#Tag · bonfire.cafe

⚯ Michel de Cryptadamus ⚯

prediction markets are creating revolutionary new vectors for corruption

#Kalshi #Polymarket #predictionMarkets #KarolineLeavitt #uspol #corruption

@mtp
What stage of capitalism is it when the White House is rigging betting markets on how long its press briefings denying war crimes will last

@predictionMarketTrader
Today's White House Press Briefing had a 98% chance of running over 65 minutes - until Karoline Leavitt abruptly ended it with seconds to spare.

Traders on the NO side made 50x in seconds. — @mtp What stage of capitalism is it when the White House is rigging betting markets on how long its press briefings denying war crimes will last @predictionMarketTrader Today's White House Press Briefing had a 98% chance of running over 65 minutes - until Karoline Leavitt abruptly ended it with seconds to spare. Traders on the NO side made 50x in seconds.

der.hans boosted

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 3 weeks ago

" #Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 #infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants (intended to be spent on affordable, next-generation fiber) was stolen from local communities, and instead given to #ElonMusk & #JeffBezos...

It’s a coordinated hijacking of taxpayer money that will actually undermine affordable #internet access."
https://www.techdirt.com/2025/12/30/the-wall-street-journal-applauds-republicans-corrupt-illegal-theft-of-billions-in-taxpayer-dollars/

#GOP #Corruption #Politics #Tech #Technology #News #US #UnitedStates

Headline and text from article:
The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars

Tue, Dec 30th 2025 05:27am - Karl Bode

I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants (intended to be spent on affordable, next-generation fiber) was stolen from local communities, and instead given to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for expensive, congested satellite service.

I’ve also explained in detail why that’s a problem: These networks may be initially cheaper to deploy, but the networks lack the capacity to actually scale to meet demand. Data indicates they harm astronomy research and the ozone layer. They’re ultimately more expensive for consumers than fiber deployments, especially if those fiber deployments are by cooperatives or community owned.

In short, taxpayer money directed toward Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk is also money directed away from higher-capacity, faster, locally-owned (and usually cheaper) fiber and wireless alternatives. And it’s money given to billionaires for technology they already had deployed or would have deployed anyway. It’s a coordinated hijacking of taxpayer money that will actually undermine affordable internet access.

Enter the Wall Street Journal editorial board, which aggressively lies about all of this all of this in a new, comically terrible editorial.... — Headline and text from article: The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars Tue, Dec 30th 2025 05:27am - Karl Bode I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants (intended to be spent on affordable, next-generation fiber) was stolen from local communities, and instead given to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos for expensive, congested satellite service. I’ve also explained in detail why that’s a problem: These networks may be initially cheaper to deploy, but the networks lack the capacity to actually scale to meet demand. Data indicates they harm astronomy research and the ozone layer. They’re ultimately more expensive for consumers than fiber deployments, especially if those fiber deployments are by cooperatives or community owned. In short, taxpayer money directed toward Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk is also money directed away from higher-capacity, faster, locally-owned (and usually cheaper) fiber and wireless alternatives. And it’s money given to billionaires for technology they already had deployed or would have deployed anyway. It’s a coordinated hijacking of taxpayer money that will actually undermine affordable internet access. Enter the Wall Street Journal editorial board, which aggressively lies about all of this all of this in a new, comically terrible editorial....

Techdirt

The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars

I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants …

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 3 weeks ago

#GOP #Corruption #Politics #Tech #Technology #News #US #UnitedStates

Techdirt

The Wall Street Journal Applauds Republicans’ Corrupt, Illegal Theft Of Billions In Taxpayer Dollars

I’ve written repeatedly about how Republicans effectively rewrote the 2021 infrastructure bill (they voted against) to ensure that billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded broadband grants …

Alex Akselrod boosted

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 2 months ago

"Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of sedition in an outburst on #SocialMedia Thursday morning and said their behavior was “punishable by death.”

Their crime? Recording a #video that reminded members of the #military that they are not supposed to obey illegal orders."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/us/politics/trump-democrats-sedition-death-punishment.html

#DonaldTrump #Trump #GOP #Fascism #Corruption #Republicans #USPol #Politics #Democrats #Law #News #Press #US #USA #UnitedStates #America

Headline from the New York Times:
Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military

President Trump was reacting to a video that reminded members of the military that they are not supposed to obey illegal orders. — Headline from the New York Times: Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military President Trump was reacting to a video that reminded members of the military that they are not supposed to obey illegal orders.

https://www.nytimes.com

Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 2 months ago

"Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of sedition in an outburst on #SocialMedia Thursday morning and said their behavior was “punishable by death.”

#DonaldTrump #Trump #GOP #Fascism #Corruption #Republicans #USPol #Politics #Democrats #Law #News #Press #US #USA #UnitedStates #America

https://www.nytimes.com

Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military

ProPublica

@ProPublica@newsie.social · 2 months ago

DHS invoked the “national emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for a $220 million taxpayer-funded ad campaign.

We found that a firm with deep ties to Kristi Noem secretly benefitted from the deal.
https://www.propublica.org/article/kristi-noem-dhs-ad-campaign-strategy-group?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

#News #KristiNoem #DHS #Government #USPolitics #Law #TV #Advertising #Media

NashvilleGuy

@nashvilleguy@urbanists.social replied · 2 months ago

@ProPublica I'm shocked, shocked! #US #corruption #POTUS

Carlo Gubitosa :nonviolenza: boosted

Scott Lucas

@ScottLucas@journa.host · 2 months ago

Prosecutors to #Ukraine court: #Zelensky ex-business partner #TymurMindich "exerted undue influence" over Energy and Defense Ministers Herman Halushchenko and Rustem Umerov amid kickbacks of up to $100 million in energy sector

#UkraineWar #Corruption

Scott Lucas

@ScottLucas@journa.host · 2 months ago

#UkraineWar #Corruption

Solarbird :flag_cascadia:

@moira@mastodon.murkworks.net · 3 months ago

So, whaddya think? Is this their concept-of-a-plan for health care - know the right people and beg - or is this Scott Adams spelunking for the conspiracy theorist cure-all "MedBed"?

[ETA poll in reply]

#uspol #politics #uspolitics #pathetic #MedBed #fascism #nepotism #corruption

Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays ) on Twitter:
On Monday, | will ask President Trump, via X, to help save my life. He offered to help me if I needed it.

I need it.

As many of you know, I have metastasized prostate cancer.

My healthcare provider, Kaiser of Northern California, has approved my application to receive a Show more

Robert F. Kennedy Jr [on Twitter]:
Scott. How do | reach you? The President wants to help.

Chamath Palihapitiya [on Twitter]:
Just connected you guys via text. — Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays ) on Twitter: On Monday, | will ask President Trump, via X, to help save my life. He offered to help me if I needed it. I need it. As many of you know, I have metastasized prostate cancer. My healthcare provider, Kaiser of Northern California, has approved my application to receive a Show more Robert F. Kennedy Jr [on Twitter]: Scott. How do | reach you? The President wants to help. Chamath Palihapitiya [on Twitter]: Just connected you guys via text.

ProPublica

@ProPublica@newsie.social · 3 months ago

Journalism tip: If someone says drop the story, that’s a sign to keep reporting.

Read our full investigation ➜ https://www.propublica.org/article/paul-newby-north-carolina-supreme-court?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

Back reporters who won’t flinch. Support our independent journalism here ➜ https://give.propublica.org/campaign/726982/donate?c_src=mstdn&c_src2=adhoc_10.30.27

#Journalism #Nonprofit #News #Media #NorthCarolina #Law #USPolitics

ProPublica

“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America

Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well beyond the borders of his state.

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social replied · 3 months ago

From @ProPublica

"North Carolina’s Supreme Court... had outlawed partisan #gerrymandering in the swing state. Over Newby’s vehement dissent...

In January — once two newly elected #Republican justices were sworn in, giving the party a 5-2 majority — #GOP lawmakers quickly filed a petition...

Newby then wrote a majority opinion declaring that #partisan gerrymandering was legal"
https://www.propublica.org/article/paul-newby-north-carolina-supreme-court?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

#NorthCarolina #Corruption #Politics #USPol #News #US #USA

Text from article:
The traditional ways to undo such a decision would have been for the legislature to pass a new law that made gerrymandering legal or for Republicans to file a lawsuit. But that would’ve taken months or years.

Newby cleared a way to get there sooner, well before the crucial 2024 election.

In January — once two newly elected Republican justices were sworn in, giving the party a 5-2 majority — GOP lawmakers quickly filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to rehear the gerrymandering case. Such do-overs are rare. Since 1993, the court had granted only two out of 214 petitions for rehearings, both to redress narrow errors, not differences in interpreting North Carolina’s constitution. The lawyers who’d won the gerrymandering case were incredulous.

“We were like, they can’t possibly do this,” said Jeff Loperfido, the chief counsel for voting rights at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. “Can they revisit their opinions when the ink is barely dry?” — Text from article: The traditional ways to undo such a decision would have been for the legislature to pass a new law that made gerrymandering legal or for Republicans to file a lawsuit. But that would’ve taken months or years. Newby cleared a way to get there sooner, well before the crucial 2024 election. In January — once two newly elected Republican justices were sworn in, giving the party a 5-2 majority — GOP lawmakers quickly filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to rehear the gerrymandering case. Such do-overs are rare. Since 1993, the court had granted only two out of 214 petitions for rehearings, both to redress narrow errors, not differences in interpreting North Carolina’s constitution. The lawyers who’d won the gerrymandering case were incredulous. “We were like, they can’t possibly do this,” said Jeff Loperfido, the chief counsel for voting rights at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. “Can they revisit their opinions when the ink is barely dry?”

ProPublica

“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America

Ross 🏳️‍🌈🏴 boosted

⚯ Michel de Cryptadamus ⚯

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com · 3 months ago

recent price chart for the #TRUMP #memecoin shows a massive crash in price on the left (when Trump announced new tariffs on #china) and a massive pump just now (when Trump TACOed and announced there would be a trade deal with china) coincidentally back to exactly the same price it was before the first announcement.

99.9% of TRUMP trading happens on offshore #crypto exchanges that are controlled by chinese nationals and banned from operating within the US.

every $1 the price moves up the trump family gets a billion dollars and every $1 the price goes down the trump family loses a billion dollars.

put it all together and it means the chinese can pump or dump the trump family's net worth by billions any time they want to. the response will be predictably pavlovian.

#uspol #prc #Uspolitics #corruption #cryptocurrency #memecoins #TACO #tariffs #tariff #tradewar

price chart of Trump showing drop from $7.50 to $5.50 on october 11th and immediate jump from $6.00 to $7.50 a few hours ago

⚯ Michel de Cryptadamus ⚯

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com · 3 months ago

99.9% of TRUMP trading happens on offshore #crypto exchanges that are controlled by chinese nationals and banned from operating within the US.

every $1 the price moves up the trump family gets a billion dollars and every $1 the price goes down the trump family loses a billion dollars.

put it all together and it means the chinese can pump or dump the trump family's net worth by billions any time they want to. the response will be predictably pavlovian.

#uspol #prc #Uspolitics #corruption #cryptocurrency #memecoins #TACO #tariffs #tariff #tradewar

Cory Doctorow boosted

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 3 months ago

"For the rest of the world to escape dictators' demands, they will have to accelerate their independence from #American tech – not just #Russian gas. A post-American internet starts with abandoning the laws that give US companies – and therefore Trump – a veto over how your technology works."
- @pluralistic

https://pluralistic.net/2025/10/20/post-american-internet/#huawei-with-american-characteristics

#Tech #Technology #Privacy #Economy #Dictator #Trump #Corruption #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Politics #Law #World #USA #UnitedStates #America #US

Headline and illustration:

Headline:
Pluralistic: The mad king's digital killswitch (20 Oct 2025)

Illustration: A demented version of Uncle Sam hangs over the world at night, lights show where cities are lit up. His legs are weapons (EMP canons?) pointed at the world as he grins maniacally. — Headline and illustration: Headline: Pluralistic: The mad king's digital killswitch (20 Oct 2025) Illustration: A demented version of Uncle Sam hangs over the world at night, lights show where cities are lit up. His legs are weapons (EMP canons?) pointed at the world as he grins maniacally.

https://pluralistic.net

Pluralistic: The mad king's digital killswitch (20 Oct 2025)

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 3 months ago

https://pluralistic.net/2025/10/20/post-american-internet/#huawei-with-american-characteristics

#Tech #Technology #Privacy #Economy #Dictator #Trump #Corruption #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Politics #Law #World #USA #UnitedStates #America #US

https://pluralistic.net

Pluralistic: The mad king's digital killswitch (20 Oct 2025)

Alex Akselrod boosted

⚯ Michel de Cryptadamus ⚯

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com · 3 months ago

2/ Santos is actually the 10th #GOP congressmember pardoned by King Donald

#GeorgeSantos #uspol #uspolitics #pardon #pardons #corruption

Chris Collins NY - insider trading

Duncan Hunter CA - campaign corruption
Steve Stockman TX - campaign corruption
Rick Renzi AZ - corruption

Robin Hayes NC - lying to the FBI

Mark Siljander MI - obstruction, lying
Duke Cunningham CA - bribery

Michael Grimm NY - tax evasion

John Rowland CT - corruption — Chris Collins NY - insider trading Duncan Hunter CA - campaign corruption Steve Stockman TX - campaign corruption Rick Renzi AZ - corruption Robin Hayes NC - lying to the FBI Mark Siljander MI - obstruction, lying Duke Cunningham CA - bribery Michael Grimm NY - tax evasion John Rowland CT - corruption

⚯ Michel de Cryptadamus ⚯

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com · 3 months ago

trump just pardoned george santos

#nypol #georgesantos #uspol #uspolitics #pardon #pardons #trump #truthSocial #republicans #republican #MAGA

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump

George Santos was somewhat of a “rogue,” but there are many
rogues throughout our Country that aren't forced to serve seven
years in prison. | started to think about George when the subject
of Democrat Senator Richard “Da Nang Dick” Blumenthal came
up again. As everyone remembers, “Da Nang” stated for almost
twenty years that he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having
endured the worst of the War, watching the Wounded and Dead
as he raced up the hills and down the valleys, blood streaming
from his face. He was “a Great Hero,” he would leak to any and all
who would listen — And then it happened! He was a COMPLETE
AND TOTAL FRAUD. He never went to Vietnam, he never saw
Vietnam, he never experienced the Battles there, or anywhere
else. His War Hero status, and even minimal service in our
Military, was totally and completely MADE UP. This is far worse
than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the
Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE
REPUBLICAN! George has been in solitary confinement for long
stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly
mistreated. Therefore, | just signed a Commutation, releasing
George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George,
have a great life! — Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump George Santos was somewhat of a “rogue,” but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren't forced to serve seven years in prison. | started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard “Da Nang Dick” Blumenthal came up again. As everyone remembers, “Da Nang” stated for almost twenty years that he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having endured the worst of the War, watching the Wounded and Dead as he raced up the hills and down the valleys, blood streaming from his face. He was “a Great Hero,” he would leak to any and all who would listen — And then it happened! He was a COMPLETE AND TOTAL FRAUD. He never went to Vietnam, he never saw Vietnam, he never experienced the Battles there, or anywhere else. His War Hero status, and even minimal service in our Military, was totally and completely MADE UP. This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, | just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!

⚯ Michel de Cryptadamus ⚯

@cryptadamist@universeodon.com replied · 3 months ago

2/ Santos is actually the 10th #GOP congressmember pardoned by King Donald

#GeorgeSantos #uspol #uspolitics #pardon #pardons #corruption

der.hans boosted

beSpacific

@bespacific@newsie.social · 3 months ago

https://www.withoutprecedent.info/ Lisa Graves, author of Without Precedent details how #Chief #Justice #JohnRoberts helped build a #SupremeCourt that shields #corruption, empowers #Trump dismantles the #Constitution. From #Bush v. #Gore to #Trump v. #UnitedStates Graves exposes #rightwing #network & #billionaires behind America’s #judicial takeover. #NoKings #constitution Roberts orchestrated decision that pardoned #trump #clarencethomas #law #politics #immunity #insurrection #history #criminal #courts

beSpacific

@bespacific@newsie.social · 3 months ago

vruz boosted

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 4 months ago

“The court’s 6-3 conservative majority voted to just let #Trump & ICE continue [warrantless raids] for now as the case works its way up...

They gave no reasoning or explanation for their decision...

Welcome to the era of what critics call the #KavanaughStop. Carte blanche for #ICE to continue violent warrantless raids and stops all over the country. To undocumented immigrants, lawful residents, and #American citizens alike.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOXOWAhFz0A

#Chicago #SCOTUS #Corruption #News #US #USA

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social · 4 months ago

"Blackhawk helicopters. Flash bangs. A chainsaw to cut through fencing. Doors blown off hinges. Holes in walls. An entire building’s worth of American citizens treated as enemy combatants in a war zone.

This happened. In Chicago. In America. This week.

And we’ve already moved on to the next story."
https://www.notesfromthecircus.com/p/the-sufferable-evil

#ICE #Chicago #USA #UnitedStates #US #America #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Trump #GOP #SCOTUS #DueProcess #News #Press

The Sufferable Evil

Chicago and the End of American Liberty.

Zhi Zhu 🕸️

@ZhiZhu@newsie.social replied · 4 months ago

“The court’s 6-3 conservative majority voted to just let #Trump & ICE continue [warrantless raids] for now as the case works its way up...

They gave no reasoning or explanation for their decision...

#Chicago #SCOTUS #Corruption #News #US #USA