randy r. potts
@thephatic.bsky.social
journo, editor, photog; Hromadske, TVPWorld, New Yorker, AJE, VQR, et al 🏳️🌈
Tulsa / DC / mieszkam w Warszawie
DM for Signal
Tulsa / DC / mieszkam w Warszawie
DM for Signal
Reposted by randy r. potts
heads up to all my former colleagues in the fedl govt:
If you have been put on leave or are being fired because of comments you made in your personal capacity about and during the shutdown, please, reach out to me — Signal is crg.32 and I'm fairly easy to find on any platform.
November 14, 2025 at 9:31 AM
heads up to all my former colleagues in the fedl govt:
Reposted by randy r. potts
On a day in which every new thing I read is slimier than the last can I please persuade you to read this very odd and beautiful essay by a student of mine that knows what time it is?
If you told me there was this amazing essay about Simon & Garfunkel & a horse farm I *needed* to read, I'd--well, I wouldn't. But damn, this is it, by Cassidy Exner, latest in series of young writers approaching the Trumpocene slant rhyme. callingallsyllables.substack.com/p/eddie-wher...
Eddie, Where Are You Calling From?
Evidence of the moment from a most peculiar archive
callingallsyllables.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM
On a day in which every new thing I read is slimier than the last can I please persuade you to read this very odd and beautiful essay by a student of mine that knows what time it is?
the GOP exists to transfer public wealth into private pockets, episode 1353205823081
November 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
the GOP exists to transfer public wealth into private pockets, episode 1353205823081
reminds me of that old short story, The Great Stone Face
City Raccoons Are Evolving to Look More Like Pets
City-dwelling raccoons seem to be evolving a shorter snout—a telltale feature of our pets and other domesticated animals
www.scientificamerican.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:55 PM
reminds me of that old short story, The Great Stone Face
Reposted by randy r. potts
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“Housing shortage – Jews to blame," letter sticker, German Reich, 1938
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
zwangsraeume.berlin/en/context
there's a reason why libertarians prefer to take vacations in places like Europe rather than actual tax/govt free areas in, say, Lebanon ........
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:51 AM
there's a reason why libertarians prefer to take vacations in places like Europe rather than actual tax/govt free areas in, say, Lebanon ........
heads up to all my former colleagues in the fedl govt:
If you have been put on leave or are being fired because of comments you made in your personal capacity about and during the shutdown, please, reach out to me — Signal is crg.32 and I'm fairly easy to find on any platform.
November 14, 2025 at 9:31 AM
heads up to all my former colleagues in the fedl govt:
not my favorite thing to see that the UK's favorite fascist, Tommy Robinson - who is allied ofc with Musk - was here in Warsaw yesterday for the fash-co-opted Independence Day march where marchers carry flags and spooky fash torches and Poles warn queers like me to stay inside
November 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
not my favorite thing to see that the UK's favorite fascist, Tommy Robinson - who is allied ofc with Musk - was here in Warsaw yesterday for the fash-co-opted Independence Day march where marchers carry flags and spooky fash torches and Poles warn queers like me to stay inside
Reposted by randy r. potts
JOB ALERT! We are hiring a business editor.
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
Senior Editor, Business
New York City, United States
job-boards.greenhouse.io
November 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
JOB ALERT! We are hiring a business editor.
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
a few I really like and you may as well:
@highcountrynews.org @flaminghydra.com @readfrontier.bsky.social @inquirer.com @hammerandhope.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
@therevealer.bsky.social
@highcountrynews.org @flaminghydra.com @readfrontier.bsky.social @inquirer.com @hammerandhope.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
@therevealer.bsky.social
Last thing I’ll say about this for now:
What is the _actually existing publication_ that you evangelize for? That you consistently hype when they do good things, urge people to support, and are a sustaining donor or subscriber to?
This isn’t a prompt; it’s a reminder to hold yourself accountable.
What is the _actually existing publication_ that you evangelize for? That you consistently hype when they do good things, urge people to support, and are a sustaining donor or subscriber to?
This isn’t a prompt; it’s a reminder to hold yourself accountable.
November 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
a few I really like and you may as well:
@highcountrynews.org @flaminghydra.com @readfrontier.bsky.social @inquirer.com @hammerandhope.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
@therevealer.bsky.social
@highcountrynews.org @flaminghydra.com @readfrontier.bsky.social @inquirer.com @hammerandhope.bsky.social
@thebaltimorebanner.com
@therevealer.bsky.social
Reposted by randy r. potts
Last thing I’ll say about this for now:
What is the _actually existing publication_ that you evangelize for? That you consistently hype when they do good things, urge people to support, and are a sustaining donor or subscriber to?
This isn’t a prompt; it’s a reminder to hold yourself accountable.
What is the _actually existing publication_ that you evangelize for? That you consistently hype when they do good things, urge people to support, and are a sustaining donor or subscriber to?
This isn’t a prompt; it’s a reminder to hold yourself accountable.
November 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Last thing I’ll say about this for now:
What is the _actually existing publication_ that you evangelize for? That you consistently hype when they do good things, urge people to support, and are a sustaining donor or subscriber to?
This isn’t a prompt; it’s a reminder to hold yourself accountable.
What is the _actually existing publication_ that you evangelize for? That you consistently hype when they do good things, urge people to support, and are a sustaining donor or subscriber to?
This isn’t a prompt; it’s a reminder to hold yourself accountable.
Reposted by randy r. potts
In central MD alone, ICE is rapidly contracting:
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
I have been actively watching contracts and surge funding over the last few days and what I would say to my friends in Baltimore is “be absolutely ready, right now.”
ICE poised to ramp up raids in Baltimore by Thanksgiving
The Trump administration has rush-ordered infrastructure to conduct raids, abduct residents, and detain people for months.
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 AM
In central MD alone, ICE is rapidly contracting:
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
- AI skip tracing
- AI face recognition
- Cell tower spoofing vehicles
- Signal exploitation equipment
- 6 months of MREs for detainees
- Detainee transport vans
- Device cracking & data exploit firms
ICE is also rn requistioning, among other things, 6 months of MRE's for "Central Maryland" - meaning Baltimore is also likely to be targeted soon.
ICE/BP’s next targets are reportedly Charlotte and New Orleans.
Two things:
1) If they had the capacity to hit many cities at once, rather than pick on one or two at a time, they would.
2) Moving south seems to confirm speculation that they’re leaving Chicago because it got cold.
Two things:
1) If they had the capacity to hit many cities at once, rather than pick on one or two at a time, they would.
2) Moving south seems to confirm speculation that they’re leaving Chicago because it got cold.
Trump Administration Plans to Send Border Patrol to Charlotte and New Orleans
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:28 PM
ICE is also rn requistioning, among other things, 6 months of MRE's for "Central Maryland" - meaning Baltimore is also likely to be targeted soon.
Trump imagines himself as Earth Emperor and thus thinks he can already make decisions for the govt in the UK, Israel, and elsewhere. This is common among people struggling with senility.
Trump wants to have the power to pardon his allies not only at home, but also abroad.
President Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Herzog calling him to pardon Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The letter. Thanks to @barakravid.bsky.social
The letter. Thanks to @barakravid.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Trump imagines himself as Earth Emperor and thus thinks he can already make decisions for the govt in the UK, Israel, and elsewhere. This is common among people struggling with senility.
Reposted by randy r. potts
Jason Stanley got yelled out of a liberal Frankfurt congregation for bringing up Gaza, taking a universalist stance, and advocating freedom of speech. Good analysis of how in Germany, the fear of antisemitism is now the very thing that fuels ressentiments www.fr.de/kultur/gesel...
Faschismus-Experte Jason Stanley aus Synagoge in Frankfurt geworfen: Zum Schweigen gebracht
Nach kritischen Äußerungen zu Israel und Diskursklima wurde Jason Stanley am 9. November von der jüdischen Gemeinde Frankfurt ausgeschlossen.
www.fr.de
November 12, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Jason Stanley got yelled out of a liberal Frankfurt congregation for bringing up Gaza, taking a universalist stance, and advocating freedom of speech. Good analysis of how in Germany, the fear of antisemitism is now the very thing that fuels ressentiments www.fr.de/kultur/gesel...
we have to expect that the Trump admin is studying moves like this and intends to copy/paste them
With the Imamoglu indictment, political competition ("establishing an organization for the purpose of raising funds to nominate a presidential candidate") is now officially criminizalized.
November 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
we have to expect that the Trump admin is studying moves like this and intends to copy/paste them
Reposted by randy r. potts
my new Patreon essay is up: "How Declaring Antifa a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” Could Provide the Legal Basis for a Full-Spectrum Attack on the Left"
If you'd like to read it but aren't a Patron (yet!), there are free 7 day subscriptions.
www.patreon.com/posts/143360...
If you'd like to read it but aren't a Patron (yet!), there are free 7 day subscriptions.
www.patreon.com/posts/143360...
How Declaring Antifa a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” Could Provide the Legal Basis for a Full-Spectrum Attack on the Left | Spencer Sunshine
Get more from Spencer Sunshine on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:52 PM
my new Patreon essay is up: "How Declaring Antifa a “Foreign Terrorist Organization” Could Provide the Legal Basis for a Full-Spectrum Attack on the Left"
If you'd like to read it but aren't a Patron (yet!), there are free 7 day subscriptions.
www.patreon.com/posts/143360...
If you'd like to read it but aren't a Patron (yet!), there are free 7 day subscriptions.
www.patreon.com/posts/143360...
Reposted by randy r. potts
The stat that blows my mind is that Israel killed more civilians in the first week after October 7 than Hamas has killed since it was founded 40 years ago
worth noting that, for the number of deaths of children on & since the 7th of october, a ratio of 5:50 is actually disproportionately in favour of israeli kids.
November 11, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The stat that blows my mind is that Israel killed more civilians in the first week after October 7 than Hamas has killed since it was founded 40 years ago
Reposted by randy r. potts
Ukrainian International Legion team “Omega” during training this Autumn.
Badass!
Badass!
November 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Ukrainian International Legion team “Omega” during training this Autumn.
Badass!
Badass!
this is the sweet spot, when academic books are written in such a way they are both scholarly and also accessible to HS Seniors
Love this book. And now my daughter is using it for her Year 12 English project on White Lotus and Rousseau's Second Discourse.
Fun for the whole family! Thanks @laywilliams.bsky.social
Fun for the whole family! Thanks @laywilliams.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
this is the sweet spot, when academic books are written in such a way they are both scholarly and also accessible to HS Seniors
yet another reason to revisit anything Milton rn is that he also lived in a time of rising Christian nationalism, a time when the reactionaries were closing down theaters for Jesus; his role in those times is actually super super interesting and his Satan, ofc, famously relatable
there's a moment in PARADISE LOST where Satan arrives in Eden and realizes Hell isn't a place; it's a thing he carries within him and it'll follow him wherever he goes. and i think about that when i see these awful rich men whose monstrous wealth has enriched them not at all
“whatever club he’s invited to join has been devalued by the invitation”
November 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
yet another reason to revisit anything Milton rn is that he also lived in a time of rising Christian nationalism, a time when the reactionaries were closing down theaters for Jesus; his role in those times is actually super super interesting and his Satan, ofc, famously relatable
Reposted by randy r. potts
Here is the sign-up link to volunteer:
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=e...
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=e...
We just launched the biggest primary program in Indivisible’s history. Help us (literally) send Schumer and the surrender caucus a message. open.substack.com/pub/ezralevi...
Democratic leaders failed us again. Time to get some new leaders.
Indivisible's weekly newsletter with analysis and action
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Here is the sign-up link to volunteer:
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=e...
www.indivisible2026.org?utm_source=e...
Reposted by randy r. potts
Jennifer, a resident detained by federal agents, says the whistles, the alerts and the warnings from local residents are making a huge difference in keeping our neighbors safe from ICE.
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Jennifer, a resident detained by federal agents, says the whistles, the alerts and the warnings from local residents are making a huge difference in keeping our neighbors safe from ICE.