Todd H. Baker
@tbakerbroadmoor.bsky.social
Write and teach about all things fintech, banking, finreg. Man of the
Enlightenment, now sorely tried by life. Progress in finance is circular®
Enlightenment, now sorely tried by life. Progress in finance is circular®
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
We can’t let 8 antisocial billionaires dictate the fate of humanity.
Time Magazine puts the "architects of AI" on its Person of the Year cover time.com/7339685/pers...
December 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
We can’t let 8 antisocial billionaires dictate the fate of humanity.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Let Rep. Thompson give a lesson in Reporting 101 to about half the DC press corps.
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
December 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Let Rep. Thompson give a lesson in Reporting 101 to about half the DC press corps.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
“According to the OHA, there have been 1,475 reported cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, breaking the state’s previous record set in 1950, which was 1,420.”
Whooping cough cases spike in Oregon, breaking 1950 record
Oregon has had a record-breaking number of pertussis cases in 2025 as of Wednesday, according to the state health authority.
www.kptv.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
“According to the OHA, there have been 1,475 reported cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, breaking the state’s previous record set in 1950, which was 1,420.”
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Imagine serving as a Marine and then having a distinguished career in the FBI investigating actual terrorist threats and then having to go in front of Congress and say you’re afraid of Antifa. Absolutely humiliating.
GLASHEEN: Antifa is our primary concern right now. That's the most immediate violent threat we're facing
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
BENNIE THOMPSON: Where is antifa headquartered?
GLASHEEN: ... ... ... we are building out the infrastructure right now
THOMPSON: What does that mean?
December 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Imagine serving as a Marine and then having a distinguished career in the FBI investigating actual terrorist threats and then having to go in front of Congress and say you’re afraid of Antifa. Absolutely humiliating.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Meta shuts down global accounts linked to abortion advice and queer content
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Meta shuts down global accounts linked to abortion advice and queer content
More than 50 organisations report sites being restricted or removed, with abortion hotlines blocked and posts showing non-explicit nudity triggering warnings
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Meta shuts down global accounts linked to abortion advice and queer content
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported?
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
December 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
MAGAZINER: How many veterans have you deported?
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
NOEM: We haven't deported veterans
MAGAZINER: We are now joined on Zoom by a combat veteran you deported to Korea
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
This Disney-OpenAI deal is breaking my brain. It's not OpenAI paying for the right to use Disney characters, it's Disney paying THEM. All OpenAI does is give Disney access to its API so that they can use ChatGPT and Sora to replace their animators, other employees, and 3rd party contractors.
December 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This Disney-OpenAI deal is breaking my brain. It's not OpenAI paying for the right to use Disney characters, it's Disney paying THEM. All OpenAI does is give Disney access to its API so that they can use ChatGPT and Sora to replace their animators, other employees, and 3rd party contractors.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Reporter @dfriedman.bsky.social was working on a story about a top aide to Pete Hegseth. Then Pizzagate promoter Jack Posobiec threatened to write a scurrilous story about him. ow.ly/EpQp50XHpYo
I asked the Pentagon about Pete Hegseth's mentor. Then the threats started.
Journalism in the second Trump administration gets personal.
ow.ly
December 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reporter @dfriedman.bsky.social was working on a story about a top aide to Pete Hegseth. Then Pizzagate promoter Jack Posobiec threatened to write a scurrilous story about him. ow.ly/EpQp50XHpYo
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
This is a really disturbing story on several levels and certainly anyone who interacts with the Pentagon specifically or the administration more generally should read it:
I asked the Pentagon about Pete Hegseth's mentor. Then the threats started.
Journalism in the second Trump administration gets personal.
www.motherjones.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
This is a really disturbing story on several levels and certainly anyone who interacts with the Pentagon specifically or the administration more generally should read it:
The view from our closest allies on the insanity of the Unitary One’s “foreign policy”. All that is missing is Stephen Miller or Elon Musk or Steve Bannon over Trump’s shoulder.
Der Spiegel cover this week.
Der Spiegel cover this week.
December 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The view from our closest allies on the insanity of the Unitary One’s “foreign policy”. All that is missing is Stephen Miller or Elon Musk or Steve Bannon over Trump’s shoulder.
Der Spiegel cover this week.
Der Spiegel cover this week.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
New @spiegel.de cover story catches the sentiment in Germany:
'Two bad guys, one goal: How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe'
'Two bad guys, one goal: How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe'
December 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
New @spiegel.de cover story catches the sentiment in Germany:
'Two bad guys, one goal: How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe'
'Two bad guys, one goal: How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe'
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
This is quite a thing from the people who brought you a copyright extension act that strains the rule against perpetuities. Actual human artists can't tell stories with your characters for decades to come, but Sam Altman's toy can put them into porn, no problem.
December 11, 2025 at 2:23 PM
This is quite a thing from the people who brought you a copyright extension act that strains the rule against perpetuities. Actual human artists can't tell stories with your characters for decades to come, but Sam Altman's toy can put them into porn, no problem.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
“One of Senate Bill 37’s provisions gives a university system’s regents, who are political appointees, authority to reject courses. It also gives them final approval over the selection of a provost, a university’s top academic officer, and even a dean.”
The Conservative Overhaul of the University of Texas Is Underway
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
“One of Senate Bill 37’s provisions gives a university system’s regents, who are political appointees, authority to reject courses. It also gives them final approval over the selection of a provost, a university’s top academic officer, and even a dean.”
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
We now learn that Fifa had a very specific "ask" in exchange for its "Peace Award" to Trump, with loads of gold trinkets, and that was dismissal of a criminal corruption case against senior Fifa officials. And Trump granted it. Another corrupt bargain, barely noticed (and ignored by US media).
December 11, 2025 at 12:59 AM
We now learn that Fifa had a very specific "ask" in exchange for its "Peace Award" to Trump, with loads of gold trinkets, and that was dismissal of a criminal corruption case against senior Fifa officials. And Trump granted it. Another corrupt bargain, barely noticed (and ignored by US media).
WSJ editorial board noticing with alarm that Sleepy Don is just a puppet for whomever spoke to him last. Frankenstein and his monster, redux.
www.wsj.com/opinion/nvid...
www.wsj.com/opinion/nvid...
Opinion | Trump Says Chips Ahoy to Xi Jinping
Why is he giving an adversary access to advanced AI semiconductors—and for what in return?
www.wsj.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
WSJ editorial board noticing with alarm that Sleepy Don is just a puppet for whomever spoke to him last. Frankenstein and his monster, redux.
www.wsj.com/opinion/nvid...
www.wsj.com/opinion/nvid...
Why would the President give away one of America’s chief technological advantages to an adversary and its chief economic competitor?
December 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Why would the President give away one of America’s chief technological advantages to an adversary and its chief economic competitor?
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
NEW: Sen. Ron Johnson has a history of spreading vaccine misinformation.
Now he's giving credence to assertions about the therapeutic powers of chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant and deodorizer.
“It is all lunacy," one expert said.
Now he's giving credence to assertions about the therapeutic powers of chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant and deodorizer.
“It is all lunacy," one expert said.
Sen. Ron Johnson Endorses Book Touting Chlorine Dioxide's Unproven Health Benefits
Wisconsin's Ron Johnson has a history of spreading vaccine misinformation. Now he's giving credence to assertions about the therapeutic powers of chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant and deodorizer. “It i...
www.propublica.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NEW: Sen. Ron Johnson has a history of spreading vaccine misinformation.
Now he's giving credence to assertions about the therapeutic powers of chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant and deodorizer.
“It is all lunacy," one expert said.
Now he's giving credence to assertions about the therapeutic powers of chlorine dioxide, a disinfectant and deodorizer.
“It is all lunacy," one expert said.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
I need you to listen to and share this story - of how Trump is preparing to abandon Ukraine in exchange for Russian money for his billionaire friends.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
December 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I need you to listen to and share this story - of how Trump is preparing to abandon Ukraine in exchange for Russian money for his billionaire friends.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Corrupt organization corruptly rewards corrupt POTUS to get administration to drop corruption case.
Days after FIFA awarded Trump a fake peace prize, DOJ moves to drop charges in FIFA corruption case www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/n...
U.S. Moves to Drop Charges in International Soccer Corruption Case
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Corrupt organization corruptly rewards corrupt POTUS to get administration to drop corruption case.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Ah, yes. Car accident consumers. Cancer consumers. Arthritis consumes. Lymphoma consumers. Amputee consumers. If they see the "actual prices," they'll stop consuming and die.
Roger Marshall: "We want patients to become consumers again. We want patients to see what the actual prices are. We believe that if we would add the price tags to this bill, that it would save the country a trillion dollars a year."
December 11, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Ah, yes. Car accident consumers. Cancer consumers. Arthritis consumes. Lymphoma consumers. Amputee consumers. If they see the "actual prices," they'll stop consuming and die.
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
The titular wokeness being rolled back is the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Washington Post editorial board really speaking truth to power
December 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
The titular wokeness being rolled back is the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Do Right and Feed Everyone. Remember? #USDA has lost focus of the mission we promote. 28k lbs of SAFE chicken for one Nebraska food bank alone. This article shows us a damning picture with amazing graphic representation of the stark reality this regime is killing America. #foodinsecurity #hungrybaby
#ICYMI: ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detailed the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the Trump administration’s cuts to an aid program.
(Published Oct. 2025)
(Published Oct. 2025)
Trump Canceled 94 Million Pounds of Food Aid. Here’s What Never Arrived.
ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cut...
projects.propublica.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Do Right and Feed Everyone. Remember? #USDA has lost focus of the mission we promote. 28k lbs of SAFE chicken for one Nebraska food bank alone. This article shows us a damning picture with amazing graphic representation of the stark reality this regime is killing America. #foodinsecurity #hungrybaby
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
The War of 1812 was caused in great part by Great Britain seizing US ships illegally. (Been re-reading Patrick O'Brien for mental health and so it's top of mind.)
December 10, 2025 at 10:34 PM
The War of 1812 was caused in great part by Great Britain seizing US ships illegally. (Been re-reading Patrick O'Brien for mental health and so it's top of mind.)
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
The US is now just the drunk crank at the end of the bar waving a gun around
Trump on the president of Colombia: "He's gonna have himself some big problems if he doesn't wise up ... he better wise up or he'll be next. I hope he's listening. He's gonna be next."
December 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
The US is now just the drunk crank at the end of the bar waving a gun around
Reposted by Todd H. Baker
Folks look at you like you're crazy when you say we're in the midst of the worst, most unprecedented Article I constitutional crisis in American history, & then it's a day, & the president is illegally monetizing the office & stealing the power of the purse. Again.
Trump says the Gold Card proceeds will go "an account where we can do things positive for the country. Many billions of dollars"
December 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Folks look at you like you're crazy when you say we're in the midst of the worst, most unprecedented Article I constitutional crisis in American history, & then it's a day, & the president is illegally monetizing the office & stealing the power of the purse. Again.