Cathy Gellis
@cathygellis.bsky.social
Lawyer, writer, all-around-great person
I mostly post about technology, law, and civil liberties (especially free speech), and how they intersect. And mostly at Techdirt: https://www.techdirt.com/user/cathy/
I also post silly things too.
I mostly post about technology, law, and civil liberties (especially free speech), and how they intersect. And mostly at Techdirt: https://www.techdirt.com/user/cathy/
I also post silly things too.
Pinned
Cathy Gellis
@cathygellis.bsky.social
· Jan 3
Oaths Of Office, And How Everyone Not Moving To Impeach Trump Is Violating Their Own
Until very recently the only member of Congress excused from not having moved to impeach Trump was Rep. Grijalva, because until someone swore her in there was nothing she could officially do. But f…
www.techdirt.com
A reminder: any member of Congress not impeaching is violating their own oath of office.
It's not optional.
www.techdirt.com/2025/11/26/o...
It's not optional.
www.techdirt.com/2025/11/26/o...
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Me, a 16-year lawyer who has argued at the Supreme Court, singing softly to myself in my office as I type: "M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i."
September 18, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Me, a 16-year lawyer who has argued at the Supreme Court, singing softly to myself in my office as I type: "M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i."
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
one thing I appreciate about cory is how you can be reading through one of his threads (which always enlighten) and then he drops a line like this
And also: the fact that you can use a statistical lookup table to predict what words someone is going to say doesn't mean you *understand* them, a fact that you will learn the minute that person says something *surprising*, like "I want a divorce."
September 18, 2026 at 1:01 PM
one thing I appreciate about cory is how you can be reading through one of his threads (which always enlighten) and then he drops a line like this
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
In Kharkiv region russians targeted a railway station in the Novovodolaha community with jet-powered drones, striking an electric train.
The attack killed 1 person and injured 6 others‼️
The attack killed 1 person and injured 6 others‼️
September 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM
In Kharkiv region russians targeted a railway station in the Novovodolaha community with jet-powered drones, striking an electric train.
The attack killed 1 person and injured 6 others‼️
The attack killed 1 person and injured 6 others‼️
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Based on my on-the-ground experience during last years raids in Los Angeles, currently in Philly, I’d estimate at least 25% of ICE agents are open White Nationalists.
Watch this one throw up a white power AND “heil Hitler” salute combo.
This is normal for ICE.
This is ICE culture, plain and simple.
Watch this one throw up a white power AND “heil Hitler” salute combo.
This is normal for ICE.
This is ICE culture, plain and simple.
September 17, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Based on my on-the-ground experience during last years raids in Los Angeles, currently in Philly, I’d estimate at least 25% of ICE agents are open White Nationalists.
Watch this one throw up a white power AND “heil Hitler” salute combo.
This is normal for ICE.
This is ICE culture, plain and simple.
Watch this one throw up a white power AND “heil Hitler” salute combo.
This is normal for ICE.
This is ICE culture, plain and simple.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
There is a ton of money in Dem politics.
Almost all of it is being used to get our politicians to stop talking about defending democracy.
bsky.app/profile/murs...
Almost all of it is being used to get our politicians to stop talking about defending democracy.
bsky.app/profile/murs...
👀"If we see that a candidate’s talking about something like democracy over cost of living, then like that’s when they should not expect to see help from us"
JICYMI - House Majority Pac (HMP) the establishment super pac for House Dems - don't want Dems to be talking about threats to our democracy.
JICYMI - House Majority Pac (HMP) the establishment super pac for House Dems - don't want Dems to be talking about threats to our democracy.
!["HMP’s red line: Affordability
House Majority PAC President Mike Smith made a lot of news on our latest episode of “Fly Out Day.”
But here’s something that stuck out to us the most: the House Democratic super PAC won’t spend a dime to elect Democrats who aren’t speaking about the economy or rising costs. This comes as HMP and other political organizations are beginning to make “cold-blooded decisions about when and where [they] actually spend.”
“We’ve been very clear to our candidates,” Smith said. “Anyone that’s not hyper-focused on cost of living and the economy as their No. 1 issue, don’t expect to see any support from House Majority PAC.”
Here’s an interesting quote from Smith aimed at candidates running on saving democracy:
“Democracy is a really important issue at the end of the day. If we see that a candidate’s talking about something like democracy over cost of living, then like that’s when they should not expect to see help from us because we want them laser focused on the thing that matters most to voters, which is the economy.”
This is a pretty extraordinary position coming from the largest outside group spending for House Democrats. HMP is demanding message discipline and is prepared to use that as a litmus test to decide how to use its limited resources on an expanding map.
The super PAC has booked more than $280 million in ads across 70-plus markets."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cf26plxwia7dxpm6plry3sj2/bafkreihzw24yczplcqoa6jsuu7422vacefslj6rpx2tboeto2dxlsvbffi)
September 18, 2026 at 1:42 PM
There is a ton of money in Dem politics.
Almost all of it is being used to get our politicians to stop talking about defending democracy.
bsky.app/profile/murs...
Almost all of it is being used to get our politicians to stop talking about defending democracy.
bsky.app/profile/murs...
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
I hesitate to over-learn anything from a single example, but Ossoff is a good argument for theory that people want a liberal who fights and this often gets missed in the spineless centrists vs. unelectable leftists discourse.
Democratic strategists: Ahhh! What's the right message!!?? Where do we moderate!?!?
Jon Ossoff: This administration is horrible. I hate these people. We should put them in jail. I'm pissed
Voters: This guy is cool
Strategists: I can't figure it out!!!!!
Jon Ossoff: This administration is horrible. I hate these people. We should put them in jail. I'm pissed
Voters: This guy is cool
Strategists: I can't figure it out!!!!!
September 18, 2026 at 1:17 PM
I hesitate to over-learn anything from a single example, but Ossoff is a good argument for theory that people want a liberal who fights and this often gets missed in the spineless centrists vs. unelectable leftists discourse.
If you can water a horse, you can milk a cow... (or is it, if you can milk a cow you can water a horse?)
If you can water a plant, can you milk a baby
September 18, 2026 at 1:13 PM
If you can water a horse, you can milk a cow... (or is it, if you can milk a cow you can water a horse?)
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
An important reminder about what the big FOX audience is NOT hearing about. Bad news for Trump on literally anything? Nope.
Fox is in meltdown over the Trump-GOP collapse. Fox has gone quiet about Iran, said little about diesel prices, avoided talk about Bo French's racism, and is spinning its own poll showing Trump cratering, per @mattgertz.bsky.social.
On the pod, Matt explains all:
newrepublic.com/article/2155...
On the pod, Matt explains all:
newrepublic.com/article/2155...
Fox in Full Meltdown as Network’s Own Poll Hits Trump with Brutal News
As Trump’s mounting failures and cratering numbers rattle Fox figures, a media critic charts the deep cognitive dissonance that Trump’s collapse has unleashed on the right—and why it will get worse.
newrepublic.com
September 18, 2026 at 12:48 PM
An important reminder about what the big FOX audience is NOT hearing about. Bad news for Trump on literally anything? Nope.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
consider the difference between "He Must Be Impeached and Removed Today!!!"
and "it won't be a priority"
and "it won't be a priority"
Impeachment is a big thing. It requires a ton of public support. It takes time and effort to get that support. Jeffries and his team is *not* laying the groundwork. In fact quite the opposite. They are making the case against impeachment every day through inaction.
September 18, 2026 at 5:18 AM
consider the difference between "He Must Be Impeached and Removed Today!!!"
and "it won't be a priority"
and "it won't be a priority"
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
when Jeffries wanted the votes for an extension of ACA subsidies he got the votes
when they wanted the votes for a war powers resolution they got the votes
there is A LOT they can do in the minority when they try
when they wanted the votes for a war powers resolution they got the votes
there is A LOT they can do in the minority when they try
Ds lack the numbers to do anything at this time
Give them majorities in the House & Senate in November
Give them majorities in the House & Senate in November
September 18, 2026 at 7:14 AM
when Jeffries wanted the votes for an extension of ACA subsidies he got the votes
when they wanted the votes for a war powers resolution they got the votes
there is A LOT they can do in the minority when they try
when they wanted the votes for a war powers resolution they got the votes
there is A LOT they can do in the minority when they try
This is why Democrats are enfeebled idiots for not being able to do an impeachment deal to get Trump out of office.
There's an opportunity for a deal to fill the new VP slot that surely could return to them the votes they'd need.
There's an opportunity for a deal to fill the new VP slot that surely could return to them the votes they'd need.
Vance does best with the most Trumpy authoritarian populists, but he's also ahead overall. I don't see a viable lane for Rubio or whoever else.
tbh "incumbent VP loses primary" is the kind of scenario we like to imagine because it's more interesting than the reality that it literally never happens.
tbh "incumbent VP loses primary" is the kind of scenario we like to imagine because it's more interesting than the reality that it literally never happens.
Vance Has a Solid Lead for the GOP Nomination in Trump’s Hardcore Populist Base, ISMA Survey Finds
He’s castigating Democrats and immigrants in increasingly shrill populist terms—and it’s working
www.theunpopulist.net
September 18, 2026 at 1:08 PM
This is why Democrats are enfeebled idiots for not being able to do an impeachment deal to get Trump out of office.
There's an opportunity for a deal to fill the new VP slot that surely could return to them the votes they'd need.
There's an opportunity for a deal to fill the new VP slot that surely could return to them the votes they'd need.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
the good news i guess is that the go between for Iran war negotiations is motivated
PAKISTAN IN CRISIS MODE: MARKETS TO SHUT BY 9 PM, FUEL USE SLASHED 50%, FOREIGN TRAVEL RESTRICTED
September 18, 2026 at 10:47 AM
the good news i guess is that the go between for Iran war negotiations is motivated
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
I am sure Susan Collins is disappointed
UMaine will lay off faculty and staff to make up for a $19 million budget shortfall next year
The plan also calls for eliminating one-fifth of currently vacant positions, combining course sections and eventually closing programs with low enrollment to reduce costs.
www.mainepublic.org
September 18, 2026 at 12:43 PM
I am sure Susan Collins is disappointed
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
So incredibly sad. St Mary’s Glacier in Colorado is gone. Climate change is here
St. Mary's Glacier among those in Colorado disappearing during drought
Colorado's hot and dry summer has taken a toll on another popular destination — St. Mary's Glacier.
www.cbsnews.com
September 18, 2026 at 3:08 AM
So incredibly sad. St Mary’s Glacier in Colorado is gone. Climate change is here
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Ahmed Soliman has been missing for a week.
Ahmed Soliman has been missing for six days.
ICE says it is “not responsible” for this, even though they forcibly expelled him to an authoritarian country he’d never even been to.
Please take the time today to follow this link to contact your lawmakers, especially Arizonans! findahmedsoliman.org
ICE says it is “not responsible” for this, even though they forcibly expelled him to an authoritarian country he’d never even been to.
Please take the time today to follow this link to contact your lawmakers, especially Arizonans! findahmedsoliman.org
Help find Ahmed Soliman — Civic Action Tool
Review a draft, open it in Gmail, Outlook, or your mail app, and send it yourself. No sign-in, no data collected.
findahmedsoliman.org
September 17, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Ahmed Soliman has been missing for a week.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Dumb fucks in a few swing states getting to decide how fucked the world gets every 4 years seems unsustainable
PAKISTAN IN CRISIS MODE: MARKETS TO SHUT BY 9 PM, FUEL USE SLASHED 50%, FOREIGN TRAVEL RESTRICTED
September 18, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Dumb fucks in a few swing states getting to decide how fucked the world gets every 4 years seems unsustainable
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
It was to cut cost and devalue human labor and finally humanity. I’m proud of the pushback.
The very first line is a lie, and we all know it. *None* of this was ever designed to help us, which is why it hurts us and we hate it. It really is that simple, but the media simply cannot bring themselves to say it.
The humans are rejecting the machines that were supposed to help them | CNN Business
Touchscreens and self-checkout machines were designed to help customers. But restaurants and retailers are ditching them to humanize stores and attract workers.
www.cnn.com
September 18, 2026 at 4:19 AM
It was to cut cost and devalue human labor and finally humanity. I’m proud of the pushback.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
This guy who assaulted a sitting member of Congress got 28 years and 10 months less jail time than a Texas resident who transported a box of zines that contained constitutionally protected content opposing ICE
reason.com/2026/06/25/t...
reason.com/2026/06/25/t...
September 18, 2026 at 1:02 AM
This guy who assaulted a sitting member of Congress got 28 years and 10 months less jail time than a Texas resident who transported a box of zines that contained constitutionally protected content opposing ICE
reason.com/2026/06/25/t...
reason.com/2026/06/25/t...
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Wharton School of Business needs to come collect their boy…
September 18, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Wharton School of Business needs to come collect their boy…
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Democratic strategists: Ahhh! What's the right message!!?? Where do we moderate!?!?
Jon Ossoff: This administration is horrible. I hate these people. We should put them in jail. I'm pissed
Voters: This guy is cool
Strategists: I can't figure it out!!!!!
Jon Ossoff: This administration is horrible. I hate these people. We should put them in jail. I'm pissed
Voters: This guy is cool
Strategists: I can't figure it out!!!!!
September 18, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Democratic strategists: Ahhh! What's the right message!!?? Where do we moderate!?!?
Jon Ossoff: This administration is horrible. I hate these people. We should put them in jail. I'm pissed
Voters: This guy is cool
Strategists: I can't figure it out!!!!!
Jon Ossoff: This administration is horrible. I hate these people. We should put them in jail. I'm pissed
Voters: This guy is cool
Strategists: I can't figure it out!!!!!
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Todd knows ball.
Last time I posted one of these it cost me $118 to fill my van with diesel. Today I paid $131. Over just three weeks, my gas expense has gone up $13. Working families can't afford this. Jim Risch doesn't care. He gets paid to sleep through votes while the rest of us scrape by. #retirerisch
September 18, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Todd knows ball.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
NEW: A Vatican theological commission has defined the destruction of nature as a sin against God in a text approved by Pope Leo XIV.
It comes the same month MAGA commentators lambasted the U.S.-born pontiff for asking Catholics to pray for the 2.1 billion people without safe drinking water
It comes the same month MAGA commentators lambasted the U.S.-born pontiff for asking Catholics to pray for the 2.1 billion people without safe drinking water
Vatican Commission Defines Environmental Destruction as “Sin Against Creation”
Pope Leo XIV approved the 29,000-word document in July. Its release came 24 hours after MAGA commentators mocked Pope Leo XIV for praying that 2.1 billion people get safe water.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
September 18, 2026 at 3:41 AM
NEW: A Vatican theological commission has defined the destruction of nature as a sin against God in a text approved by Pope Leo XIV.
It comes the same month MAGA commentators lambasted the U.S.-born pontiff for asking Catholics to pray for the 2.1 billion people without safe drinking water
It comes the same month MAGA commentators lambasted the U.S.-born pontiff for asking Catholics to pray for the 2.1 billion people without safe drinking water
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
this sucks but Kaptur isn't the future.
Marcy Kaptur is the incumbent with a 5 point polling lead so I must assume she put out this ad because this is what she believes.
September 18, 2026 at 12:20 AM
this sucks but Kaptur isn't the future.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
Impressed, if baffled.
Would 20 y/o you be impressed or disappointed by you today?
September 18, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Impressed, if baffled.
Reposted by Cathy Gellis
The new South Park (or “South America”) is a brilliant commentary on how moral panic and overregulation have hollowed out third spaces for young people.
It ends with the entire town coming together to enact a ban, once again forcing the boys out of their latest hobby.
Trey & Matt man. 👏🏻
It ends with the entire town coming together to enact a ban, once again forcing the boys out of their latest hobby.
Trey & Matt man. 👏🏻
September 18, 2026 at 3:04 AM
The new South Park (or “South America”) is a brilliant commentary on how moral panic and overregulation have hollowed out third spaces for young people.
It ends with the entire town coming together to enact a ban, once again forcing the boys out of their latest hobby.
Trey & Matt man. 👏🏻
It ends with the entire town coming together to enact a ban, once again forcing the boys out of their latest hobby.
Trey & Matt man. 👏🏻