Ook
@ooksbooks.bsky.social
Still figuring out how active I want to be here. I make no apologies for liking both current events discourse and weird fandom stuff, as well as gardening and cute animals.
Reposted by Ook
Something I have to reiterate is that you are being straight up lied to about trans people and our healthcare on an unfathomable scale, this instance reporting is already being torn to shreds by other people commenting, but the frequency of this kind of reporting is astonishing, it's neverending.
You might think from the headline that this is a story about a trans kid suffering medical consequences from a large drug dose but nope! It is just an interview with an estranged father who is angry that his child happily transitioned.
archive.ph/Tmthz
archive.ph/Tmthz
December 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Something I have to reiterate is that you are being straight up lied to about trans people and our healthcare on an unfathomable scale, this instance reporting is already being torn to shreds by other people commenting, but the frequency of this kind of reporting is astonishing, it's neverending.
Reposted by Ook
Requiring temporary visitors to surrender five years of social media to the U.S. sends the message that the American commitment to free speech is pretense. This simply is not the behavior of a country confident in its freedoms.
It's a threat to free speech around the world and must be opposed.
It's a threat to free speech around the world and must be opposed.
Foreign tourists could be required to disclose 5 years of social media histories under Trump administration plan
The Customs and Border Protection proposal would apply even to countries that don't require visas to enter.
www.nbcnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Requiring temporary visitors to surrender five years of social media to the U.S. sends the message that the American commitment to free speech is pretense. This simply is not the behavior of a country confident in its freedoms.
It's a threat to free speech around the world and must be opposed.
It's a threat to free speech around the world and must be opposed.
Reposted by Ook
There's this weird thing in the American Exceptionalist psyche where we get told over & over & over again that our history— The Best History— comes down to Singular Moments™ led by Great Men™— the Revolution, Emancipation, Miners' Strikes Civil Rights— & those moments' resolutions Solved It Forever™
You know in Europe they riot about this kind of thing.
A new investigation has revealed that grocery delivery service Instacart is using a covert, AI-powered dynamic pricing scheme to charge customers different prices for the same items — potentially costing households over $1,000 more a year.
December 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
There's this weird thing in the American Exceptionalist psyche where we get told over & over & over again that our history— The Best History— comes down to Singular Moments™ led by Great Men™— the Revolution, Emancipation, Miners' Strikes Civil Rights— & those moments' resolutions Solved It Forever™
Reposted by Ook
Mandatory social media disclosure and surveillance “has not proven effective at finding terrorists and other bad guys,” EFF’s Sophia Cope told @NYTimes.com. “But it has chilled the free speech and invaded the privacy of innocent travelers” and Americans, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/...
U.S. Plans to Scrutinize 5 Years of Social Media History for Foreign Tourists
Even visitors from countries like Britain and France, whose citizens don’t need visas, would be required to share five years’ worth of social media.
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Mandatory social media disclosure and surveillance “has not proven effective at finding terrorists and other bad guys,” EFF’s Sophia Cope told @NYTimes.com. “But it has chilled the free speech and invaded the privacy of innocent travelers” and Americans, too.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/...
Reposted by Ook
People keep wondering why they're going after Venezuela. It's because they want to do regime change and control its oil, then use a big tract of land there to keep a tax free "network state" that looks like Dubai but operates like Rhodesia. They are saying this out loud! Believe them!
December 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
People keep wondering why they're going after Venezuela. It's because they want to do regime change and control its oil, then use a big tract of land there to keep a tax free "network state" that looks like Dubai but operates like Rhodesia. They are saying this out loud! Believe them!
Reposted by Ook
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
'Skull of St. Thomas Aquinas being transported to Fossanova Abbey.'
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
Photograph by Daniel Ibanez
December 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
SKULL OF THOMAS AQUINAS: TAKE A LEFT NOW
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
PRIEST: No, the GPS says we have to keep going—
SKULL: I KNOW A SHORTCUT
PRIEST: Do you remember the last ti—
SKULL: FOR THOSE WITH FAITH, NO EVIDENCE IS NECESSARY; FOR THOSE WITHOUT IT, NO EVIDENCE WILL SUFFICE
Reposted by Ook
I would like the phrase and concept of "common decency" to make a comeback
December 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I would like the phrase and concept of "common decency" to make a comeback
Reposted by Ook
Trump's farmer bailout will primarily go to massive row-crop farmers. Big Ag as they say. Smaller and diversified farms are getting something else - it rhymes with shackjit.
Trump is going to dump tens of $ billions in payments for huge commodity farmers to compensate for huge losses they will suffer from his idiotic trade war. Meanwhile, small farmers growing for local markets will get nothing. Just canceled grants and "thoughts and prayers". wapo.st/3YXdAbU
A Kansas family farm, barely getting by, grapples with Trump’s cuts
Like many of his rural neighbors in northeast Kansas, Jacob Thomas is trying to compensate for deep losses in federal funding. There’s worry and anger.
wapo.st
December 8, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Trump's farmer bailout will primarily go to massive row-crop farmers. Big Ag as they say. Smaller and diversified farms are getting something else - it rhymes with shackjit.
Reposted by Ook
i dont understand why so many of these guys wanna live forever when it's clear they don't actually enjoy being alive
December 8, 2025 at 10:13 PM
i dont understand why so many of these guys wanna live forever when it's clear they don't actually enjoy being alive
Reposted by Ook
Justice Kavanaugh laid out the framework for how racial profiling is permissible by federal agents leading to what has now been coined as the “Kavanaugh Stop,” by professor Anil Kalhan.
The full story: lataco.com/kavanaugh-st...
By @eltragon.bsky.social
The full story: lataco.com/kavanaugh-st...
By @eltragon.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Justice Kavanaugh laid out the framework for how racial profiling is permissible by federal agents leading to what has now been coined as the “Kavanaugh Stop,” by professor Anil Kalhan.
The full story: lataco.com/kavanaugh-st...
By @eltragon.bsky.social
The full story: lataco.com/kavanaugh-st...
By @eltragon.bsky.social
Reposted by Ook
This is a perfect example as to why we need AI regulation yesterday.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
"Starting Jan. 1, in six states selected to take part in a federal pilot program, traditional Medicare recipients will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered --
private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny..."
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny..."
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
Thousands of Washington state Medicare users could soon have claims denied by AI
Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny.
www.kuow.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This is a perfect example as to why we need AI regulation yesterday.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
Reposted by Ook
This man did a photo opp of himself destroying homeless people's last possessions.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Thursday that the Democratic Party needed to be “more culturally normal” and “less judgmental.”
December 7, 2025 at 1:36 AM
This man did a photo opp of himself destroying homeless people's last possessions.
Reposted by Ook
I’m in favor of this but only for financial crimes
A Palantir billionaire just called for public hangings.
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
Joe Lonsdale Calls For Public Hangings
Silicon Valley radicalization escalates
www.thenerdreich.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I’m in favor of this but only for financial crimes
Reposted by Ook
a billionaire who sees undermining political sovereignty as an alternative to paying a relatively minor fine is a problem that will have to be dealt with eventually
Elon Musk is against the European Union being the European Union —he posted this after X (fka Twitter) was fined for violations of the EU’s Digital Services Act.
December 6, 2025 at 8:53 PM
a billionaire who sees undermining political sovereignty as an alternative to paying a relatively minor fine is a problem that will have to be dealt with eventually
Reposted by Ook
I think about this one pretty much every afternoon
December 6, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I think about this one pretty much every afternoon
Reposted by Ook
This is like Mr Rogers picking up Mjolnir
We got Weird Al out here singing Killing In The Name, the time for moderation is over
December 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
This is like Mr Rogers picking up Mjolnir
Reposted by Ook
Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:
February 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:
Reposted by Ook
We Should Have Finished Reconstruction: A Brief History Of American Politics, 1865-2025
While the outcome should be clear from the plain text of the Constitution, the central project of this court and Administration, together, is to nullify the reconstruction amendments
The Supreme Court Friday agreed to decide whether President Donald Trump can unilaterally limit the constitutional right to citizenship granted to virtually every person born in the United States. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
December 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
We Should Have Finished Reconstruction: A Brief History Of American Politics, 1865-2025
Reposted by Ook
i think to understand the meaning of the birthright citizenship clause to the framers of the 14th amendment, you have to understand significance of dred scott to the civil war republican party. dred scott wasn't just a bad ruling, it was understood as a rejection of the declaration itself.
December 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
i think to understand the meaning of the birthright citizenship clause to the framers of the 14th amendment, you have to understand significance of dred scott to the civil war republican party. dred scott wasn't just a bad ruling, it was understood as a rejection of the declaration itself.
Reposted by Ook
A male rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in winter plumage.
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
December 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A male rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in winter plumage.
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Reposted by Ook
You could write this. Or you could write: “That notion, which has been the rule in nearly every country in the Western Hemisphere for over a century, is grounded in the language of the 14th Amendment.”
All how you choose to frame it.
All how you choose to frame it.
December 6, 2025 at 12:30 AM
You could write this. Or you could write: “That notion, which has been the rule in nearly every country in the Western Hemisphere for over a century, is grounded in the language of the 14th Amendment.”
All how you choose to frame it.
All how you choose to frame it.
Reposted by Ook
I know everything feels dark and terrible, but More Joy Day is coming back for the 19th year and I'm looking forward to it. I hope you all will join me on January 8, 2026 and share the joy.
You can read more about it at my tumblr here: sdwolfpup.tumblr.com/post/8021452...
You can read more about it at my tumblr here: sdwolfpup.tumblr.com/post/8021452...
More Joy Day is BACK
What's More Joy Day? In short it’s this:
Every year since 2008, in the interest of spreading more joy, I’ve proposed that on a designated day in early January we each engage in one act, either online....
sdwolfpup.tumblr.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:43 AM
I know everything feels dark and terrible, but More Joy Day is coming back for the 19th year and I'm looking forward to it. I hope you all will join me on January 8, 2026 and share the joy.
You can read more about it at my tumblr here: sdwolfpup.tumblr.com/post/8021452...
You can read more about it at my tumblr here: sdwolfpup.tumblr.com/post/8021452...
Reposted by Ook
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
Vital Cat Update
It’s time to talk about my cat. To which you might be saying, “Chuck, I didn’t know you had a cat!” and I’d respond with, “I didn’t know I had a cat either…
terribleminds.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
It's time to talk to you about my cat.
Reposted by Ook
since we're doing USPS discourse again, a reminder of what Dems should be saying
"the USPS is a miracle. it's in the constitution. for the price of a single stamp you can send a letter across the country, from Hawaii to Maine. Trump is trying to take that away from you. He's attacking Christmas cards and wedding invitations. It's un-American and it has to stop."
December 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM
since we're doing USPS discourse again, a reminder of what Dems should be saying
Reposted by Ook
"We’re stuck in a sort of mass political psychosis: with pundits and strategists advising Democrats to compromise on their most powerful and popular issue and Democrats acquiescing—forever hedging their language and refusing to go on offense."
jessica.substack.com/p/abortion-b...
jessica.substack.com/p/abortion-b...
The Most Unpopular Laws in America
Nobody wants abortion bans—not even deep red states
jessica.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
"We’re stuck in a sort of mass political psychosis: with pundits and strategists advising Democrats to compromise on their most powerful and popular issue and Democrats acquiescing—forever hedging their language and refusing to go on offense."
jessica.substack.com/p/abortion-b...
jessica.substack.com/p/abortion-b...