Across The Universe, Cont. -- Egg Nebula

 

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From NASA/ ESA, February 10, 2026:  This newly processed image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is the clearest view yet of the Egg Nebula. It is a preplanetary nebula, a structure of gas and dust created as a Sun-like star approaches the end of its life. The Egg that we see now will eventually hatch, revealing a white dwarf at its centre and leaving its shell to become a spectacular planetary nebula.

Many preplanetary nebulae are relatively dim and hard to spot. They are made of layers of gas ejected by the star, but that star is not yet hot enough to ionise the gas and cause it to glow. The Egg Nebula is relatively unique, easily visible as a sparkling jewelled egg in space. Powerful beams of starlight blast out of the inner cloud, two a-side, giving a breathtaking illumination to this cosmic structure. Fast-moving outflows of hot molecular hydrogen also emerge from within the dust cloud, visible just at the base of the searchlight beams. These outflows glow with infrared light, which is shown in this image by orange highlights.

The central cloud of dust is surrounded by concentric rings, themselves made up from thin, faint arcs of gas. These were created by successive outbursts from the central star, which ejected a little more material from its outer surface every few hundred years. The beams of starlight are reflected by these layers of gas, creating an appearance like ripples on the surface of water. The way that gas molecules reflect and scatter light gives a bluish colour to the arcs. The reflected starlight reveals important details about the central star, which is impossible to view directly in its dusty shell.

[Image description: In the centre an opaque cloud of grey gas hides a star. Two strong beams of light from the star emerge from large holes in both sides of the cloud. The central cloud is surrounded by concentric, wispy shells of gas, illuminated by the star’s light. The shells reflect extra light where they’re hit by the twin beams. A crowd of smaller stars with cross-shaped spikes over them surround the nebula on a black background.]

Credit:  ESA/Hubble & NASA, B. Balick (University of Washington)

 

Today's Cartoons

 

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(Steve Sack, stevesack.substack.com)

(John Deering, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

(Steve Brodner, @sbrodner)

(Mike Smith, Las Vegas Sun)

(Jimmy Margulies, King Features)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

(Michael Ramirez, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

(Lee Judge, King Features)

(Dennis Goris, @dennisgoris)

(Clay Jones, claytoonz.substack.com)

(Dave Granlund, politicalcartoons.com)

(Ward Sutton, The New Yorker)

(Jon Adams, @citycyclops)

QOTD: "Mass Non-Cooperation" Against Trump

 

Mark Engler and Paul Engler write in The Guardian, about the urgency of communities across America to discover the power of non-cooperation with the Trump immigration crackdown and more:

"In the wake of two horrifying killings of legal observers in Minnesota, on top of the abduction of countless immigrant community members, the country has reached a turning point. Backlash against ICE’s lawlessness and aggression has reverberated so loudly that even Trump has heard it. But the effects on ordinary Americans contemplating what they would do if they lived in Minneapolis or St Paul is perhaps even more profound.

The extraordinary level of grassroots solidarity and creative resistance in anti-ICE protests in Minnesota has given people a new appreciation for the power that mass non-cooperation can have in resisting the Trump administration’s drive toward authoritarianism. And it has created an awareness of why such action is clearly needed. [snip]

Under a regime like Trump’s – particularly now, in his second term – the need for organized popular defiance is even more profound. Today, it appears as if the very foundations of American democracy are fracturing. Trump has launched a startling attack on public services, on the very concept of the social safety net, on free speech and the rule of law, on workers’ rights, on immigrants and on other vulnerable communities. If this is to be stopped – and if the wider system of oligarchic rule that is destroying our planet is to be replaced with true democracy – people must rediscover their own power." (our emphasis)

The Malignant Fascist and his ICE / Border Patrol thug army were driven back and exposed by citizens who have had enough of the terror and fascist behavior against not only immigrants, but themselves. They, and other brave people like them in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and elsewhere stood up and resisted, and showed the rot at the heart of the MF's regime.

(photo: Demonstrators in Minneapolis on January 7. Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press via AP)

 

AI Deregulation Works To Trump's Advantage

 

Some excerpts from an article in Salon.com by Fillipo Menczer, Professor of Informatics and Computer Science at Indiana University, about the threat of AI bots to our democracy:

"Today, people and organizations with malicious intent have access to more powerful AI language models – including open-source ones – while social media platforms have relaxed or eliminated moderation efforts. They even provide financial incentives for engaging content, irrespective of whether it’s real or AI-generated. This is a perfect storm for foreign and domestic influence operations targeting democratic elections. For example, an AI-controlled bot swarm could create the false impression of widespread, bipartisan opposition to a political candidate.

The current U.S. administration has dismantled federal programs that combat such hostile campaigns and defunded research efforts to study them. Researchers no longer have access to the platform data that would make it possible to detect and monitor these kinds of online manipulation. [snip]

The Trump administration has aimed to reduce AI and social media regulation and is instead favoring rapid deployment of AI models over safety.

The threat of malicious AI swarms is no longer theoretical: Our evidence suggests these tactics are already being deployed."  (our emphasis)

Billionaires have an obvious stake in electing MAGAt politicians to serve their interests.  For them, it's a modest investment to populate social media with bots spreading false information, and they'll do little or nothing to stop it on the platforms and media they control.

We noted yesterday that there is some action underway to put curbs on AI, but with the Malignant Fascist and his lackeys in Congress looking to benefit from an AI boost from his billionaire tech allies, the chances of success soon are very slim.

 

One More Take On Bad Bunny's Halftime Show

 

Comedian and MAGA whisperer Brent Terhune gives us his take on the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show, as well as the lip-synched "alternate halftime show" with Kid Rockhead. (The subtitles often veer off of what he's saying into his repressed thoughts, btw, for added hilarity.)

Today's Cartoons

 

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(Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press)

(Rick McKee, caglecartoons.com)

(Michael de Adder, deadder.substack.com, Canada)

(Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News)

(R.J. Matson, CQ/ Roll Call)

(Bill Day, caglecartoons.com)

(Christopher Weyant, caglecartoons.com)

(Jonathan Brown, caglecartoons.com)

(Bob Englehart, caglecartoons.com)

(Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Canada)

(Joep Bertrams, caglecartoons.com, Netherlands)

(Dave Granlund, politicalcartoons.com)

(Jason Adam Katzenstein, @j._a._k._)

Ukrainian Drones Providing A Battlefield Edge

 

In a day of war games in 2025 between NATO forces and Ukrainian drone operators, the Ukrainians won a decisive "victory," proving that their focus on domestic drone production is why the Russian invaders are stymied.  It also showed that NATO forces were behind in its anti-drone technology.  From Euromaidan Press:

"The war game, known as Hedgehog 2025, was held in Estonia and involved more than 16,000 troops from 12 NATO countries. Ukrainian drone specialists, including personnel rotated from the front, participated in the drill and helped simulate battlefield conditions similar to those in Ukraine.

According to the WSJ, the results were stark. In one scenario, NATO formations attempting an offensive maneuver were quickly identified and neutralized in the simulation by small adversary teams operating reconnaissance and strike drones. 

Using Ukraine’s Delta battlefield-management system, a group of around 10 Ukrainians mock-destroyed 17 armored vehicles and conducted dozens of simulated strikes within hours. [snip]

Participants described the overall outcome as devastating for alliance forces. In exercise terms, two battalions were rendered combat-ineffective in a single day. One commander observing the drill reportedly reacted with the words: 'We are f—.'” (our emphasis)

This data point comes as the Kremlin-aligned Malignant Fascist is pressuring Ukraine to accept a "deal" that would reward Russia for its invasion, and ensure that once Russia is rearmed, it will again seek to conquer the entire nation.  The MF has always seen Russia in favorable -- almost worshipful -- ways, and his "negotiator," MF friend and real estate developer Steve "Witless" Witkoff, is viewing the negotiations as a "land swap" / business deal that would then open up Russia to U.S. businesses again.  It's straight up capitulation to war criminal Putin, and Ukraine's beefed up domestic arms industry -- especially its drone capabilities -- signal Ukraine's acknowledgment of the MF's refusal to support them.

 

Skeets Of The Day

 

The Malignant Fascist's threats to mid-term election. Dangerous buffoon. --

American democracy can absolutely withstand a non-legally binding EO about voter ID. The president does not control state election requirements. Organizers, activists and operatives are prepared for Republicans to try to mess with election results as they have been for decades.

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— Aaron Huertas (@aaronhuertas.bsky.social) February 14, 2026 at 10:14 AM

 

"You have to vote for us.”

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— Lauren Harper (@laurenleharper.bsky.social) February 14, 2026 at 11:04 AM

 

Despicable ICE Barbie promising only "right people" will vote in mid-terms. Lawless. --

Kristi Noem: "When it gets to Election Day, we've been proactive to make sure we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country."

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) February 14, 2026 at 9:51 AM

ICE Barbie's Blankiegate and accountability (context) -- 

 

Swalwell: ICE agents shot Alex Pretti and Renee Good. And the only person in the world who has been held accountable by DHS is the pilot who somehow forgot to move Kristi Noem’s blankie.

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— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 9:27 PM

Give Dan Koh the last word on the odious ICE Barbie -- 

Koh: I wish that Kristi Noem had as much passion for homeland security as she has passion for Corey Lewandowski.

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— Acyn (@acyn.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 10:09 PM

 

Malignant Fascist buddy Bannon discussed taking down Pope Francis with MF buddy Epstein --

Steve Bannon discussed opposition strategies with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein against Pope Francis, with Bannon saying he hoped to “take down” the pontiff, according to newly released files from the US Department of Justice. https://cnn.it/4tH3r0O

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— CNN (@cnn.com) February 14, 2026 at 5:30 AM

 

Powerful message to Munich Security Conference. Apparently Li'l Marco didn't attend -- 

President Zelenskyy: Ukraine didn’t choose this war& it's wrong to assume that this is a permanent arrangement that others can stay safe behind Ukraine forever.Ukrainians are people,not terminators.

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— Anton Gerashchenko (@antongerashchenko.bsky.social) February 14, 2026 at 7:58 AM

China knows now it will win the clean energy race, thanks to the fossil fuel moron MF --

China's Xinhua news agency has just published this editorial cartoon in response to Trump's rejection of climate policies. It is pretty clear that China views this as a HUGE geopolitical fumble by the US leaving the field clear for China's to win the global race to clean-tech hegemony

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— Leo Hickman (@leohickman.carbonbrief.org) February 14, 2026 at 7:20 AM

 

The deranged MF's unprecedented pillaging of the U.S. --

no foreign foe has ever dreamed of being able to sack and pillaging this country the way Trump admin and its congressional and scotus enablers do every day.

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— Philip Gourevitch (@pgourevitch.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 10:43 PM

MAGAt crime watch: Oklahoma pedophile sentenced to 30 years. Trump pardon coming?  --

Justin Floyd Qualls, a 40 year old Trump supporter whose Facebook included anti trans posts and accusations about President Biden, has now been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 12.

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— Outspoken™️ (@out5p0ken.bsky.social) February 14, 2026 at 7:50 AM

Get your MAGAt Valentine's Day card! -- 

💝🗽

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— The Daily Show (@thedailyshow.com) February 13, 2026 at 1:59 PM

 

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— The Daily Show (@thedailyshow.com) February 13, 2026 at 1:59 PM

 

 

Dementia Don's Further Descent Into Madness, Cont.

 

You would never see or hear about these nuggets of our moron-in-chief's madness if you relied only on the "mainstream media," which is fully invested in normalizing the abnormal when it comes to the Malignant Fascist.  But, here he is yesterday once again lying, ranting, projecting, bullying and making threats to rig the 2026 mid-term elections, in his increasingly insane jumble style:

This is his "argument" for the "SAVE (Trump and Republicans) Act that just passed the House on a party-line vote.  The Senate, unless the Malignant Fascist's toadies nuke the filibuster, is not likely to pass it, triggering the MF's threat to do with an Executive Order what can only be accomplished by law. It's also his desperate attempt to cow his own Republican Supreme Court into preserving his punitive tariffs, which American consumers are paying for with higher prices.

He clearly has been stung by people noting his demented behavior and evil actions, since he uses the same language to project onto "demented and evil" Democrats.  The more people see of these deranged "truths," the more they realize who's the demented and evil one.

Tech Industry Trying to Buy 2026 Elections

 

Tech companies involved in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency are making a big push financially to make sure candidates that support their industries are elected in the 2026 mid-terms.  Despite growing concerns about massive, electricity-intensive data centers and AI's impact on jobs and privacy, billionaire tech moguls are setting up political action committees (PACs) to try to convince voters that their preferred candidate should be elected.  From HuffPo:

"AI companies have modeled their lobbying efforts after crypto-backed groups, another influential segment of the tech industry that invested heavily in the 2022 and 2024 elections. Crypto super PACs spent tens of millions of dollars, for example, on ads to block Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) from being elected to the Senate last year. They did the same to oust former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and elect his replacement, crypto-friendly GOP businessman Bernie Moreno, who now holds his seat.

Leading The Future, the main pro-AI industry super PAC backed by OpenAI, plans to spend at least $100 million to support candidates who favor AI adoption with minimal regulatory hindrances. They’ve begun deploying their resources in congressional races, spending $5 million in support of Rep. Byron Donalds’ (R-Fla.) bid for governor in Florida and contributing $1 million to defeat Alex Bores, a Democratic assemblyman from New York who spearheaded new rules on the industry, quickly making himself a target." (our emphasis)

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is introducing legislation that would curb the construction of data centers, but is concerned beyond the impacts on electricity prices, as he discussed with the HuffPo:

“The big money interests, the billionaires who control our economy and our political system, are going to do everything to elect people to give them a green light to go forward. I happen to believe that Congress and the American people are totally unprepared for the transformational and radical impact it’s going to have on our society."

In a separate call with reporters, Sanders said:

“What I am looking at right now goes beyond electric rates,” he said on a call with reporters on Thursday. “It goes to who will control, essentially control, this transformative technology. Will it simply be Elon Musk? And Bezos and other multi-billionaires who will make huge amounts of money off of this. Or will AI and robotics work to improve life for human beings?”

We saw in the 2024 election the influence of South Afrikaner fascist Musk in electing the Malignant Fascist, and he and Bezos, Zuckerberg, and the Ellisons will spend lavishly to influence the upcoming one to serve them.

 

Hearts, Golden Arrows, Chocolates, And Vinegar

 

Here are 7 things you may not have known or cared about concerning St. Valentine's Day, told in a cheeky way (at  least for the History Channel):

Today's Cartoons

 

(click on images to enlarge)

(Mike Luckovich, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

(Steve Sack, stevesack.substack.com)

(Matt Davies, Newsday)

(Jack Ohman, Tribune Content Agency)

(John Darkow, Columbia Missourian)

(Pedro Molina, Tribune Content Agency)

(Andy Marlette, Creators.com)

(Rick McKee, caglecartoons.com)

(Rob Rogers, Tinyview.com)

(Milt Priggee, caglecartoons.com)

(Michael de Adder, The Contrarian, Canada)

(Brendan Loper, @b_loper)

QOTD -- Truth And Consequences

 

“'The government’s lies can be devastating,' a leading scholar — University of Colorado law professor Helen Norton — wrote in a powerful 2015 article, arguing that official government dishonesty is fundamentally unconstitutional. Norton noted that false testimony and evidence in criminal cases — what we’ve seen frequently in the immigration terror campaign — is a violation of the Constitution’s due process clause, while invented allegations that aim to silence critics are offenses against constitutionally protected free speech.

"It’s a felony to lie in federal court cases, or when testifying under oath before Congress, or in other types of governmental proceedings. And the federal statute of limitations for perjury is five years — plenty of time for a liberated U.S. Department of Justice to pursue these many cases if democratic forces can win back the White House in 2028. 

"But we should also recognize that top officials who tell deliberate lies are abusing their power in ways that, as Norton rightly argues, are grossly unconstitutional. When Noem lies to the American people about Good and how she was killed by ICE, she should resign or be impeached. When Lutnick looks into a camera and offers complete fiction about his friendship with the world’s most notorious sex trafficker, he, too, should quit immediately, or face impeachment.  [snip]

"We won’t get anything resembling democracy until we clear that widespread debris, and that means sending a bunch of these liars to prison, because they are the real criminals. America desperately needs truth and consequences." --  Will Bunch, Philadelphia Inquirer, "The Lying Is Out Of Control. People Need To Go to Prison."  As we've said before, we need junkyard dog Democrats in the White House and in the Justice Department to make sure we de-Nazify our federal government and make sure the rule of law is re-established in such a way that the MAGAt fascist party can't undermine it again. 

WSJ's Bombshell Noem-Lewandowski Exposé

 

We were able to get behind the paywall for the Wall Street Journal's lengthy expose of the inner chaos of the Department of Homeland Security and the special relationship between married DHS Secretary "ICE Barbie" Noem and her married "senior advisor" Corey Lewandowski.  Some excerpts:

"Within DHS, Noem and Lewandowski frequently berate senior level staff, give polygraph tests to employees they don’t trust and have fired employees—in one incident, Lewandowski fired a U.S. Coast Guard pilot after Noem’s blanket was left behind on a plane, according to people familiar with the incident. 

Simmering criticism over the past year for Noem’s policies and publicity moves exploded in Minneapolis, jeopardizing her grip over DHS and putting her standing with Trump on thin ice. [snip]

Noem and Lewandowski’s close relationship had already made Trump and his top advisers uncomfortable. Lewandowski had initially wanted to formally serve as Noem’s chief of staff, but Trump rejected the idea due to reports of a romantic relationship between the two—which he has continued to bring up, officials say.

After photos in the Daily Mail showed Lewandowski going back and forth between his apartment and Noem’s across the street last year, the secretary moved into a government-owned waterfront house on a military base in Washington that is provided to the leader of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard falls under Noem’s purview at DHS during peacetime. Lewandowski also spends time at the house. [snip]

Lewandowski and Noem, who are both married, have publicly denied the reports of the affair, but people said they do little to hide their relationship inside the department. The DHS spokeswoman said the department “doesn’t waste time with salacious, baseless gossip.”

The pair have lately been using a luxury 737 MAX jet, with a private cabin in back, for their travel around the country, according to people familiar with the matter. [snip]

Lewandowski took Noem to functions with Republican kingmakers, introducing her as a rising star in the party. He suggested her to others as Trump’s vice president in 2024. After failing at that, Lewandowski pushed for her to get the DHS post, a role viewed as central to Trump’s agenda and one he believed could be a launchpad for a potential 2028 presidential bid. 

Officials at DHS said they believe the pair see DHS as a steppingstone to an even bigger perch." (our emphasis)

There's much more gag-worthy details in the WSJ's well-sourced and written article, e.g.,  the blanket incident reference above, Lewandowski's demand to be issued an official badge and gun, and their micromanagement of the DHS and inconsistent internal policies (on FEMA, for example). It's notable that the article often mentions the two as "the pair" and links their names throughout.  As observers have noted, their relationship is "one of the worst kept secrets in Washington."  If they are already on "thin ice" (no pun) with the Malignant Fascist, this insightful look into their clueless management of DHS and their personal shenanigans may break it for the MF.

(photo: joined at the hip)

 

Skeets Of The Day

 

The Epstein- Trump files coverup / survivors speak / Trump regime names --

 

Epstein survivors say they felt 'degraded' and a 'lack of empathy' from AG Pam Bondi www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

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— Timothy McBride (@mcbridetd.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 7:54 AM

 

It’s the Epstein Administration. No wonder Bondi spent the entire hearing screeching and deflecting. H/T: @aaronparnas.bsky.social

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— Angry (@angrystaffer.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 9:35 AM

 

Shameful shit!!!! Shame each and everyone of them!!!! #Epstein #EpsteinFiles

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— WomenRiseUp2026 (@womenriseup2026.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 10:31 PM

 

Ilhan Omar: “…in Somalia we execute pedophiles” MAGA: SHE WANTS TO KILL TRUMP!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂fucking idiots 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

— JoJoFromJerz (@jojofromjerz.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 10:51 AM

 

The "SAVE (Trump and Republicans) Act" --

 

First, read this and learn about the SAVE Act. Then call your senators. We can’t afford to let them impose a poll tax on our right to vote. joycevance.substack.com/p/voting-a-r...

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— Joyce White Vance (@joycewhitevance.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 11:24 PM

 

Inform yourself and your friends and call your members of congress - here's more

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— Network NOVA (@networknova.bsky.social) February 12, 2025 at 8:59 PM

 

Jared "Mr. Ivanka Trump" Kushner, International Man of Mysterious Deals --

Of course 🤦‍♂️

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— Angry (@angrystaffer.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 5:47 PM

 

Munich Security Conference has no fucks to give about Trump --

The Munich Security Conference gets underway, and everyone is taking shots at JD Vance, the man who much prefers the continental Europe of 1939. Friedrich Merz leads the way with an attack on the culture of culture wars. www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/sich...

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— Scott Horton (@robertscotthorton.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 8:52 AM

 

🗓️ Wondering which topics will shape today's discussions at #MSC2026? We've got you covered with a quick overview. (1/2)

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— Munich Security Conference (@munsecconf.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 7:05 AM

 

(2/2)

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— Munich Security Conference (@munsecconf.bsky.social) February 13, 2026 at 7:05 AM

Explains so much --

 

Fellow citizens, the U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services and the chief guardian of our physical well-being for the next three years.

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— David Simon (@audacityofdespair.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 4:07 PM

 

Trump ends endangerment finding on greenhouse gases (Happy Friday the 13th!) --

 

Donald Trump ends the endangerment finding youtu.be/3VZB3NqtmUM

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— J-L Cauvin (@jlcauvin.bsky.social) February 12, 2026 at 4:55 PM