Empty Bag of Ducks📎
@emptybagofducks.bsky.social
Ex-Army officer, retired federal senior executive service. Historian. Metastatic bile duct cancer victim. Hoya. Diehard Packer fan. Fighting the dying of the light, the dying of liberal democracy and the death of the American Republic.
Pinned
More and more as I follow things here on Bluesky I’m taken back to my days as a U.S. history PhD candidate. I was staring at the bookcase of the professor I was TA’ing for and remarked how well grounded she was in theory. She replied, “Yes, but now I wish I’d had more history and less theory.”
Reposted by Empty Bag of Ducks📎
The national security adviser is supposed to oversee policy coordination. The secretary of State is supposed to lead on diplomatic negotiations. In theory, neither would be the clean-up crew, because they’re supposed to prevent the mess from happening in the first place.
November 26, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The national security adviser is supposed to oversee policy coordination. The secretary of State is supposed to lead on diplomatic negotiations. In theory, neither would be the clean-up crew, because they’re supposed to prevent the mess from happening in the first place.
I’m still trying to figure out WHEN “do not follow illegal orders” became controversial much less why. It was at the core of my ROTC Military Ethics class in the early 1980s.
But then, My Lai was only 15 years in the past and the main case study. A clear “never again” message delivered.
But then, My Lai was only 15 years in the past and the main case study. A clear “never again” message delivered.
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I’m still trying to figure out WHEN “do not follow illegal orders” became controversial much less why. It was at the core of my ROTC Military Ethics class in the early 1980s.
But then, My Lai was only 15 years in the past and the main case study. A clear “never again” message delivered.
But then, My Lai was only 15 years in the past and the main case study. A clear “never again” message delivered.
This one hit hard. My wife is 17 years cancer free. I’m terminal. But we’ve cherished the last 23 months given we expected less than five when I was diagnosed.
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:53 AM
This one hit hard. My wife is 17 years cancer free. I’m terminal. But we’ve cherished the last 23 months given we expected less than five when I was diagnosed.
Reposted by Empty Bag of Ducks📎
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
November 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
If I’m understanding this correctly, X is owned by a white nationalist who pays poor people of color in developing countries to pretend to be working class white Americans to scare other white Americans into being afraid poor people of color from developing countries are going to ruin America?
First the Waxwings. Now I have a flock of about 30 Robins. Our house is on a severe slope, so I’m watching them in the canopy. A number have decided to check out our deck. I’ve never seen so many in one place. The kind of numbers I associate with Starlings…..
November 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
First the Waxwings. Now I have a flock of about 30 Robins. Our house is on a severe slope, so I’m watching them in the canopy. A number have decided to check out our deck. I’ve never seen so many in one place. The kind of numbers I associate with Starlings…..
Today was an annual highlight, a mass of Cedar Waxwings descending on my hickory trees as they migrate.
November 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Today was an annual highlight, a mass of Cedar Waxwings descending on my hickory trees as they migrate.
Reposted by Empty Bag of Ducks📎
Reposted by Empty Bag of Ducks📎
This is a classic form of voter intimidation—making people feel like it’s not safe to go to the polls. It moments like this where we need to summon our courage & vote anyhow. Vote in the tradition of the people who marched in Selma to secure the right to vote.
Breaking from NJ AG Platkin:
"Early this morning, law enforcement responded to threats that were received by email involving certain polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic Counties. Law enforcement … have worked swiftly to secure these polling locations."
"Early this morning, law enforcement responded to threats that were received by email involving certain polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic Counties. Law enforcement … have worked swiftly to secure these polling locations."
November 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
This is a classic form of voter intimidation—making people feel like it’s not safe to go to the polls. It moments like this where we need to summon our courage & vote anyhow. Vote in the tradition of the people who marched in Selma to secure the right to vote.
You know who else weaponized hunger? Stalin
Trump is choosing to partially fund SNAP and continue to weaponize hunger for political gain. He is purposely and illegally starving American families for political leverage.
November 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
You know who else weaponized hunger? Stalin
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He was right about it all.
October 29, 2025 at 8:53 PM
He was right about it all.
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Over 71 million Americans are paid less than a living wage, and are forced into social safety nets like SNAP.
If you think too many people are receiving SNAP benefits, don’t shame them.
Shame their employers paying them poverty wages and forcing taxpayers to subsidize the rest.
If you think too many people are receiving SNAP benefits, don’t shame them.
Shame their employers paying them poverty wages and forcing taxpayers to subsidize the rest.
October 29, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Over 71 million Americans are paid less than a living wage, and are forced into social safety nets like SNAP.
If you think too many people are receiving SNAP benefits, don’t shame them.
Shame their employers paying them poverty wages and forcing taxpayers to subsidize the rest.
If you think too many people are receiving SNAP benefits, don’t shame them.
Shame their employers paying them poverty wages and forcing taxpayers to subsidize the rest.
Dr. Jacobs is raising an important point between the intersection of community and politics. Organizing support for local food banks (and getting people to them or delivered) in reaction to SNAP cut off is a version of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
There was a time at the very beginning of the pandemic when people were actually looking out for their neighbors.
Getting them groceries.
Picking up prescriptions.
Checking on their general wellbeing.
I feel we are in a similar circumstance at the moment, but now the pathogens are Republicans.
Getting them groceries.
Picking up prescriptions.
Checking on their general wellbeing.
I feel we are in a similar circumstance at the moment, but now the pathogens are Republicans.
October 29, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Dr. Jacobs is raising an important point between the intersection of community and politics. Organizing support for local food banks (and getting people to them or delivered) in reaction to SNAP cut off is a version of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Reposted by Empty Bag of Ducks📎
I get these fact-checks re tylenol/Autism lawsuit but what is very much needed is messaging of "If you think your kids' autism diagnosis is that devastating, please seek help before your child feels the effect of your anti-autism views."
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism @jama.com @ki.se
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
jamanetwork.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I get these fact-checks re tylenol/Autism lawsuit but what is very much needed is messaging of "If you think your kids' autism diagnosis is that devastating, please seek help before your child feels the effect of your anti-autism views."
Reposted by Empty Bag of Ducks📎
I dislike "big tent." I like "solidarity." Solidarity holds on even when it's unpopular, which is dangerous, but it doesn't let people go. I distrust those willing to give up this group to get that group while saying "we need all groups." We DO need all groups; so hold tightest to marginal groups.
October 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I dislike "big tent." I like "solidarity." Solidarity holds on even when it's unpopular, which is dangerous, but it doesn't let people go. I distrust those willing to give up this group to get that group while saying "we need all groups." We DO need all groups; so hold tightest to marginal groups.
If the shut down continues eventually TRANSCOM’s working capital fund will run out of money. Shuts down the DoD’s global distribution network. Also shuts down aerial refueling.
October 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
If the shut down continues eventually TRANSCOM’s working capital fund will run out of money. Shuts down the DoD’s global distribution network. Also shuts down aerial refueling.
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The “oh well he was in the military, of course he’s racist” type arguments are getting on my nerves, condescending bullshit from people who have no idea how big and diverse the military is
October 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The “oh well he was in the military, of course he’s racist” type arguments are getting on my nerves, condescending bullshit from people who have no idea how big and diverse the military is
There is something deeply unsettling to see your insurance company has approved hospice services before your medical oncologist has said a word about ending treatment.
October 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM
There is something deeply unsettling to see your insurance company has approved hospice services before your medical oncologist has said a word about ending treatment.
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A fucking CSG?
October 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A fucking CSG?
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If you keep lowering your standards to “win” against the other side, eventually you’ll just be on the other side
October 22, 2025 at 12:50 AM
If you keep lowering your standards to “win” against the other side, eventually you’ll just be on the other side
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Seeing the destruction of the White House makes me emotional because Trump is so visibly flaunting the absence of constraints to his abuse of authority.
He’s tearing down parts of the People’s House to construct a massive fascist temple where people will come to pay tribute to him.
It’s grotesque.
He’s tearing down parts of the People’s House to construct a massive fascist temple where people will come to pay tribute to him.
It’s grotesque.
October 21, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Seeing the destruction of the White House makes me emotional because Trump is so visibly flaunting the absence of constraints to his abuse of authority.
He’s tearing down parts of the People’s House to construct a massive fascist temple where people will come to pay tribute to him.
It’s grotesque.
He’s tearing down parts of the People’s House to construct a massive fascist temple where people will come to pay tribute to him.
It’s grotesque.
A friend shared the new federal civil service hiring procedures today. So glad I’ve retired and don’t have to deal with this crap as a hiring manager.
Complete shit show….and you will live with the consequences for decades.
Complete shit show….and you will live with the consequences for decades.
October 21, 2025 at 12:38 AM
A friend shared the new federal civil service hiring procedures today. So glad I’ve retired and don’t have to deal with this crap as a hiring manager.
Complete shit show….and you will live with the consequences for decades.
Complete shit show….and you will live with the consequences for decades.
One of the joys of where I live is that from spring through autumn I have the sound of the frogs along the creek and in the woods behind me each evening.
I get a No Kings rally every night. I find it soothing.
I get a No Kings rally every night. I find it soothing.
October 21, 2025 at 12:35 AM
One of the joys of where I live is that from spring through autumn I have the sound of the frogs along the creek and in the woods behind me each evening.
I get a No Kings rally every night. I find it soothing.
I get a No Kings rally every night. I find it soothing.
He always telegraphs his next move.
Trump: "Don't forget I can use the Insurrection Act. 50% of the presidents almost have used that. And that's unquestioned power."
October 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
He always telegraphs his next move.