Silicon Valley Big Tech/Finance is a cesspool.

Andrew Couts@couts.bsky.social · 2h ago

NEW: Dozens of ads containing video and other child sexual abuse material ran across Meta’s social media platforms, including some as recently as yesterday. @mattburgess1.bsky.social has the scoop: www.wired.com/story/meta-r...

Trump Fury at Reflecting Pool Mess Darkens as Damning New Leaks Hit TNR Trump’s effort to jail people over his failed renovation starts looking even worse, former federal prosecutor explains why corruption of DOJ is so dangerous and how to fight back Read Barbara McQuade transcript bit.ly/4hQC8gI

Transcript: Trump Seethes at Reflecting Pool Mess as Damning Leaks Hit

As Trump’s effort to jail people over his failed renovation starts looking even worse, a former federal prosecutor explains why this corruption of DOJ is so dangerous—and how to fight back.

bit.ly

holy shit -- Schiff ties Trump's judicial nominees in knots by asking them who won the 2016 before *before* asking them who won in 2020, which results in them sounding like election deniers about Trump's victories!

Notably that Mark Zuckerberg reportedly apologized to the government of India over CSAM ads running in that country. The ads @wired.com covered ran below in the US, UK, and several EU countries: www.scmp.com/news/asia/so...

Zuckerberg apologises to India over child sexual abuse content on Meta platforms

The Meta Platforms ⁠CEO also apologised for deepfake content and operational ‌lapses on the company’s platforms, according to a report.

scmp.com

Andrew Couts@couts.bsky.social · 2h ago

NEW: Dozens of ads containing video and other child sexual abuse material ran across Meta’s social media platforms, including some as recently as yesterday. @mattburgess1.bsky.social has the scoop: www.wired.com/story/meta-r...

@nmdoj.bsky.social’s complaint alleges that "the federal government has refused, without adequate legal justification, to share records that could help investigators identify witnesses, corroborate evidence, and determine the full scope of crimes that occurred in New Mexico."

BREAKING: The New Mexico Department of Justice has sued Acting AG Todd Blanche and the DOJ, requesting the court for access to unredacted Epstein-related investigative files that the DOJ has been withholding.

Your little oopsie "mistakes" had me worrying for a year of my life about my partner going to jail for up to a decade based on lies likely fed to you by the top of the federal government. Show everyone what you're covering up in these emails and texts. There's a reason you don't want them released.

Boutros acknowledges 'mistakes' in 'Broadview 6' case but says sanctions, special counsel aren't needed

Chicago's top federal prosecutor noted in a court filing that his office has already dropped charges in the case, implemented “robust root-cause changes” and started the process of reviewing over 1,00...

chicago.suntimes.com

Former J6 federal prosecutors are begging senators -- mostly GOPers, but a handful of Dems are in there, too -- to stop confirming election deniers to lifetime federal courts seats. “Please stop poisoning our courts." www.huffpost.com/entry/live-u...

Former J6 Prosecutors Beg Senators To Stop Confirming Election Deniers To Court Seats

huffpost.com

BLUMENTHAL: Judge Cook, who won the 2020 election? COOK: A joint session of Congress certified Joe Biden BLUMENTHAL: How many times have you rehearsed that answer with the White House? Who won the popular vote? COOK: So if you look at each state, the governor-- B: So you're unwilling to answer

BOOKER: Let me make this easy. Be a man. Yes or no -- did Joe Biden win the 2020 election? CANDEUB: ... the Congress certifie-- BOOKER: There you go. Stop! Can you please tell me yes or no, did President Biden win the 2020 election? CANDEUB: The Congress certified-- B: You are showing cowardice.

Re. the pro-big business/corporate-friendly Democrats, voters like them illustrate it. The "Lockheed Liberal" subset is particularly instructive, as they are opposed to platforms that cut military spending, reduce military aid to nations engaged in war/genocide, and are anti-war/pro-human rights.

In other words, these are Liberals who fully embrace Military Keynesianism as central to U.S. economic policy. Candidates would need to paint a picture of what a vibrant American economy looks like that doesn't depend on fueling the military-tech-industrial complex, wars, genocide & imperialism.

But firm leaders feared lasting retaliation, client losses and damage to a corporate business deeply intertwined with the federal government. Karp instead used contacts including Patriots owner Robert Kraft and lawyer Bill Burck to reach Trump and negotiate a deal.

www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/u...

Trump, Paul Weiss and the Capitulation of Big Law: 5 Takeaways (Gift Article)

The law firm Paul Weiss led the legal resistance against President Trump. Then it led a sudden retreat across the legal industry. A Times investigation examined how it caved to White House pressure.

nytimes.com

A New York Times investigation details how Paul Weiss, the law firm that led the legal resistance against Trump in his first term, took measures to avoid the president's ire after he won re-election.

'Even TRUMP was shocked!': BOMBSHELL investigation EXPOSES law firm's covert rush to appease Trump

YouTube video by MS NOW

youtube.com

abovethelaw.com/2026/08/did-...

Did Paul, Weiss Partners Seriously Debate Running The Firm's Business Past Stephen Miller? - Above the Law

Dropped clients, a killed lawsuit, and a debate over letting the White House vet its website.

abovethelaw.com

Paul, Weiss pays openly trans attorney who worked on Edith Windsor case millions to leave firm. @transgenderreport.com @erininthemorning.com abovethelaw.com/2026/08/paul...

Paul, Weiss's Multimillion-Dollar Secret Deal To Get Its First Openly Trans Partner Out Of The Firm - Above the Law

Scott Barshay reportedly thought a transgender lawyer would spook clients. The firm's fix, per the New York Times, was to buy silence.

abovethelaw.com

Sit & Talk - Senators buy Trump’s swill about Acting AG Blanche, and allow his confirmation, also, a major NY law firm, Paul Weiss, abandons its long established rep for social action, becomes Trump’s bitch -https://youtu.be/AMeTgQvO-AU?is=vKdgahCh6qwroVPQ

HOW A TOP LAW FIRM WENT FROM STANDING UP TO TRUMP TO BENDING THE KNEE

This plane landed in Myanmar about three hours ago. This is the third ICE flight to Myanmar this year. Burmese deportees in 2025 were immediately sent to a torture facility next to the airport, according to Myanmar Now. Weeks later, not all of them had emerged.

Gillian Brockell@gillianbrockell.com · yesterday

This likely ICE flight operated by Journey Aviation has taken off and appears to heading for an Asia removal. In May, this aircraft deported people to Myanmar.

I've just taken a very quick look on my phone but at first glance the drop in “perceived decline“ in free expression is disturbingly, if predictably, polarized on party lines: Rs show only slight decline compared to 10 years ago while Ds dropped by more than 30 percentage points

John Sands@iohn.bsky.social · 5h ago

A new survey from @knightfoundation.org and @ssrsresearch.bsky.social reveals a disquieting decline in how free Americans feel to use the freedoms protected by the #FirstAmendment without government interference or punishment. 🧵

Using National Guard soldiers as props in authoritarian theater is pricey. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Trump’s National Guard deployment in D.C. set to cost additional $1.4 billion

The estimate, provided to Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, covers the period from Oct. 1, 2026, through the end of the president’s term.

washingtonpost.com

Get ready for three months of the most vile, disgusting, unapologetically islamophobic and racist commentary you've ever seen from the GOP during a campaign.

JD Vance: "We don't want the next administration, whoever -- god forbid you're gonna have President El-Sayed in three years ... "

CNN producer: El-Sayed is projected to win. Quick, get the biggest fucking loser you can find on air

Another last-minute live event announcement: I'll be joining Katie Couric tomorrow (Wed, Aug 5, at 3pm PT/6pm ET) to discuss the broader context surrounding wildfires in North America & Europe. Livestream open to all, but does require free account to view:

Katie Couric | Substack

I’m a journalist always looking for a deeper understanding of the issues.

substack.com

The News You Need, Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 • The Collapse of Paul Weiss, a pillar of the Liberal Establishment • DHS Builds the Surveillance State • In California, an ICE raid on a farm tests the limit of ICE violence • A Retired Army Captain Assaulted by the National Guard in Her Home in DC

The News You Need, Wednesday, August 5th, 2026

The Times chronicles the collapse of Paul Weiss, ICE tracks and targets social media critics, National Guardsmen assault retired US army captain on her own property

open.substack.com

A monstrous waste of money.

#StupidSuez@diplomatofnight.com · 12h ago

Unfathomable

My new investigation into a mass shooter’s harrowing history with ChatGPT reveals numerous red flags—and some very disturbing ChatGPT replies—from long before his attack on Florida State University www.motherjones.com/media/2026/0... 1x 🧵

Inside a mass shooter’s harrowing history with ChatGPT

A year of chats reveals glaring red flags—and disturbing ChatGPT replies—from long before a rampage at Florida State University.

motherjones.com