Barbara 🧿
@prettygoodemachine.bsky.social
Southwestern Latina surviving the Midwest.
I don’t argue with strangers on the internet.
I said what I said.
I don’t argue with strangers on the internet.
I said what I said.
Pinned
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
Everyone is understandably sharing the Miller quote, but I found this response from photographer Christopher Anderson to be notable, too.
December 18, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Everyone is understandably sharing the Miller quote, but I found this response from photographer Christopher Anderson to be notable, too.
I got a free Christmas ornament from my dispensary today. Apparently I’m a platinum member. It’s been a year guys. 😬
December 18, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I got a free Christmas ornament from my dispensary today. Apparently I’m a platinum member. It’s been a year guys. 😬
This is the only way I’ve ever seen that accurately accounts for the complexities of estrangement & the questions we should be asking.
You want to talk to me about how estrangement narratives need to reckon with what poverty or racism did to parenting? Great!
You want to talk about your adult children as units of debt? You are doing a very different project.
You want to talk about your adult children as units of debt? You are doing a very different project.
December 18, 2025 at 12:34 AM
This is the only way I’ve ever seen that accurately accounts for the complexities of estrangement & the questions we should be asking.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
My investigators are back with more on our follow the money investigation into Epstein.
Here’s a thread for anyone interested in learning about another major Epstein mystery:
Here’s a thread for anyone interested in learning about another major Epstein mystery:
Exclusive | Senators Press FBI Over Failure to Investigate Epstein’s Lawyer and Accountant
The FBI never interviewed Darren Indyke or Richard Kahn about their work for Epstein; they deny knowing about Epstein’s crimes.
www.wsj.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:43 PM
My investigators are back with more on our follow the money investigation into Epstein.
Here’s a thread for anyone interested in learning about another major Epstein mystery:
Here’s a thread for anyone interested in learning about another major Epstein mystery:
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
More needs to be said about the links between the rise of authoritarian politics and the popularity of authoritarian “fitness” and “diet” regimes. Concentrating on religion ignores the creeping authoritarian push in many secular areas of society.
December 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
More needs to be said about the links between the rise of authoritarian politics and the popularity of authoritarian “fitness” and “diet” regimes. Concentrating on religion ignores the creeping authoritarian push in many secular areas of society.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
SCOOP: American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr. Research included reducing sudden infant deaths and identifying autism early. Me and @Paigecunningham.Bsky.Social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr.
HHS cuts key AAP grants, citing concerns about “identity-based language” and insufficient focus on agency priorities. The organization said the cuts could harm child health.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
SCOOP: American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr. Research included reducing sudden infant deaths and identifying autism early. Me and @Paigecunningham.Bsky.Social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
'Kills children after 2 days of use' was the kind of thing that would end a product back in the day
"Levi was 13 when he joined, Instagram’s minimum age, and had been on the app less than 48 hours when he was targeted for blackmail and died, his mother said" www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-... via @davidingram.bsky.social
Two families sue Meta over teens' deaths by suicide, citing 'sextortion' scams
One boy joined Instagram on Sunday and was dead by Tuesday afternoon. His mother says the app is to blame.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:25 PM
'Kills children after 2 days of use' was the kind of thing that would end a product back in the day
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
"An investigative report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) demonstrates that Amazon Business has been building a monopoly on selling office products, cleaning supplies, and classroom materials."
prospect.org/2025/12/17/a...
prospect.org/2025/12/17/a...
Amazon Has Been Conning School Districts out of Millions - The American Prospect
Amazon Business is billed as a convenient one-stop shop for schools. Reality is more expensive.
prospect.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
"An investigative report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) demonstrates that Amazon Business has been building a monopoly on selling office products, cleaning supplies, and classroom materials."
prospect.org/2025/12/17/a...
prospect.org/2025/12/17/a...
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...
As Biden warned about democracy’s collapse, TV networks aired reruns
Broadcasters NBC, CBS and ABC usually air presidential prime-time addresses live. But they found Biden's Philadelphia speech more "political" than newsworthy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:27 PM
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
Impeach him the second you get a majority, imo. Let this guy lay it all out.
BREAKING on MS NOW:
Jack Smith, in his opening statement to House Judiciary, says:
"Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power."
Jack Smith, in his opening statement to House Judiciary, says:
"Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power."
December 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Impeach him the second you get a majority, imo. Let this guy lay it all out.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
Gavin Newsom is Mitt Romney for the Democrats, a department store mannequin who will lose in a general election
December 17, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Gavin Newsom is Mitt Romney for the Democrats, a department store mannequin who will lose in a general election
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
They updated the website today to remove the word "independent"
Before (left), after (right)
Before (left), after (right)
December 17, 2025 at 8:25 PM
They updated the website today to remove the word "independent"
Before (left), after (right)
Before (left), after (right)
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
It seems awfully telling that Republicans were unwilling to hold this hearing publicly. It’s not like the case hinged on classified information; they’re just afraid of the public hearing what Smith has to say.
NEW: Jack Smith told lawmakers he developed "proof beyond a reasonable doubt” that Trump engaged in a “criminal scheme” to overturn his election loss.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Jack Smith tells Congress he could prove Trump engaged in a 'criminal scheme' to overturn 2020 election
Smith testified about his investigations into Trump during a closed-door hearing with members of the House Judiciary Committee.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:45 PM
It seems awfully telling that Republicans were unwilling to hold this hearing publicly. It’s not like the case hinged on classified information; they’re just afraid of the public hearing what Smith has to say.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
Ex-Trump lawyer John Dowd defends Jack Smith:
"Smith was once my adversary in a high-profile investigation of a Republican client. In that investigation, Smith proved himself to be fair, impartial and fearlessly committed to the facts … [R]ecent attacks on Smith are motivated by partisan politics."
"Smith was once my adversary in a high-profile investigation of a Republican client. In that investigation, Smith proved himself to be fair, impartial and fearlessly committed to the facts … [R]ecent attacks on Smith are motivated by partisan politics."
Opinion | I'm Trump's former lawyer. Jack Smith should be celebrated, not vilified.
John Dowd: Jack Smith was once my adversary in a high-profile investigation of a Republican client. Smith was fair, impartial and fearlessly committed to the facts and the law.
www.ms.now
December 17, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Ex-Trump lawyer John Dowd defends Jack Smith:
"Smith was once my adversary in a high-profile investigation of a Republican client. In that investigation, Smith proved himself to be fair, impartial and fearlessly committed to the facts … [R]ecent attacks on Smith are motivated by partisan politics."
"Smith was once my adversary in a high-profile investigation of a Republican client. In that investigation, Smith proved himself to be fair, impartial and fearlessly committed to the facts … [R]ecent attacks on Smith are motivated by partisan politics."
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
he also kind of gets everyone's asses again in this follow up with the washington post
December 17, 2025 at 7:36 PM
he also kind of gets everyone's asses again in this follow up with the washington post
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
Oh my god y'all I had not seen the rest of the Vanity Fair photos holy shit. Christopher Anderson deserves a medal.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
December 17, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Oh my god y'all I had not seen the rest of the Vanity Fair photos holy shit. Christopher Anderson deserves a medal.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
Look at this. He left the LIGHT SWITCHES in the edited photos! These assholes look like their well-meaning mom took a picture of them on their first day in a grown-up job.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
The Trump Admin wants to turn the clock back to 2008 and let Wall Street run wild.
We all know how that ended – with taxpayers bailing out Wall Street while millions lost their homes and got fired from their jobs.
Donald Trump could be setting the stage for the next crash.
We all know how that ended – with taxpayers bailing out Wall Street while millions lost their homes and got fired from their jobs.
Donald Trump could be setting the stage for the next crash.
Bessent: "These 2008, 2009, 2010 financial rules were too tight. They hamstrung the American financial system. It was time for a change ... we have to take the financial system out of this straitjacket ... the regulated system is too constrained."
December 17, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The Trump Admin wants to turn the clock back to 2008 and let Wall Street run wild.
We all know how that ended – with taxpayers bailing out Wall Street while millions lost their homes and got fired from their jobs.
Donald Trump could be setting the stage for the next crash.
We all know how that ended – with taxpayers bailing out Wall Street while millions lost their homes and got fired from their jobs.
Donald Trump could be setting the stage for the next crash.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I'm told that HHS has just terminated all funding agreements with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Here's a letter HHS sent canceling one of the grants, relating to work on birth defects. Canceled because the project "emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components"
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
December 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
I think social media keeps us in spaces we’re supposed to out grow.
For generations people “cut off” parents by moving away and mailing them a card once a year. Travel and long distance phone calls were expensive; distance effectively cut people off w/o being so explicit.
The difference now is that communication is cheap so cutting them off requires being explicit.
The difference now is that communication is cheap so cutting them off requires being explicit.
There's no hard data, so it's impossible to know for sure, but I suspect the number of adult children cutting off their parents isn't significantly higher than it used to be, and what's actually new is that the children are now explaining it in therapy terms rather than simply ceasing contact.
December 17, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I think social media keeps us in spaces we’re supposed to out grow.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
My sense is that the “male loneliness crisis” is not really about addressing men’s emotional needs but rather the relatively newfound absence of having someone to perform domestic labor for you quietly in the background now that there is a longer gap between your mother and your wife doing it
December 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
My sense is that the “male loneliness crisis” is not really about addressing men’s emotional needs but rather the relatively newfound absence of having someone to perform domestic labor for you quietly in the background now that there is a longer gap between your mother and your wife doing it
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
Ding ding ding
My sense is that the “male loneliness crisis” is not really about addressing men’s emotional needs but rather the relatively newfound absence of having someone to perform domestic labor for you quietly in the background now that there is a longer gap between your mother and your wife doing it
December 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Ding ding ding
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
THIS IS EVERYTHING I COULD'VE HOPED FOR! Finally, my questions about luxury good pricing are being answered.
Gift link.
Gift link.
For @bloomberg.com Businessweek’s Year Ahead issue, I wrote about fashion’s failure to find new ideas or fix its outrageous overpricing, and the opening that leaves for secondhand marketplaces to sell brands’ better, older, cheaper stuff to their customers instead. www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
Luxury Goods Are More Expensive Than Ever. You Should Buy Secondhand Instead
With designer prices sky-high and fashion brands in flux, there’s only one thing to do in the year ahead.
www.bloomberg.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:54 PM
THIS IS EVERYTHING I COULD'VE HOPED FOR! Finally, my questions about luxury good pricing are being answered.
Gift link.
Gift link.
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
Peter Thiel's cronies are freaking out about my book.
Here's Garry Tan—an early Palantir employee who designed its logo—launching yet another attack.
Make a tech lord cry! Pre-Order "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War On Democracy"
👉 www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
Here's Garry Tan—an early Palantir employee who designed its logo—launching yet another attack.
Make a tech lord cry! Pre-Order "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War On Democracy"
👉 www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
December 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Peter Thiel's cronies are freaking out about my book.
Here's Garry Tan—an early Palantir employee who designed its logo—launching yet another attack.
Make a tech lord cry! Pre-Order "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War On Democracy"
👉 www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
Here's Garry Tan—an early Palantir employee who designed its logo—launching yet another attack.
Make a tech lord cry! Pre-Order "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War On Democracy"
👉 www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
Reposted by Barbara 🧿
speaking of which, I have a new piece out today about how the Trump admin is making it harder for people of color to enter the workforce, harder for us to remain in the workforce, and harder for us to do anything about it
There's a word for that:
Resegregation
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
There's a word for that:
Resegregation
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
December 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
speaking of which, I have a new piece out today about how the Trump admin is making it harder for people of color to enter the workforce, harder for us to remain in the workforce, and harder for us to do anything about it
There's a word for that:
Resegregation
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...
There's a word for that:
Resegregation
ballsandstrikes.org/law-politics...