KA SEMENOVA
@kasemenova.bsky.social
Writer, editor, lapsed Russianist
That guy up there on the left is Vladimir, in Titicut Follies. He was my uncle. I’m writing abt him on Substack.
https://substack.com/@kasemenova?utm_source=byline
That guy up there on the left is Vladimir, in Titicut Follies. He was my uncle. I’m writing abt him on Substack.
https://substack.com/@kasemenova?utm_source=byline
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
Something unprecedented happened during my visit to the Gulf.
For the first time in 20 years in Congress, I was denied entry to U.S. military facilities and even meetings with military leaders.
An order from Hegseth - that applies to both parties - to hide the cost of the war.
For the first time in 20 years in Congress, I was denied entry to U.S. military facilities and even meetings with military leaders.
An order from Hegseth - that applies to both parties - to hide the cost of the war.
October 6, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Something unprecedented happened during my visit to the Gulf.
For the first time in 20 years in Congress, I was denied entry to U.S. military facilities and even meetings with military leaders.
An order from Hegseth - that applies to both parties - to hide the cost of the war.
For the first time in 20 years in Congress, I was denied entry to U.S. military facilities and even meetings with military leaders.
An order from Hegseth - that applies to both parties - to hide the cost of the war.
D canvasser knocked on my door: 3rd time in just over a month.
Ds clearly spending in Ohio. This is the most activity in any cycle since I moved back over a decade ago.
Slightly concerned they think Kaptur is in trouble, tho IDK. I don't even know her opponent's name, so Rs seem weirdly absent.
Ds clearly spending in Ohio. This is the most activity in any cycle since I moved back over a decade ago.
Slightly concerned they think Kaptur is in trouble, tho IDK. I don't even know her opponent's name, so Rs seem weirdly absent.
October 6, 2026 at 5:06 PM
D canvasser knocked on my door: 3rd time in just over a month.
Ds clearly spending in Ohio. This is the most activity in any cycle since I moved back over a decade ago.
Slightly concerned they think Kaptur is in trouble, tho IDK. I don't even know her opponent's name, so Rs seem weirdly absent.
Ds clearly spending in Ohio. This is the most activity in any cycle since I moved back over a decade ago.
Slightly concerned they think Kaptur is in trouble, tho IDK. I don't even know her opponent's name, so Rs seem weirdly absent.
"You're so much prettier when you smile" is now an AI prompt.
October 4, 2026 at 11:44 AM
"You're so much prettier when you smile" is now an AI prompt.
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
Hi Nobel Prize! Hope you are doing well. Does Canada need to proactively close our border just in case, or are we good? Wink twice if we need to close.
We will reveal the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize in just one week! Stream the announcement live on www.nobelprize.org.
Quick facts:
- Number of peace prizes: 106
- Individuals awarded the peace prize: 112
- Organisations awarded the peace prize: 28
- Youngest laureate: 17
- Oldest laureate: 86
Quick facts:
- Number of peace prizes: 106
- Individuals awarded the peace prize: 112
- Organisations awarded the peace prize: 28
- Youngest laureate: 17
- Oldest laureate: 86
October 2, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Hi Nobel Prize! Hope you are doing well. Does Canada need to proactively close our border just in case, or are we good? Wink twice if we need to close.
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
They're holding up a major escalation in Iran and a crackdown on abortion until after the midterms to limit political damage.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
SCOOP: White House officials, led by Susie Wiles, have told DOJ to delay any abortion-related action until after the midterms
Wiles suggested to Todd Blanche that an aggressive approach on abortion would be negative for the GOP in November
@washingtonsun.com
www.washingtonsun.com/campaigns/ab...
Wiles suggested to Todd Blanche that an aggressive approach on abortion would be negative for the GOP in November
@washingtonsun.com
www.washingtonsun.com/campaigns/ab...
White House Officials Told the DOJ to Delay Action on Abortion Ahead of the Midterms
Attorney General Todd Blanche has moved slowly in abortion pill litigation and department officials have told advocates to wait until after the election.
www.washingtonsun.com
October 2, 2026 at 1:20 PM
They're holding up a major escalation in Iran and a crackdown on abortion until after the midterms to limit political damage.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
If you're wondering why Trump called Canada the worst country in the world & Navarro told trade negotiators to get out of the country, I think this might help explain it.
youtu.be/Qo5wGpN1nD4?...
youtu.be/Qo5wGpN1nD4?...
How Canada’s tariffs were designed to hurt Trump
YouTube video by CNN
youtu.be
October 1, 2026 at 1:39 PM
If you're wondering why Trump called Canada the worst country in the world & Navarro told trade negotiators to get out of the country, I think this might help explain it.
youtu.be/Qo5wGpN1nD4?...
youtu.be/Qo5wGpN1nD4?...
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
I think the only solution for this is Kessler Syndrome.
Shane Ross at Virginia Tech created a simulation of what 500k orbital data centers, as proposed by SpaceX, would look like from your home latitude sdross0.github.io/orbital-data...
What would orbital data centers look like from your sky?
500,000 satellites from SpaceX's FCC filing, two published brightness models and the real stars, for any latitude, date and time. Computed in your browser.
sdross0.github.io
September 30, 2026 at 2:59 AM
I think the only solution for this is Kessler Syndrome.
Trump isn't the first potus in my lifetime to be obsessed with renaming things.
GWB gave everyone nicknames. The press thought it hilarious but it really bugged me. I realized today it was same, if milder, version of Trump's belief that the world is his to name.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
GWB gave everyone nicknames. The press thought it hilarious but it really bugged me. I realized today it was same, if milder, version of Trump's belief that the world is his to name.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
List of nicknames used by George W. Bush - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
September 30, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Trump isn't the first potus in my lifetime to be obsessed with renaming things.
GWB gave everyone nicknames. The press thought it hilarious but it really bugged me. I realized today it was same, if milder, version of Trump's belief that the world is his to name.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
GWB gave everyone nicknames. The press thought it hilarious but it really bugged me. I realized today it was same, if milder, version of Trump's belief that the world is his to name.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
This period will go down as one of the greatest moments for Democrat attack ads in history.
We're seeing LBJ "Daisy"-level spots daily.
We're seeing LBJ "Daisy"-level spots daily.
September 29, 2026 at 9:13 PM
This period will go down as one of the greatest moments for Democrat attack ads in history.
We're seeing LBJ "Daisy"-level spots daily.
We're seeing LBJ "Daisy"-level spots daily.
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
MacFarlane: The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio has got the same issue. Last year, they paid $50,000 for diesel to transport their food. Now, they’re paying $150,000 for the diesel to transport their food.
September 28, 2026 at 11:50 PM
MacFarlane: The Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio has got the same issue. Last year, they paid $50,000 for diesel to transport their food. Now, they’re paying $150,000 for the diesel to transport their food.
Excellent. Easier to tear it down.
WAPO: The architect quit “after warning repeatedly that Trump was insisting on a preliminary design that did not provide adequate emergency exit routes or fire-containment measures ..
.. ‘I am the code,” Trump said.”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
.. ‘I am the code,” Trump said.”
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
September 23, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Excellent. Easier to tear it down.
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
These people thought they could get rid of democracy and keep the economic benefits of democracy. It's a choice folks. If autocracy was good for business, the pattern of global productivity would be much different.
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/20/t...
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/20/t...
‘It's awful’: How tariffs, soaring fuel costs and higher interest rates are squeezing American companies
Tariffs, fuel prices and interest rates are squeezing American companies, particularly manufacturers, auto suppliers, retailers and transportation businesses.
www.cnbc.com
September 20, 2026 at 9:41 PM
These people thought they could get rid of democracy and keep the economic benefits of democracy. It's a choice folks. If autocracy was good for business, the pattern of global productivity would be much different.
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/20/t...
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/20/t...
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
Russia has imposed nighttime movement restrictions near the Narva Estonian border from September 16 to 26.
According to the Federal Security Service, people and vehicles are prohibited from being outside populated areas during nighttime hours
According to the Federal Security Service, people and vehicles are prohibited from being outside populated areas during nighttime hours
September 20, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Russia has imposed nighttime movement restrictions near the Narva Estonian border from September 16 to 26.
According to the Federal Security Service, people and vehicles are prohibited from being outside populated areas during nighttime hours
According to the Federal Security Service, people and vehicles are prohibited from being outside populated areas during nighttime hours
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
Even if you think you know the whole Kennedy Center story, this is enlightening and enraging.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...
How President Trump Broke the Kennedy Center (Gift Article)
Internal emails and documents demonstrate the political capture of the institution, including how officials once pursued a plan to unload much of the art collection.
www.nytimes.com
September 20, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Even if you think you know the whole Kennedy Center story, this is enlightening and enraging.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
Former Harvard grad. www.youtube.com/shorts/yD088...
Carney appears to mock Trump with signature hand gesture during speech
YouTube video by Global News
www.youtube.com
September 20, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Former Harvard grad. www.youtube.com/shorts/yD088...
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
Trump brand flak towers popping up all over Washington
National security expert here, and speaking strictly personally, what the f#ck???
September 20, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Trump brand flak towers popping up all over Washington
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
The point of my post was the supporters of the bill were only engaging with the symbolism of the bill and not its substance. This post sounds to me like more of the same tbh. Fwiw I argued with references to the text that both substance and symbolism of the bill will ultimately be bad for Ukraine
September 17, 2026 at 1:11 AM
The point of my post was the supporters of the bill were only engaging with the symbolism of the bill and not its substance. This post sounds to me like more of the same tbh. Fwiw I argued with references to the text that both substance and symbolism of the bill will ultimately be bad for Ukraine
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
There's one massive problem with Trump's Ukraine diesel price theory
A study by Ukraine’s KSE Institute, shared with the Financial Times, assessed the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran had a far bigger impact on global diesel and gasoil supplies than Ukrainian drone strikes.
A study by Ukraine’s KSE Institute, shared with the Financial Times, assessed the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran had a far bigger impact on global diesel and gasoil supplies than Ukrainian drone strikes.
There's one massive problem with Trump's Ukraine diesel price theory
U.S. President Donald Trump has a very simple solution to the very real problem of rising diesel prices.
"(President Volodymyr) Zelensky has to do one thing — he has to stop knocking out diesel fuel ...
kyivindependent.com
September 15, 2026 at 4:21 PM
There's one massive problem with Trump's Ukraine diesel price theory
A study by Ukraine’s KSE Institute, shared with the Financial Times, assessed the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran had a far bigger impact on global diesel and gasoil supplies than Ukrainian drone strikes.
A study by Ukraine’s KSE Institute, shared with the Financial Times, assessed the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran had a far bigger impact on global diesel and gasoil supplies than Ukrainian drone strikes.
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
One thing I'm BEGGING people to do as we approach the election is to take back their morning. We cannot let X or a billionaire algorithim rule our brains.
As part of that, I'm trying to resurrect the mighty RSS feed with a Google Reader-ish view. It's preloaded with great independent journalism.
As part of that, I'm trying to resurrect the mighty RSS feed with a Google Reader-ish view. It's preloaded with great independent journalism.
September 8, 2026 at 10:27 AM
One thing I'm BEGGING people to do as we approach the election is to take back their morning. We cannot let X or a billionaire algorithim rule our brains.
As part of that, I'm trying to resurrect the mighty RSS feed with a Google Reader-ish view. It's preloaded with great independent journalism.
As part of that, I'm trying to resurrect the mighty RSS feed with a Google Reader-ish view. It's preloaded with great independent journalism.
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
A heartbreaking conversation between a little Ukrainian boy and his mom about the war.
"What am I feeling right now? Anger. Anger about everything. That I can’t go to McDonald’s. That our people are dying. That we spend so much time sitting in the basement," little Lev cries.
"What am I feeling right now? Anger. Anger about everything. That I can’t go to McDonald’s. That our people are dying. That we spend so much time sitting in the basement," little Lev cries.
September 5, 2026 at 10:59 AM
A heartbreaking conversation between a little Ukrainian boy and his mom about the war.
"What am I feeling right now? Anger. Anger about everything. That I can’t go to McDonald’s. That our people are dying. That we spend so much time sitting in the basement," little Lev cries.
"What am I feeling right now? Anger. Anger about everything. That I can’t go to McDonald’s. That our people are dying. That we spend so much time sitting in the basement," little Lev cries.
Reposted by KA SEMENOVA
According to the FT, Orr is acting as a live-in-landlord-cum-cult-leader to Cambridge students including those under his own supervision, whilst receiving formal complaints about his behaviour, and boasting publicly how the university is a recruiting ground for the party he might be doing crime for
![Among the complaints upheld by the investigator are that Orr allegedly made belittling
remarks to the student, and had demanded an “excessive” and “unreasonable” amount of
written work in an effort to refine a thesis proposal. The report also criticised “at worst
inappropriate and at best thoughtless comments made [by Orr] in the equally
inappropriate context of [Orr’s] own home”. This was in reference to a dinner that the
student, who comes from a Christian, conservative background, had attended at Orr’s
house.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:lp27scbhcz4sl5eidxkq2l7f/bafkreib46c4cywfrvxjqqr7tx264l67lenpv23ofkmrhapx3lt24ix7unm)
September 4, 2026 at 8:18 AM
According to the FT, Orr is acting as a live-in-landlord-cum-cult-leader to Cambridge students including those under his own supervision, whilst receiving formal complaints about his behaviour, and boasting publicly how the university is a recruiting ground for the party he might be doing crime for