#ICYMI: We released a trove of disclosure records that detail the finances of more than 1,500 Trump appointees, including former lobbyists, industry executives and at least a dozen officials who declined to identify former clients.
A new estimate puts the cost of dealing with robocalls, hidden fees and customer service chatbots that can’t solve most problems at $165 billion. Via NYT Business:
www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/b...
Our decision to move this spring/early summer to someplace else (anyplace else) is reaffirmed daily. It feels like the place itself wants us to leave, and is telling us not to let the door hit us.
A month ago (a month and 3 days) I came out to my car to discover a branch had crashed down and smashed my windshield. Exactly a month ago, I got it replaced. Today, on my way to get the car serviced, a truck many lengths ahead of me kicked up a pebble that added a tiny crack to the brand new window
I know all the structural factors are there for a congressional blowout this fall but I continue to want to short the Dems performance come November… because I think they just don’t get it.
The hot races with big names & big money will get turnout, but anti-incumbency may not be evenly distributed.
They’re talking influence - real political control. They know they don’t have it. They know it for sure with Dems because the most liberal people they know say they have no control over “their” party either.
The far right knows they have power. They transform the party every generation.
I suspect this backfires - it adds to the impression that the Dems will say anything to get elected, that they are out of touch, that they have no core beliefs and will ultimately be responsive to donors, not voters. When they say “people like me don’t have a say” they aren’t talking ballot access.
So what is the something bigger?
They continue to believe their electoral victories can come only from catering to an audience that is culturally to their right and economically more populist. In order to prove to these voters that they not only care about them but PREFER them, they punch left.
The hand waving of Piker is, in my mind, part of something larger - which is a giant warning from establishment Democrats to the left that they will absolutely put up a fight if anyone attempts a Tea Party maneuver. It helps he says outrageous shit - it’s harder to see where the real reaction is.
And if you’ve listened to more than a thirty second soundbite, the way he responds to his chat when they are being stupid, naive, racist, sexist, homophobic or antisemitic is honestly just good practice for anyone else dealing with dumb/bad commenters.
There’s plenty that Piker believes that I think is all a little dorm room warmed over; but there’s a core critique about corruption & power v liberation & dignity that is mighty attractive - there’s a nontrivial crossover between The Bulwark’s
audience and his (see Reddit).
And if you actually want to win decisively you’re going to have to figure out how to build big, messy solidarity movements where there is enough to satisfy the left AND the persuadables. Why?
Because the “persuadables” also have the habit of choosing “none of the above” when the choices are paltry.
This argument works two ways:
It maintains the status quo of Party gatekeeping. The professional Democrats get to say who is in the tent and who is not.
It relies on the notion that “the left has nowhere else to go so they will always ‘come home’”. Except what they really do is STAY home.
The second argument is that catering to an audience to the left of the Democratic mainstream “isn’t how politics works in the real world” - and this is perhaps the main argument (adorable to paint it as Piker simply attention seeking, which sure, but also big audience!)
Meanwhile his audience is much bigger than Nick Fuentes’, who mainstream Dems love to use as a partial explanation for the rightward drift of young men. He’s much smaller than Candace Owens, who they mostly mock? I think?
It’s all rather Goldilocks isn’t it? Who is the “just right” influencer?
Taken across YouTube and Twitch, Piker has more reach (and as a live streamer, more direct engagement) than the Brian Tyler Cohens or David Pakmans or IHIP ladies, who … well I simply have to presume they therefore have never heard of either.
Setting aside what you think of Hasan Piker, I do think it’s fascinating that folks like Jen Palmieri and others are doing the same ”I don’t know her” routine and downplaying his relevance when - meanwhile - they are actively courting online creators with equal or smaller audiences.
This weekend we tile a floor. Then I become a house painter and cleaner until I get tired of doing those things and hire somebody. Yes this is a funny little bathroom in an attic.
I’m working on writing something - and getting an episode out that has paused due to nonstop noise, rooms without electrics etc.
But it’s very difficult to write about something when (a) it’s so obvious yet (b) people don’t like to acknowledge it or maybe (alt-b) it is in their interests not to.
Yes but the “Hung” mug travels with us.
@caolanrob.bsky.social reports trashcans filled with shredded documents near ministries while former FM has literally barricaded himself inside
I’m very excited to report that the workmen are done at my house and all noise, dust, or disruption created here henceforth will be my fault.
Also, I can safely podcast again.
For half a second I would have sworn under oath that this clip had a laugh track.
I’ve come to realize I have a custodial relationship with a lot of things - organizations, my home, certain relationships - I see them as my responsibility to look after & improve, knowing they will be handed on.
Anyway, we got some new lights installed in our kitchen.
I would like a car where the rear passenger doors open out to 90°.
Thanks.
I guess the solution to fascism is to smile more.
Ha!
I’ve always been a fan of a church of the Catholic Worker type. Mix up a little anarchist collectivism with some Catholicism… seems so Jesus.
Because I’ve come to pick up my dinner order which will be ready 20 minutes ago or 20 minutes from now, according to different display screens in the app.
Am I watching Agassi play pickleball? Somehow, yes.
