Bill Patrick
@ponderosatree.bsky.social
Dad, husband, fan of democracy & proud American.
Sound advice from Dave Troy. Standing together to reject this antidemocratic assault by the “Dark Enlightenment” of greed and ignorance is the best macro strategy, described here, and perhaps the best micro strategy too, as the same challenge presents itself more locally.
📄 NEW: American and European democracy share common fates, and Europe must take the lead now in pushing back against corporatist assaults if democracy is to survive on either continent.
america2.news/we-must-stan...
america2.news/we-must-stan...
We Must Stand Together: America and Europe Share a Common Fate
The transatlantic alliance between the United States and Europe is under full-on assault. But we must not abandon it, writes A2 Editor David Troy.
america2.news
December 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Sound advice from Dave Troy. Standing together to reject this antidemocratic assault by the “Dark Enlightenment” of greed and ignorance is the best macro strategy, described here, and perhaps the best micro strategy too, as the same challenge presents itself more locally.
Reposted by Bill Patrick
The court's Republican-appointed justices appear ready to eliminate most pockets of expertise and nonpartisanship on which the country relies as stewards of important economic, political, scientific, and regulatory power.
SCOTUS's GOP justices are about to hand Trump way more power
The court's right-wing bloc sounds ready to axe independent federal agencies—and the precedents that guard them.
www.motherjones.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The court's Republican-appointed justices appear ready to eliminate most pockets of expertise and nonpartisanship on which the country relies as stewards of important economic, political, scientific, and regulatory power.
Trump admin officials banking on pardons if their decisions prove illegal, should consider the heavy odds that Trump will retire before his term is up, likely not long after the midterms, and Vance will have strong incentives to look like a reformer and be uninterested in handing out pardons. (FYI)
December 2, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Trump admin officials banking on pardons if their decisions prove illegal, should consider the heavy odds that Trump will retire before his term is up, likely not long after the midterms, and Vance will have strong incentives to look like a reformer and be uninterested in handing out pardons. (FYI)
Great article from Nichols shining a light for the reactionary right in power today, and those of us hoping they open their eyes, to see their nihilism.
(The negative analogies to childhood, which hopefully work as intended on the disaffected mind, could be replaced because kids are wonderful.)
(The negative analogies to childhood, which hopefully work as intended on the disaffected mind, could be replaced because kids are wonderful.)
Trump’s voters have become like the members of the administration, delighting in the crassness and obscenity that pours out of the president and his circle whenever they are challenged. But policies suffer and the public is poorly served.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
A Confederacy of Toddlers
The Trump administration is a regime of troubled children.
www.theatlantic.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Great article from Nichols shining a light for the reactionary right in power today, and those of us hoping they open their eyes, to see their nihilism.
(The negative analogies to childhood, which hopefully work as intended on the disaffected mind, could be replaced because kids are wonderful.)
(The negative analogies to childhood, which hopefully work as intended on the disaffected mind, could be replaced because kids are wonderful.)
Important thread from @jennycohn.bsky.social on a Harvard student journal pushing far right anti-democracy Christian nationalism and, surprise, surprise, associated with Thiel and Andreessen.
👀 The right wing Harvard Salient published an article stating “Germany belongs to the Germans, France to the French, Britain to the British, America to the Americans” & calling 4 values based on “‘blood, soil, language, & love of one’s own.’” Their alumni board suspended them but they won’t obey 1/
October 29, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Important thread from @jennycohn.bsky.social on a Harvard student journal pushing far right anti-democracy Christian nationalism and, surprise, surprise, associated with Thiel and Andreessen.
Reposted by Bill Patrick
Here’s the original clip of Ronald Reagan from April 25, 1987, where he delivered a complete and total rebuke against tariffs. Trump's calling Reagan’s words here “FAKE” and “fraudulent.” They’re 100% real. And the original clip is actually far worse for Trump, as much is left out of the ad:
October 24, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Here’s the original clip of Ronald Reagan from April 25, 1987, where he delivered a complete and total rebuke against tariffs. Trump's calling Reagan’s words here “FAKE” and “fraudulent.” They’re 100% real. And the original clip is actually far worse for Trump, as much is left out of the ad:
Reposted by Bill Patrick
The spike in health insurance rates will affect not just working Americans, but our entire economy. We have to act now to lower costs.
October 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The spike in health insurance rates will affect not just working Americans, but our entire economy. We have to act now to lower costs.
Important article for progressives who want to win the midterms.
"The Dems pragmatic wing has been pleading to broaden the tent, ideally before the Trump administration stamps out all opposition. Party progressives seem determined to reeducate the public rather than compromise for their votes."
- @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
- @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Democrats Still Have No Idea What Went Wrong
The party’s progressives seem to think the problem is not with their platform but with voters.
www.theatlantic.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Important article for progressives who want to win the midterms.
For those who need clear historical context about what the f this is we’re up against. TLDR: defend democracy, vote, please don’t feel too defeated, you’re not alone and we can overcome this.
www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/from...
www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/from...
Fascism? Authoritarianism? Nazi Germany expert assesses Trump’s actions | Opinion
“Trump has not succeeded in establishing a Hitler dictatorship, but he certainly is trying to establish an autocratic regime.” | Opinion
www.idahostatesman.com
October 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
For those who need clear historical context about what the f this is we’re up against. TLDR: defend democracy, vote, please don’t feel too defeated, you’re not alone and we can overcome this.
www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/from...
www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/from...
Gift article, and much needed logical and historical context from @radiofreetom.bsky.social The maniacal leadership from POTUS and Hegseth today was on full display and should get everyone’s attention. As Tom says, “Trump is not okay.”
The generals and admirals at Quantico today should be forgiven if they walked out of the auditorium and wondered: What on earth is wrong with the commander in chief?
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
The Commander in Chief Is Not Okay
Trump put on a disturbing show for America’s generals and admirals.
www.theatlantic.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Gift article, and much needed logical and historical context from @radiofreetom.bsky.social The maniacal leadership from POTUS and Hegseth today was on full display and should get everyone’s attention. As Tom says, “Trump is not okay.”
Reposted by Bill Patrick
The generals and admirals at Quantico today should be forgiven if they walked out of the auditorium and wondered: What on earth is wrong with the commander in chief?
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
The Commander in Chief Is Not Okay
Trump put on a disturbing show for America’s generals and admirals.
www.theatlantic.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The generals and admirals at Quantico today should be forgiven if they walked out of the auditorium and wondered: What on earth is wrong with the commander in chief?
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Bill Patrick
Many posts from the chattering class, following recent events, that somehow it's progressives' job to win over MAGA for success in the midterms. This is not the case. Be nice, have empathy, but ignore MAGA. Reach out to non-voters and support good candidates.
usafacts.org/articles/how...
usafacts.org/articles/how...
How many Americans voted in 2024? | USAFacts
Voter turnout was the third highest since 1980 but declined by 1.5 percentage points since 2020.
usafacts.org
September 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Many posts from the chattering class, following recent events, that somehow it's progressives' job to win over MAGA for success in the midterms. This is not the case. Be nice, have empathy, but ignore MAGA. Reach out to non-voters and support good candidates.
usafacts.org/articles/how...
usafacts.org/articles/how...
Reposted by Bill Patrick
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Let’s be clear about what happened to Jimmy Kimmel
Trump’s most brazen attack on free speech yet.
www.yahoo.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Reposted by Bill Patrick
Russia "amplifies what is already there, feeding existing suspicions and magnifying distrust. Because Americans have grown accustomed to treating online narratives as entertainment, the corrosive effect goes largely unnoticed until the damage is done." www.thebulwark.com/p/putins-bot...
September 17, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Russia "amplifies what is already there, feeding existing suspicions and magnifying distrust. Because Americans have grown accustomed to treating online narratives as entertainment, the corrosive effect goes largely unnoticed until the damage is done." www.thebulwark.com/p/putins-bot...
Reposted by Bill Patrick
Donald Trump has a history of making national tragedies worse. So here's a quick side by side of how one president responds to a national crisis versus how another does.
September 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Donald Trump has a history of making national tragedies worse. So here's a quick side by side of how one president responds to a national crisis versus how another does.
@radiofreetom.bsky.social one last q re VZLA boat. If you wished to provoke VZLA to fire on US drones over their territorial waters, wouldn’t this be how to do it? Was there any meaningful gain from this killing? Thanks
September 11, 2025 at 8:13 PM
@radiofreetom.bsky.social one last q re VZLA boat. If you wished to provoke VZLA to fire on US drones over their territorial waters, wouldn’t this be how to do it? Was there any meaningful gain from this killing? Thanks
@radiofreetom.bsky.social curious if you’ll look at this VZLA small boat strike. Tri & Tbg are so close to V. They claim the boat was ordered to stop, but how and then what? By VHF? Morse code from the Reaper? Reports boat had turned back. Multiple missiles on an open boat? To kill survivors? Oh man
September 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
@radiofreetom.bsky.social curious if you’ll look at this VZLA small boat strike. Tri & Tbg are so close to V. They claim the boat was ordered to stop, but how and then what? By VHF? Morse code from the Reaper? Reports boat had turned back. Multiple missiles on an open boat? To kill survivors? Oh man
Must read from Tom Nichols. Thank you for the excellent overview and the gift article.
President Trump and his administration must provide clarity and follow through regarding this escalation for our own good in all of Europe and world wide.
President Trump and his administration must provide clarity and follow through regarding this escalation for our own good in all of Europe and world wide.
Whether by accident or malice - and likely intentionally - the Russians are risking a wider war in Europe. The only path to reducing such a threat is for the world to force Moscow to call off its campaign of butchery in Ukraine.
Unfortunately, America is AWOL:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Unfortunately, America is AWOL:
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Russia’s Reckless Provocation
Whether by accident or malice, the Russians are risking a wider war in Europe.
www.theatlantic.com
September 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Must read from Tom Nichols. Thank you for the excellent overview and the gift article.
President Trump and his administration must provide clarity and follow through regarding this escalation for our own good in all of Europe and world wide.
President Trump and his administration must provide clarity and follow through regarding this escalation for our own good in all of Europe and world wide.
Reposted by Bill Patrick
“The ‘#Timeout Against Hate’ campaign represents a powerful convergence of sports icons and leaders who are committed to fighting hate in all its forms,” Kraft said.
How about those hateful anti-trans ads the #NFL ran? Rejecting those ads would have been an easy way to fight hate in all its forms.
How about those hateful anti-trans ads the #NFL ran? Rejecting those ads would have been an easy way to fight hate in all its forms.
September 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
“The ‘#Timeout Against Hate’ campaign represents a powerful convergence of sports icons and leaders who are committed to fighting hate in all its forms,” Kraft said.
How about those hateful anti-trans ads the #NFL ran? Rejecting those ads would have been an easy way to fight hate in all its forms.
How about those hateful anti-trans ads the #NFL ran? Rejecting those ads would have been an easy way to fight hate in all its forms.
Reposted by Bill Patrick
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky url: academic.oup.com/icb/article-...
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky
Synopsis. Social media has become widely used by the scientific community for a variety of professional uses, including networking and public outreach. For
academic.oup.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Scientists no Longer Find Twitter Professionally Useful, and have Switched to Bluesky url: academic.oup.com/icb/article-...
This is excellent. An example of applying these ideas is, when talking to MAGA types, empathize with the personal identity crises you will hear. (That doesn’t mean agree, and walk away from abuse, otherwise. . .) After winning, MAGA remain highly agitated, why? They are oft ungrounded reactionaries.
I'm hearing from a lot of people who are feeling hopeless and despondent about the state of America and the world. This piece I wrote back in December is evergreen, and is perhaps more important now than ever. "What to Do When There is Nothing to Be Done"
america2.news/what-to-do-w...
america2.news/what-to-do-w...
What To Do When There Is Nothing To Be Done
Understanding our reality can feel immobilizing, but it doesn't have to be. Here are strategies you can use to fight for the future you want — even when it seems there is nothing you can do.
america2.news
August 29, 2025 at 9:25 PM
This is excellent. An example of applying these ideas is, when talking to MAGA types, empathize with the personal identity crises you will hear. (That doesn’t mean agree, and walk away from abuse, otherwise. . .) After winning, MAGA remain highly agitated, why? They are oft ungrounded reactionaries.
Reposted by Bill Patrick
gun freaks sure love calling schools and churches "soft targets"
August 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
gun freaks sure love calling schools and churches "soft targets"
New reporting from @davetroy.com on the Epstein network. Epstein offered scientists and business scions access to high society and the halls power. And, from previous reporting, he sex trafficked minors. Anyone who knew Epstein needs to explain in full, or they will live under this terrible shadow.
1/EXCLUSIVE: Was Jeffrey Epstein part of Russia's broader war on the West? In our new multi-part investigation into Epstein's influence activities, we examine new evidence that suggests his work in Santa Fe was likely more strategic than previously known.
america2.news/part-one-jus...
america2.news/part-one-jus...
Part One: Just what was Jeffrey Epstein doing in Santa Fe?
Was Jeffrey Epstein part of Russia's broader war on the West? In this multi-part series we examine his obsession with nuclear scientists, eugenics, transhumanism, and influence. What we found will lik...
america2.news
August 28, 2025 at 8:17 PM
New reporting from @davetroy.com on the Epstein network. Epstein offered scientists and business scions access to high society and the halls power. And, from previous reporting, he sex trafficked minors. Anyone who knew Epstein needs to explain in full, or they will live under this terrible shadow.