Firthermor
@firthermor.bsky.social
Mid-Atlantic nature. Natural world. Photography. Plays with words. Grovers Mill Martian invasion survivor 😉. Popular sovereignty, voting rights, democracy, and good governance stan.
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Firthermor
@firthermor.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Hi! I am new around here.
Sometime doomscroller. Sometime hopescroller. Sometime serendipitous learnscroller. First time BlueSky poster.
It may look dark now, but with our work & what we build can reconstruct our democracy for the better. Succession happens, sometimes with a bit of engineering.
Sometime doomscroller. Sometime hopescroller. Sometime serendipitous learnscroller. First time BlueSky poster.
It may look dark now, but with our work & what we build can reconstruct our democracy for the better. Succession happens, sometimes with a bit of engineering.
Reposted by Firthermor
NEW: There's little suspense around the case #SCOTUS will hear tomorrow over the president's power to fire federal agency leaders. But it's a prelude to a looming, epic fight over Trump's power to fire everyone in the federal government's executive branch www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Trump’s plans to shatter the bureaucracy have a green light at the Supreme Court
Incremental wins at the court give the White House confidence to go further.
www.politico.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
NEW: There's little suspense around the case #SCOTUS will hear tomorrow over the president's power to fire federal agency leaders. But it's a prelude to a looming, epic fight over Trump's power to fire everyone in the federal government's executive branch www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Firthermor
1. Much of the discussion of "messaging" among opponents of the Trump regime focuses on how to best get to 50+1 in electoral politics.
December 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
1. Much of the discussion of "messaging" among opponents of the Trump regime focuses on how to best get to 50+1 in electoral politics.
Reposted by Firthermor
Reposted by Firthermor
I'd also note they already invalidated Section 3 that says that you can't hold federal office if you engaged in insurrection against the United States. These are not judges impartially applying the law. They are racist despots who despise American progress. (3/3)
December 5, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I'd also note they already invalidated Section 3 that says that you can't hold federal office if you engaged in insurrection against the United States. These are not judges impartially applying the law. They are racist despots who despise American progress. (3/3)
Reposted by Firthermor
The 14th Amendment says that all people born in America, regardless of race are citizens and have a right to equal protection under the law. For SCOTUS to be remotely confused on that text speaks to their racism, not the Constitution (1/3) www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Supreme Court agrees to decide if Trump may end birthright citizenship | CNN Politics
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide if President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship with an executive order is constitutional, offering the justices an opportunity to revisit w...
www.cnn.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The 14th Amendment says that all people born in America, regardless of race are citizens and have a right to equal protection under the law. For SCOTUS to be remotely confused on that text speaks to their racism, not the Constitution (1/3) www.cnn.com/2025/12/05/p...
Reposted by Firthermor
This afternoon, I was in a meeting with Jay Bhattacharya, and I can confirm this is *exactly* what he both wants and will be doing.
THIS IS NOT HYPERBOLE.
THIS IS NOT HYPERBOLE.
I missed this from a couple of weeks ago, but if you're an NIH-funded investigator, please read.
Peer review will exist to make things look legitimate, but can, and will, be over-ruled. Funding decisions, ultimately, will be done by political appointees.
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Peer review will exist to make things look legitimate, but can, and will, be over-ruled. Funding decisions, ultimately, will be done by political appointees.
grants.nih.gov/news-events/...
Implementing a Unified NIH Funding Strategy to Guide Consistent and Clearer Award Decisions | Grants & Funding
grants.nih.gov
December 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
This afternoon, I was in a meeting with Jay Bhattacharya, and I can confirm this is *exactly* what he both wants and will be doing.
THIS IS NOT HYPERBOLE.
THIS IS NOT HYPERBOLE.
Reposted by Firthermor
Like I was saying…
Defending the boat strikes is accepting that Trump can misuse the military however he wants, no limiting principles or need to justify his actions in law.
It is accepting the rule of one man over the rule of law.
Hegseth is saying it out loud:
apnews.com/article/hegs...
Defending the boat strikes is accepting that Trump can misuse the military however he wants, no limiting principles or need to justify his actions in law.
It is accepting the rule of one man over the rule of law.
Hegseth is saying it out loud:
apnews.com/article/hegs...
December 7, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Like I was saying…
Defending the boat strikes is accepting that Trump can misuse the military however he wants, no limiting principles or need to justify his actions in law.
It is accepting the rule of one man over the rule of law.
Hegseth is saying it out loud:
apnews.com/article/hegs...
Defending the boat strikes is accepting that Trump can misuse the military however he wants, no limiting principles or need to justify his actions in law.
It is accepting the rule of one man over the rule of law.
Hegseth is saying it out loud:
apnews.com/article/hegs...
Reposted by Firthermor
This week I called up Cam Higby, a member of the new media MAGA Pentagon press corps to ask him about his decision to sign away his ability to do investigative journalism in exchange for access to press briefings. He shouted and called me names…
December 7, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This week I called up Cam Higby, a member of the new media MAGA Pentagon press corps to ask him about his decision to sign away his ability to do investigative journalism in exchange for access to press briefings. He shouted and called me names…
Reposted by Firthermor
October 14, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Firthermor
“After they broke up, Ferreira said in court records that Michael Leavitt had in the past threatened to try to get her deported.”
EXCLUSIVE:
Mom of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew rejects White House narrative of her ICE arrest
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Mom of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew rejects White House narrative of her ICE arrest
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Mom of Karoline Leavitt’s nephew rejects White House narrative of her ICE arrest
In an interview, Bruna Ferreira, who chose the White House press secretary as her son’s godmother, contested the portrayal of her as a criminal, absentee mom.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
“After they broke up, Ferreira said in court records that Michael Leavitt had in the past threatened to try to get her deported.”
Reposted by Firthermor
Redistricting in Texas is the 21st Century equivalent of literacy and character tests and SCOTUS is all in on it.
www.dorfonlaw.org/2025/12/raci...
www.dorfonlaw.org/2025/12/raci...
Racial Redistricting, the GOP Court, and History for Me but not for Thee
The Republicans on the Roberts Court love to lecture us on the importance of history to constitutional interpretation. But as almost everyo...
www.dorfonlaw.org
December 7, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Redistricting in Texas is the 21st Century equivalent of literacy and character tests and SCOTUS is all in on it.
www.dorfonlaw.org/2025/12/raci...
www.dorfonlaw.org/2025/12/raci...
Reposted by Firthermor
Rage bait is a worthy Word of the Year, Amogh Dimri argues. “Because the English language had previously failed to provide such an efficient term, we should be glad that the internet has come through”:
Rage Bait Is a Brilliant Word of the Year
In the free market of language, the most innovative and incisive words win.
bit.ly
December 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Rage bait is a worthy Word of the Year, Amogh Dimri argues. “Because the English language had previously failed to provide such an efficient term, we should be glad that the internet has come through”:
Reposted by Firthermor
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
December 7, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Reposted by Firthermor
With a new ceiling of 7,500 refugee admissions per year *total from the whole world,* even before the additional crackdown in the last couple of weeks, the administration is actually aiming to be far *more* restrictive than the US was in that shameful era.
December 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
With a new ceiling of 7,500 refugee admissions per year *total from the whole world,* even before the additional crackdown in the last couple of weeks, the administration is actually aiming to be far *more* restrictive than the US was in that shameful era.
Reposted by Firthermor
On Aug 24, 1869, Ohio Rep. John Bingham, principal framer of the 14th amendment, gave a remarkable speech on “Equal Rights-Impartial Suffrage,” in which he said of those who sought to reject the principal of birthright citizenship, “no greater political atrocity than this can possibly be committed.”
December 7, 2025 at 1:52 PM
On Aug 24, 1869, Ohio Rep. John Bingham, principal framer of the 14th amendment, gave a remarkable speech on “Equal Rights-Impartial Suffrage,” in which he said of those who sought to reject the principal of birthright citizenship, “no greater political atrocity than this can possibly be committed.”
Reposted by Firthermor
December 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Reposted by Firthermor
Résumé percutant du retournement géopolitique à l'oeuvre depuis janvier 2025 :
(Encore plus frappant depuis la publication, vendredi dernier, de la « nouvelle stratégie de sécurité américaine »)
(Encore plus frappant depuis la publication, vendredi dernier, de la « nouvelle stratégie de sécurité américaine »)
December 7, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Résumé percutant du retournement géopolitique à l'oeuvre depuis janvier 2025 :
(Encore plus frappant depuis la publication, vendredi dernier, de la « nouvelle stratégie de sécurité américaine »)
(Encore plus frappant depuis la publication, vendredi dernier, de la « nouvelle stratégie de sécurité américaine »)
Reposted by Firthermor
One of the many reasons for concern about the killing spree at sea is that the administration is effectively asserting a license for POTUS to kill outside the law those he labels “terrorists.”
A term this administration also applies to domestic political opponents.
A term this administration also applies to domestic political opponents.
🚨Pam Bondi is ordering the FBI to “compile a list" of Americans who may be extremists, per signed memo leaked to me:
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/leak-fbi-l...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/leak-fbi-l...
LEAK: FBI List of “Extremists” Is Coming, Memo Reveals
Are you on Trump's naughty list?
www.kenklippenstein.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:52 AM
One of the many reasons for concern about the killing spree at sea is that the administration is effectively asserting a license for POTUS to kill outside the law those he labels “terrorists.”
A term this administration also applies to domestic political opponents.
A term this administration also applies to domestic political opponents.
Reposted by Firthermor
One more pelican post for the day. 🪶
December 7, 2025 at 3:41 AM
One more pelican post for the day. 🪶
Reposted by Firthermor
Band of Trees in Mist - Hawke's Bay, NZ.
What drew me to this scene was its quiet sense of order—just a simple band of trees standing in perfect balance against the soft weight of morning mist.
#photography #landscape #nz #foggy
What drew me to this scene was its quiet sense of order—just a simple band of trees standing in perfect balance against the soft weight of morning mist.
#photography #landscape #nz #foggy
December 7, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Band of Trees in Mist - Hawke's Bay, NZ.
What drew me to this scene was its quiet sense of order—just a simple band of trees standing in perfect balance against the soft weight of morning mist.
#photography #landscape #nz #foggy
What drew me to this scene was its quiet sense of order—just a simple band of trees standing in perfect balance against the soft weight of morning mist.
#photography #landscape #nz #foggy
Reposted by Firthermor
"Bradley told lawmakers that the orders he received from Hegseth were to kill the individuals on the approved target list, which included everyone on the boat, then destroy the drugs and sink the boat, those sources said."
They were civilians.
They were civilians.
Admiral told lawmakers everyone on alleged drug boat was on a list of military targets
Adm. Frank Bradley said U.S. intelligence had identified the 11 people on the boat and determined the military was authorized to kill them as part of Trump’s campaign against alleged drug-smuggling ve...
www.nbcnews.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:01 AM
"Bradley told lawmakers that the orders he received from Hegseth were to kill the individuals on the approved target list, which included everyone on the boat, then destroy the drugs and sink the boat, those sources said."
They were civilians.
They were civilians.
Reposted by Firthermor
🚨Pam Bondi is ordering the FBI to “compile a list" of Americans who may be extremists, per signed memo leaked to me:
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/leak-fbi-l...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/leak-fbi-l...
LEAK: FBI List of “Extremists” Is Coming, Memo Reveals
Are you on Trump's naughty list?
www.kenklippenstein.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:57 PM
🚨Pam Bondi is ordering the FBI to “compile a list" of Americans who may be extremists, per signed memo leaked to me:
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/leak-fbi-l...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/leak-fbi-l...
Reposted by Firthermor
Stunning footage from earlier today, when the new Kilauea eruption covered the USGS Webcam 3, which is situated in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater near the southern rim of the much larger Kilauea caldera.
This *isn't* what the people of Pompeii saw.
But it's not very far off.
This *isn't* what the people of Pompeii saw.
But it's not very far off.
December 7, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Stunning footage from earlier today, when the new Kilauea eruption covered the USGS Webcam 3, which is situated in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater near the southern rim of the much larger Kilauea caldera.
This *isn't* what the people of Pompeii saw.
But it's not very far off.
This *isn't* what the people of Pompeii saw.
But it's not very far off.
Reposted by Firthermor
Chernobyl protective shield can no longer confine radiation after drone strike, UN nuclear watchdog says - www.cnn.com/2025/12/06/e...
Chernobyl protective shield can no longer confine radiation after drone strike, UN nuclear watchdog says | CNN
The protective shield built around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site in Ukraine can no longer do its job to confine radioactive waste as a result of a drone strike earlier this year, according to th...
www.cnn.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Chernobyl protective shield can no longer confine radiation after drone strike, UN nuclear watchdog says - www.cnn.com/2025/12/06/e...
Reposted by Firthermor
Study after study shows campaign ads barely move the needle. So where does money’s real power come from? I ranked the five ways money corrupts politics—from least to most corrosive. What I’ve learned from 15 years of tracking political money:
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
Campaign ads barely move the needle. The real influence is hiding in plain sight.
open.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Study after study shows campaign ads barely move the needle. So where does money’s real power come from? I ranked the five ways money corrupts politics—from least to most corrosive. What I’ve learned from 15 years of tracking political money: