riffle
@riffle.bsky.social
Skeltering, without helter, in place. That place is US America.
"America: Premodern Leadership for Postmodern Times."
"America: Premodern Leadership for Postmodern Times."
Pinned
riffle
@riffle.bsky.social
· Feb 5
So much bad news recently I've been burying my head in the sand.
Today I wish I'd used flammable sand.
Today I wish I'd used flammable sand.
Reposted by riffle
Hee Haw: The Sordid Truth.
December 2, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Hee Haw: The Sordid Truth.
Reposted by riffle
The step-daughter of the owner of the Criterion Collection and Janus Films is an ex-CIA officer; is married to one of RFK Jr’s sons; was RFK Jr’s presidential campaign manager; looks a bit like Olivia Nuzzi; and is on Trump's Intelligence Advisory Board. WTF reality? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaryll...
Amaryllis Fox Kennedy - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The step-daughter of the owner of the Criterion Collection and Janus Films is an ex-CIA officer; is married to one of RFK Jr’s sons; was RFK Jr’s presidential campaign manager; looks a bit like Olivia Nuzzi; and is on Trump's Intelligence Advisory Board. WTF reality? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaryll...
Reposted by riffle
Happy Advent to you and your kin! And everyone else's kin too, come to that. As every December so far this decade, I'm going to do an Advent Calendar of beautiful and brilliant carols, with each day's added to a YouTube playlist and also to the ongoing Spotify one, now in its sixth(!) year.
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
December 1, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Happy Advent to you and your kin! And everyone else's kin too, come to that. As every December so far this decade, I'm going to do an Advent Calendar of beautiful and brilliant carols, with each day's added to a YouTube playlist and also to the ongoing Spotify one, now in its sixth(!) year.
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Reposted by riffle
News from a robust democracy
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders Honored for rejecting illegal orders during martial law, Marine death probe
www.chosun.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:41 AM
News from a robust democracy
Reposted by riffle
As more speak Irish in Northern Ireland, some Brits bite their tongues
By Steve Hendrix and Amanda Ferguson
In Belfast, even in Unionist neighborhoods, Gaeilge, the once-outlawed Irish language, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence with new schools and bilingual signs.
@amanda.ie Gift link!
By Steve Hendrix and Amanda Ferguson
In Belfast, even in Unionist neighborhoods, Gaeilge, the once-outlawed Irish language, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence with new schools and bilingual signs.
@amanda.ie Gift link!
As more speak Irish in Northern Ireland, some Brits bite their tongues
In Belfast, even in Unionist neighborhoods, Gaeilge, the once-outlawed Irish language, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence with new schools and bilingual signs.
wapo.st
December 2, 2025 at 6:36 AM
As more speak Irish in Northern Ireland, some Brits bite their tongues
By Steve Hendrix and Amanda Ferguson
In Belfast, even in Unionist neighborhoods, Gaeilge, the once-outlawed Irish language, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence with new schools and bilingual signs.
@amanda.ie Gift link!
By Steve Hendrix and Amanda Ferguson
In Belfast, even in Unionist neighborhoods, Gaeilge, the once-outlawed Irish language, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence with new schools and bilingual signs.
@amanda.ie Gift link!
Reposted by riffle
"Of those with a criminal conviction, the vast majority of offenses were misdemeanors, traffic citations or non-violent felonies. Only 28 arrestees —1.5% — had been convicted of a violent felony or sex crime."
Nearly 1,900 immigrants were detained during the first half of Operation Midway Blitz. Most had no criminal record.
Newly released federal data shows that immigration agents booked in roughly 1,900 immigrants in the first half of Operation Midway Blitz – two-thirds of whom had no known criminal convictions or pe…
www.chicagotribune.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:15 AM
"Of those with a criminal conviction, the vast majority of offenses were misdemeanors, traffic citations or non-violent felonies. Only 28 arrestees —1.5% — had been convicted of a violent felony or sex crime."
Reposted by riffle
Also, a lesson to every DOJ lawyer & law enforcement official. A lesson to everyone.
Hegseth is very transparently blaming a Navy admiral for his own decision. Let this be a lesson for every other military officer: The Trump administration will issue unlawful orders, then blame you for following them.
December 2, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Also, a lesson to every DOJ lawyer & law enforcement official. A lesson to everyone.
Reposted by riffle
This is James Bennet, the former NYT opinion editor who didn't read Tom Cotton's "let's unleash the military on American cities" op-ed before running it and then got fired. Also, he hired both Bari Weiss and Bret Stephens. He's more responsible than most for the republic's ruination.
Donald Trump had reasonable concerns about how Joe Biden’s relatives enriched themselves through his service. Yet his own family is making the “Biden crime family” look small-time
How Donald Trump is turning into Joe Biden
It’s about more than denying inflation
econ.st
December 2, 2025 at 5:54 AM
This is James Bennet, the former NYT opinion editor who didn't read Tom Cotton's "let's unleash the military on American cities" op-ed before running it and then got fired. Also, he hired both Bari Weiss and Bret Stephens. He's more responsible than most for the republic's ruination.
Reposted by riffle
They only take a % of profit. No minimum screening fees. So if nobody attends - there's no loss.
And I know this is film programmer inside baseball but I'm sure that is part of Netflix's motivation here. :(
And I know this is film programmer inside baseball but I'm sure that is part of Netflix's motivation here. :(
December 2, 2025 at 12:18 AM
They only take a % of profit. No minimum screening fees. So if nobody attends - there's no loss.
And I know this is film programmer inside baseball but I'm sure that is part of Netflix's motivation here. :(
And I know this is film programmer inside baseball but I'm sure that is part of Netflix's motivation here. :(
Reposted by riffle
Early 2025 our non-profit indie cinema was in a rough spot financially. In March we ran a month of repertory (classic films) WB screenings and it became our most profitable month on record.
WB (as it currently exists) wants their films to be played in cinemas & they're not restrictive about it.
WB (as it currently exists) wants their films to be played in cinemas & they're not restrictive about it.
December 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Early 2025 our non-profit indie cinema was in a rough spot financially. In March we ran a month of repertory (classic films) WB screenings and it became our most profitable month on record.
WB (as it currently exists) wants their films to be played in cinemas & they're not restrictive about it.
WB (as it currently exists) wants their films to be played in cinemas & they're not restrictive about it.
Reposted by riffle
after watching sen. kelly’s press conference what i most admire is how much of it was just like, get a load of this guy, hegseth. you see this dumbass? one of the dumbest guys you’ll ever meet. prize dunce.
December 2, 2025 at 5:16 AM
after watching sen. kelly’s press conference what i most admire is how much of it was just like, get a load of this guy, hegseth. you see this dumbass? one of the dumbest guys you’ll ever meet. prize dunce.
Reposted by riffle
"Dodgers are ruining baseball because my owner won't spend money"
The Giants reportedly don’t anticipate making a nine-figure investment in Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai or other free-agent pitchers
Giants reportedly don't anticipate meeting price tag for star Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai
The San Francisco Giants reportedly don't anticipate meeting Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai's nine-figure price tag.
www.nbcsportsbayarea.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:52 AM
"Dodgers are ruining baseball because my owner won't spend money"
Reposted by riffle
This goat was my fucking hero. She was so brave and funny and loving and didn’t let anything dim her fierce spirit. It’s really hard to believe she’s gone. 💔
We are heartbroken to announce that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Mayor Bonnie today. We’re still emotionally very raw so we hope everyone can be patient and give us a little time to gather our thoughts about her loss before we post a full update.
December 2, 2025 at 3:30 AM
This goat was my fucking hero. She was so brave and funny and loving and didn’t let anything dim her fierce spirit. It’s really hard to believe she’s gone. 💔
Reposted by riffle
Armando Iannucci eat your heart out.
December 2, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Armando Iannucci eat your heart out.
Reposted by riffle
This will kill repertory theatres. WB has some of the favourable screening terms for indie cinemas. They also have a massive library spanning 100 years of films and HUGE tentpole films that put butts in seats.
Hoarding all that on Netflix would be awful.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Hoarding all that on Netflix would be awful.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Warner Bros. Gets Mostly Cash Netflix Offer in New Round of Bids
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. was fielding a second round of bids on Monday, including a mostly cash offer from Netflix Inc., in an auction that could wrap up in the coming days or weeks, according to p...
www.bloomberg.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:14 AM
This will kill repertory theatres. WB has some of the favourable screening terms for indie cinemas. They also have a massive library spanning 100 years of films and HUGE tentpole films that put butts in seats.
Hoarding all that on Netflix would be awful.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Hoarding all that on Netflix would be awful.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by riffle
Increasingly concerning that the Trump Admin is obliterating data so we can’t document what they’re destroying. In this case, gold standard tracking of health care access, insurance coverage and costs. It’s a study that will help us understand the impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill.
MEPS seems to be gone as of now. This is very bad. These are critical pieces of data about health care and they belong to the American public.
December 2, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Increasingly concerning that the Trump Admin is obliterating data so we can’t document what they’re destroying. In this case, gold standard tracking of health care access, insurance coverage and costs. It’s a study that will help us understand the impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill.
Reposted by riffle
NEW: Another purge of immigration judges just happened, this time in New York City. This latest purge includes one of the smartest people I know, an immigration judge who dutifully served on the bench for 10 years. She was unceremoniously fired in violation of civil service laws.
Trump Administration Fires 8 Immigration Judges in New York
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:52 AM
NEW: Another purge of immigration judges just happened, this time in New York City. This latest purge includes one of the smartest people I know, an immigration judge who dutifully served on the bench for 10 years. She was unceremoniously fired in violation of civil service laws.
Reposted by riffle
HUUUUGE Black bear caught on our garden cam in our backyard in Jersey the other night.
December 2, 2025 at 3:33 AM
HUUUUGE Black bear caught on our garden cam in our backyard in Jersey the other night.
Reposted by riffle
Reposted by riffle
day 1 is "penzeys revolution blend" and i cant stop laughing at "we have to GET RID of this lying, cheating, CORRUPT SCUMBAG PRESIDENT!! RESIST! REVOLT! REVOLUTION NOW!! good on roast poultry and carrots"
December 2, 2025 at 12:59 AM
day 1 is "penzeys revolution blend" and i cant stop laughing at "we have to GET RID of this lying, cheating, CORRUPT SCUMBAG PRESIDENT!! RESIST! REVOLT! REVOLUTION NOW!! good on roast poultry and carrots"
Reposted by riffle
Was just remembering back in the day when me and my buddy Dwayne (went on to play LB at Bloomsburg) would hammer throw full bags of trash up on top of the movie theater where we worked. One day trash juice started leaking in from the ceiling of Theater 1 and they found like 60 bags on the roof
December 2, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Was just remembering back in the day when me and my buddy Dwayne (went on to play LB at Bloomsburg) would hammer throw full bags of trash up on top of the movie theater where we worked. One day trash juice started leaking in from the ceiling of Theater 1 and they found like 60 bags on the roof
Reposted by riffle
Pay attention at #NIH to peer review of grant applications.
I don't think it's too much to say the keystone of US biomedical science is NIH's Center for Scientific Review.
CSR organizes peer review—relying on 25k US scientists. Review helps isolate grantmaking from political interference.
But! /1
I don't think it's too much to say the keystone of US biomedical science is NIH's Center for Scientific Review.
CSR organizes peer review—relying on 25k US scientists. Review helps isolate grantmaking from political interference.
But! /1
DOGE holdover who pushed for deep cuts at HHS is headed to the Navy
Rachel Riley, a former McKinsey partner, helped execute sweeping layoffs at the health department this spring. Behind the scenes, her methods sparked turmoil.
www.politico.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Pay attention at #NIH to peer review of grant applications.
I don't think it's too much to say the keystone of US biomedical science is NIH's Center for Scientific Review.
CSR organizes peer review—relying on 25k US scientists. Review helps isolate grantmaking from political interference.
But! /1
I don't think it's too much to say the keystone of US biomedical science is NIH's Center for Scientific Review.
CSR organizes peer review—relying on 25k US scientists. Review helps isolate grantmaking from political interference.
But! /1
Reposted by riffle
Coming back from vacation to some good news!
The first baby whale of the 2025-2026 North American right whale calving season was spotted Nov 28 near South Carolina.
Mom is Champagne (ID #3904) and its her 2nd documented calf. What joyful news for a species with 384 whales remaining.
The first baby whale of the 2025-2026 North American right whale calving season was spotted Nov 28 near South Carolina.
Mom is Champagne (ID #3904) and its her 2nd documented calf. What joyful news for a species with 384 whales remaining.
December 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Coming back from vacation to some good news!
The first baby whale of the 2025-2026 North American right whale calving season was spotted Nov 28 near South Carolina.
Mom is Champagne (ID #3904) and its her 2nd documented calf. What joyful news for a species with 384 whales remaining.
The first baby whale of the 2025-2026 North American right whale calving season was spotted Nov 28 near South Carolina.
Mom is Champagne (ID #3904) and its her 2nd documented calf. What joyful news for a species with 384 whales remaining.
Reposted by riffle
It sucks that meeting a new class now involves not just going over the syllabus, setting expectations, and trying to establish a rapport, but also trying to deduce whether any of your new students are vigilante right wing operatives out to seek viral controversy at the expense of your job
If you are a chair of a department or supervise grad students, it might be important to collaborate with your colleagues on ways to strategize when a "problem essay" comes down the pike. It's one small way of protecting each other.
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
It sucks that meeting a new class now involves not just going over the syllabus, setting expectations, and trying to establish a rapport, but also trying to deduce whether any of your new students are vigilante right wing operatives out to seek viral controversy at the expense of your job
Reposted by riffle
I get accused of cockeyed optimism from time to time and it’s not totally unfair.
but I am very pessimistic about the ability of red state publics to maintain either academic integrity or academic quality while the primary concern of their boards and legislatures is culture war.
but I am very pessimistic about the ability of red state publics to maintain either academic integrity or academic quality while the primary concern of their boards and legislatures is culture war.
December 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I get accused of cockeyed optimism from time to time and it’s not totally unfair.
but I am very pessimistic about the ability of red state publics to maintain either academic integrity or academic quality while the primary concern of their boards and legislatures is culture war.
but I am very pessimistic about the ability of red state publics to maintain either academic integrity or academic quality while the primary concern of their boards and legislatures is culture war.