Dave S
@dmstraker.bsky.social
Work: Engineer, educator, bus/psych consultant
Home: Learning, writing, DIY, gardening, cooking, photography, painting, guitar, dogs, hubby, dad
Home: Learning, writing, DIY, gardening, cooking, photography, painting, guitar, dogs, hubby, dad
Supreme Court bans National Guard in Chicago. Why?
Chicago had vowed to fight back hard. Trump sees the problems but doesn't want to back down. Hmm.
How about if SCOTUS intervenes? This lets Trump off the hook while 'proving' the court's independence.
Chicago had vowed to fight back hard. Trump sees the problems but doesn't want to back down. Hmm.
How about if SCOTUS intervenes? This lets Trump off the hook while 'proving' the court's independence.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court keeps President Trump’s National Guard deployment blocked in the Chicago area for now.
Supreme Court keeps Trump’s National Guard deployment blocked in the Chicago area, for now
The Supreme Court has refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area to support its immigration crackdown.
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Supreme Court bans National Guard in Chicago. Why?
Chicago had vowed to fight back hard. Trump sees the problems but doesn't want to back down. Hmm.
How about if SCOTUS intervenes? This lets Trump off the hook while 'proving' the court's independence.
Chicago had vowed to fight back hard. Trump sees the problems but doesn't want to back down. Hmm.
How about if SCOTUS intervenes? This lets Trump off the hook while 'proving' the court's independence.
Are migrants likely criminals?
Migrants are often very aware of the fragility of their new lives, and how one illegal act could ruin it all (and not just for themselves).
Most are hence highly motivated to act clearly and lawfully.
Migrants are often very aware of the fragility of their new lives, and how one illegal act could ruin it all (and not just for themselves).
Most are hence highly motivated to act clearly and lawfully.
December 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Are migrants likely criminals?
Migrants are often very aware of the fragility of their new lives, and how one illegal act could ruin it all (and not just for themselves).
Most are hence highly motivated to act clearly and lawfully.
Migrants are often very aware of the fragility of their new lives, and how one illegal act could ruin it all (and not just for themselves).
Most are hence highly motivated to act clearly and lawfully.
Loyalty over competence now in every American consulate and embassy. So how will that work?
Look at the way Moscow manages Witcoff. Expect more shaping of the blindly incompetent around the world.
Such arrogant bluff, by the way, was a key contributor towards Britain losing its empire.
Look at the way Moscow manages Witcoff. Expect more shaping of the blindly incompetent around the world.
Such arrogant bluff, by the way, was a key contributor towards Britain losing its empire.
Trump administration plans to promote loyal diplomats after recall of 30 ambassadors, sources say
Trump administration plans to promote loyal diplomats after recall of 30 ambassadors, sources say
Move comes as union representing US diplomats said it was ‘deeply concerned’ by the process, which could ‘politicise’ foreign service
The Trump administration has quietly recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior overseas diplomats as the Trump administration plans to promote appointees loyal to the new administration to higher levels of the state department, according to diplomatic sources.
The recall of the ambassadors or heads of mission, which were confirmed by several current and former senior diplomats, was unusual for targeting career foreign service officers heading embassies overseas who are generally left in place after a change in administration because they strive to be apolitical. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Loyalty over competence now in every American consulate and embassy. So how will that work?
Look at the way Moscow manages Witcoff. Expect more shaping of the blindly incompetent around the world.
Such arrogant bluff, by the way, was a key contributor towards Britain losing its empire.
Look at the way Moscow manages Witcoff. Expect more shaping of the blindly incompetent around the world.
Such arrogant bluff, by the way, was a key contributor towards Britain losing its empire.
The trap into which elites fall is believing they can control the masses.
To some extent it's true. But not forever.
They forget that all people think and feel and love and hate. And analogous to nature's swarms, a tipping point can create an unstoppable rebellion.
To some extent it's true. But not forever.
They forget that all people think and feel and love and hate. And analogous to nature's swarms, a tipping point can create an unstoppable rebellion.
December 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The trap into which elites fall is believing they can control the masses.
To some extent it's true. But not forever.
They forget that all people think and feel and love and hate. And analogous to nature's swarms, a tipping point can create an unstoppable rebellion.
To some extent it's true. But not forever.
They forget that all people think and feel and love and hate. And analogous to nature's swarms, a tipping point can create an unstoppable rebellion.
The dangers to freedom from the powerful are ever-present.
They live outside the law, in the swathe of their power. For them, the law is sword and shield, a tool for their benefit. Freedom is for them, not for others, and it certainly not for use against them.
They live outside the law, in the swathe of their power. For them, the law is sword and shield, a tool for their benefit. Freedom is for them, not for others, and it certainly not for use against them.
December 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The dangers to freedom from the powerful are ever-present.
They live outside the law, in the swathe of their power. For them, the law is sword and shield, a tool for their benefit. Freedom is for them, not for others, and it certainly not for use against them.
They live outside the law, in the swathe of their power. For them, the law is sword and shield, a tool for their benefit. Freedom is for them, not for others, and it certainly not for use against them.
ICE+ is hugely expensive and the ROI is rather poor. They won't be able to afford to keep it up.
I suspect that ICE is an intermediate step in the way to a military dictatorship. Would be terrible for the economy. Just look around the tinpot world.
I suspect that ICE is an intermediate step in the way to a military dictatorship. Would be terrible for the economy. Just look around the tinpot world.
December 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
ICE+ is hugely expensive and the ROI is rather poor. They won't be able to afford to keep it up.
I suspect that ICE is an intermediate step in the way to a military dictatorship. Would be terrible for the economy. Just look around the tinpot world.
I suspect that ICE is an intermediate step in the way to a military dictatorship. Would be terrible for the economy. Just look around the tinpot world.
Writing is beauty. There's time to think and craft each word.
For me, anyway, because I have a reflective personality. Unlike those with a reactive drive.
Reflective linguists are translators. Reactive ones are interpreters. Reflective doctors are physicians. Reactive ones are surgeons. Etc.
For me, anyway, because I have a reflective personality. Unlike those with a reactive drive.
Reflective linguists are translators. Reactive ones are interpreters. Reflective doctors are physicians. Reactive ones are surgeons. Etc.
December 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Writing is beauty. There's time to think and craft each word.
For me, anyway, because I have a reflective personality. Unlike those with a reactive drive.
Reflective linguists are translators. Reactive ones are interpreters. Reflective doctors are physicians. Reactive ones are surgeons. Etc.
For me, anyway, because I have a reflective personality. Unlike those with a reactive drive.
Reflective linguists are translators. Reactive ones are interpreters. Reflective doctors are physicians. Reactive ones are surgeons. Etc.
Many businesses are dropping support for equality and fairness.
They think they'll be saving money. But they will actually be showing they don't care about people, which leads to uncensored bias, more conflict, decreased trust and increased disloyalty/hedging.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
They think they'll be saving money. But they will actually be showing they don't care about people, which leads to uncensored bias, more conflict, decreased trust and increased disloyalty/hedging.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Revealed: how big businesses are rolling back public support for Pride
Guardian analysis of 20 major companies in UK and US shows mentions of Pride on social media have fallen substantially in past two years
www.theguardian.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Many businesses are dropping support for equality and fairness.
They think they'll be saving money. But they will actually be showing they don't care about people, which leads to uncensored bias, more conflict, decreased trust and increased disloyalty/hedging.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
They think they'll be saving money. But they will actually be showing they don't care about people, which leads to uncensored bias, more conflict, decreased trust and increased disloyalty/hedging.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
History teaches that wealth inequality precipitates revolution. The rebels are especially the young who have no prospects, and more especially those who wasted a small fortune getting educated and are still getting nowhere. It is this latter, very angry group who will lead the rebellion.
December 21, 2025 at 8:45 PM
History teaches that wealth inequality precipitates revolution. The rebels are especially the young who have no prospects, and more especially those who wasted a small fortune getting educated and are still getting nowhere. It is this latter, very angry group who will lead the rebellion.
How long before Trump (and successors):
1. Come for remaining independent media, including Bluesky?
2. Close or tightly control national digital borders?
3. Take full control of elections so they always 'win'?
4. Sell seats in Congress, where you can get rich?
5. Take over all courtrooms?
Etc.
1. Come for remaining independent media, including Bluesky?
2. Close or tightly control national digital borders?
3. Take full control of elections so they always 'win'?
4. Sell seats in Congress, where you can get rich?
5. Take over all courtrooms?
Etc.
December 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
How long before Trump (and successors):
1. Come for remaining independent media, including Bluesky?
2. Close or tightly control national digital borders?
3. Take full control of elections so they always 'win'?
4. Sell seats in Congress, where you can get rich?
5. Take over all courtrooms?
Etc.
1. Come for remaining independent media, including Bluesky?
2. Close or tightly control national digital borders?
3. Take full control of elections so they always 'win'?
4. Sell seats in Congress, where you can get rich?
5. Take over all courtrooms?
Etc.
An economy based on lies will, sooner or later, fail. Big time. The only hope for its leaders is that they either escape with a fortune or militarized the country.
Oh look: Hegseth and Trump are currently restructuring and politicizing the military.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Oh look: Hegseth and Trump are currently restructuring and politicizing the military.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump is turning the US military into a political prop | Jan-Werner Müller
The military has been recast in a partisan, performative mold – all according to the president’s logic of impunity
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:26 PM
An economy based on lies will, sooner or later, fail. Big time. The only hope for its leaders is that they either escape with a fortune or militarized the country.
Oh look: Hegseth and Trump are currently restructuring and politicizing the military.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Oh look: Hegseth and Trump are currently restructuring and politicizing the military.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A small, local story that embodies the Trumpian method of intimidating and silencing the media.
It's a classic dictator's device.
apnews.com/article/trum...
It's a classic dictator's device.
apnews.com/article/trum...
How an AM radio station in California weathered the Trump administration's assault on media
Six days into President Donald Trump's new administration, the San Francisco Bay-area radio station KCBS-AM and other outlets reported on local immigration raids.
apnews.com
December 20, 2025 at 8:10 PM
A small, local story that embodies the Trumpian method of intimidating and silencing the media.
It's a classic dictator's device.
apnews.com/article/trum...
It's a classic dictator's device.
apnews.com/article/trum...
One of the biggest sins in America is Citizens United, a law that lets political parties accept any sum from anyone, this triggering quid pro quo.
Getting Congress to repeal it is futile, as it is asking the turkeys to vote for Thanksgiving. Neither side will say "No, I don't want lots of money".
Getting Congress to repeal it is futile, as it is asking the turkeys to vote for Thanksgiving. Neither side will say "No, I don't want lots of money".
December 20, 2025 at 7:30 AM
One of the biggest sins in America is Citizens United, a law that lets political parties accept any sum from anyone, this triggering quid pro quo.
Getting Congress to repeal it is futile, as it is asking the turkeys to vote for Thanksgiving. Neither side will say "No, I don't want lots of money".
Getting Congress to repeal it is futile, as it is asking the turkeys to vote for Thanksgiving. Neither side will say "No, I don't want lots of money".
The UK Guardian newspaper is way more outraged by the limited, redacted Epstein files release than US papers, which carefully just talk about 'release of files'.
Looks like the first amendment is flopping about on the floor rather than fiercely fighting for justice.
Looks like the first amendment is flopping about on the floor rather than fiercely fighting for justice.
December 20, 2025 at 3:40 AM
The UK Guardian newspaper is way more outraged by the limited, redacted Epstein files release than US papers, which carefully just talk about 'release of files'.
Looks like the first amendment is flopping about on the floor rather than fiercely fighting for justice.
Looks like the first amendment is flopping about on the floor rather than fiercely fighting for justice.
Dopey Don says it's never been better
While struggling citizens still can't get a
Box of eggs for less than before
As we teeter towards another bad war
While struggling citizens still can't get a
Box of eggs for less than before
As we teeter towards another bad war
December 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Dopey Don says it's never been better
While struggling citizens still can't get a
Box of eggs for less than before
As we teeter towards another bad war
While struggling citizens still can't get a
Box of eggs for less than before
As we teeter towards another bad war
With America bowing out, there remain big questions about supporting Ukraine and maybe other European countries in near-term conflict.
In the history of wars, there is one constant: that it is ruinously expensive (and winning is never guaranteed).
Even no choice is a choice.
In the history of wars, there is one constant: that it is ruinously expensive (and winning is never guaranteed).
Even no choice is a choice.
December 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
With America bowing out, there remain big questions about supporting Ukraine and maybe other European countries in near-term conflict.
In the history of wars, there is one constant: that it is ruinously expensive (and winning is never guaranteed).
Even no choice is a choice.
In the history of wars, there is one constant: that it is ruinously expensive (and winning is never guaranteed).
Even no choice is a choice.
'Shock and Awe' has been a classic Trump tactic for ages. Well, maybe not so much awe.
The underlying principle is destabilization. Make them unsure what to say, then grab the baton and go in for the kill.
Uncertain people grasp at straws and are more likely to say yes.
The underlying principle is destabilization. Make them unsure what to say, then grab the baton and go in for the kill.
Uncertain people grasp at straws and are more likely to say yes.
December 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
'Shock and Awe' has been a classic Trump tactic for ages. Well, maybe not so much awe.
The underlying principle is destabilization. Make them unsure what to say, then grab the baton and go in for the kill.
Uncertain people grasp at straws and are more likely to say yes.
The underlying principle is destabilization. Make them unsure what to say, then grab the baton and go in for the kill.
Uncertain people grasp at straws and are more likely to say yes.
The Primadonna dilemma:
One of the team is outstanding. The team fails because of this.
Eg.
* The player tries to do it all by themselves.
* Others feel sidelined and don't cooperate.
* Individualist culture
* The coach doesn't address such issues.
It happens in sports, choirs, business, etc.
One of the team is outstanding. The team fails because of this.
Eg.
* The player tries to do it all by themselves.
* Others feel sidelined and don't cooperate.
* Individualist culture
* The coach doesn't address such issues.
It happens in sports, choirs, business, etc.
December 18, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The Primadonna dilemma:
One of the team is outstanding. The team fails because of this.
Eg.
* The player tries to do it all by themselves.
* Others feel sidelined and don't cooperate.
* Individualist culture
* The coach doesn't address such issues.
It happens in sports, choirs, business, etc.
One of the team is outstanding. The team fails because of this.
Eg.
* The player tries to do it all by themselves.
* Others feel sidelined and don't cooperate.
* Individualist culture
* The coach doesn't address such issues.
It happens in sports, choirs, business, etc.
Trump was disgustingly horrible about the Reiner murders. So what's going on?
His chilling message is as follows:
"I have no morals. I follow no rules. I can get away with it. I am all-powerful. I can be cruel. You be very careful. Say nothing bad about me, ever. You do as you are told."
His chilling message is as follows:
"I have no morals. I follow no rules. I can get away with it. I am all-powerful. I can be cruel. You be very careful. Say nothing bad about me, ever. You do as you are told."
December 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Trump was disgustingly horrible about the Reiner murders. So what's going on?
His chilling message is as follows:
"I have no morals. I follow no rules. I can get away with it. I am all-powerful. I can be cruel. You be very careful. Say nothing bad about me, ever. You do as you are told."
His chilling message is as follows:
"I have no morals. I follow no rules. I can get away with it. I am all-powerful. I can be cruel. You be very careful. Say nothing bad about me, ever. You do as you are told."
Reposted by Dave S
We are failing our kids
December 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
We are failing our kids
I protest against transgressions of my beliefs.
I act against things that cause me (or mine) direct harm.
I act against things that cause me (or mine) direct harm.
December 16, 2025 at 10:06 AM
I protest against transgressions of my beliefs.
I act against things that cause me (or mine) direct harm.
I act against things that cause me (or mine) direct harm.
Trump suing the BBC will make the Brits hate him (even more).
It's another distraction from Epstein.
He's also put a big 'deal' with the UK on hold, no doubt as extra pressure. No such thing as a deal with Trump.
This will encourage the UK to rejoin Europe.
It's another distraction from Epstein.
He's also put a big 'deal' with the UK on hold, no doubt as extra pressure. No such thing as a deal with Trump.
This will encourage the UK to rejoin Europe.
December 16, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Trump suing the BBC will make the Brits hate him (even more).
It's another distraction from Epstein.
He's also put a big 'deal' with the UK on hold, no doubt as extra pressure. No such thing as a deal with Trump.
This will encourage the UK to rejoin Europe.
It's another distraction from Epstein.
He's also put a big 'deal' with the UK on hold, no doubt as extra pressure. No such thing as a deal with Trump.
This will encourage the UK to rejoin Europe.
Looks like liberal director and wife murdered by son. Then Trump leverages the tragedy through appalling posts.
Words fail me.
mol.im/a/15385555
Words fail me.
mol.im/a/15385555
Trump blames Rob Reiner's death on 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'
Donald Trump broke his silence on the murders of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.
mol.im
December 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Looks like liberal director and wife murdered by son. Then Trump leverages the tragedy through appalling posts.
Words fail me.
mol.im/a/15385555
Words fail me.
mol.im/a/15385555
Now Chile goes populist. Why?
People vote for populists when they are unhappy with current parties and when their lives feel below expectations.
Populists often lie to get into power, then break promises, change the system to stay in power, and so become dictators.
apnews.com/article/chil...
People vote for populists when they are unhappy with current parties and when their lives feel below expectations.
Populists often lie to get into power, then break promises, change the system to stay in power, and so become dictators.
apnews.com/article/chil...
Landslide win for Kast gives Chile its most right-wing president in decades
Chile’s ultra-conservative former lawmaker José Antonio Kast has secured a stunning victory in the presidential election, defeating the candidate of the center-left governing coalition and setting the...
apnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Now Chile goes populist. Why?
People vote for populists when they are unhappy with current parties and when their lives feel below expectations.
Populists often lie to get into power, then break promises, change the system to stay in power, and so become dictators.
apnews.com/article/chil...
People vote for populists when they are unhappy with current parties and when their lives feel below expectations.
Populists often lie to get into power, then break promises, change the system to stay in power, and so become dictators.
apnews.com/article/chil...