Carl Ballard
@carlballard.bsky.social
Swears on the Internet, sometimes. Mostly at horsesass.org these days (he/him).
Reposted by Carl Ballard
Reposted by Carl Ballard
This is heartbreakingly cruel and hypocritical. The same admin that has redefined refugee status to cover white South Africans is now going to drown thousands of refugees already approved for their status in red tape, potentially even seeking to strip some of their status and deport them.
Trump Admin planning a rule to re-decide whether *every* refugee who entered under Biden meets their criteria for a refugee. That’s 230,000 people! And no appeals!
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 AM
This is heartbreakingly cruel and hypocritical. The same admin that has redefined refugee status to cover white South Africans is now going to drown thousands of refugees already approved for their status in red tape, potentially even seeking to strip some of their status and deport them.
Reposted by Carl Ballard
What was lost with recent federal defunding of 3 out of 9 regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs), written by leaders/staff from Northeast, South Central and Pacific Islands CASCs.
We haven't given up on getting their funding restored, along with other cuts to the rest of the network.
We haven't given up on getting their funding restored, along with other cuts to the rest of the network.
From invasive species tracking to water security – what’s lost with federal funding cuts at US Climate Adaptation Science Centers
The people who manage America’s aquifers, wetlands, shorelines and recreation areas rely on federal science as they face new and rising risks in a changing climate.
theconversation.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:03 AM
What was lost with recent federal defunding of 3 out of 9 regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs), written by leaders/staff from Northeast, South Central and Pacific Islands CASCs.
We haven't given up on getting their funding restored, along with other cuts to the rest of the network.
We haven't given up on getting their funding restored, along with other cuts to the rest of the network.
Reposted by Carl Ballard
Do you live in South King County? Do you have a passion for conservation and a drive for public service? King Conservation District has a Board of Supervisors vacancy in Position 2, and is accepting applications until December 3. For more information and to apply: kingcd.org/kcd-board-po...
KCD Board Position No. 2 Vacancy : King Conservation District
KCD Board Supervisor Position No. 2 is currently vacant. This vacancy will be filled by the KCD Board of Supervisors … Continued
kingcd.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Do you live in South King County? Do you have a passion for conservation and a drive for public service? King Conservation District has a Board of Supervisors vacancy in Position 2, and is accepting applications until December 3. For more information and to apply: kingcd.org/kcd-board-po...
Reposted by Carl Ballard
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Reposted by Carl Ballard
Spokane Valley Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger says she’s a ‘proud Islamophobe’ in Facebook post
Spokane Valley councilwoman says she's a 'proud Islamophobe' in Facebook post
Spokane Valley Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger declared she is a “proud Islamophobe” on a post Thursday morning on her personal Facebook page.
www.spokesman.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Spokane Valley Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger says she’s a ‘proud Islamophobe’ in Facebook post
Reposted by Carl Ballard
seen on WT Harris in E Charlotte
November 23, 2025 at 3:35 AM
seen on WT Harris in E Charlotte
Reposted by Carl Ballard
It says a lot about this administration’s overall charisma that this is a person they keep willingly putting on TV
Bessent: "You know the best way to bring your inflation rate down? Move from a blue state to a red state. Blue state inflation is half a percent higher."
November 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
It says a lot about this administration’s overall charisma that this is a person they keep willingly putting on TV
Reposted by Carl Ballard
Cost $29 to ride the rail from Oakland to Sacramento to see my vagabond #athletics. Rode the train from Montreal to Toronto earlier this year. The Seattle to Vancouver train is like a trip to the zoo with all the cool wildlife. They sell booze! Ride the train!
Train seating regular Amtrak is always so much more comfortable and easy breezy compared to flying. We need more cities with more service. And we need cheap fares you don’t need to book ages in advance.
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Cost $29 to ride the rail from Oakland to Sacramento to see my vagabond #athletics. Rode the train from Montreal to Toronto earlier this year. The Seattle to Vancouver train is like a trip to the zoo with all the cool wildlife. They sell booze! Ride the train!
Reposted by Carl Ballard
You, too, can mainline Hush before the final episode drops this week!
I've been mainlining @leahsottile.bsky.social's Hush podcast lately, and it's such good reporting and a completely gripping story: www.opb.org/show/hush/
It also unexpectedly really makes me miss being a journalist.
It also unexpectedly really makes me miss being a journalist.
OPB: Hush
Hush
www.opb.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
You, too, can mainline Hush before the final episode drops this week!
Reposted by Carl Ballard
no one has even bothered trying to convince us there’s a threat from Venezuela. no weapons of mass destruction. nothing. just a war of choice because why not.
US operations against Venezuela to begin within days.
Covert ops the first move.
Covert ops the first move.
www.reuters.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:48 PM
no one has even bothered trying to convince us there’s a threat from Venezuela. no weapons of mass destruction. nothing. just a war of choice because why not.
Probably a good idea to consider these things before you do them.
Lawyer up, you little shits.
“Current and former DOGE staffers are growing increasingly concerned that the work they did slashing government programs and eliminating jobs will come back to haunt them with the possibility of criminal prosecutions.“
“Current and former DOGE staffers are growing increasingly concerned that the work they did slashing government programs and eliminating jobs will come back to haunt them with the possibility of criminal prosecutions.“
'Suddenly exposed' DOGE employees fear prosecution after Musk abandoned them: report
Current and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers are growing increasingly concerned that the work they did slashing government programs and eliminating jobs will come back to hau...
www.rawstory.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Probably a good idea to consider these things before you do them.
Reposted by Carl Ballard
While youth of color experience unequal treatment in WA state's legal system, recent data shows that Indigenous children are significantly more likely to be jailed than their white peers, especially on low level offenses and nonviolent crimes. Read here:
Native American children significantly more likely to be arrested, detained in Washington – RANGE Media
Before and after trial and even for low-level, nonviolent crimes, Native American youths are locked up at higher rates
rangemedia.co
November 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
While youth of color experience unequal treatment in WA state's legal system, recent data shows that Indigenous children are significantly more likely to be jailed than their white peers, especially on low level offenses and nonviolent crimes. Read here:
Reposted by Carl Ballard
Welp, after years of planning, pots of dedicated funding, promises that despite other elements getting yanked from the plans that sidewalk repairs were still on the table, the only sidewalk on LWB that got repaved this year was the segment right in front of Bruce's house.
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Welp, after years of planning, pots of dedicated funding, promises that despite other elements getting yanked from the plans that sidewalk repairs were still on the table, the only sidewalk on LWB that got repaved this year was the segment right in front of Bruce's house.
Reposted by Carl Ballard
This ceasefire keeps getting "tested" by civilians being slaughtered by Israel. And yet it endures in journalistic convention. A marvel of the modern age. bsky.app/profile/apne...
BREAKING: At least 24 people are dead and 54 wounded after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began in October, officials say.
Israel launches strikes in Gaza ceasefire's latest test as hospitals say 20 killed
Israel's military says it has launched new airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began on October 10.
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 4:13 PM
This ceasefire keeps getting "tested" by civilians being slaughtered by Israel. And yet it endures in journalistic convention. A marvel of the modern age. bsky.app/profile/apne...
Trying to secure the Dutch vote.
Ok, but why did Trump post this solo photo of Zohran Mamdani on his Truth Social? And did Mamdani ask to be photographed in front of FDR, who is his favoite president?
November 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Trying to secure the Dutch vote.
Learning to read was a mistake.
November 22, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Learning to read was a mistake.
Reposted by Carl Ballard
These numbers from the Whatcom Council of Governments on how much tourism from Canada has cratered since Trump took office are brutal.
Our neighbors to the north in B.C. are understandably responding to MAGA tariffs and threats by boycotting the U.S. www.theolympian.com/news/state/w...
Our neighbors to the north in B.C. are understandably responding to MAGA tariffs and threats by boycotting the U.S. www.theolympian.com/news/state/w...
November 22, 2025 at 1:18 AM
These numbers from the Whatcom Council of Governments on how much tourism from Canada has cratered since Trump took office are brutal.
Our neighbors to the north in B.C. are understandably responding to MAGA tariffs and threats by boycotting the U.S. www.theolympian.com/news/state/w...
Our neighbors to the north in B.C. are understandably responding to MAGA tariffs and threats by boycotting the U.S. www.theolympian.com/news/state/w...
Reposted by Carl Ballard
ICE arrested a 17-year-old Oregonian during school lunch today, according to the superintendent.
ICE arrests McMinnville High School student during Friday lunch period
Family told local news the 17-year-old is a US citizen.
www.opb.org
November 22, 2025 at 2:26 AM
ICE arrested a 17-year-old Oregonian during school lunch today, according to the superintendent.
Reposted by Carl Ballard
I’m standing with @sbworkersunited.org on strike for living wages, respect and basic dignity in the face of corporate greed and you should too. Until they get a contract, I’m not buying Starbucks coffee! Join me in signing the #NoContractNoCoffee pledge at nocontractnocoffee.org/#pledge!
No Contract, No Coffee | Starbucks Workers United
Starbucks baristas brewing change. Join the movement for fair contracts, better wages, and worker protections.
nocontractnocoffee.org
November 22, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I’m standing with @sbworkersunited.org on strike for living wages, respect and basic dignity in the face of corporate greed and you should too. Until they get a contract, I’m not buying Starbucks coffee! Join me in signing the #NoContractNoCoffee pledge at nocontractnocoffee.org/#pledge!
Reposted by Carl Ballard
this is your brain when your entire politics is just a set of aesthetics
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
this is your brain when your entire politics is just a set of aesthetics
Reposted by Carl Ballard
DOH. HUGE NEWS in the tariff wars!
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
November 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
DOH. HUGE NEWS in the tariff wars!
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
(Point Roberts is a tiny sliver of America you can basically only reach from Canada.)
Reposted by Carl Ballard
Council Adopts Harrell's Budget With Minor Changes, Setting Up Huge Deficits for Incoming Mayor Wilson
The "audit the budget" crowd piles on more than $50 million in new spending, using new taxes to expand or start new programs and backfill an ongoing shortfall.
publicola.com/2025/11/21/c...
The "audit the budget" crowd piles on more than $50 million in new spending, using new taxes to expand or start new programs and backfill an ongoing shortfall.
publicola.com/2025/11/21/c...
Council Adopts Harrell's Budget With Minor Changes, Setting Up Huge Deficits for Incoming Mayor Wilson - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett On Thursday, the Seattle City Council voted (earlier than usual!) to pass the city’s 2026 budget,…
publicola.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Council Adopts Harrell's Budget With Minor Changes, Setting Up Huge Deficits for Incoming Mayor Wilson
The "audit the budget" crowd piles on more than $50 million in new spending, using new taxes to expand or start new programs and backfill an ongoing shortfall.
publicola.com/2025/11/21/c...
The "audit the budget" crowd piles on more than $50 million in new spending, using new taxes to expand or start new programs and backfill an ongoing shortfall.
publicola.com/2025/11/21/c...
Reposted by Carl Ballard
The President is a crook —and everyone should understand, when it comes to FEMA, these are taxpayer dollars he’s abusing, this isn’t Trump’s money.
Trump is punishing Blue states and rewarding Red states—and he could not be more transparent about his corruption.
Trump is punishing Blue states and rewarding Red states—and he could not be more transparent about his corruption.
Bomb cyclone FEMA denial stings WA as Trump touts aid to red states
A year after Washington's bomb cyclone, the Trump administration has withheld aid even as the president has bragged about awards to states that voted for him.
www.seattletimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The President is a crook —and everyone should understand, when it comes to FEMA, these are taxpayer dollars he’s abusing, this isn’t Trump’s money.
Trump is punishing Blue states and rewarding Red states—and he could not be more transparent about his corruption.
Trump is punishing Blue states and rewarding Red states—and he could not be more transparent about his corruption.
Reposted by Carl Ballard
if you reach a certain level of wealth (idk say $50 million net worth), any money beyond that should be placed in a public trust where you have to apply for it like a grant to do anything with it.
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 PM
if you reach a certain level of wealth (idk say $50 million net worth), any money beyond that should be placed in a public trust where you have to apply for it like a grant to do anything with it.