@kataylor500.bsky.social
Bioethicist, lawyer, transplanted Texan
Reposted
I watched Macklemore’s speech at the concert. He didn’t say anything remotely hateful of Jews. He criticized the Israeli government, but explicitly reached out Jews in the audience to say he loved them. That he was opposing genocide, not Jews. Outrageous that big arenas canceled him.
Ed Sheeran's tour in jeopardy after opening acts all quit in support of Macklemore
Ed Sheeran's tour in jeopardy after opening acts all quit in support of Macklemore
The rapper, who was opening for the British talent, was dropped for making a pro-Palestinian speech onstage on September 5.
www.lemonde.fr
September 16, 2026 at 12:40 AM
I watched Macklemore’s speech at the concert. He didn’t say anything remotely hateful of Jews. He criticized the Israeli government, but explicitly reached out Jews in the audience to say he loved them. That he was opposing genocide, not Jews. Outrageous that big arenas canceled him.
Reposted
OpenAI’s top scientist, in a blog post on Sunday, warns that artificial intelligence is evolving so rapidly that it is becoming increasingly difficult for humans to understand and control it.
Here is the post:
openai.com/index/an-ali...
And a couple of small excerpts--clear warnings.
Here is the post:
openai.com/index/an-ali...
And a couple of small excerpts--clear warnings.
September 8, 2026 at 1:47 AM
OpenAI’s top scientist, in a blog post on Sunday, warns that artificial intelligence is evolving so rapidly that it is becoming increasingly difficult for humans to understand and control it.
Here is the post:
openai.com/index/an-ali...
And a couple of small excerpts--clear warnings.
Here is the post:
openai.com/index/an-ali...
And a couple of small excerpts--clear warnings.
Reposted
JFC
RFK Jr. asked the National Institute of Health to dedicate $5 billion (!) to finding a link between vaccines and autism. "That would have dedicated more than a tenth of the NIH’s annual budget to investigating a hypothesis already refuted by scientists worldwide."
Inside RFK Jr.’s push to dismantle decades of U.S. vaccine policy
Insider accounts reveal the scale of the health secretary's ambitions to curb childhood immunizations and unearth a link between vaccines and autism.
www.reuters.com
July 15, 2026 at 10:09 PM
JFC
Reposted
The recent Supreme Court term reiterated what we already know — it’s time for term limits for the justices.
bit.ly/4p7CUYx
bit.ly/4p7CUYx
Why the Roberts Court Makes Easy Cases So Hard
If Earl Warren could pull off a 9–0 vote in Brown v. Board of Education, why can’t John Roberts?
www.brennancenter.org
July 9, 2026 at 5:23 PM
The recent Supreme Court term reiterated what we already know — it’s time for term limits for the justices.
bit.ly/4p7CUYx
bit.ly/4p7CUYx
Reposted
ICE is reportedly pressuring the three witnesses to Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's murder—his brother and workers—to self-deport. In other words, get the only people who could contradict ICE's version of events out of the country.
Texas ICE Killing Darkens: Rep Says Witnesses Pressured to Self-Deport
There were three others in the van with the man shot by ICE in Houston this week. A representative for the families tells TNR that the government is pressuring these potential witnesses to self-deport...
newrepublic.com
July 9, 2026 at 5:28 PM
ICE is reportedly pressuring the three witnesses to Lorenzo Salgado Araujo's murder—his brother and workers—to self-deport. In other words, get the only people who could contradict ICE's version of events out of the country.
Reposted
I also feel heartbroken that Jenny Racicot felt obligated to come forward because she was closer to a “perfect victim” than Lyndsey Fifield and that so many people just assumed it was a Republican smear. Being a shitty woman who denies assault does not preclude her from being a victim of assault.
July 6, 2026 at 10:30 PM
I also feel heartbroken that Jenny Racicot felt obligated to come forward because she was closer to a “perfect victim” than Lyndsey Fifield and that so many people just assumed it was a Republican smear. Being a shitty woman who denies assault does not preclude her from being a victim of assault.
Thread.
I can't believe we still have to remind people of these things but: most rape victims don't file police reports. (You're reading one right now.) Shock, denial, need to appease the rapist, nominally friendly behavior toward the rapist, etc. are all common reactions
July 6, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Thread.
Reposted
👀👀👀👀
NEW: Hours after heated exchange with Trump, Sen Bill Cassidy (R-LA) joins Sen Cory Booker (D-NJ) in memo to Todd Blanche seeking answers about Trump’s sweetheart immunity deal with IRS
June 24, 2026 at 10:25 PM
👀👀👀👀
Reposted
Please read and call. Flood the zone.
I just sent this out to Democracy Docket premium members, but in light of the Postmasters comments this morning threatening voting by mail, I felt it is urgent to post it online for everyone.
Please read and share. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/mail...
Please read and share. www.democracydocket.com/opinion/mail...
Mail-in voting is under attack. Here's what you can do
The USPS is proposing a rule that would require states to share information about voters who request mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections.
www.democracydocket.com
June 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Please read and call. Flood the zone.
Reposted
Far-right Republicans and anti-abortion activists aren't even trying to HIDE their extremism—they want to ARREST women for getting an abortion.
This is beyond absurd and cruel, and America's pro-choice majority MUST understand what's at stake.
This is beyond absurd and cruel, and America's pro-choice majority MUST understand what's at stake.
Support Builds on the Right for Prosecuting Women Who Get Abortions
www.nytimes.com
June 24, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Far-right Republicans and anti-abortion activists aren't even trying to HIDE their extremism—they want to ARREST women for getting an abortion.
This is beyond absurd and cruel, and America's pro-choice majority MUST understand what's at stake.
This is beyond absurd and cruel, and America's pro-choice majority MUST understand what's at stake.
Reposted
as always we should run candidates who can win **where they're running**
Before we get hit with a ton of bad takes in the morning: It is possible, rational even, to want to see as many progressive Dem candidates as possible and to want as many Dems as possible to win in November. In other words pick who can win based on local realities, wherever possible progressives.
June 24, 2026 at 1:52 AM
as always we should run candidates who can win **where they're running**
Reposted
I’ve always been amazed at how the Manhattan Institute gets taken so seriously by so many when it hires people like this.
I mean, this is pretty shockingly vile racism for a someone at a “respectable” think tank to spew.
I mean, this is pretty shockingly vile racism for a someone at a “respectable” think tank to spew.
June 23, 2026 at 4:21 PM
I’ve always been amazed at how the Manhattan Institute gets taken so seriously by so many when it hires people like this.
I mean, this is pretty shockingly vile racism for a someone at a “respectable” think tank to spew.
I mean, this is pretty shockingly vile racism for a someone at a “respectable” think tank to spew.
Reposted
If you live in DC, you know there is a zero % chance that "vandals" could have slipped unobserved into a major, illuminated national monument and done this work with a knife.
I wonder if even Trump himself can believe this.
No sane person could.
I wonder if even Trump himself can believe this.
No sane person could.
Ted Lieu: “There is a 24/7 camera that shows the reflecting pool. If someone went into the pool and made a 250 foot gash, it would have been seen
trump is lying again. Everyone knows it, but the people at the Justice Dept are randomly going after people to soothe trump’s fragile ego”
trump is lying again. Everyone knows it, but the people at the Justice Dept are randomly going after people to soothe trump’s fragile ego”
June 22, 2026 at 9:28 PM
If you live in DC, you know there is a zero % chance that "vandals" could have slipped unobserved into a major, illuminated national monument and done this work with a knife.
I wonder if even Trump himself can believe this.
No sane person could.
I wonder if even Trump himself can believe this.
No sane person could.
Reposted
A large fire almost completely destroyed a luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic, killing one tourist and injuring dozens.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. https://wapo.st/4w2UkaT
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. https://wapo.st/4w2UkaT
June 22, 2026 at 9:31 PM
A large fire almost completely destroyed a luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic, killing one tourist and injuring dozens.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. https://wapo.st/4w2UkaT
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. https://wapo.st/4w2UkaT
Reposted
Piece by me this week - looking at the surging number of killings by police in the United States: www.economist.com/united-state...
American police killings are rising, even as murder rates fall
More aggressive cops are less restrained
www.economist.com
June 22, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Piece by me this week - looking at the surging number of killings by police in the United States: www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted
Outrageous.
Dr. Justin Ryder, a pediatric surgeon and expert at Northwestern, was booted from a conference for sharing an article on federal cuts to biomedical research.
This is the impact of Trump's administration.
Dr. Justin Ryder, a pediatric surgeon and expert at Northwestern, was booted from a conference for sharing an article on federal cuts to biomedical research.
This is the impact of Trump's administration.
Medical group leader apologizes to Northwestern researcher, others booted from conference over Trump critique
The researchers were distributing an editorial from an American Diabetes Association journal during the group’s annual meeting when they were escorted out by local police and security.
chicago.suntimes.com
June 20, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Outrageous.
Dr. Justin Ryder, a pediatric surgeon and expert at Northwestern, was booted from a conference for sharing an article on federal cuts to biomedical research.
This is the impact of Trump's administration.
Dr. Justin Ryder, a pediatric surgeon and expert at Northwestern, was booted from a conference for sharing an article on federal cuts to biomedical research.
This is the impact of Trump's administration.
Reposted
DOJ says no need to file declarations because Blanche already said fund not going forward, so won't comply with Brinkema's order. Unbelievably provocative and squirrelly; and won't satisfy Brinkema
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
#93 in Floyd v. Department of Justice (E.D. Va., 1:26-cv-01399) – CourtListener.com
NOTICE by Anti-Weaponization Fund, Scott Bessent, Todd Blanche, Department of Justice, Department of the Treasury, Stanley Woodward, Jr OF FILING (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (Transcript of House Appro...
storage.courtlistener.com
June 19, 2026 at 8:22 PM
DOJ says no need to file declarations because Blanche already said fund not going forward, so won't comply with Brinkema's order. Unbelievably provocative and squirrelly; and won't satisfy Brinkema
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted
RFK Jr. says that HPV vaccine is “dangerous and defective”.
A new study from England shows that HPV vaccines have reduced deaths from cervical cancer to ZERO for women aged 20-24.
Significant reductions in older age groups were observed as well, though the latter have lower vaccination coverage.
A new study from England shows that HPV vaccines have reduced deaths from cervical cancer to ZERO for women aged 20-24.
Significant reductions in older age groups were observed as well, though the latter have lower vaccination coverage.
Cervical cancer mortality trends following HPV vaccination in England, 2001–24: an analysis of population-based mortality data
Our findings provide the first robust national-level evidence, albeit observational,
that high HPV vaccination coverage is associated with a substantial reduction in cervical
cancer deaths. This is sh...
www.thelancet.com
June 18, 2026 at 2:12 PM
RFK Jr. says that HPV vaccine is “dangerous and defective”.
A new study from England shows that HPV vaccines have reduced deaths from cervical cancer to ZERO for women aged 20-24.
Significant reductions in older age groups were observed as well, though the latter have lower vaccination coverage.
A new study from England shows that HPV vaccines have reduced deaths from cervical cancer to ZERO for women aged 20-24.
Significant reductions in older age groups were observed as well, though the latter have lower vaccination coverage.
Reposted
"I reject the Constitution's explicit rules barring the president from profiting financially from his office."
BARTIROMO: Democrats want to ban the president and his family from crypto endeavors
SEN. KEVIN CRAMER: One of the thing Democrats are never going to accept is that we have a business person as president. I reject the idea that somehow Donald Trump has to be exempt from being successful.
SEN. KEVIN CRAMER: One of the thing Democrats are never going to accept is that we have a business person as president. I reject the idea that somehow Donald Trump has to be exempt from being successful.
June 16, 2026 at 8:28 PM
"I reject the Constitution's explicit rules barring the president from profiting financially from his office."
Reposted
The WHO & Africa CDC put together a budget request of $518 million needed to respond to the rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak. www.who.int/news/item/05...
Meanwhile, records reveal that Trump's ballroom cost $600 million, half from taxpayers.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Meanwhile, records reveal that Trump's ballroom cost $600 million, half from taxpayers.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Trump said no taxpayer money would be spent on the ballroom. A contractor’s invoices show otherwise.
An internal cost estimate in March by the project’s contractor ran $200 million more than Trump has said publicly and counters his claims that no taxpayer money will be spent.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 16, 2026 at 8:39 PM
The WHO & Africa CDC put together a budget request of $518 million needed to respond to the rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak. www.who.int/news/item/05...
Meanwhile, records reveal that Trump's ballroom cost $600 million, half from taxpayers.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Meanwhile, records reveal that Trump's ballroom cost $600 million, half from taxpayers.
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted
trump called cruz’s wife ugly and he just took it
Ted Cruz on Talarico: "If you were making a list of 1,000 adjectives to describe this guy, 'masculine' would not be one of them. I mean, if a stiff breeze came by it would blow him over like a feather."
June 9, 2026 at 1:18 AM
trump called cruz’s wife ugly and he just took it
Reposted
Dozey Don went to the trouble of actually creating a chart to compare the length of the Reflecting Pool to the height of 3 various skyscrapers, for some reason known only to him.
Towering over ALL of them is, of course, the #EPSTEIN_Files.
#TheMidtermsCantComeSoonEnough
Towering over ALL of them is, of course, the #EPSTEIN_Files.
#TheMidtermsCantComeSoonEnough
June 5, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Dozey Don went to the trouble of actually creating a chart to compare the length of the Reflecting Pool to the height of 3 various skyscrapers, for some reason known only to him.
Towering over ALL of them is, of course, the #EPSTEIN_Files.
#TheMidtermsCantComeSoonEnough
Towering over ALL of them is, of course, the #EPSTEIN_Files.
#TheMidtermsCantComeSoonEnough
Reposted
Trump just all but admitted he wants his DNI (who wields the enormous powers of the national security state) to help him steal the midterms. Seems like that should be a big deal.
Trump just said his new Director of National Intelligence "may find out some things about the rigged elections."
What??? How did no one ask what Trump wants his DNI to "find out" about the elections, what he wants his DNI to do to them, and why he thinks that's the DNI's job?
What??? How did no one ask what Trump wants his DNI to "find out" about the elections, what he wants his DNI to do to them, and why he thinks that's the DNI's job?
Q: Why do you think Bill Pulte is the best person for the acting DNI job?
TRUMP: He may out some things about the rigged elections
TRUMP: He may out some things about the rigged elections
June 4, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Trump just all but admitted he wants his DNI (who wields the enormous powers of the national security state) to help him steal the midterms. Seems like that should be a big deal.
Reposted
Code reviewed by WIRED uncovered an unreleased face-recognition system embedded in Meta’s smart glasses platform. Internally called “NameTag,” it’s designed to identify people via biometric data stored on users’ phones.
Meta Silently Added Face-Recognition Code for Its Smart Glasses to Millions of Phones
Code reviewed by WIRED uncovered an unreleased face-recognition system embedded in Meta’s smart glasses platform. It’s designed to identify people via biometric data stored on users’ phones.
www.wired.com
June 4, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Code reviewed by WIRED uncovered an unreleased face-recognition system embedded in Meta’s smart glasses platform. Internally called “NameTag,” it’s designed to identify people via biometric data stored on users’ phones.
Reposted
To state the obvious: many military families include Democrats, and the president just insulted them in his Memorial Day message.
a disgrace not only to the office of the president but to military families who have lost loved ones
May 25, 2026 at 5:06 PM
To state the obvious: many military families include Democrats, and the president just insulted them in his Memorial Day message.