Conspiracy Theories Around Lawmakers’ Health Are Going to Keep Spiraling

Originally published at: Conspiracy Theories Around Lawmakers’ Health Are Going to Keep Spiraling - TPM – Talking Points Memo

[Essay] The Grotesque State of Our Gerontocracy Our gerontocracy is growing increasingly macabre. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a key architect of our current era of hyperpartisanship and shattered norms, has been unseen since his hospitalization on June 14. The “Weekend at Bernies” memes and jokes about interacting with the 83-year-old senator via Ouija board are…

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More Perfect Union does a great job in this video explaining what the tech billionaires’ “freedom cities” and other privatized areas are and how they fit into their larger project – which the Trump administration has done a lot to advance – of ultimately snuffing out democracy entirely and changing the entire U.S. into a privatized zone where they profit from EVERYTHING while facing absolutely no scrutiny for their actions, since the government will finally be, yes, shrunk to the point where they’ve drowned it in a bathtub. …

Good succinct treatment that shows clearly what the Thiel-and-company big project is and how to recognize its tendrils in many places, like the “idea” to newly design Gaza with resorts. Etc.

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We had a good run…

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Responding to reporting about whether the new Air Force One has adequate security systems is to subpoena the reporters kind of confirms the reporting.

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MSN

Graham Platner withdraws from Maine Senate race, kicking off Democrats’ quest for nominee

Graham Platner on Friday submitted his paperwork to formally withdraw from Maine’s U.S. Senate race, officially ending an upstart yet troubled campaign, the dissolution of which threatens Democrats’ pursuit of chamber control.

Platner’s paperwork was received by the Maine secretary of state’s office and reflected shortly thereafter in its online withdrawal list

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After the media and voting rights, guess what the next target is …

and …


Trying to fix the Republicans’ costly mistakes is going to cost money so we really, really need to run on taxing the wealthy. And we have to identify a mechanism for funding Medicare for All. (Making the candidates actually campaign on taxing the wealthy will help them resist oligarch pressure after they win to not follow through.)

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I’m heading down to the library this afternoon.

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I have to chuckle every time I read Trump saying something like this: ““I thought she was treated rather rough, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters unprompted on Monday.”

Waiting for the response: “If I want to know the truth, sir, you would be the last person I would be talking to.”

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And, Donnie’s moral authority comes from…???

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(@andycraig.bsky.social on Bluesky )

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I wondered aloud here a few days ago…if there could be a chart which showed past administrations use/abuse of the courts vs The Chump Shitshow from the last 10 years.

Of course, how he gets preferred treatment, fast track appeals, and Supreme Court on speed-dial and a long chain he can jerk constantly.

But just from a budget/time basis…how much utter bullshit has flooded our courts and justice system. There are knock-on effects also as his bullshit causes never-ending ripples up and down the system as decades of settled law and and momentous decisions with 100s of billions of dollars in play as each industry attempts to reckon with (and profit) from the new legal landscape.

Now, also add in all the cases and crimes they are wiping off the slate, wholesale. No more white collar prosecutions. No more regulations or reparations. No more monitoring or prosecution for the highest orders of fraud and looting.

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And,

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“Microsoft, Amazon and Google say they still aim to achieve net zero output despite construction boom”

I guess they’re gonna do this somewhere over the rainbow? Or are they all in on Sam Altman’s (renowned constant liar and fantasist) apparent conviction that fusion is finally on the very verge of being the energy choice of both tomorrow and today?

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Here’s the NYT story on its reporters being subpoenaed. Free link:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/media/new-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.w1A.4rTS.nFiNwxxpMbE1&smid=url-share

Times Journalists Subpoenaed as Trump Escalates Pressure on Media

The Justice Department is seeking to compel testimony from reporters who wrote about the new Air Force One. The Times called the move a “brazen act.”

The administration is calling it a national security issue, but I think it’s clear to anyone paying attention that it’s because Donald’s ego was wounded. His gold-plated Qatar jet was shown to be unfit for service. Now he wants retaliation against the NYT for breaking the story.

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They’ll light a candle and pay someone to pray for a miracle.

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He’s mad the plane he gets to keep isnt the best one

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In honor of E.B. White, who was born on this date in 1899, I’m sharing this letter he sent to a man who wrote to him in despair over the bleakness of the human race.

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(@atrupar.com on Bluesky )

Donnie recently proclaimed the Iranians “scum” who were too deranged to negotiate with.
The news of his assessment was released in conjunction with a report that the Iranians intended to assassinate him.
So, ‘scum’ assassinate their opponents’ leaders?

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