Pete Arethas
@petea.bsky.social
Visiting Professor of Finance.
Adjunct Professor of Economics and Business Strategy.
PE/VC fundraising.
Adjunct Professor of Economics and Business Strategy.
PE/VC fundraising.
Pinned
Pete Arethas
@petea.bsky.social
· Jul 4
“To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
- Declaration of Independence, 1776
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
- Declaration of Independence, 1776
I wasn’t going to vote for Ken Paxton. But now after seeing his ad here in Chicago during the Bears game … I’m still not going to vote for Ken Paxton.
Good ad spend though. Commercials are inexpensive in Chicago DURING A BEARS game and we tend to vote GOP in the Texas Senate races.
Good ad spend though. Commercials are inexpensive in Chicago DURING A BEARS game and we tend to vote GOP in the Texas Senate races.
Why am I seeing a Texas Senate campaign ad during the Bears/Jets game?
October 4, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I wasn’t going to vote for Ken Paxton. But now after seeing his ad here in Chicago during the Bears game … I’m still not going to vote for Ken Paxton.
Good ad spend though. Commercials are inexpensive in Chicago DURING A BEARS game and we tend to vote GOP in the Texas Senate races.
Good ad spend though. Commercials are inexpensive in Chicago DURING A BEARS game and we tend to vote GOP in the Texas Senate races.
Reposted by Pete Arethas
Some morning musings on AI. We need to stop talking about this as technology issue. It's an ethics & law enforcement issue. Thread:
October 2, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Some morning musings on AI. We need to stop talking about this as technology issue. It's an ethics & law enforcement issue. Thread:
Reposted by Pete Arethas
Lucan Way and I have been writing about competitive authoritarianism for more than 25 years. We never thought we'd write this piece.
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/com...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/com...
Competitive Authoritarianism in America | Journal of Democracy
The United States has slid into competitive authoritarianism. The slide has been modest and remains reversible—but it is real. Even after Donald Trump, American democracy will remain fragile.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
October 1, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Lucan Way and I have been writing about competitive authoritarianism for more than 25 years. We never thought we'd write this piece.
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/com...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/com...
Sen. Schmitt: I noticed your last name is “Smith” as in Lovie Smith, as in the former head coach of the Chicago Bears, a team supported by Barack Obama, whose VP was Biden who was the opponent that lost to Trump in 2020 even though he didn’t.
Don’t you see your conflict of interest, Mr. Smith?
Don’t you see your conflict of interest, Mr. Smith?
this gaffe should follow Eric Schmitt around for the rest of his political life
(Jack Smith was actually in Maryland at a HAWKEYES game, not in Atlanta colluding with Fani Willis as Schmitt alleged)
(Win McNamee/Getty)
(Jack Smith was actually in Maryland at a HAWKEYES game, not in Atlanta colluding with Fani Willis as Schmitt alleged)
(Win McNamee/Getty)
September 30, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Sen. Schmitt: I noticed your last name is “Smith” as in Lovie Smith, as in the former head coach of the Chicago Bears, a team supported by Barack Obama, whose VP was Biden who was the opponent that lost to Trump in 2020 even though he didn’t.
Don’t you see your conflict of interest, Mr. Smith?
Don’t you see your conflict of interest, Mr. Smith?
Reposted by Pete Arethas
A lasting legacy of polio is the fact that Nordstrom will, to this day, sell you two different-sized shoes for the price of one. This was done to differentiate themselves in the marketplace to serve the large population of polio survivors with different sized limbs/feet (incl possibly Mrs Nordstrom)
“On Thursday, Mr. Gorton said that “the success of the polio vaccine was a massive medical fraud” and that widespread vaccination was a “public health disaster.” He received a standing ovation…
Mr. Kennedy spoke next, linking arms with the group even as measles cases continue to rise”
Mr. Kennedy spoke next, linking arms with the group even as measles cases continue to rise”
RFK Jr. Assures Vaccine Skeptics They Have a ‘Friend at the White House’
The health secretary spoke at a conference featuring misinformation about vaccines, including a claim that the success of the polio vaccines was a “fraud.”
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2026 at 10:56 AM
A lasting legacy of polio is the fact that Nordstrom will, to this day, sell you two different-sized shoes for the price of one. This was done to differentiate themselves in the marketplace to serve the large population of polio survivors with different sized limbs/feet (incl possibly Mrs Nordstrom)
Reposted by Pete Arethas
In response to Thomas Massie's actions to force a vote on the impeachment of Pete Hegseth... Mike Johnson has cancelled all remaining votes between today and the November election. You can't make this stuff up.
September 16, 2026 at 5:12 PM
In response to Thomas Massie's actions to force a vote on the impeachment of Pete Hegseth... Mike Johnson has cancelled all remaining votes between today and the November election. You can't make this stuff up.
I’d wager my $5,000 DOGE check, on the president’s son’s prediction market, that a $5,000 election bribery check won’t be delivered (by the post office the president wants to defund) before the president tries to overturn an election again.
Trump: "We're making a fortune. So if the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000. It will be called the Trump Dividend. Congratulations."
September 10, 2026 at 12:26 PM
I’d wager my $5,000 DOGE check, on the president’s son’s prediction market, that a $5,000 election bribery check won’t be delivered (by the post office the president wants to defund) before the president tries to overturn an election again.
Add another $1.35 trillion to the deficit to buy an election.
Trump: "Only I can make this promise to you: If the Republicans win the House and Senate, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000"
September 10, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Add another $1.35 trillion to the deficit to buy an election.
Reposted by Pete Arethas
I dunno it kind of seems that if Wendy’s genuinely said that they thought there was at least a 10% chance that their square hamburgers would end all human life we’d probably go hey you’ve got to stop selling those square burgers
ANTHROPIC EXEC: “.. I personally think it is >10% within the next decade.”
September 9, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I dunno it kind of seems that if Wendy’s genuinely said that they thought there was at least a 10% chance that their square hamburgers would end all human life we’d probably go hey you’ve got to stop selling those square burgers
Cassian Andor wore it better
September 6, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Cassian Andor wore it better
So these knuckleheads follow up an incredible Rahm Emanuel interview with this crap?
Trump’s “science agenda”?
Fauci’s “damage”?
Cmon VC tech bros. Return to reality.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Trump’s “science agenda”?
Fauci’s “damage”?
Cmon VC tech bros. Return to reality.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Michael Kratsios: Trump's Science Agenda, Anti-Science Claims, Fauci's Damage, DEI & China
Podcast Episode · All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg · August 24 · 56m
podcasts.apple.com
August 26, 2026 at 12:18 PM
So these knuckleheads follow up an incredible Rahm Emanuel interview with this crap?
Trump’s “science agenda”?
Fauci’s “damage”?
Cmon VC tech bros. Return to reality.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Trump’s “science agenda”?
Fauci’s “damage”?
Cmon VC tech bros. Return to reality.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Run, Rahn, run. Impressive interview. Plus a huge bonus. David Sacks is NOT on it podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Rahm Emanuel: Trump's Foreign Policy, China, Europe's Decline, Immigration & DSA vs Democrats
Podcast Episode · All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg · August 13 · 1h 12m
podcasts.apple.com
August 25, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Run, Rahn, run. Impressive interview. Plus a huge bonus. David Sacks is NOT on it podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
If you’re looking to self-start a recession, increase inflation and increase unemployment then stifling trade with your #2 trading partner will help.
August 24, 2026 at 4:30 PM
If you’re looking to self-start a recession, increase inflation and increase unemployment then stifling trade with your #2 trading partner will help.
So let me get this straight. Our executive branch has so many leaks and so few ethics we have insiders GAMBLING on US soldiers going into war and potentially dying?
More than 150 wallets on Polymarket International may have traded on inside U.S. military information, attracting copycat bets and raising concerns that the market could broadcast signals exploitable by foreign adversaries.
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
August 20, 2026 at 2:14 PM
So let me get this straight. Our executive branch has so many leaks and so few ethics we have insiders GAMBLING on US soldiers going into war and potentially dying?
No worries. She just controls EVERYTHING POTUS sees, reads, posts apparently. More powerful than the actual Chief of Staff. Why vet her? Totally fine to have some random potentially compromised person so close to POTUS.
EXCLUSIVE: Trump’s closest aide, Natalie Harp, declined multiple times over more than a year to seek a routine security clearance normally obtained by West Wing staffers to work at the White House, sources tell MS NOW.
Trump aide Natalie Harp worked at the White House without security clearance for a year
The close aide to the president, known to filter much of the information reaching the commander-in-chief, ultimately relented in recent months after pressure from White House staff.
bit.ly
August 19, 2026 at 10:49 PM
No worries. She just controls EVERYTHING POTUS sees, reads, posts apparently. More powerful than the actual Chief of Staff. Why vet her? Totally fine to have some random potentially compromised person so close to POTUS.
Remember when we had a Securities and Exchange Commission?
Wasn’t their mission to “protect investors, maintain fair markets and facilitate capital formation”?
Did they go out of business?
Wasn’t their mission to “protect investors, maintain fair markets and facilitate capital formation”?
Did they go out of business?
Trump family crypto earnings: $1.4 billion
#$TRUMP meme coin: -98%
$MELANIA meme coin: -99%
“Perhaps the most blatant example of corruption in the history of American politics.” — Bilello
#$TRUMP meme coin: -98%
$MELANIA meme coin: -99%
“Perhaps the most blatant example of corruption in the history of American politics.” — Bilello
August 14, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Remember when we had a Securities and Exchange Commission?
Wasn’t their mission to “protect investors, maintain fair markets and facilitate capital formation”?
Did they go out of business?
Wasn’t their mission to “protect investors, maintain fair markets and facilitate capital formation”?
Did they go out of business?
The market price for gas at the pump is rising WHILE the admin manipulates supply. Completely unnecessary geopolitical/economic risk. Gas prices are in jeopardy of skyrocketing too.
The key word is (or was) “strategic” reserves and they’re at their lowest in 43 yrs finance.yahoo.com/energy/artic...
The key word is (or was) “strategic” reserves and they’re at their lowest in 43 yrs finance.yahoo.com/energy/artic...
August 12, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The market price for gas at the pump is rising WHILE the admin manipulates supply. Completely unnecessary geopolitical/economic risk. Gas prices are in jeopardy of skyrocketing too.
The key word is (or was) “strategic” reserves and they’re at their lowest in 43 yrs finance.yahoo.com/energy/artic...
The key word is (or was) “strategic” reserves and they’re at their lowest in 43 yrs finance.yahoo.com/energy/artic...
Oops. Good thing China won’t read this.
U.S. has used 'virtually all' of its long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Reuters
U.S. has used 'virtually all' of its long-range precision missiles during Iran war: Reuters
The U.S. Army has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its war with Iran, people familiar with the data told Reuters.
cnb.cx
August 4, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Oops. Good thing China won’t read this.
1776: King George “has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.”
2026: How dare these subjects vote against our MAGA king.
2026: How dare these subjects vote against our MAGA king.
This is morally monstrous behavior. These are ordinary, innocent people that Trump is condemning to suffering & death out of political vindictiveness. Every decent human being, regardless of political party, should condemn it. Where is the fucking *anger*? From the press? From civic leaders? Pols?
FEMA said yes to Democratic disaster requests. Trump killed them anyway.
President Donald Trump cast aside bipartisan precedent when he rejected eligible disaster requests from four blue states.
www.eenews.net
July 30, 2026 at 3:20 AM
1776: King George “has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.”
2026: How dare these subjects vote against our MAGA king.
2026: How dare these subjects vote against our MAGA king.
Reposted by Pete Arethas
JUSTIN SUN: ".. “I never expected this to happen to me. .. I thought surely these people would not do what they did with such a public profile attached."
@nymag.com #WLFI
nymag.com/intelligence...
@nymag.com #WLFI
nymag.com/intelligence...
The Billionaire Blowing the Whistle on Donald Trump’s Crypto Shop
World Liberty Financial has put $800 million in the president’s pocket. Justin Sun made a huge investment — and was shocked by what he saw.
nymag.com
July 27, 2026 at 10:43 AM
JUSTIN SUN: ".. “I never expected this to happen to me. .. I thought surely these people would not do what they did with such a public profile attached."
@nymag.com #WLFI
nymag.com/intelligence...
@nymag.com #WLFI
nymag.com/intelligence...
So does MAGA cheer or attack the Capitol if our birthright citizen score the game winning goal?
Breaking News: President Trump called the head of FIFA days before the suspension of Folarin Balogun, the U.S.’s top goal scorer in the World Cup, was reversed. trib.al/x9mGfAs
July 5, 2026 at 8:14 PM
So does MAGA cheer or attack the Capitol if our birthright citizen score the game winning goal?
Happy Independence Day from Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. #250
July 4, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Happy Independence Day from Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. #250
Reposted by Pete Arethas
“To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
- Declaration of Independence, 1776
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
- Declaration of Independence, 1776
July 4, 2025 at 12:53 PM
“To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
- Declaration of Independence, 1776
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
- Declaration of Independence, 1776
Declaration of Independence signers: 56
States: 50
Fox hosts: 2
Attendees at “Trumpapalooza”: 0
States: 50
Fox hosts: 2
Attendees at “Trumpapalooza”: 0
Trump's fair is now open for the day -- but based on this Fox News live shot, it doesn't appear there is a single human being there yet 😆😭
July 3, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Declaration of Independence signers: 56
States: 50
Fox hosts: 2
Attendees at “Trumpapalooza”: 0
States: 50
Fox hosts: 2
Attendees at “Trumpapalooza”: 0
Reposted by Pete Arethas
Pontifex maximus preaches a homily directed to Pete Hegseth and his ilk
June 27, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Pontifex maximus preaches a homily directed to Pete Hegseth and his ilk