Bill Shein
@billshein.bsky.social
Writer. Journalist. Friend to animals. Graying rapidly. Founder: The RGM Dispatch (coming soon). Current/former: berkshireargus.com
Pinned
Bill Shein
@billshein.bsky.social
· Sep 9
I thought this was poems by Vikings and was *very disappointed* to discover otherwise.
Help me out, #philately peeps: What exactly is/are this/these? A number of singles and doubles and blocks in a giant mixed lot. Can’t identify ‘em. Maybe a test specimen?
First to identify wins the joy and restful sleep that comes with helping me to have the restful sleep I’ll have when I know…
First to identify wins the joy and restful sleep that comes with helping me to have the restful sleep I’ll have when I know…
December 5, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Help me out, #philately peeps: What exactly is/are this/these? A number of singles and doubles and blocks in a giant mixed lot. Can’t identify ‘em. Maybe a test specimen?
First to identify wins the joy and restful sleep that comes with helping me to have the restful sleep I’ll have when I know…
First to identify wins the joy and restful sleep that comes with helping me to have the restful sleep I’ll have when I know…
Sweet sleepy old dog gonna sleep.
December 5, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Sweet sleepy old dog gonna sleep.
BREAKING: Non-Swedish man, who is not the King of Sweden, puts non-Nobel peace-prize medal on himself.
December 5, 2025 at 6:58 PM
BREAKING: Non-Swedish man, who is not the King of Sweden, puts non-Nobel peace-prize medal on himself.
Ahem…
“Mr. Cole told investigators he was sympathetic to President Trump’s claim that the election was stolen from him, according to a person familiar with the matter.”
“Mr. Cole told investigators he was sympathetic to President Trump’s claim that the election was stolen from him, according to a person familiar with the matter.”
Back in March I examined whether the sweeping January 6th pardons could mean the pipe bomber, if captured, could not be prosecuted.
December 5, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Ahem…
“Mr. Cole told investigators he was sympathetic to President Trump’s claim that the election was stolen from him, according to a person familiar with the matter.”
“Mr. Cole told investigators he was sympathetic to President Trump’s claim that the election was stolen from him, according to a person familiar with the matter.”
An important piece by @philklay.bsky.social that examines the impact on all of us of an administration that revels, without apology, in cruelty and violence.
Opinion | What Trump Is Really Doing With His Boat Strikes
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
An important piece by @philklay.bsky.social that examines the impact on all of us of an administration that revels, without apology, in cruelty and violence.
Gotta say: If you had concerns about the direction of federal public-health policy, watching five minutes of today's meeting/vote of the vaccine-advisory panel will make you sick, ironically. Decisions with enormous implications made by people with radical views in a slap-dash, cartoonish process.
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) - December 5, 2025 - Day 2 of 2
YouTube video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Gotta say: If you had concerns about the direction of federal public-health policy, watching five minutes of today's meeting/vote of the vaccine-advisory panel will make you sick, ironically. Decisions with enormous implications made by people with radical views in a slap-dash, cartoonish process.
Reposted by Bill Shein
hey, look! it’s the meme guy!
December 5, 2025 at 4:05 PM
hey, look! it’s the meme guy!
Reposted by Bill Shein
February 2022
www.wheresyoured.at/mark-zuckerb...
www.wheresyoured.at/mark-zuckerb...
December 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
February 2022
www.wheresyoured.at/mark-zuckerb...
www.wheresyoured.at/mark-zuckerb...
The suspense over who will win the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize is *unbearable*!!!!!
December 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The suspense over who will win the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize is *unbearable*!!!!!
Cue 43,717 posts that begin, “I’m shocked, shocked…”
“Meta plans to cut its metaverse budget by as much as 30% next year, with layoffs expected as early as January.”
“Meta plans to cut its metaverse budget by as much as 30% next year, with layoffs expected as early as January.”
Meta’s Zuckerberg Plans Deep Cuts for Metaverse Efforts
Meta Platforms Inc.’s Mark Zuckerberg is expected to meaningfully cut resources for building the so-called metaverse, an effort that he once framed as the future of the company and the reason for chan...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Cue 43,717 posts that begin, “I’m shocked, shocked…”
“Meta plans to cut its metaverse budget by as much as 30% next year, with layoffs expected as early as January.”
“Meta plans to cut its metaverse budget by as much as 30% next year, with layoffs expected as early as January.”
Not to get *too* excited, but for someone who has long tried to find radio streams from around the world, this is truly an outstanding app. And no, this is not a paid endorsement/collab—despite the many opportunities to cash in offered to those, like me, who have *more than 200 followers*.
December 5, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Not to get *too* excited, but for someone who has long tried to find radio streams from around the world, this is truly an outstanding app. And no, this is not a paid endorsement/collab—despite the many opportunities to cash in offered to those, like me, who have *more than 200 followers*.
Most in-demand job of 2029? “Sign remover.”
The renamed ‘Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace’ hosts first event
Trump joined leaders from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to sign an accord — and to marvel at the new name his administration gave the building.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Most in-demand job of 2029? “Sign remover.”
Quite a start to the day.
December 5, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Quite a start to the day.
"It is possible that defense lawyers will try to argue that the placing of the pipe bombs should also be covered by Mr. Trump’s proclamation."
Suspect Arrested in Inquiry Into Pipe Bombs in D.C. Ahead of Jan. 6 Riot
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
"It is possible that defense lawyers will try to argue that the placing of the pipe bombs should also be covered by Mr. Trump’s proclamation."
This Montana plan is very, very interesting.
December 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
This Montana plan is very, very interesting.
Today in a mixed lot I found a pile of letters—without covers—from children evacuated from London in 1942.
They were written to thank a man who sent them stamps & #philately supplies.
The letters alternately talk about stamps and war, like, “mum’s house was bombed.”
Fascinating and heartbreaking.
They were written to thank a man who sent them stamps & #philately supplies.
The letters alternately talk about stamps and war, like, “mum’s house was bombed.”
Fascinating and heartbreaking.
December 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Today in a mixed lot I found a pile of letters—without covers—from children evacuated from London in 1942.
They were written to thank a man who sent them stamps & #philately supplies.
The letters alternately talk about stamps and war, like, “mum’s house was bombed.”
Fascinating and heartbreaking.
They were written to thank a man who sent them stamps & #philately supplies.
The letters alternately talk about stamps and war, like, “mum’s house was bombed.”
Fascinating and heartbreaking.
Webb + Roman = Good, good times (and lots of exoplanets!)
Holy moly: The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope construction is completed! That's fantastic news — much needed right now — and I am very much looking forward to when this beast launches. It has 100X the field of view of Hubble.
One. Hundred. *At the same resolution*.
www.nasa.gov/image-articl...
One. Hundred. *At the same resolution*.
www.nasa.gov/image-articl...
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Completed - NASA
Two technicians look up at NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope after its inner and outer segments were connected at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight
www.nasa.gov
December 4, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Webb + Roman = Good, good times (and lots of exoplanets!)
This is awesome!
I'm no purist when it comes to participating in things we all know are bad. I try to reduce my harm but I'm an honest hypocrite.
I won't judge you for still using Spotify, just try this rad alternative. I'm listening to music from Dar es Salaam. Where will you listen to? radio.garden/listen/furah...
I won't judge you for still using Spotify, just try this rad alternative. I'm listening to music from Dar es Salaam. Where will you listen to? radio.garden/listen/furah...
Explore live radio by rotating the globe
Explore live radio by rotating the globe.
radio.garden
December 4, 2025 at 8:54 PM
This is awesome!
Reposted by Bill Shein
Spiral galaxies like our own are rare in the early universe, because they require quiet, stable conditions.
But the discovery of "Alaknanda," a tidy spiral from 12.3 billion years ago, shows that there were pockets of calm even in the era of cosmic chaos. 🧪🔭
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
But the discovery of "Alaknanda," a tidy spiral from 12.3 billion years ago, shows that there were pockets of calm even in the era of cosmic chaos. 🧪🔭
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
December 4, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Spiral galaxies like our own are rare in the early universe, because they require quiet, stable conditions.
But the discovery of "Alaknanda," a tidy spiral from 12.3 billion years ago, shows that there were pockets of calm even in the era of cosmic chaos. 🧪🔭
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
But the discovery of "Alaknanda," a tidy spiral from 12.3 billion years ago, shows that there were pockets of calm even in the era of cosmic chaos. 🧪🔭
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202...
As a (former) longtime DC resident, this photo causes me actual physical discomfort.
December 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
As a (former) longtime DC resident, this photo causes me actual physical discomfort.
The Jan. 6 pardons apply to “offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.”
If placement of pipe bombs on Jan. 5 was meant to play a role in what unfolded the next day—“related to”—seems like this will be a defense motion for sure.
If placement of pipe bombs on Jan. 5 was meant to play a role in what unfolded the next day—“related to”—seems like this will be a defense motion for sure.
Back in March I examined whether the sweeping January 6th pardons could mean the pipe bomber, if captured, could not be prosecuted.
December 4, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The Jan. 6 pardons apply to “offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.”
If placement of pipe bombs on Jan. 5 was meant to play a role in what unfolded the next day—“related to”—seems like this will be a defense motion for sure.
If placement of pipe bombs on Jan. 5 was meant to play a role in what unfolded the next day—“related to”—seems like this will be a defense motion for sure.
Back in March I examined whether the sweeping January 6th pardons could mean the pipe bomber, if captured, could not be prosecuted.
December 4, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Back in March I examined whether the sweeping January 6th pardons could mean the pipe bomber, if captured, could not be prosecuted.
Remember this?
The Great Thin Elvis vs. Somewhat Larger Elvis USPS Election of 1992.
Um, sorry: The young Elvis vs. the more mature Elvis.
Just found in a mixed lot o’ stuff. #philately #stampcollecting
The Great Thin Elvis vs. Somewhat Larger Elvis USPS Election of 1992.
Um, sorry: The young Elvis vs. the more mature Elvis.
Just found in a mixed lot o’ stuff. #philately #stampcollecting
December 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Remember this?
The Great Thin Elvis vs. Somewhat Larger Elvis USPS Election of 1992.
Um, sorry: The young Elvis vs. the more mature Elvis.
Just found in a mixed lot o’ stuff. #philately #stampcollecting
The Great Thin Elvis vs. Somewhat Larger Elvis USPS Election of 1992.
Um, sorry: The young Elvis vs. the more mature Elvis.
Just found in a mixed lot o’ stuff. #philately #stampcollecting
Reposted by Bill Shein
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
The U.S. Postal Service is vital if we’re to have a democracy and society not 100% controlled by private corporate interests.
The USPS needs to once again be able to offer basic banking and other services.
And it needs the full-throated support of Americans and their elected leaders.
The USPS needs to once again be able to offer basic banking and other services.
And it needs the full-throated support of Americans and their elected leaders.
Amazon explores cutting ties with USPS, building its own delivery network
Amazon looks into expanding its nationwide delivery network and giving up its longstanding partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.
wapo.st
December 4, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The U.S. Postal Service is vital if we’re to have a democracy and society not 100% controlled by private corporate interests.
The USPS needs to once again be able to offer basic banking and other services.
And it needs the full-throated support of Americans and their elected leaders.
The USPS needs to once again be able to offer basic banking and other services.
And it needs the full-throated support of Americans and their elected leaders.