Catbird's Lament
@catbirdslament.bsky.social
Realizing that there are things about which I don't need to have an opinion.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Before he was appointed, Kash Patel was flagged by FBI counterintelligence agents as being deeply enmeshed in influence operations run by the Russians and Chinese. After he took over, Patel began systematically eliminating all Russian and Chinese counterintelligence capacity. What to make of that?
As Trump focuses the FBI on immigration, counterintelligence is falling behind
The cuts come as a consequence of President Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel's focus on violent crime and immigration, leaving other priorities understaffed.
www.npr.org
October 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Before he was appointed, Kash Patel was flagged by FBI counterintelligence agents as being deeply enmeshed in influence operations run by the Russians and Chinese. After he took over, Patel began systematically eliminating all Russian and Chinese counterintelligence capacity. What to make of that?
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
A billionaire Trump supporter will now own much of the news media. It is going to be important for all of us to become the media.
www.huffpost.com/entry/elliso...
www.huffpost.com/entry/elliso...
One Billionaire Trump-Aligned Family Will Soon Own All These Channels
The father-son Ellison duo will reign over a kingdom of media properties now that Warner Bros. shareholders approved a major deal.
www.huffpost.com
October 8, 2026 at 2:15 AM
A billionaire Trump supporter will now own much of the news media. It is going to be important for all of us to become the media.
www.huffpost.com/entry/elliso...
www.huffpost.com/entry/elliso...
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
As budget director, Russell Vought has often ignored Congress by … not signing the checks.
At other times, he’s been able to take money Congress intended for one thing and use it for something else by justifying it as a “national emergency.”
Listen to our latest episode:
At other times, he’s been able to take money Congress intended for one thing and use it for something else by justifying it as a “national emergency.”
Listen to our latest episode:
Podcast: Who’s the Shadow President?
www.propublica.org
October 7, 2026 at 12:15 AM
As budget director, Russell Vought has often ignored Congress by … not signing the checks.
At other times, he’s been able to take money Congress intended for one thing and use it for something else by justifying it as a “national emergency.”
Listen to our latest episode:
At other times, he’s been able to take money Congress intended for one thing and use it for something else by justifying it as a “national emergency.”
Listen to our latest episode:
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
NEW: I have obtained descriptions of NINE FBI training videos showing agents were instructed to flag Trump's name in the Epstein files for supervisory review. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/exclusive-...
EXCLUSIVE: MSW Media has Obtained Descriptions of NINE Epstein Files Redaction Training Videos in FOIA Lawsuit
Sources confirm that two videos instructed agents to flag documents including Trump’s name for supervisory review.
www.muellershewrote.com
October 4, 2026 at 7:52 PM
NEW: I have obtained descriptions of NINE FBI training videos showing agents were instructed to flag Trump's name in the Epstein files for supervisory review. My latest: www.muellershewrote.com/p/exclusive-...
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“So many people came out to see me in Alabama last night. The Fire Marshall threatened to shut the rally down because we were so bigly over capacity. And I was told that there were over 300,000 outside, crying because they couldn’t get in to hear me. We could hear them all crying from inside. Sad.”
October 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
“So many people came out to see me in Alabama last night. The Fire Marshall threatened to shut the rally down because we were so bigly over capacity. And I was told that there were over 300,000 outside, crying because they couldn’t get in to hear me. We could hear them all crying from inside. Sad.”
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
The subjugation of women is part of a neo-fascist, warrior culture going all the way back to the 1930s.
It was on full display during Pete Hegseth’s military speech this week.
It was on full display during Pete Hegseth’s military speech this week.
October 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The subjugation of women is part of a neo-fascist, warrior culture going all the way back to the 1930s.
It was on full display during Pete Hegseth’s military speech this week.
It was on full display during Pete Hegseth’s military speech this week.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
There is no moral equivalence between bullies and the bullied, between tyranny and democracy, or between brutality and decency. No individual can be free in a society devoid of justice. There can be no liberty where brutality reigns.
October 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM
There is no moral equivalence between bullies and the bullied, between tyranny and democracy, or between brutality and decency. No individual can be free in a society devoid of justice. There can be no liberty where brutality reigns.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
🧊🛩️ SOUTH AFRICA 🌍⛓️
😲 After earlier stops in Ghana & Tanzania, a Talon Air G5 (tail: N59JE) delivers chained humans to Johannesburg 🇿🇦
😲 After earlier stops in Ghana & Tanzania, a Talon Air G5 (tail: N59JE) delivers chained humans to Johannesburg 🇿🇦
October 2, 2026 at 11:36 AM
🧊🛩️ SOUTH AFRICA 🌍⛓️
😲 After earlier stops in Ghana & Tanzania, a Talon Air G5 (tail: N59JE) delivers chained humans to Johannesburg 🇿🇦
😲 After earlier stops in Ghana & Tanzania, a Talon Air G5 (tail: N59JE) delivers chained humans to Johannesburg 🇿🇦
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Americans are relearning the lesson we learned during the Gilded Age of the late 1890s, when robber barons ran the government and the economy for their own benefit: Oligarchy is incompatible with the common good.
I'm hopeful we'll respond with a new progressive movement.
I'm hopeful we'll respond with a new progressive movement.
October 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Americans are relearning the lesson we learned during the Gilded Age of the late 1890s, when robber barons ran the government and the economy for their own benefit: Oligarchy is incompatible with the common good.
I'm hopeful we'll respond with a new progressive movement.
I'm hopeful we'll respond with a new progressive movement.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Eight years ago today, the Saudi government directed the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and journalist dedicated to shining a light on the truth. As we honor his memory and courage, we must fight for accountability and defend press freedom worldwide.
October 2, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Eight years ago today, the Saudi government directed the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and journalist dedicated to shining a light on the truth. As we honor his memory and courage, we must fight for accountability and defend press freedom worldwide.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Several countries, including the UK, France and the Baltic countries did not receive an invite to a planned meeting in Poland that will focus on NATO’s future
Trump and his cronies are doing everything to ruin NATO as Russia escalates across Europe. More gifts for Putin
Trump and his cronies are doing everything to ruin NATO as Russia escalates across Europe. More gifts for Putin
Pentagon excludes key allies from NATO meeting
Some of Europe’s biggest defense spenders — and U.S. allies — were not invited to a Pentagon-led meeting to discuss the alliance.
www.politico.com
October 1, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Several countries, including the UK, France and the Baltic countries did not receive an invite to a planned meeting in Poland that will focus on NATO’s future
Trump and his cronies are doing everything to ruin NATO as Russia escalates across Europe. More gifts for Putin
Trump and his cronies are doing everything to ruin NATO as Russia escalates across Europe. More gifts for Putin
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
🚨🚨 @coe.int of Europe said yesterday that the #US formally notified it that it would leave the Group of States against Corruption, or #GRECO.
Only two other countries have left GRECO before — #Russia and #Belarus.
The fall of the #US on the world scene is striking.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Only two other countries have left GRECO before — #Russia and #Belarus.
The fall of the #US on the world scene is striking.
apnews.com/article/trum...
US withdraws from European anti-corruption panel in latest shift away from global groups
The Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from a top European anti-corruption watchdog.
apnews.com
September 30, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
It’s difficult to overstate how dangerous such a declaration would be for American democracy. It would mean a president is attempting to sidestep the Constitution, which empowers states to run elections, in order to prevent his party from losing. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Could Trump take over voting by declaring a ‘national emergency’?
Advocates agree such an attempt would be blatantly unconstitutional but still worry that such an emergency order could suppress voting nonetheless.
www.democracydocket.com
September 29, 2026 at 9:11 PM
It’s difficult to overstate how dangerous such a declaration would be for American democracy. It would mean a president is attempting to sidestep the Constitution, which empowers states to run elections, in order to prevent his party from losing. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
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29 September 1894 | A Dutch Jewish woman, Rachel Blom, was born in Amsterdam.
She was deported to #Auschwitz in November 1943 and murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
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The fate of Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
She was deported to #Auschwitz in November 1943 and murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
The fate of Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
September 29, 2026 at 2:00 AM
29 September 1894 | A Dutch Jewish woman, Rachel Blom, was born in Amsterdam.
She was deported to #Auschwitz in November 1943 and murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
The fate of Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
She was deported to #Auschwitz in November 1943 and murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
The fate of Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
A federal judge just warned Todd Blanche he could be held in contempt for hiding Epstein files. The Attorney General. Contempt. Congress can make him hand them over. Tell them to: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
Tell Congress: Demand AG Blanche release ALL of the Epstein files now
Contact Congress today!
actionnetwork.org
September 28, 2026 at 11:08 PM
A federal judge just warned Todd Blanche he could be held in contempt for hiding Epstein files. The Attorney General. Contempt. Congress can make him hand them over. Tell them to: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Reporter: Word is, ICE will stop arresting non-criminals and violating the rights of those who have done nothing wrong.
DHS: WE WILL FUCKING DO NO SUCH THING. If they are brown, we will violate their rights and there’s nothing you can do to stop us because we are the government.
DHS: WE WILL FUCKING DO NO SUCH THING. If they are brown, we will violate their rights and there’s nothing you can do to stop us because we are the government.
And now DHS is out with a FAST denial, considering it’s midnight on a Saturday.
September 27, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Reporter: Word is, ICE will stop arresting non-criminals and violating the rights of those who have done nothing wrong.
DHS: WE WILL FUCKING DO NO SUCH THING. If they are brown, we will violate their rights and there’s nothing you can do to stop us because we are the government.
DHS: WE WILL FUCKING DO NO SUCH THING. If they are brown, we will violate their rights and there’s nothing you can do to stop us because we are the government.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Mike Rogers told Michiganders he was an assembly line autoworker who made Chrysler LeBarons.
Turns out it was a complete lie.
Shameful.
Turns out it was a complete lie.
Shameful.
Mike Rogers claims he was an assembly line worker. The UAW said that is stretching the truth. • Michigan Advance
Rogers says he built Chrysler vehicles on an assembly line. Records show his work was at an aftermarket facility that modified vehicles after they left the factory.
michiganadvance.com
September 25, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Mike Rogers told Michiganders he was an assembly line autoworker who made Chrysler LeBarons.
Turns out it was a complete lie.
Shameful.
Turns out it was a complete lie.
Shameful.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
This is the Stolen Neighbors Quilt. Each of the 11,000 squares represents a person taken by ICE in Minnesota.
September 24, 2026 at 2:42 PM
This is the Stolen Neighbors Quilt. Each of the 11,000 squares represents a person taken by ICE in Minnesota.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
ABC: “A 36yo immigrant from Costa Rica died last week in ICE custody… Carlos Josue Marchena-Marchena marks the 55th such case during Trump’s second term… second person to die at the detention facility in Louisiana this year.”
Costa Rican immigrant died while in ICE custody, agency says
A 36-year-old immigrant from Costa Rica died last week in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, according to an agency notification sent to lawmakers on Monday.
abcnews.com
September 25, 2026 at 1:19 AM
ABC: “A 36yo immigrant from Costa Rica died last week in ICE custody… Carlos Josue Marchena-Marchena marks the 55th such case during Trump’s second term… second person to die at the detention facility in Louisiana this year.”
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
i once again ask what in the hell is going on with Trump's huge ass and the contraption he has on it
September 24, 2026 at 5:16 PM
i once again ask what in the hell is going on with Trump's huge ass and the contraption he has on it
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
Raskin made a holy shit observation on MS Now this afternoon: Since taking office, Trump has made a million dollars per hour for himself.
Every hour, he has made more than twice the president’s annual salary.
Every hour, he has made more than twice the president’s annual salary.
September 25, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Raskin made a holy shit observation on MS Now this afternoon: Since taking office, Trump has made a million dollars per hour for himself.
Every hour, he has made more than twice the president’s annual salary.
Every hour, he has made more than twice the president’s annual salary.
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
NEW: Emergency motion asks First Circuit if its decision overturning DHS's third-country removal policy is effective immediately or not. They cite my reporting, and reveal tomorrow's ICE flight to make TCR stops in Central African Republic, Rwanda and Burundi.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72347...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72347...
September 24, 2026 at 3:38 AM
NEW: Emergency motion asks First Circuit if its decision overturning DHS's third-country removal policy is effective immediately or not. They cite my reporting, and reveal tomorrow's ICE flight to make TCR stops in Central African Republic, Rwanda and Burundi.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72347...
www.courtlistener.com/docket/72347...
Reposted by Catbird's Lament
A federal judge said that Trump’s order barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House was likely unconstitutional and ordered the administration to restore access to the three news outlets.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/b...
Court Blocks Trump’s White House Ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico
Judge Timothy J. Kelly issued a temporary restraining order and told the White House to immediately restore the press credentials for the employees of the three news outlets.
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2026 at 9:16 AM
A federal judge said that Trump’s order barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House was likely unconstitutional and ordered the administration to restore access to the three news outlets.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/b...