Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
@45xiatai.bsky.social
Protesting paid by lives & sacred honor of founders, former appellate judicial clerk. ⚖️
#OneMinnesota
代詞：tā
Reposting means let's discuss. I love to hear the diverse perspectives of other Bluesky users. Please let me know what I can do better.
#OneMinnesota
代詞：tā
Reposting means let's discuss. I love to hear the diverse perspectives of other Bluesky users. Please let me know what I can do better.
Pinned
Self-intro 🧵:
A campaign volunteer for a progressive legislative candidate invited me to Bluesky (joined 5 July 2023 user 264,507). Our candidate won.
My main goal in microblogging networks is to promote democratic values and protect rule of law and civil rights for all.
/1
A campaign volunteer for a progressive legislative candidate invited me to Bluesky (joined 5 July 2023 user 264,507). Our candidate won.
My main goal in microblogging networks is to promote democratic values and protect rule of law and civil rights for all.
/1
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
From 2021 to 2025, Stephen Miller was making $567K/year as head of his America First "think tank." He owns $100K-$250K in Palantir stock alone. His estimated net worth: ~$2 million.
The immigrants he's deporting to third-party countries to be tortured and disappeared don't get an attorney at all.
The immigrants he's deporting to third-party countries to be tortured and disappeared don't get an attorney at all.
Katie Miller, who is a co-conspirator in actions Elon Musk took that will kill millions, RTs interview of Maggie Haberman describing that everyone is counting on pardons, whining that "her family" had to pay for lawyers. (There is abundant evidence Trump paid for it & ALSO laundered $$ to Stephen).
September 19, 2026 at 5:32 PM
From 2021 to 2025, Stephen Miller was making $567K/year as head of his America First "think tank." He owns $100K-$250K in Palantir stock alone. His estimated net worth: ~$2 million.
The immigrants he's deporting to third-party countries to be tortured and disappeared don't get an attorney at all.
The immigrants he's deporting to third-party countries to be tortured and disappeared don't get an attorney at all.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
remembering when a certain pundit challenged my “the administration is ideologically opposed to clean energy for gender reasons” with “i think they just want cheap energy”
September 19, 2026 at 6:01 PM
remembering when a certain pundit challenged my “the administration is ideologically opposed to clean energy for gender reasons” with “i think they just want cheap energy”
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
This would be fun: If the deal is approved by Greenland's and Denmark's parliaments, Greenland should then sign a 20 year exclusive minerals deal with a European mining company.
September 19, 2026 at 6:17 PM
This would be fun: If the deal is approved by Greenland's and Denmark's parliaments, Greenland should then sign a 20 year exclusive minerals deal with a European mining company.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
What lessons for the Minneapolis Public Schools election are people drawing from Melissa Whitler's and Becky Dernbach's finance reporting in the Minnesota Reformer and Sahan Journal, respectively? Do we need people already up to speed on the financial management issues or a fresh perspective?
September 19, 2026 at 7:07 PM
What lessons for the Minneapolis Public Schools election are people drawing from Melissa Whitler's and Becky Dernbach's finance reporting in the Minnesota Reformer and Sahan Journal, respectively? Do we need people already up to speed on the financial management issues or a fresh perspective?
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
Am i doing my math wrong or is it distinctly possible that if the wave is big enough it’s not unreasonable to think Fetterman may not actually matter that much
September 19, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Am i doing my math wrong or is it distinctly possible that if the wave is big enough it’s not unreasonable to think Fetterman may not actually matter that much
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
When I started at A&M, everyone in ROTC had to be in the Corps, but a small fraction of the Corps was ROTC. Then a couple of actual vets who were enlisted and served in the GWOT came and refused to let some bullshit 21-year old who was never going to serve make them do push ups. Alums were pissed.
When I worked at Texas A&M I asked people, why are these students dressed in pretend uniforms? The Corps of Cadets is pretend. It is not a part of the military. It's dress up. Its perfect for a pretend Secretary of Defense.
Make-A-Wish Pete sure loves doing anything BUT his job.
September 19, 2026 at 4:16 PM
When I started at A&M, everyone in ROTC had to be in the Corps, but a small fraction of the Corps was ROTC. Then a couple of actual vets who were enlisted and served in the GWOT came and refused to let some bullshit 21-year old who was never going to serve make them do push ups. Alums were pissed.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
I discuss the mountain of First Amendment case law that prevents President Trump's attempt to punish journalists (ban them from the White House) because he doesn't like their reporting.
Plus a good statement by Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich, president of White House Correspondents' Association.
Plus a good statement by Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich, president of White House Correspondents' Association.
September 19, 2026 at 1:05 PM
I discuss the mountain of First Amendment case law that prevents President Trump's attempt to punish journalists (ban them from the White House) because he doesn't like their reporting.
Plus a good statement by Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich, president of White House Correspondents' Association.
Plus a good statement by Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich, president of White House Correspondents' Association.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
Maybe Trump and Republicans can work out a compromise, count immigrants as three-fifths of a full person or something
Trump’s Census Proposal to Exclude Some Immigrants Could Cut Seats From Red States
A Trump administration proposal to block some immigrants from the 2030 census could shift congressional seats away from Republican states, a New York Times analysis found.
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Maybe Trump and Republicans can work out a compromise, count immigrants as three-fifths of a full person or something
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
I assume that when whoever is making it IPOs they will reveal the full lineup implied by the existence of Tilly Norwood.
September 19, 2026 at 1:28 PM
I assume that when whoever is making it IPOs they will reveal the full lineup implied by the existence of Tilly Norwood.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
I'd like to remind everyone of the principled courage of the Pentagon press, which walked out of the building their beat relies on rather than sign a loyalty oath. One of them was a dear friend for whom it was a giant sacrifice and I'm so proud of him.
The White House press isn't in the same league.
The White House press isn't in the same league.
Should have walked out with the Pentagon reports apnews.com/article/pent...
Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules
Journalists at the Pentagon turned in access badges and cleaned out their workspaces, the price for refusing to agree to new restrictions on their jobs at the seat of U.S. military power.
apnews.com
September 19, 2026 at 1:57 PM
I'd like to remind everyone of the principled courage of the Pentagon press, which walked out of the building their beat relies on rather than sign a loyalty oath. One of them was a dear friend for whom it was a giant sacrifice and I'm so proud of him.
The White House press isn't in the same league.
The White House press isn't in the same league.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
This was a talking point that went out to all the paid social media trolls the same day
September 19, 2026 at 2:08 PM
This was a talking point that went out to all the paid social media trolls the same day
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
i'm traveling and can't sit down to write out the portland police's history of using town halls, press conferences, and leaks to campaign against elected officials but they are repeat offenders and we should call it what it is: election interference by a cartel of armed washington state residents
good editorial in the merc. www.portlandmercury.com/opinion/knee...
Knee-Jerk Reactions to Councilor Green’s Tweets Are Hypocritical and Dangerous - Portland Mercury
The police are supposed to keep protesters safe as they exercise their rights to free speech—not retaliate by shooting them with rubber bullets, striking them with batons, or spraying tear gas at more...
www.portlandmercury.com
September 19, 2026 at 6:03 AM
i'm traveling and can't sit down to write out the portland police's history of using town halls, press conferences, and leaks to campaign against elected officials but they are repeat offenders and we should call it what it is: election interference by a cartel of armed washington state residents
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
“.. Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 19, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone.”
REUTERS/Stringer
REUTERS/Stringer
September 19, 2026 at 1:35 PM
“.. Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 19, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone.”
REUTERS/Stringer
REUTERS/Stringer
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
Trump misstating and touting a meaningless deal over Greenland, while the entire Middle East security architecture falls apart due to his own actions, is emblematic of this administration’s foreign policy.
September 19, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Trump misstating and touting a meaningless deal over Greenland, while the entire Middle East security architecture falls apart due to his own actions, is emblematic of this administration’s foreign policy.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
No responsible news outlet should go to the White House as long as this ban on their colleagues is in effect. It’s time for big media to show some backbone.
Also, any apologies about that embarrassing WHCA dinner yukking it up with Trump and his apparatchiks?
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/b...
Also, any apologies about that embarrassing WHCA dinner yukking it up with Trump and his apparatchiks?
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/b...
CNN and MS NOW Reporters Barred From White House After Trump Announces Ban
The prohibition on certain journalists was a stark escalation in President Trump’s war on the media, and will probably face a legal challenge.
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2026 at 2:31 PM
No responsible news outlet should go to the White House as long as this ban on their colleagues is in effect. It’s time for big media to show some backbone.
Also, any apologies about that embarrassing WHCA dinner yukking it up with Trump and his apparatchiks?
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/b...
Also, any apologies about that embarrassing WHCA dinner yukking it up with Trump and his apparatchiks?
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/19/b...
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
I voted today. Filled me with genuine happiness. I hope you vote and feel it, too.
September 19, 2026 at 2:37 AM
I voted today. Filled me with genuine happiness. I hope you vote and feel it, too.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
Tallinn, who led Anthropic's series A, funds METR, the "auditing institute" people took seriously 🙄
After criticism that METR was laughably NOT independent, Anthropic announces they'll pay Accenture to "audit"
Accenture had acquired Tallinn firm which will be doing the "auditing"
Full circle 🙄
After criticism that METR was laughably NOT independent, Anthropic announces they'll pay Accenture to "audit"
Accenture had acquired Tallinn firm which will be doing the "auditing"
Full circle 🙄
I cannot repeat this enough. I'm seeing "haha, starched shirt consultants" takes on the Anthropic announcement of the Accenture embed, BUT Accenture acquired 'Faculty' in January, which originated as 'ASI Data Science' founded with financial backing from Jaan Tallinn. Just as like-minded as METR.
September 19, 2026 at 3:23 AM
Tallinn, who led Anthropic's series A, funds METR, the "auditing institute" people took seriously 🙄
After criticism that METR was laughably NOT independent, Anthropic announces they'll pay Accenture to "audit"
Accenture had acquired Tallinn firm which will be doing the "auditing"
Full circle 🙄
After criticism that METR was laughably NOT independent, Anthropic announces they'll pay Accenture to "audit"
Accenture had acquired Tallinn firm which will be doing the "auditing"
Full circle 🙄
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
#HispanicHeritageMonth: Sylvia Mendez, retired nurse and civil rights pioneer. When she was eight, she was barred from a “whites” only school and ordered to a “Mexican school” next to a cow pasture. Her parents sued. That lawsuit helped bring about the end of school segregation in California.
September 19, 2026 at 3:38 AM
#HispanicHeritageMonth: Sylvia Mendez, retired nurse and civil rights pioneer. When she was eight, she was barred from a “whites” only school and ordered to a “Mexican school” next to a cow pasture. Her parents sued. That lawsuit helped bring about the end of school segregation in California.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
The Anthropic, Meta, and Google "breaking containment" incidents all resulted from setup errors (or a stunt) by the same company: Irregular. Irregular created a sandbox that wasn't really a sandbox because it had a live internet connection, and gave instructions that were then carried out online.
September 19, 2026 at 3:42 AM
The Anthropic, Meta, and Google "breaking containment" incidents all resulted from setup errors (or a stunt) by the same company: Irregular. Irregular created a sandbox that wasn't really a sandbox because it had a live internet connection, and gave instructions that were then carried out online.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
the great leap forward killed 15-45 million people.
Mao was bad. It’s insane that that’s a potentially divisive statement on this website.
September 19, 2026 at 4:12 AM
the great leap forward killed 15-45 million people.
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
New preprint! 🎉 I analysed 1660 papers from 4 psychology journals and found materials sharing went from 9% of papers in 2015 to 82% in 2025, and these materials *do* get downloaded — a median of 135 times each. BUT shared code is often hard to run. doi.org/10.31234/osf...
Let's walk through it 🧵
Let's walk through it 🧵
September 19, 2026 at 4:14 AM
New preprint! 🎉 I analysed 1660 papers from 4 psychology journals and found materials sharing went from 9% of papers in 2015 to 82% in 2025, and these materials *do* get downloaded — a median of 135 times each. BUT shared code is often hard to run. doi.org/10.31234/osf...
Let's walk through it 🧵
Let's walk through it 🧵
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
This is a good question, and the answer which is honestly a little bit disturbing is the reason why LLMs are good at hacking is mostly *not* because there is hacking data in the pretrain, but because there is so much code generally in the pretrain bsky.app/profile/josh...
Is it really emergent properties or the fact that the bot was trained on hacker chat logs in which precisely these kinds of actions are commonplace?
September 19, 2026 at 4:38 AM
This is a good question, and the answer which is honestly a little bit disturbing is the reason why LLMs are good at hacking is mostly *not* because there is hacking data in the pretrain, but because there is so much code generally in the pretrain bsky.app/profile/josh...
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
I really hate the framing of these stories as "an AI agent broke out and hacked something."
No, an inadequate sandbox meant that a powerful and unpredictable computer program was set loose on the open internet by the company that designed it. The agency isn't with the "AI agent", it's with the firm
No, an inadequate sandbox meant that a powerful and unpredictable computer program was set loose on the open internet by the company that designed it. The agency isn't with the "AI agent", it's with the firm
September 19, 2026 at 5:01 AM
I really hate the framing of these stories as "an AI agent broke out and hacked something."
No, an inadequate sandbox meant that a powerful and unpredictable computer program was set loose on the open internet by the company that designed it. The agency isn't with the "AI agent", it's with the firm
No, an inadequate sandbox meant that a powerful and unpredictable computer program was set loose on the open internet by the company that designed it. The agency isn't with the "AI agent", it's with the firm
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
People who think one thing detracts from another thing ignore the power of addition
September 19, 2026 at 6:09 AM
People who think one thing detracts from another thing ignore the power of addition
Reposted by Karl DEFEND DEMOCRACY Bunday 🇺🇸 🗽 🇺🇦 🇹🇼
The whole founding purpose of the White House Correspondents Association was that they'd all walk out if a president tried to do exactly this.
September 19, 2026 at 12:48 PM
The whole founding purpose of the White House Correspondents Association was that they'd all walk out if a president tried to do exactly this.