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jonstepien.bsky.social
@jonstepien.bsky.social
63 followers 80 following 22 posts
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akalhan.bsky.social
Best read (if at all) after refreshing one's recollection about the rants in his interview with Isaac Chotiner www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
Q: You wrote last week, “In the United States, if the total death toll increases at about the same rate, the current 67 deaths should translate into about 500 deaths at the end.” We are currently at eight hundred deaths—over eight hundred deaths. [This was true when we spoke; the number is now over two thousand.] A: First of all, let me just say I wrote an amendment to that, the thing I regret most in that whole paper. But I was not so much interested in explaining why my number was right. I was interested in explaining why the other projections were wrong. Q: And you’re not an epidemiologist, correct? A: No, I’m trained in all of these things. I’ve done a lot of work in these particular areas. And one of the things that is most annoying about this debate is you see all sorts of people putting up expertise on these subjects, but they won’t let anybody question their particular judgment. One of the things you get as a lawyer is a skill of cross-examination. I spent an enormous amount of time over my career teaching medical people about some of this stuff, and their great strengths are procedures and diagnoses in the cases. Their great weakness is understanding general-equilibrium theory. Q: I’m not saying anything of the sort. A: Admit to it. You’re saying I’m a crackpot. Q: I’m not saying anything of the— A: Well, what am I then? I’m an amateur? You’re the great scholar on this? Q: No, no. I’m not a great scholar on this. A: Tell me what you think about the quality of the work! Q; O.K. I’m going to tell you. I think the fact that I am not a great scholar on this and I’m able to find these flaws or these holes in what you wrote is a sign that maybe you should’ve thought harder before writing it. A: What it shows is that you are a complete intellectual amateur. Period. Q: O.K. Can I ask you one more question? A: You just don’t know anything about anything. You’re a journalist. Would you like to compare your résumé to mine? Q: No, actually, I would not. A: Then good. Then maybe what you want to do is to say, “Gee, I’m not quite sure that this is right. I’m going to check with somebody else.” But, you want to come at me hard, I am going to come back harder at you. And then if I can’t jam my fingers down your throat, then I am not worth it. But you have basically gone over the line. If you want to ask questions, ask questions. I put forward a model. But a little bit of respect. Q: O.K. Let me ask you this question. All my questions are asked with respect. A: That’s not the way I hear it.
January 28, 2026 at 4:47 AM
Reposted
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
I'd never seen the special Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett did together about fifteen years back, but stumbled across it last night. Really worth your time if you haven't seen it. Amazing stories.
Mel Brooks And Dick Cavet Together Again - Shakespeare
YouTube video by HBO
www.youtube.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Reposted
chrisgeidner.bsky.social
DOJ on the March 15 Alien Enemies Act flights: “After receiving … legal advice, Secretary Noem directed that the detainees who had been removed from the United States before the Court’s order could be transferred to the custody of El Salvador.”

At Law Dork, I cover what happened Tuesday:
DOJ lawyers state that DHS Sec. Kristi Noem made decision not to return March 15 flights
Also Tuesday, ACLU lawyers name Emil Bove, now a federal judge, as a possible witness in Boasberg's contempt inquiry over the flights. And, for paid subscribers: Closing my tabs.
www.lawdork.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted
annabower.bsky.social
THANKSGIVING RECIPES THREAD 🧵🍁🦃

I’m Head Chef at this year’s Bower family Thanksgiving.

The soup season thread was a hit, so now I’m turning to Bluesky for your best Turkey Day recipes.

What’s the one dish you can’t live without?

Drop recipes and tips in the replies ⬇️

(Photo: my fave appetizer)
Cranberry brie tarts on a baking dish. There are approximately 10 tarts on the plate, and the cranberries are sprinkled with thyme Recipe available here: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cranberry-brie-pastry-tarts/
November 15, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted
jamieson.bsky.social
Big day at U.S. District Court in D.C. where Sean Dunn, the D.C. Sandwich Guy, is on trial for misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.

Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.

'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted
elienyc.bsky.social
It's true. All of it.

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
This Is the Presidency John Roberts Has Built
The country is witnessing the creation of an all-powerful institution, and one man is responsible.
www.theatlantic.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted
krauza.bsky.social
I don't know who needs to know this, but Pro Publica has an online thing that will format a letter to your US health insurance company to demand the records behind a claim denial. (which the insurance is then legally required to provide in most cases)

projects.propublica.org/claimfile/
Find Out Why Health Insurance Denied Your Claim
You likely have the right to access records that explain why your insurer denied your claim or prior authorization request. Use ProPublica’s free tool to generate a letter requesting your claim file f...
projects.propublica.org
December 11, 2024 at 2:39 AM
Reposted
lobsternanny.bsky.social
For those who want to explore ALL of the courses on offer:
pll.harvard.edu
Homepage | Harvard University
Explore professional and lifelong learning courses from Harvard University. From free online literature classes to in-person business courses for executives, there’s something for everyone. Earn certi...
pll.harvard.edu
May 24, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reposted
rlux.nyc
Another big FU from Harvard… free online courses on the US government, the US constitution, civic engagement, and more.

pll.harvard.edu/subject/gove...
Government | Harvard University
Browse the latest Government courses from Harvard University.
pll.harvard.edu
May 24, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Reposted
asharangappa.bsky.social
Seeing claims about the judge "hiding" the defendant. Read the complaint, folks (written by DOJ). The guy was literally in the public area where the agents were. I guess he got on an elevator before they could get to him. The complaint says after letting the defendant exit she came back to the bench
April 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM