Sam G. Howard
@samghoward.riliberator.com
Rhode Islander, education union data organizer and Democratic ward committee member. Recovering comms pro, RI's leading vexillologist (probably). Occasionally blogs at riliberator.com
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
i want to underline how significant i think it is that people are starting to leak already. that’s a sign, imo, that people are shifting into ass-covering mode, hoping that if they’re among the first to blow the whistle, however belatedly, they’ll get more lenient treatment.
people are starting to leak. republicans who are either planning to retire or don’t have to face voters again until after trump’s term is over are starting to talk about trump in public the way they’ve spent the last decade talking about him in private. 2006 vibes increasing.
November 29, 2025 at 4:54 PM
i want to underline how significant i think it is that people are starting to leak already. that’s a sign, imo, that people are shifting into ass-covering mode, hoping that if they’re among the first to blow the whistle, however belatedly, they’ll get more lenient treatment.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
Man Who Thought Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ Was Over In For Thrill Of His Fucking Life
Man Who Thought Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ Was Over In For Thrill Of His Fucking Life
BOSTON—Prematurely assuming he had reached the end of the 1977 rock masterpiece, local man Peter Verran, who thought Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” was over, was reportedly in for the thrill of his fucki...
theonion.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Man Who Thought Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ Was Over In For Thrill Of His Fucking Life
The capitulations will continue until approval improves.
BREAKING: Northwestern University has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $75 million, over the course of three years as part of an agreement with the federal government to restore funding and end investigations into the university
Full statement from NU below:
Full statement from NU below:
November 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The capitulations will continue until approval improves.
Repasokification
Greece, Opinion Poll poll:
ND-EPP: 30%
PASOK - KINAL-S&D: 14%
EL-ECR: 11%
PE-NI: 9% (-2)
KKE-NI: 8%
FL-PfE: 4% (-1)
SYRIZA-LEFT: 4% (-1)
MeRA25~LEFT: 3%
KD-RE: 3%
Niki-NI: 2%
...
+/- vs. 07-10 October 2025
Fieldwork: 10-11 November 2025
Sample size: 1,066
➤ europeelects.eu/greece
ND-EPP: 30%
PASOK - KINAL-S&D: 14%
EL-ECR: 11%
PE-NI: 9% (-2)
KKE-NI: 8%
FL-PfE: 4% (-1)
SYRIZA-LEFT: 4% (-1)
MeRA25~LEFT: 3%
KD-RE: 3%
Niki-NI: 2%
...
+/- vs. 07-10 October 2025
Fieldwork: 10-11 November 2025
Sample size: 1,066
➤ europeelects.eu/greece
November 29, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Repasokification
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
As a parent of small children, I wish everyone responsible for bringing back measles and whooping cough a very
time travel accident that strands them in the black death
time travel accident that strands them in the black death
Big change: FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements under RFK Jr ally
Vinay Prasad signaled changes to annual flu shots, concurrent vaccines + more
Prasad said his team found link between covid-19 shots and kids' deaths, necessitating a new approach overall
with @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Vinay Prasad signaled changes to annual flu shots, concurrent vaccines + more
Prasad said his team found link between covid-19 shots and kids' deaths, necessitating a new approach overall
with @rachelroubein.bsky.social
FDA to impose strict new vaccine requirements, claiming child covid shot deaths
Vinay Prasad, the nation’s top vaccine regulator, said his team concluded that coronavirus shots were linked to children’s deaths, necessitating a new approach.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
As a parent of small children, I wish everyone responsible for bringing back measles and whooping cough a very
time travel accident that strands them in the black death
time travel accident that strands them in the black death
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
these rules of engagement also endanger our troops: if we tell the rest of the world that our armed forces operate under "no quarter" orders, then every US service member is at risk of being treated the "American" way instead of by the book
November 29, 2025 at 2:59 AM
these rules of engagement also endanger our troops: if we tell the rest of the world that our armed forces operate under "no quarter" orders, then every US service member is at risk of being treated the "American" way instead of by the book
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
Official data is in this week, and US solar continues to grow rapidly, with generation up 30% compared to last year!
November 29, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Official data is in this week, and US solar continues to grow rapidly, with generation up 30% compared to last year!
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
This would be an unambiguous war crime even in a proper war against a real enemy’s navy.
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
This would be an unambiguous war crime even in a proper war against a real enemy’s navy.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
Trump fighting with his architect about wanting to build a ballroom bigger than the actual White House feels very on brand
wapo.st/4rqrqA2
wapo.st/4rqrqA2
November 28, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Trump fighting with his architect about wanting to build a ballroom bigger than the actual White House feels very on brand
wapo.st/4rqrqA2
wapo.st/4rqrqA2
In all the local Rhode Island coverage of this case, I don’t think I’d ever seen anything about the Utah prosecutor at the heart of it being accused by Alahverdian (under the name “Rossi”) of engaging in satanic rituals. But I read about it just now in @swordsjew.bsky.social’s “Wild Faith”
Report: U.S. prosecutor who pursued Alahverdian bought Scottish castle
The former Utah prosecutor bought a castle in the same country where Nicholas Alahverdian was captured.
www.wpri.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
In all the local Rhode Island coverage of this case, I don’t think I’d ever seen anything about the Utah prosecutor at the heart of it being accused by Alahverdian (under the name “Rossi”) of engaging in satanic rituals. But I read about it just now in @swordsjew.bsky.social’s “Wild Faith”
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
look, I’ve been operating on the assumption that we cannot reach Bush 2 numbers because the media environment makes the floor much higher than it was back then (and Fox won’t throw him overboard the same way)
but, uh, we aren’t through year one and…
but, uh, we aren’t through year one and…
Gallup poll | 11/3-11/25
President Trump approval
Disapprove 60% (+6)
Approve 36% (-5)
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
President Trump approval
Disapprove 60% (+6)
Approve 36% (-5)
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
November 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
look, I’ve been operating on the assumption that we cannot reach Bush 2 numbers because the media environment makes the floor much higher than it was back then (and Fox won’t throw him overboard the same way)
but, uh, we aren’t through year one and…
but, uh, we aren’t through year one and…
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
Incredibly funny how much political discussion is driven by the four things at the bottom while everyone else is getting cooked on Facebook looking at pictures of AI Eminem opening nursing homes for crying veterans
November 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Incredibly funny how much political discussion is driven by the four things at the bottom while everyone else is getting cooked on Facebook looking at pictures of AI Eminem opening nursing homes for crying veterans
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
I don’t think this is a “politicians have got dumber” issue for the most part. If you look at the *actual CVs* of previous cohorts of MPs, their background is not radically different when you account for, you know, the fact the economy is different! It is primarily a media and ecosystem issue.
We have got to make politics intellectual again. It is the only way that societies thrive is when politicians have the capability to actually think and reflect deeply:
![I confess that I always had difficulty with interpreting the Biblical precept to love our neighbours “as ourselves” until I read some of the words of C.S. Lewis. He pointed out that we don't exactly love ourselves when we fall below the standards and beliefs we have accepted. Indeed we might even hate ourselves for some unworthy deed.
None of this, of course, tells us exactly what kind of political and social institutions we should have. On this point, Christians will very often genuinely disagree, though it is a mark of Christian manners that they will do so with courtesy and mutual respect. [Applause] What is certain, however, is that any set of social and economic arrangements which is not founded on the acceptance of individual responsibility will do nothing but harm.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xbnsfdtxoothg654ujxe3p25/bafkreicrdgbtvm54qnmttwe6crhxwt4be5v3izjmqtnvlxmaljwg5wolai@jpeg)
November 28, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I don’t think this is a “politicians have got dumber” issue for the most part. If you look at the *actual CVs* of previous cohorts of MPs, their background is not radically different when you account for, you know, the fact the economy is different! It is primarily a media and ecosystem issue.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
UK migration politics now comes down to each government generating its own intractable labour shortage
Foreign doctors trained by the NHS face deportation under visa rules
Foreign doctors trained by the NHS face deportation under visa rules
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
UK migration politics now comes down to each government generating its own intractable labour shortage
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
🧵 The second arms and flag in my trilobite series belong to the municipality of Čelechovice na Hané. The name itself suggests its location in the fertile ethno-geographical region of Hanakia (Haná), sometimes referred to as the breadbasket of Czechia.
November 27, 2025 at 4:38 PM
🧵 The second arms and flag in my trilobite series belong to the municipality of Čelechovice na Hané. The name itself suggests its location in the fertile ethno-geographical region of Hanakia (Haná), sometimes referred to as the breadbasket of Czechia.
Watched “His Girl Friday” last night, and while it’s obviously not supposed to take place anywhere specific, I don’t understand how anyone can claim it’s actually set in Chicago or New York City, given that those cities are explicitly referred to as being elsewhere.
November 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Watched “His Girl Friday” last night, and while it’s obviously not supposed to take place anywhere specific, I don’t understand how anyone can claim it’s actually set in Chicago or New York City, given that those cities are explicitly referred to as being elsewhere.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 PM
People will die, and are currently dying, because RFK was granted one of the most powerful megaphones in the country. Two people who could have thrown barriers in front of his climb decided not to; there's a sex scandal here but it is not the biggest scandal.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
BREAKING: Several people shot near the White House in Washington, DC, including at least one National Guardsman https://cnn.it/48jPTy2
November 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
BREAKING: Several people shot near the White House in Washington, DC, including at least one National Guardsman https://cnn.it/48jPTy2
It still just kind of blows my mind that there are like two dozen mill villages in RI that used to just routinely change their name whenever the company that owned of the mill changed, until the last mill owner was immortalized when that practice stopped.
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM
It still just kind of blows my mind that there are like two dozen mill villages in RI that used to just routinely change their name whenever the company that owned of the mill changed, until the last mill owner was immortalized when that practice stopped.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
The people who do this, who conceived of it, who demand it, are real life monsters.
“I had to take the baby from my crying wife’s arms.“ It hasn’t even been a year, and this is not a scandal anymore? What is wrong with us?
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The people who do this, who conceived of it, who demand it, are real life monsters.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
I wonder if there was a bill that Congress voted on in 2021-2022 that would have banned gerrymandering in every state.
Or another one in 2019.
Or a landmark Supreme Court case seeking to end it in 2019.
Now to find out how every Republican voted on each of tho—oh, they were unanimously opposed
Or another one in 2019.
Or a landmark Supreme Court case seeking to end it in 2019.
Now to find out how every Republican voted on each of tho—oh, they were unanimously opposed
California Republican suddenly supporting a national partisan gerrymandering ban. IT’S GAME THEORY BABY THINK OF THE STRATEGERY, WE PLAYING DEFECT-DEFECT NOT DEFECT-COOPERATE, IT’S TIT FOR TAT, CONSIDER THE INCENTIVES
November 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
I wonder if there was a bill that Congress voted on in 2021-2022 that would have banned gerrymandering in every state.
Or another one in 2019.
Or a landmark Supreme Court case seeking to end it in 2019.
Now to find out how every Republican voted on each of tho—oh, they were unanimously opposed
Or another one in 2019.
Or a landmark Supreme Court case seeking to end it in 2019.
Now to find out how every Republican voted on each of tho—oh, they were unanimously opposed
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
this might be the saddest story I've ever written, about a seal that I will be thinking about for a long, long time.
defector.com/why-wont-nor...
defector.com/why-wont-nor...
Why Won’t Nora The Leopard Seal Abandon Her Dead Pups? | Defector
In the fall of 2021, Renato Borras-Chavez, a marine mammal ecologist at the University of Rhode Island, spotted a leopard seal on an ice floe. Borras-Chavez was on a research expedition to a glacial f...
defector.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
this might be the saddest story I've ever written, about a seal that I will be thinking about for a long, long time.
defector.com/why-wont-nor...
defector.com/why-wont-nor...
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
November 23, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A friend who teaches theology shared with me a post about CS Lewis's Mere Christianity, which discusses foundational Christian logic across denominations. It reminded me of Dale's tweet below, and I wanted to share some thoughts here regarding modesty and respectability, which are often hot topics.
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
By the way, note that the description of Biden as being "in obvious mental decline" was left in the speech, while the description of Trump as the "most openly corrupt president in American history" was removed:
Note that the BBC openly admits in an email to me that the removal of this claim about Trump's world-historical corruption was done "on legal advice."
Translation: Trump's threat of a lawsuit, no matter how bogus, has now been rewarded.
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Translation: Trump's threat of a lawsuit, no matter how bogus, has now been rewarded.
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
November 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
By the way, note that the description of Biden as being "in obvious mental decline" was left in the speech, while the description of Trump as the "most openly corrupt president in American history" was removed:
Reposted by Sam G. Howard
BREAKING: SCOTUS will not grant the Trump administration’s request to allow it to fire Shira Perlmutter, the director of the Copyright Office, at this time. It puts off any decision while the court is considering the other two firings cases. Perlmutter stays in office during that time.
November 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
BREAKING: SCOTUS will not grant the Trump administration’s request to allow it to fire Shira Perlmutter, the director of the Copyright Office, at this time. It puts off any decision while the court is considering the other two firings cases. Perlmutter stays in office during that time.