The misinformation going around right now about Todd Blanche is burying the real threat—and squandering an opportunity to mobilize voter outrage against it

We did it, just trust us. I mean, if the WH isn't trustworthy.... ehr... never mind.

Maria Curi@mccuri.bsky.social · 3d ago

NEW: The White House said on Monday it met its deadline to establish a voluntary framework for evaluating advanced AI models — but it won't say what the framework contains, who's seen it or when companies will start using it. www.axios.com/2026/08/03/w...

NEW: The White House said on Monday it met its deadline to establish a voluntary framework for evaluating advanced AI models — but it won't say what the framework contains, who's seen it or when companies will start using it. www.axios.com/2026/08/03/w...

White House finalizes AI framework behind closed doors

The White House said it met its deadline to establish a voluntary framework for evaluating advanced AI models — but it won't say what the framework contains.

axios.com

...and from what I can see, he is rescinding the internal order to create the fund, not the agreement that says DoJ will create the fund.

Barb McQuade@barbmcquade.bsky.social · 3d ago

Blanche’s appeasement is hollow. Trump still gets immunity from tax audits worth $100 million. And last week’s payout to abortion clinic blocker shows the path to payouts to rewrite history will be individual settlements instead of one designated fund. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...

"Only the second Trump administration could find a way to get so bogged down in such a shallow pool." Chef's kiss. open.substack.com/pub/chrisgei...

Jeanine Pirro's motion to dismiss the Reflecting Pool case is going to have ripple effects

The decision to end the case against former Olympian David Hearn is already making a big splash — and this is likely just the beginning, not the end, of the matter.

open.substack.com

Wait, it’s August???????????? WHO APPROVED THIS, omg??????

Mount Rainier reflected on Tipsoo Lake at Chinook Pass This was taken during morning blue hour, just before the alpenglow began. The lake was perfectly flat with no wind, creating a beautiful reflection of Mount Rainier and the surrounding trees.

Nothing destroys credibility faster than saying “I asked chatGPT.” Oh you lack both imagination and work ethic? Good to know…

Jen Mercieca@jenmercieca.bsky.social · 5d ago

All y'all: AI search is not "research." Don't get it twisted, this confusion will make you foolish.

This administration truly cannot live down the assessment that they'd all prefer to be podcasting than doing their actual jobs.

Brandy Zadrozny@brandyzadrozny.bsky.social · 7d ago

Someone posted this in slack and I actually thought it was The Onion. www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

No better evidence that he doesn't know what tariffs are, and thinks they are taxes that are paid by the country he imposes them on...

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last wk.

Trump: "I'd like to see tariffs on Iran"

In a recent essay, @kateshaw.bsky.social of @penncareylaw.bsky.social argues that Trump v. Barbara preserved birthright citizenship but left future fights over the Citizenship Clause unresolved. www.theregreview.org/2026/07/27/s...

Amazing things happening boingboing.net/2026/07/25/c...

Canadian politician mindlessly reads AI-generated speech, prompt and all

Bill Oliver, a Progressive Conservative Party legislator in New Brunswick, Canada, delivered a rousing speech last week. "One of the dangers associated with creating advocacy offices is that citizens ...

boingboing.net

Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/b...

Trump Administration Admits Canceling Grants to States That Did Not Vote for Him

Federal officials said in court documents that they halted billions of dollars in funding for energy projects to states “based solely” on whether they backed President Trump in the 2024 election.

nytimes.com

This story is indeed insane. They literally *discounted his correct answers* (on questions about the Constitution) so that a Trump supporting girl who wants to go to Hillsdale College could win $25K and be televised meeting Trump. So. Gross.

Charlotte Clymer@charlotteclymer.bsky.social · 2w ago

This story is crazy. It would appear Trump admin officials rigged their nationally televised high school civics contest to keep a young man from a Sikh family out of the finalists. www.notus.org/national/ame...

A perfect example of the "pollution of the information ecosystem" (and here, of the "scientific data ecosystem") that @emilymbender.bsky.social has been warning about for ages. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

AI-altered images on birdwatching forums putting research at risk

Experts warn increase in enhanced photos on birding platforms creating fake sightings, threatening credibility of tool used by scientists

theguardian.com

Second paragraph really nails it.

Lance Parkin@lanceparkin.bsky.social · 2w ago

I smell bullshit, and suspect we've already heard the last of The Grokyssey. But it really does point to the appeal of AI - it's for weirdly inept men who are also control freaks. The people who think they can do better without any skills or training or knowledge.

I smell bullshit, and suspect we've already heard the last of The Grokyssey. But it really does point to the appeal of AI - it's for weirdly inept men who are also control freaks. The people who think they can do better without any skills or training or knowledge.

Nepo sister. www.joemygod.com/2026/07/grah...

Graham's Sister Announces Bid For Full Senate Term - Joe.My.God.

The Washington Post reports: Sen. Darline Graham (R-South Carolina) said Monday that she will seek a full six-year Senate term after President Donald Trump urged her to run. South Carolina Gov. Henry ...

joemygod.com

If I ever get a paper making this "gatekeeping" claim, I will personally blacklist authors, editor, and journal, and refuse to ever referee for them or help them out in any way.

Ben Williamson@benpatrickwill.bsky.social · 3w ago

AI disclosure. Appears in ~50% of AI papers. Many disclose extensive AI use but claim human "responsibility" for the content 🙄 Others will be a bit bellicose, claiming human-AI writing is the academic norm now, and it's "gatekeeping" to say otherwise. How does this resonate with other editors? /end

After Mexico sent official diplomatic letters asking for a review/report of ICE actions that resulted in death and injury of Mexican nationals, the State Department replied by... returning the letters and chastising the ambassador for trying to "dictate" to ICE how to act. 1/2

Why is Christopher Nolan remaking "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" And why set it in Ancient Greece?

I did not see this unhinged statement previously. These people really do not understand this country

Congrats we just made it impossible to come here for a PhD www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/16/m...

Trump administration limits student visas to four years, changing longstanding policy - The Boston Globe

The new rule, which also restricts the international students’ ability to transfer schools or change majors without approval in their first year, will go into effect in mid-September.

bostonglobe.com

The new rules for foreign students (changing from Duration of Status to fixed timelines) get published on tomorrow. Looks like current students who were admitted with "duration of status" will have 4 years to finish their program (page 96). public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-14439.pdf

Tweet so good I printed it out and put it on my wall. I referred to it in a conference talk today @hypervisible.blacksky.app

I really wish the TechBros would stop sullying Tolkien by naming stuff after things in LotR and Silmarillion. I mean, "Palantir" is now always going to conjure up bad associations completely independent of the Morgul Lord and the Steward of Gondor...

Meredith Rawls@merrdiff.bsky.social · 4w ago

Thanks, I *do* hate it www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-app...

ICE is engaged in a very large escalation nationwide, with the agency claiming to be hitting record arrest numbers amid the return of quotas. This has gotten very little attention from the media because ICE learned lessons from the chaotic disasters of Kristi Noem’s tenure. Keep a watch.

WA Whistles@wawhistles.bsky.social · 4w ago

ICE is surging in the Seattle area. (Map shows activity in the last week) Do you have your whistle with you?

Offside xkcd.com/3268/