Dr. Flowers @AlliFlowers@talkedabout.social

After the New York Times exposed George Santos, an incoming House Republican, as a fabulist, he did something very curious: He revived the dissolved mystery company through which he had claimed to have earned between $3.5 million and $11 million. A big question is the source of Santos' millions. He had no assets & a $55K salary in 2020 but seven-figures in income in 2021/22. It all has to do with a mystery firm he has not fully explained. Read our piece:

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/12/scandal-struck-gop-congressman-george-santos-revived-the-firm-that-netted-him-mystery-millions/

Jack Shafer says journalists should shrink Elon news to a little “Shit Musk Said” box.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/12/21/elon-musk-twitter-press-00074881

I agree.

Shafer also says, "Musk is now the greatest press manipulator since Donald Trump inhabited the White House."

No.

If you're quite rich, and a jerk, and willing to make an ass of yourself in public, then it's EASY to draw press attention. That doesn't make you a master manipulator. Just means you lack the gene for shame, and can withstand a lot of humiliation.

#journalists

Perhaps we shouldn’t spend upwards of $1.7 trillion on a failed F-35 fighter jet program when 94% of public school teachers are forced to spend their own money on school supplies?

I’m just the last few years we’ve added hundreds of billions of dollars to our military budget.

There is almost no public discussion of why this increase is necessary OR why it should take precedence over other concerns, like child poverty.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the next US aid package to #Ukraine includes Patriots
https://www.state.gov/1-85-billion-in-additional-u-s-military-assistance-including-the-first-transfer-of-patriot-air-defense-system/

Germany returns looted artifacts to Nigeria to rectify a 'dark colonial history' - This week's handover is Germany's first step in fulfilling its agreement with Nigeria to release all 1,130 Benin Bronzes from German museums. #npr

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/21/1144666811/germany-nigeria-returns-benin-bronzes-looted

Dolphins show hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, new study suggests - The brains of three species of dolphin found stranded along the Scottish coast have shown the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, according to new research, providing greater insight into the disease in species other than humans. #cnn

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/uk/dolphins-alzheimers-disease-scn-scli-gbr-intl/index.html

Rest In Power to Franco Harris

#RIP #FrancoHarris #Steelers

Biden administration offers to release Tamiflu from Strategic National Stockpile - With an early and severe flu season straining resources, the Biden administration says it will release the prescription antiviral Tamiflu from the Strategic National Stockpile to states and territories that request it. #cnn

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/health/tamiflu-flu-antiviral-stockpile-release/index.html

Compromise is a necessary part of life, and stubbornness can cause more problems than it's worth. But there can be no compromise with bigotry, with hate, no matter how much easier it may seem to stay silent. Against these be steadfast, be stubborn, be a true warrior.

Something is wrong with a country that easily passes an $858 billion defense budget with no real debate but fails to raise the minimum wage for over a decade despite nearly two-thirds of its citizens living paycheck-to-paycheck.

Trump loses yet again. His tax returns to be released to the public. Let the field day begin.

Republicans now warning that releasing Trump’s tax returns could mean releasing Supreme Court justices’ tax returns.

Exactly. For example, Americans deserve to know who paid off Brett Kavanaugh’s $92,000 country club balance, $200,000 in credit card debt, and $1,200,000 mortgage.

Hooded merganser busily looking for breakfast
#birdwatching #birds #birding #wildlife #nature #birdnerd #birdphotography

This is a nice thorough review of US higher ed costs, tuition through 20th c, and competing economic theories of drivers of escalation of those across sectors. Some aspects missing (health ins cost? access of higher ed to broader population), but interesting stats to ponder and incorporates cuts in appropriation, tuition discounting, and the contours of debt, some of which may surprise you. https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2022/12/19/why-production-cost-and-resentment-rising-opinion

Why do you appreciate unions?

I’ll start:

Weekends off
Paid vacations
Work breaks
Sick leave
Paid holidays
No child labor
Safer working conditions
Health care and retirement benefits

One meeting with Jared and suddenly Elon has decided its time to make up for banning Kanye by promoting all the other antisemites

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1605270518415757312.html