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urocklive1.bsky.social
Khashoggi's Ghost
@urocklive1.bsky.social
230K followers 39K following 16K posts
Democracy is the way. Truth and justice matter.

Russia can end the war today by leaving Ukraine.

Less proud to be an American than I used to be. I really thought we were better than this.

#IStandWithUkraine #NAFO Fellas fan
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urocklive1.bsky.social
Since it's the 25th anniversary of the corrupt SCOTUS decision that guaranteed we'd never know who really won the 2000 election, I thought I'd mention for those of you who may have been too young or just not paying attention to politics then that HBO has an excellent movie called "Recount" about it.
New York Times Headline: BUSH PREVAILS BY A SINGLE VOTE, JUSTICES END RECOUNT, BLOCKING GORE AFTER 5-WEEK STRUGGLE
December 12, 2025 at 9:56 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
It's been 25 years since a blatantly corrupt SCOTUS decision changed the world.

We may never know who actually won, because they made sure we could never find out.

Imagine how different the world would be today.
25 year old New York Times front page with the headline: BUSH PREVAILS By a Single Vote, Justices End Recount Blocking Gore After 5-Week Struggle
December 12, 2025 at 5:22 AM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Posobiec’s email arrived the day after my initial inquiries. The false claims he asked about, particularly the Asian fetish thing, seemed to mirror my questions. Posobiec, who in 2016 promoted the bogus Pizzagate conspiracy theory, gave me a deadline, 5 p.m. on October 29, that was the same as the one I had given the Pentagon press office. A Pentagon spokesperson and Posobiec both denied coordination. Geressy declined to comment. But considering the questions, timing, and Posobiec’s links to Defense Department officials, the situation seemed clear. This was either an incredible coincidence or a deliberate message: Publish your article and get smeared.
December 12, 2025 at 3:29 AM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Good news on the supply side, as well.

(Or bad news, I suppose, depending on your perspective.🤷‍♀️)
Recent Evidence on Illegal Drug Supply (Last 6 Months) Recent data suggests that the supply of fentanyl entering the country may indeed be decreasing, coinciding with the drop in overdose deaths. Fentanyl seizures at U.S. borders peaked in April 2023 and have been declining since. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) shows that between January and September 2025, authorities seized approximately 55% less fentanyl at U.S. borders compared to the same period in 2024. In September 2025, about 640 pounds of fentanyl were seized, a 15% drop from August 2025. Despite these reductions in opioids, CBP reported in June 2025 that seizures of other drugs like methamphetamine and heroin saw significant monthly increases (102% and 19% respectively). Experts note that increased distribution of the overdose-reversal drug naloxone and better access to treatment for substance use disorders have also contributed to the decline in deaths.
December 11, 2025 at 11:56 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
OK, I asked Google's AI, and it looks like things have been improving, but it looks like much of it is from Biden's policies, not Trump's.

But good news on drug related deaths anyway.
Recent Statistics on Drug Deaths (Last 6 Months) Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the downward trend in overdose fatalities has persisted and even accelerated in many areas. For the 12-month period ending in December 2024, there were approximately 80,856 estimated drug overdose deaths nationwide. For the 12-month period ending in March 2025, the number of estimated deaths dropped further to approximately 77,648, representing a dramatic 25% decline compared to the same period the previous year. The peak in annual deaths was in 2022, at approximately 107,941.
December 11, 2025 at 11:52 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Yikes.
Kareem Rifai 🌐 @KareemRifai We're reaching levels of horseshoe previously unconceivable by mankind. Over Medea Benjamin post: We visited Representative Marjorie Taylor Green today to thank her for becoming such a strong anti war voice in Congress and tell her we will miss her. Over a picture of MTG posing with Benjamin and her group.
December 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"Twenty-seven percent of Americans have skipped a doctor’s appointment or checkup in the last two years because it was too expensive, and 23 percent rejected a prescription for similar reasons. Overall, nearly half of respondents are finding it difficult to afford health care."
Meanwhile, only 36 percent of Trump’s own voters think that the tariffs will work out in the end. The majority of voters blaming their affordability issues on Trump means that his disinformation campaign—doing everything but taking responsibility for the state of the economy—isn’t working on most people.
December 11, 2025 at 1:43 AM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Homendy said Section 373 would "reverse safety changes" made after the January 2025 crash, where 67 people were killed in a mid-air collision over the Potomac River. It would also allow military department leaders to conduct training exercises over the Washington, D.C. airspace.
"This is a significant safety setback," she added. "It represents an unacceptable risk to the flying public, to commercial and military aircraft crews, and to the residents in the region." "It's also an unthinkable dismissal of our investigation and of the 67 families who lost loved ones in a tragedy that was entirely preventable," she said. "This is shameful. It is shameful."
December 11, 2025 at 1:37 AM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Infuriating and embarrassing.
Michael Weiss @michaeldweiss Pure fantasy. Trump trying to enrich his cronies with other people’s money, after declaring Europe enemy terrain. The EU should speak loudly and clearly: “Get stuffed.” Some European officials who have seen the documents said they weren't sure whether to take some of the U.S. proposals seriously. One official compared them to President Trump's vision of building a Riviera-style development in Gaza. Another, referring to the proposed U.S.-Russia energy deals, said it was an economic version of the 1945 conference where World War II victors divvied up Europe. "It's like Yalta," he said.
December 10, 2025 at 11:17 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"The Canadian government announced on Tuesday that its investment over 12 years will be used to recruit and support over 1,000 individuals advancing world-leading research in critical fields, including doctors and scientists."

Meanwhile the US buries young people in debt if they want an education.
"As other countries constrain academic freedoms and undermine cutting-edge research, Canada is investing in – and doubling down on – science," Melanie Joly, Canada's industry minister, said in a statement. "Today's investment is about securing Canada's place at the forefront of discovery and innovation and leveraging our strength in science to support our future well-being and prosperity for generations to come."
December 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Trump's mafia-style diplomacy is not winning friends and influencing people.
Daractenus @Daractenus · 7h Denmark's Defence Intelligence Service has now officially listed the United States as a major security threat to Denmark, alongside Russia and China, identifying it as a state that could potentially use military force against its own partners and allies. Bloomberg headline: Danish Spy Agency Now Views US as a Possible Security Concern
December 10, 2025 at 10:06 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"Trump is also a Fox News Frankenstein pumped up by the network’s fawning coverage. He’s always been quick tempered, stubborn and impulsive. He values loyalty over expertise, knowledge or experience.

... he's also always created his own reality with elaborate lies about nearly anything."
Now that he’s clearly suffering from cognitive decline his temper is more volatile, his lies are more fantastical. He is easily manipulated by golden trinkets, flattery or even a strong charismatic personality. He is an empty vessel driven by the need to feed his own grandiose ego. Fox News is hoping it can tame the beast it’s created but it’s unlikely that the mad wannabe king will listen to anything but praise from the network. Last week multiple Fox News hosts openly begged Trump to change course. We might be witnessing the beginning of the end of the Trump era.
December 10, 2025 at 9:58 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"If a territorial settlement is pushed through under these conditions — without Ukrainian consent, under duress, or by external pressure — it will not be a peace. It will be a blueprint for future invasions around the world."
A Dangerous Precedent: If Territorial Conquest Is Rewarded, No Border Anywhere Is Safe If Ukraine is compelled to cede territory to end the war: Russia’s aggression is normalized Belarus receives land as reward for complicity Forced child deportations go unpunished Ethnic cleansing becomes a negotiable asset And most critically: Every revisionist state — from the Balkans to the Caucasus to the South China Sea — will study this settlement as a green light.
December 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
JFC. The weakening of America continues.
Fred Wellman @FPWellman 🚨 I am getting a flood of messages from panicked @DeptVetAffairs employees that there is a bloodbath unfolding as @SecVetAffairs has quietly issued personnel guidance cutting THOUSANDS of jobs. Heavily hit is mental health and suicide prevention providers! They are gutting the VA and veterans healthcare while we aren't looking! Word is they are even gutting the brand new clinic in Fredericksburg, VA that Collins has been claiming credit for building. This is the privatization they've always dreamed of and veterans are going to pay for it! @RepVindman #veterans
December 9, 2025 at 9:52 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Swell. Today's mass school shooting brought to you by Kentucky.
Governor Andy Beshear @GovAndyBeshear We are aware of a reported shooting at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. At this time, we are aware of some injuries. We will share more information as available. Law enforcement are on scene, and a suspect has been arrested. Let’s pray for all those affected.
December 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"While countries naturally adjust their foreign policy, the sudden descent into boorishly insulting behavior by US officials strikes Europeans—both leaders and average citizens—as simply astounding."

America First = America Alone, and anyone who thinks we're better off alone is profoundly ignorant.
US officials may occasionally anticipate the president’s views, but there should be no doubt where POTUS stands on Europe. On December 8, in an interview with POLITICO, President Donald Trump joined the four-day mass attack, denouncing “Europe as a ‘decaying’ group of nations led by ‘weak’ people.” He belittled traditional US allies for failing to control migration and end the Russia-Ukraine war, and signaled he would endorse European political candidates aligned with his own vision for the continent. In other words, the US would interfere in Europe’s elections.
December 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"Meanwhile, after the European Commission levied a fine on Elon Musk’s social media platform X for violations of transparency requirements, both official and social media exploded in deliberate mischaracterization of the Commission’s actions."

They're totally lying about what these fines are for.
Except the fines—rather low by EU standards—were levied for deceptive practices that allow scams and fraud and obstruct researchers’ access to public platform data. Claiming the fines were “censorship” is deliberately misleading, choosing to ignore the publicly spelled-out reasons for the fine. Elon Musk himself tweeted “Abolish the EU,” which was immediately seconded by Kirill Dimitriev, Steven Witkoff’s interlocutor in the US-Russian negotiations, who also reposted Marco Rubio on supposed censorship—using a French address and VPN. Why the VPN and fake location? Because Russia doesn’t fine X. The entire platform is banned there.
December 9, 2025 at 9:12 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Caving to a bully invites more bullying, not respect.
Yaroslav Trofimov @yarotrof Rutte-led flattery of “daddy” produced just disdain and a conviction by Trump that Europe is weak and can be bullied. As shown by the showdown with China, Trump only respects strength. The only way Europe can show strength is by getting its act together quickly to seize Russian assets, thus derailing plans to hand over Ukraine to the Kremlin. It’s pretty simple, really. The alternative is an end to the EU. Will the survival instinct kick in? Trump Thrashes European Leaders in Wide-Ranging Interview
December 9, 2025 at 12:13 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"In 1993, Trump signed a mortgage for a 'Bermuda style' home in Palm Beach, Florida, pledging that it would be his principal residence. Just seven weeks later, he got another mortgage for a seven-bedroom, marble-floored neighboring property, attesting that it too would be his principal residence."
In reality, Trump, then a New Yorker, does not appear to have ever lived in either home, let alone used them as a principal residence. Instead, the two houses, which are next to his historic Mar-a-Lago estate, were used as investment properties and rented out, according to contemporaneous news accounts and an interview with his longtime real estate agent — exactly the sort of scenario his administration has pointed to as evidence of fraud. At the time of the purchases, Trump’s local real estate agent told the Miami Herald that the businessman had “hired an expensive New York design firm” to “dress them up to the nines and lease them out annually.” In an interview, Shirley Wyner, the late real estate agent’s wife and business partner who was herself later the rental agent for the two properties, told ProPublica: “They were rentals from the beginning.” Wyner, who has worked with the Trump family for years, added: “President Trump never lived there.”
December 9, 2025 at 3:48 AM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Natasha Bertrand @NatashaBertrand New: Secretary of Defense Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine and SecState Marco Rubio are expected to brief the Gang of 8 lawmakers on Tuesday afternoon, per two people with knowledge. Separately, outgoing Southern Command commander Adm. Alvin Holsey, who is set to retire this month after only one year in his position, is expected to virtually meet with the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services committees on Tuesday.
December 9, 2025 at 3:34 AM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Entirely unregulated AI. What could go wrong?🤷‍♀️

I'm sure this won't come back to haunt us in some dystopian sci-fi type manner.🙄

His Silicon Valley donors will be thrilled they didn't give him millions for nothing.
Trump post: There must be only One Rulebook if we are going to continue lead in AI. We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won't last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS. THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS! AI WILL BE DESTROYED IN ITS INFANCY! I will be doings a ONE RULE Executive Order this week. You can't expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!
December 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
"The Biden Administration forced our Great Companies to spend BILLIONS OF DOLLARS building 'degraded' products that nobody wanted, a terrible idea that slowed Innovation, and hurt the American Worker. That Era is OVER!"

WTF is he talking about?
"I have informed President Xi, of China, that the United States will allow NVIDIA to ship its H200 products to approved customers in China, and other Countries, under conditions that allow for continued strong National Security. President Xi responded positively! $25% will be paid to the United States of America. This policy will support American Jobs, strengthen U.S. Manufacturing, and benefit American Taxpayers. The Biden Administration forced our Great Companies to spend BILLIONS OF DOLLARS building “degraded” products that nobody wanted, a terrible idea that slowed Innovation, and hurt the American Worker. That Era is OVER! We will protect National Security, create American Jobs, and keep America’s lead in AI. NVIDIA’s U.S. Customers are already moving forward with their incredible, highly advanced Blackwell chips, and soon, Rubin, neither of which are part of this deal. My Administration will always put America FIRST. The Department of Commerce is finalizing the details, and the same approach will apply to AMD, Intel, and other GREAT American Companies. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
December 8, 2025 at 10:03 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
He's made so many amazing films it's hard to choose, and many of them have already been mentioned here, but I was always kind of partial to Déjà Vu.
Picture of Denzel Washington in Déjà Vu
December 8, 2025 at 8:52 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 8:39 PM
urocklive1.bsky.social
Jay Nordlinger @jaynordlinger · 1h No headline can sum up the state of the world. But this one, from the Associated Press, comes close: "The Kremlin praises new US security strategy as Russian strikes kill 4 in Ukraine."
December 8, 2025 at 2:04 AM