune.org
One attorney cost taxpayers more than $24,000 for a day’s work.
With @texastribune.org
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Is Outsourcing More of His Office’s Work to Costly Private Lawyers
Despite having an office of hundreds of attorneys, Ken Paxton is frequently opting for private lawyers — many to whom he has personal or political ties — to argue on behalf of Texas. One attorney cost...
www.propublica.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Despite having an office of hundreds of attorneys, Ken Paxton is frequently opting for private lawyers — many to whom he has personal or political ties — to argue on behalf of Texas.
One attorney cost taxpayers more than $24,000 for a day’s work.
With @texastribune.org
One attorney cost taxpayers more than $24,000 for a day’s work.
With @texastribune.org
“The embrace of the unitary executive theory by both the president and the court has given us the worst of all worlds: an ultrapowerful presidency without an actual president at the helm.”
Opinion | The White House Is a Lost Cause
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:01 AM
“The embrace of the unitary executive theory by both the president and the court has given us the worst of all worlds: an ultrapowerful presidency without an actual president at the helm.”
Reposted by Pat Morton
Piers Morgan slams his friend Donald Trump over his vile post about Rob Reiner:
“That just crossed every line of basic human decency… This is just unacceptable — when people get murdered, you just show basic respect.”
“That just crossed every line of basic human decency… This is just unacceptable — when people get murdered, you just show basic respect.”
December 16, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Piers Morgan slams his friend Donald Trump over his vile post about Rob Reiner:
“That just crossed every line of basic human decency… This is just unacceptable — when people get murdered, you just show basic respect.”
“That just crossed every line of basic human decency… This is just unacceptable — when people get murdered, you just show basic respect.”
What Parents Can Do When Their Child Is in an Active-Shooter Lockdown
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
What Parents Can Do When Their Child Is in an Active-Shooter Lockdown
This moment will come for too many of us.
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:01 AM
What Parents Can Do When Their Child Is in an Active-Shooter Lockdown
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Trump’s vileness has no limit. Rob Reiner was not the deranged one. #riprobreiner
December 16, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Trump’s vileness has no limit. Rob Reiner was not the deranged one. #riprobreiner
Reposted by Pat Morton
I rode one up to 9000 feet this summer and got to watch it recharge itself as we came back down. I suspect this would have been profitable with more support and less Trump.
December 16, 2025 at 12:25 AM
I rode one up to 9000 feet this summer and got to watch it recharge itself as we came back down. I suspect this would have been profitable with more support and less Trump.
Reposted by Pat Morton
“The end goal was never to conduct a thorough, unbiased investigation,” said one DOJ lawyer. “The end goal was to file a damn complaint — or have something to threaten the university.”
With @chronicle.com
With @chronicle.com
Trump’s DOJ Pressured Lawyers to “Find” Evidence that UCLA Had Illegally Tolerated Antisemitism
An investigation by ProPublica and The Chronicle of Higher Education reveals how the U.S. government ignored due process to gin up its attack on the University of California.
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 4:00 AM
“The end goal was never to conduct a thorough, unbiased investigation,” said one DOJ lawyer. “The end goal was to file a damn complaint — or have something to threaten the university.”
With @chronicle.com
With @chronicle.com
Times Investigation: Ex-Trump DOJ lawyers say ‘fraudulent’ UC antisemitism probes led them to quit. UC is under tremendous pressure, and the faculty are fighting back, not leadership.
December 15, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Times Investigation: Ex-Trump DOJ lawyers say ‘fraudulent’ UC antisemitism probes led them to quit. UC is under tremendous pressure, and the faculty are fighting back, not leadership.
Reposted by Pat Morton
In January, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services will roll out a pilot program that will use AI to review Medicare patients' requests for care.
Insurers will get rewarded when they deny care.
What could go wrong?
Insurers will get rewarded when they deny care.
What could go wrong?
December 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
In January, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services will roll out a pilot program that will use AI to review Medicare patients' requests for care.
Insurers will get rewarded when they deny care.
What could go wrong?
Insurers will get rewarded when they deny care.
What could go wrong?
Reposted by Pat Morton
"Trump’s projects have always involved extraction of the maximum tax credits and zoning bonuses from the city and the construction of the cheapest product possible (without sacrificing the glitz), and the delivery of the absolute minimum in whatever public goods might have been part of the deal."
As Trump (the president) forges ahead with his ballroom vanity project, Trump (the developer) is on full display.
From our archive: Belmont Freeman, writing in 2016, on Trump's demolition of the Bonwit Teller building, and his propensity to deceive + destroy — both as businessman and politician.
From our archive: Belmont Freeman, writing in 2016, on Trump's demolition of the Bonwit Teller building, and his propensity to deceive + destroy — both as businessman and politician.
Donald Trump cheapened the real estate business. Now he's polluting the political landscape. Detoxification will be arduous.
Those who knew Donald Trump during his years as a developer in New York are not surprised by his disturbing behavior as a presidential candidate.
placesjournal.org
December 10, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"Trump’s projects have always involved extraction of the maximum tax credits and zoning bonuses from the city and the construction of the cheapest product possible (without sacrificing the glitz), and the delivery of the absolute minimum in whatever public goods might have been part of the deal."
Reposted by Pat Morton
Israel’s military raided the UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem today, stealing items like furniture and replacing the UN flag with the Israeli flag.
The building has not been used since the beginning of the year, when Israel banned UNRWA.
The building has not been used since the beginning of the year, when Israel banned UNRWA.
Condemnation as Israel raids UNRWA HQ in East Jerusalem, removes UN flag
The agency's commissioner-general condemns raid as a direct violation of international law.
ow.ly
December 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Israel’s military raided the UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem today, stealing items like furniture and replacing the UN flag with the Israeli flag.
The building has not been used since the beginning of the year, when Israel banned UNRWA.
The building has not been used since the beginning of the year, when Israel banned UNRWA.
Reposted by Pat Morton
California asked the Trump Administration back in February to request relief from Congress for the Los Angeles fires.
Nearly 11 months later, Trump has failed to send Congress that request — and his FEMA won't even schedule a meeting to discuss it.
Nearly 11 months later, Trump has failed to send Congress that request — and his FEMA won't even schedule a meeting to discuss it.
December 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
California asked the Trump Administration back in February to request relief from Congress for the Los Angeles fires.
Nearly 11 months later, Trump has failed to send Congress that request — and his FEMA won't even schedule a meeting to discuss it.
Nearly 11 months later, Trump has failed to send Congress that request — and his FEMA won't even schedule a meeting to discuss it.
Reposted by Pat Morton
Professors have launched a Political Action Committee!
We are going to fight for the legislation that all faculty, students, staff, and higher ed workers deserve.
A new future for higher education is possible. Join us in the fight!
We are going to fight for the legislation that all faculty, students, staff, and higher ed workers deserve.
A new future for higher education is possible. Join us in the fight!
That’s right and we are gonna fight for free public higher ed, and end to student debt, an end to contingent and a new compact that prioritizes academic freedom, freedom of speech, shared governance and the right to assembly & protest on campus! JOIN US!
@aaup.org
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...
@aaup.org
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-go...
Professors Launch PAC to Fight Back Against Trump’s Attacks
The American Association of University Professors, a union whose members are fighting policies from the Trump administration and GOP Congress, launched a PAC this week to spend in federal elections.
news.bgov.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Professors have launched a Political Action Committee!
We are going to fight for the legislation that all faculty, students, staff, and higher ed workers deserve.
A new future for higher education is possible. Join us in the fight!
We are going to fight for the legislation that all faculty, students, staff, and higher ed workers deserve.
A new future for higher education is possible. Join us in the fight!
Reposted by Pat Morton
SCOOP: The United States Tennis Association (USTA) quietly updated its player eligibility policy to ban trans women from competing as women in their leagues, tournaments and competitions in order to comply with Trump's anti-trans sports executive order. The policy went into effect on Monday.
USTA bans trans athletes from competing as women to comply with Trump executive order
The national tennis governing body's policy change was made with no announcement.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 4, 2025 at 12:32 AM
SCOOP: The United States Tennis Association (USTA) quietly updated its player eligibility policy to ban trans women from competing as women in their leagues, tournaments and competitions in order to comply with Trump's anti-trans sports executive order. The policy went into effect on Monday.
Reposted by Pat Morton
Spotify needs to remove the ICE recruitment ads. If you hear one, make sure to give it a thumbs down.
December 4, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Spotify needs to remove the ICE recruitment ads. If you hear one, make sure to give it a thumbs down.
Reposted by Pat Morton
hey @nytimes.com i had the scoop on this story hours ago. add a reference in your story to my name and outlet. thanks.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
Trump Renames Institute of Peace for Himself
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:09 AM
hey @nytimes.com i had the scoop on this story hours ago. add a reference in your story to my name and outlet. thanks.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/u...
Reposted by Pat Morton
I swear maybe once a decade in public, and this is the moment. This fucking racist and all the gibbering racists nodding along behind him are the ruination of our country. Our fucking job for the next fucking year is to fucking destroy them in the next election. Fuck them.
Trump, continued: "What the Somalian people have done to Minnesota is not even believable. It’s not even believable. And a lot of it starts with the governor. A lot of it starts with Barack HUSSEIN Obama, because that’s when people started coming in... They want to kiss our country good night."
December 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I swear maybe once a decade in public, and this is the moment. This fucking racist and all the gibbering racists nodding along behind him are the ruination of our country. Our fucking job for the next fucking year is to fucking destroy them in the next election. Fuck them.
Reposted by Pat Morton
In 48 other states, new moms have access to Medicaid for up to one year after they give birth. Not in Wisconsin.
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
He Vowed to “Protect the Unborn.” Now He’s Blocking a Bill to Expand Medicaid for Wisconsin’s New Moms.
Splitting with anti-abortion members of his own party, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has refused to join 48 other states in ensuring that vulnerable women have access to potentially lifesaving ...
www.propublica.org
December 2, 2025 at 2:35 AM
In 48 other states, new moms have access to Medicaid for up to one year after they give birth. Not in Wisconsin.
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
There, the limit remains two months. And it’s only because of one man: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
By @megomatz.bsky.social
Reposted by Pat Morton
Pastor Jorge Bautista was telling a Border Patrol agent "we come in peace" when the agent fired toxic powder at him, leaving him struggling to breathe.
“No one should be assaulted for being out there protesting,” he says.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social
“No one should be assaulted for being out there protesting,” he says.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...
www.propublica.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Pastor Jorge Bautista was telling a Border Patrol agent "we come in peace" when the agent fired toxic powder at him, leaving him struggling to breathe.
“No one should be assaulted for being out there protesting,” he says.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social
“No one should be assaulted for being out there protesting,” he says.
With @frontlinepbs.bsky.social
Reposted by Pat Morton
i like that this administration is committed to inflicting as much pain on as many americans as possible.
The U.S. Transportation Department is threatening to shut down thousands of truck driving schools, part of the Trump administration's widening crackdown on industry.
Thousands of U.S. trucking schools could lose accreditation under DOT crackdown
The U.S. Transportation Department is threatening to shut down thousands of truck driving schools, part of the Trump administration's widening crackdown on industry.
n.pr
December 2, 2025 at 4:21 AM
i like that this administration is committed to inflicting as much pain on as many americans as possible.
Reposted by Pat Morton
At least 631 people have died in floods in the Southeast Asian country, with the death toll expected to rise.
‘I decided I’d die’: Indonesia’s flood victims recount stories of survival
At least 631 people have died in floods in the Southeast Asian country, with the death toll expected to rise.
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
At least 631 people have died in floods in the Southeast Asian country, with the death toll expected to rise.
Reposted by Pat Morton
The targeted termination of skilled, experienced immigration judges across the nation is lawless scandal. Their replacement with “deportation judges” is nothing short of an outrageous disregard for democracy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/n...
Trump Administration Fires 8 Immigration Judges in New York
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:27 AM
The targeted termination of skilled, experienced immigration judges across the nation is lawless scandal. Their replacement with “deportation judges” is nothing short of an outrageous disregard for democracy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/n...
Reposted by Pat Morton
All Trump and his cronies know how to do is steal then lie about it.
December 1, 2025 at 1:19 AM
All Trump and his cronies know how to do is steal then lie about it.
Reposted by Pat Morton
Earlier this year, we documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
“We’ll Smash the Fucking Window Out and Drag Him Out”
We’ve documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office. ICE claims its officers use a “mini...
projects.propublica.org
December 1, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Earlier this year, we documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
ICE claims its officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
Reposted by Pat Morton
The Hong Kong police said they had arrested three construction officials on suspicion of manslaughter, a day after a fire engulfed several high-rise towers, killing at least 44 people and leaving more than 270 missing.
Follow live updates. nyti.ms/3XlkvdB
Follow live updates. nyti.ms/3XlkvdB
Hong Kong Fire Live Updates: 3 Arrested in Apartment Blaze That Killed at Least 44
The exact cause of the blaze at a high-rise complex was not known, but the authorities suspect that materials on the exterior of the towers did not meet fire-safety standards.
nyti.ms
November 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The Hong Kong police said they had arrested three construction officials on suspicion of manslaughter, a day after a fire engulfed several high-rise towers, killing at least 44 people and leaving more than 270 missing.
Follow live updates. nyti.ms/3XlkvdB
Follow live updates. nyti.ms/3XlkvdB