Marc Auerbach
@pugetopia.bsky.social
Pizza lover. Union guy. Brooklyn kid living in Seattle. Recovering from the narcissism of small differences. Bella, ciao!
When it comes to reporting on Mayor Wilson, I'll take @ericacbarnett.bsky.social on vacation over the Seattle Times any day.
Just reading up on the city budget (been on vacation). There are a number of strange errors and misconstruals in the Seattle Times' coverage, including a reference ot "Seattle's income tax" (we don't have one) and spending outpacing revenue in a worsening economy (that's not what caused the deficit)
Seattle mayor tries to ‘right the ship’ in her first city budget
The city has faced consistently bleak revenue projections for years, and, as was the case last year, city spending continued to outpace revenue this year.
www.seattletimes.com
September 23, 2026 at 2:27 PM
When it comes to reporting on Mayor Wilson, I'll take @ericacbarnett.bsky.social on vacation over the Seattle Times any day.
You can't hurt me. I grew up rooting for the Mets.
September 23, 2026 at 4:22 AM
You can't hurt me. I grew up rooting for the Mets.
Sara Nelson woke up one day and asked herself, "How can I run this city without actually doing an honest day's work?".
Seattle, welcome to the age of the A.I. politician.
Seattle, welcome to the age of the A.I. politician.
One mantra I've had for many years as local websites that purport to cover the news come and go is "Everybody thinks it's easy." New "AI-powered" sites that chew up legislative agendas and actual writers' work and spit out terrible "writing" are just the latest version of the same old thing.
Former Seattle City Council president launches AI-powered site to track and report on City Hall
Former Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson has launched CivicTide, a website that tracks City Council legislation, publishes policy briefs and opinion pieces, and gives readers tools to contact...
www.geekwire.com
September 22, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Sara Nelson woke up one day and asked herself, "How can I run this city without actually doing an honest day's work?".
Seattle, welcome to the age of the A.I. politician.
Seattle, welcome to the age of the A.I. politician.
Today it's indisputable that Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is the first serious mayor we've had in a good long while.
I almost feel sorry for the haters.
(No I don't.)
I almost feel sorry for the haters.
(No I don't.)
Turns out when you put a not-rich person in the mayor's office, you get someone who understands how to be careful with money. The two millionaires who preceded her spent like drunken sailours and used accounting tricks to punt the ball down the road.
September 22, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Today it's indisputable that Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is the first serious mayor we've had in a good long while.
I almost feel sorry for the haters.
(No I don't.)
I almost feel sorry for the haters.
(No I don't.)
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
NYT has now independently corroborated all the major allegations against Susan Collins in the ProPublica report, including that investigators were prepared to move against her and then Trump intervened to shut it down. This put Trump in a position of exceptional and extortionate leverage over her.
F.B.I. Shut Down Inquiry Into Top Ally of Senator Susan Collins
The inquiry was closed last year because senior bureau officials questioned the veracity of a campaign donor’s account, according to current and former officials.
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2026 at 8:06 PM
NYT has now independently corroborated all the major allegations against Susan Collins in the ProPublica report, including that investigators were prepared to move against her and then Trump intervened to shut it down. This put Trump in a position of exceptional and extortionate leverage over her.
With that budget speech, I think Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson just might troll the Seattle Times right into demanding higher taxes on the rich.
September 22, 2026 at 8:15 PM
With that budget speech, I think Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson just might troll the Seattle Times right into demanding higher taxes on the rich.
Why does David Kroman call former Seattle Council president Sara Nelson's politics "moderate" on @kuow.org's Soundside?
In her massive defeat she won pretty much only in wealthier, waterfront-adjacent precincts.
Her politics and her base is not moderate, it's elite and corporate.
In her massive defeat she won pretty much only in wealthier, waterfront-adjacent precincts.
Her politics and her base is not moderate, it's elite and corporate.
September 22, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Why does David Kroman call former Seattle Council president Sara Nelson's politics "moderate" on @kuow.org's Soundside?
In her massive defeat she won pretty much only in wealthier, waterfront-adjacent precincts.
Her politics and her base is not moderate, it's elite and corporate.
In her massive defeat she won pretty much only in wealthier, waterfront-adjacent precincts.
Her politics and her base is not moderate, it's elite and corporate.
Genius, this guy.
Trump: "You call it United Kingdom, Britain, they call it sometimes England. They go back to the old. It's got more names than any other place in the world."
September 22, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Genius, this guy.
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
“One reason that this straightforward truth is often marginalized is that our national dialogue over schooling tends to [ask] ‘What should you as a parent do for your child?’ rather than […] ‘What is the best way to design an educational system in a democratic country?’”
(Privates *&* charters IMO)
(Privates *&* charters IMO)
Private Schools Are Bad for Society
The starting point for any honest discussion.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2026 at 3:15 PM
“One reason that this straightforward truth is often marginalized is that our national dialogue over schooling tends to [ask] ‘What should you as a parent do for your child?’ rather than […] ‘What is the best way to design an educational system in a democratic country?’”
(Privates *&* charters IMO)
(Privates *&* charters IMO)
What a joke! The absentee Chief didn't even know who was in charge in his absence.
Cops on sight responded quickly to the shooting.
Everything else is about the leadership void at SPD and the establishment's abuse of a tragic shooting to score points against a a new Mayor they hate.
Cops on sight responded quickly to the shooting.
Everything else is about the leadership void at SPD and the establishment's abuse of a tragic shooting to score points against a a new Mayor they hate.
September 22, 2026 at 2:43 PM
What a joke! The absentee Chief didn't even know who was in charge in his absence.
Cops on sight responded quickly to the shooting.
Everything else is about the leadership void at SPD and the establishment's abuse of a tragic shooting to score points against a a new Mayor they hate.
Cops on sight responded quickly to the shooting.
Everything else is about the leadership void at SPD and the establishment's abuse of a tragic shooting to score points against a a new Mayor they hate.
Thomas Jefferson was a piece of shit. We don't need DNA evidence to know it. He told us so.
September 22, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Thomas Jefferson was a piece of shit. We don't need DNA evidence to know it. He told us so.
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
This aired just the once in 1998 on the live SNL show for which McKay wrote it.
It was effectively banned as it never aired again.
I wonder why.
MEDIA-OPOLY
It was effectively banned as it never aired again.
I wonder why.
MEDIA-OPOLY
September 21, 2026 at 6:07 PM
This aired just the once in 1998 on the live SNL show for which McKay wrote it.
It was effectively banned as it never aired again.
I wonder why.
MEDIA-OPOLY
It was effectively banned as it never aired again.
I wonder why.
MEDIA-OPOLY
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
I wonder who was President of the Seattle City Council when downtown Seattle lost 13,000 jobs in 2025.
September 21, 2026 at 8:50 PM
I wonder who was President of the Seattle City Council when downtown Seattle lost 13,000 jobs in 2025.
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
Anyone can go to iceout.org to see reported ICE activity in their area.
Here’s the Washington State I-5 corridor today, 9/21. This is ONE DAY’S activity.
If you are not doing anything about it, I would like to ask you why not?
Here’s the Washington State I-5 corridor today, 9/21. This is ONE DAY’S activity.
If you are not doing anything about it, I would like to ask you why not?
September 22, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Anyone can go to iceout.org to see reported ICE activity in their area.
Here’s the Washington State I-5 corridor today, 9/21. This is ONE DAY’S activity.
If you are not doing anything about it, I would like to ask you why not?
Here’s the Washington State I-5 corridor today, 9/21. This is ONE DAY’S activity.
If you are not doing anything about it, I would like to ask you why not?
Obama's campaign manager. Fucking hell.
David Plouffe, a Coinbase adviser, is on MS NOW the same day that the Fairshake super PAC it bankrolls announces it will spend $30M vs. Sherrod Brown in #OHSen.
Last year, Sen. Tim Scott publicly thanked crypto industry "for getting rid of Sherrod Brown." Brown had called for consumer protections.
Last year, Sen. Tim Scott publicly thanked crypto industry "for getting rid of Sherrod Brown." Brown had called for consumer protections.
September 22, 2026 at 3:23 AM
Obama's campaign manager. Fucking hell.
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
The way to look at this is George bush is trying to help Donald trump retain power on the Hill
Scoop: John Cornyn & George W. Bush are headlining a Dallas fundraiser tonight for all of the Senate GOP nominees in tossup races—except Ken Paxton
It benefits a new joint fundraising committee for IA, ME, NH, OH, AK, MI & the NRSC
w/ @teddyschleifer.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/u...
It benefits a new joint fundraising committee for IA, ME, NH, OH, AK, MI & the NRSC
w/ @teddyschleifer.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/u...
Bush and Cornyn Leave Out Paxton as They Raise Cash for Senate Candidates
The former president and Texas senator are headlining a fund-raiser in Dallas for top Republican Senate candidates. Not included: Ken Paxton, the nominee in their own state.
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2026 at 1:13 AM
The way to look at this is George bush is trying to help Donald trump retain power on the Hill
We are walking right into the trap, even though there is a sign above it that says, "TRAP!", and people all around yelling, "TRAP!".
I just honestly can't get over that Save Women Sports, an anti-trans group could only find five trans athletes competing K through 12.
Five. The NCAA president testified a year and a half ago or so that there were less than 10 college level trans athletes. What the fuck are we doing, people
Five. The NCAA president testified a year and a half ago or so that there were less than 10 college level trans athletes. What the fuck are we doing, people
September 21, 2026 at 5:33 AM
We are walking right into the trap, even though there is a sign above it that says, "TRAP!", and people all around yelling, "TRAP!".
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
This is the outcome of the “you do you” approach to public health that so many people favor
Enforce Quarantines for Cases
A passenger with measles passed through at least six counties on Amtrak – Alameda, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Joaquin – while making multiple transfers.
www.ktvu.com/news/califor...
A passenger with measles passed through at least six counties on Amtrak – Alameda, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Joaquin – while making multiple transfers.
www.ktvu.com/news/califor...
California health department notifies of measles exposure from unvaccinated Amtrak passenger
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is urging residents to get their measles vaccination after notifying the public of an exposure from an Amtrak passenger who traveled on the rail syste...
www.ktvu.com
September 21, 2026 at 3:35 AM
This is the outcome of the “you do you” approach to public health that so many people favor
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 21, 2026 at 2:37 AM
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.”
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life.
Common sense.
Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
this is literally Debate 101, you do not hand it to your opponent on an issue you purportedly disagree on!
You don't counter bad faith ads by going "my opponent is right in all aspects except where they say I disagree with them"
September 20, 2026 at 10:44 PM
this is literally Debate 101, you do not hand it to your opponent on an issue you purportedly disagree on!
An elected official who follows through on their promises?
We banned rental junk fees! Starting July 1st, 2027, the price you see is the price you pay — no pet rent, no admin fees, no lease renewal fees. Step by step, we’re building an affordable Seattle. Thanks to City Attorney Evans and Councilmember Foster, and to the Stay Housed, Stay Healthy Coalition!
September 20, 2026 at 10:58 PM
An elected official who follows through on their promises?
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
I just think it’s strange that all the gambling companies have ads with athletes and celebrities instead of featuring all their users who have become millionaires betting, very strange indeed
Polymarket partner LeBron James continuing to promote gambling 🤢
September 20, 2026 at 8:39 PM
I just think it’s strange that all the gambling companies have ads with athletes and celebrities instead of featuring all their users who have become millionaires betting, very strange indeed
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
Fascinating to see a Seattle Times op/e call Bruce Harrell a mayoral "three-term fixture"
He was on the COUNCIL 3 terms, but they don't provide that context—pretty relevant given that voters tossed him on his ass after ONE mayoral term!
But what are facts, the op/ed page can apparently say whatever
He was on the COUNCIL 3 terms, but they don't provide that context—pretty relevant given that voters tossed him on his ass after ONE mayoral term!
But what are facts, the op/ed page can apparently say whatever
Americans aren't becoming socialists. They’re chafing over broken economy | Op-Ed
Voters aren't drifting left on theory. They're reacting to a system that quietly resold political power to the highest bidder.
www.seattletimes.com
September 20, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Fascinating to see a Seattle Times op/e call Bruce Harrell a mayoral "three-term fixture"
He was on the COUNCIL 3 terms, but they don't provide that context—pretty relevant given that voters tossed him on his ass after ONE mayoral term!
But what are facts, the op/ed page can apparently say whatever
He was on the COUNCIL 3 terms, but they don't provide that context—pretty relevant given that voters tossed him on his ass after ONE mayoral term!
But what are facts, the op/ed page can apparently say whatever
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
The Right talks a lot about fiscal responsibility and efficiency, but for decades, that’s been code for something else: cutting essential programs and services.
September 18, 2026 at 6:51 PM
The Right talks a lot about fiscal responsibility and efficiency, but for decades, that’s been code for something else: cutting essential programs and services.
Reposted by Marc Auerbach
They are obsessed with Piker because they believe they can successfully deplatform him. They don't think that they can defeat fascists. Hope that helps.
September 19, 2026 at 9:41 PM
They are obsessed with Piker because they believe they can successfully deplatform him. They don't think that they can defeat fascists. Hope that helps.