Steve Banfield
@stevebanfield.blog
Kentuckian in Seattle. Photography, bourbon, politics, golf, dogs, UK Wildcats, and startups but not always in that order. Opinions personal, strongly held, and often fiercely debated.
created November 14, 2024
1,154 followers 1,241 following 370 posts
view profile on Bluesky Posts
Justin Wolfers (@justinwolfers.bsky.social) reposted
There's a lot going on, and a lot to argue about. But we should all be able to agree that the shocking levels of incompetence shown in the leadership of our federal government is both historically unmatched, and it hurts all of us.
Ida B Wells' Winchester Rifle (@dytsras.bsky.social) reposted
Los Angeles - Black mayor D.C. - Black mayor Chicago - Black mayor Baltimore - Black mayor San Francisco - Just lost a Black mayor Seattle - Black/Japanese mayor New York - Black mayor (technically) and Letitia James We gotta stop with the "Democratic Run cities" bullshit and see what it is
Dr. Jack Brown (@drjackbrown.bsky.social) reposted
The Democratic party leadership is only concerned with finding moderates who don't rock the boat too much – and that's the exact opposite of what we need and what this time demands.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Bipartisanship implies that both sides want to work in good faith. There is NOTHING that the MAGA GOP has done since coming to power that demonstrates any good faith at all? Leader Jeffries must be out of his damn mind if he thinks he's got a chance to pull some rabbit out of Mike Johnson's hat.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
So Leader Jeffries is already signaling his willingness to appease the Mad King and avoid the fight? Does this guy just roll over and show his belly every, single time?
Kara Swisher (@karaswisher.bsky.social) reposted
No notes
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
After the election friends justified their votes for Trump saying it couldn't be as bad as I feared because the "guardrails" would hold. If the most important guardrails are in the souls of our leaders, then the vile, narcissistic, soulless Mad King leaves us with no protection at all. #politics
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
He might? He *is* desensitizing the nation towards using troops to impact elections. If people won't walk past armed troops and Humvees to a park or restaurant, will they walk past them to vote? Military checkpoints "for election security" outside polling stations are coming unless we stop it NOW.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
I'm going to play golf tomorrow and there are two things that could happen which would make me scream for joy on the course -- a hole in one and y'all know the other.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Peter Thiel will be very sad to hear this if Peter Thiel had feelings.
Laminariales (@kelpkelpkelp.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Cities with approximately the same population as ICE's current detainee population: Bowling Green, Kentucky - 61,488 Greenville, South Carolina - 61,397 West Des Moines, Iowa - 61,255 Cedar Park, Texas - 61,238 Tulare, California - 61,170 Terre Haute, Indiana - 61,025
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Insanity. The country has gone insane.
Mrs. Betty Bowers (@mrsbettybowers.bsky.social) reposted
SARAH PALIN: "There are going to be death panels!" RFK JR: "Technically, it's just me."
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Many are like you. I would too though today live in a vote by mail state. Unfortunately many people will be intimidated which is what the Mad King and his minions want.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
And when all us frogs are used to the water, nobody will complain when he deploys the military to "secure" polling stations in blue districts. This is about controlling the next election by depressing turnout. If you won't go past a Humvee to a restaurant will you walk past one to the polls?
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Give them time. If Trump can be the pope, McVeigh can be a saint.
Kara Swisher (@karaswisher.bsky.social) reposted
No notes
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Remember when the GOP was all up in arms about "death panels" denying coverage because of government involvement in healthcare? That was a lie but why aren't they upset about MAGA death AI chat bots?
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Lord help us.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Can anyone put their finger on why the Mad King would want to fire this gentleman and Fed Gov Cook? Any connection or similarities or do we need to call in Scooby and Shaggy for this one?
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
So let me get this straight -- RFK's FDA would let you "do your own research" and eat horse de-wormer to cure all your ills but will not let you listen to scientists and doctors to receive a proven vaccine except under extraordinary circumstances? What a ghoul.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
damn. great shot.
George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social) reposted
You have to start to wonder if the interior decorator is actually trolling him.
Ben Raderstorf (@raders.bsky.social) reposted
Just because he won't listen doesn't mean we shouldn't say it. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. should be fired immediately.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Get it right -- she didn't and won't resign!
Mike Luckovich (@mluckovich.bsky.social) reposted
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Hey WSJ, it should read "a senile old man being aided in his worst narcissistic, dictatorial impulses by sycophants who just want to pick over the MAGA corpse when he dies"
Ed Markey (@edmarkey.bsky.social) reposted
Vaccines are safe and effective. RFK Jr. isn’t.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
What the actual hell? This is about as stupid as saying we are going to write labor and GDP stats on coconuts then throw them in the Pacific so they float to China. Why do we have to be so stupid to satiate the Mad King's ego? If you must the say something marginally intelligent but ass kissing.
Alt National Endowment for the Humanities (@altnehgov.altgov.info) reposted
“You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” ~Ray Bradbury Keep reading, friends. 📚
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
These pretenders to masculinity are so afraid of EVERYTHING they can't live unless surrounded by an actual army of troops with tactical gear and automatic weapons to wear a watch, drive a car, or walk in a park. Meanwhile the rest of us wonder why are we suffering because they didn't get therapy?
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Do I have to say it? "it's the guns stupid."
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
10/10. No notes.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
He will be measuring their skulls and laying on hands next. It's just insane.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Allegations aren’t “cause”. If Lisa Cook isn’t prepping a defamation lawsuit against Pulte I’d be very surprised.
Justin Wolfers (@justinwolfers.bsky.social) reposted
Yes, the stakes here are large. Very large.
Elizabeth Spiers (@espiers.bsky.social) reposted
Lisa Cook should sue Bill Pulte for defamation
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Because JD doesn’t have the personality cult to hold MAGA together. The oligarchs who have bought and paid for JD know now is the moment to cement whatever fascist control they can with as much gerrymandered electoral one party lock in as possible to hold it over time.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
All together now class — APPEASEMENT NEVER WORKS.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
I hope she sues Pulte for defamation
Mike Boylan-Kolchin (@mbkplus.bsky.social) reposted
Previous admins have been fueled by alcohol, uppers, or cocaine; this one seems to be field by steroids, stupidity, and vindictiveness.
JoJoFromJerz (@jojofromjerz.bsky.social) reposted
𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖 𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 (@sundaedivine.bsky.social) reposted
Remember way back when a president being old, feeble, and senile was something Republicans were deeply concerned about?
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Putting the socialist back in Nazi since 2025.
Stacey Shepherd (@stacey-shepherd.bsky.social) reposted
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
And the GOP goes right along with it like the happy clowns they are
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
They are really leaning into the socialist part of National Socialist Party
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
He's the Chamberlain of the Democratic Party just appeasing the fascists.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Best and most accurate description ever. Was so hopeful when he was named speaker and he has not risen to meet the moment.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
How much money has been spent to crucify this one guy so the Mad King gets his spectacle in the Colliseum?
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Moscow Mitch McConnell could have stopped this. He could have stood up after January 6th ended Trump's political career through the impeachment. He let the monster live. Now we have a dictator that the GOP and none of the judges Mitch stuffed the courts with are willing to stop. #nokings
Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla.bsky.social) reposted
BERNSTEIN: ".. Intel was originally supposed to get these funds for free; giving up equity seems worse. .. The sad thing is that the money all by itself probably won’t be enough to help. .. At this point we continue to recommend avoidance of Intel’s shares." [Rasgon] $INTC
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Defend the homeland against Nazis is the impression it gives. Miller is just a swastika armband away from having the full Goebbels cosplay complete.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
What's worse is @nytimes.com isn't calling this stuff out. Super that the article talks about FOIA. It should also make clear the inconsistency of a federal agency that wants more money and data tools but claims it can't organize its own basic details.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
DHS: Give us all the data from IRS, HHS, State, and SSA so we can organize it with Palantir then use it to deport "criminals" (brown people) also DHS: we can't search our text messages because they are lots of texty stuff or maybe we just don't have them This administration can't even lie well.
Anthony Michael Kreis (@anthonymkreis.bsky.social) reposted
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
You don't pave over the Rose Garden, gild the Oval, or plan a $200M ballroom if you're planning on moving out anytime soon. The Mad King is burrowed in like a tick on a hound and just getting fatter on our blood.
Bill Kristol (@billkristolbulwark.bsky.social) reposted
Bolton’s home raided, Gen. Kruse fired, Epstein coverup proceeds, seizure of 10% of Intel another step towards state capitalism. Just one day in the somewhat chaotic but directionally purposeful march towards…despotism. Does anyone think they’re doing all this so they can hand over power in 2028?
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
MAGA loves socialism (aka bribes)
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
$INTEL just "gave" the US government $11 BILLION in stock? Isn't that a bribe? How on in the Lord's name is any part of that legal or are the other shareholders of $INTEL going to accept it?
Grudgie the Whale (@grudgie.bsky.social) reposted
Two of the single greatest advances of our lifetimes are mRNA technology and renewable energy tech and somehow the United States is now virulently against both.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Crazy Eyes is going to lower recruiting standards but train them in MMA fighting. An FBI less educated but trained to use violence as a first resort is a great recipe for an occupation force which serves the Mad King, not the Constitution.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Elon has always been a shit engineer that's just looking for excuses to make people jump through his hoops.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
This makes more sense to me. Better to keep "investigating" so you can slander people on Fox News than go into a courtroom where a judge will make the DOJ tell the truth they didn't find anything criminal.
Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla.bsky.social) reposted
Sensing a theme these last cupla weeks. Can’t put a finger on it. @barrons.com @npr.org @axios.com @politico.com
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
He's going to post a winning by "lines of code" metric next.
Steve Lafleur (@stevelafleur.bsky.social) reposted
I'm just a simple Canadian policy guy, so I'm sure I'm missing some complexities here. But. Isn’t it kind of notable that the President of the United States believes that Russia is an example of a strong democracy, and the United States is not??? Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) reposted
He means “democracy” but yes
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@crockett.house.gov) reposted
Here, fixed it.
Kai Ryssdal (@kairyssdal.bsky.social) reposted
What Danielle said. According to the Yale Budget Lab, the average effective tariff rate in this economy right now is 18.2% Let me put that another way. President Trump has raised taxes on American businesses and consumers by -- on average -- 18.2%
Governor Gavin Newsom (@governor.ca.gov) reposted
While Trump is busy pressuring officials to “find” votes and bend rules to his favor, California is giving Americans a fighting chance for fair representation. This isn’t politics as usual. It’s an emergency for our democracy. And we’re acting now to save our future.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Y'all realize that when he says "crooked game of politics is over" he means "democracy where MAGA can lose because of their horrible policies". This is about establishing one party rule. You'll still get to vote, but the Mad King will make sure it doesn't count unless it's for him. #politics
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
The Roman Senate existed for hundreds of years after the fall of the Republic but that doesn't mean it meant anything. WaPo would have us bow down to Caesar in his faux-gold painted Oval Office.
Rolling Stone (@rollingstone.com) reposted
Work day listening: Tom Morello’s ‘F-ck ICE’ Playlist Featuring the White Stripes, Bruce Springsteen, Public Enemy
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
When is everyone going to remember that an Executive Order is a giant pretty please suggestion from one branch of our government that the other separate and equal two branches can comfortably ignore whenever they like? #politics #fdt
Dave Winer (@scripting.com) reposted
The five things that were necessary before you could have podcasting: Blogging. HTTP. RSS. MP3. iPod. It's pretty simple, but this confluence eludes most tech people and journalists. scripting.com
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
It's also goes against one of those "commandments" they keep wanting to post in the public places as a way of imposing their morality on everyone else. Thievery in the Lord's name is apparently excusable, unsurprising given the ongoing evangelical support for the rapist in the White House..
Robert Reich (@rbreich.bsky.social) reposted
I don't know who needs to hear this, but an economy controlled by a handful of oligarchs isn't a "free market."
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
It would be a big help for Consumer Safety if your boss would just RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES like he promised.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
I was just thinking the same thing watching some of the video. It's shameful and says so much about the Mad King's state of mind that he demands it be that way.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
And just like that you realize the the Mad King is Keyser Soze
Bill Kristol (@billkristolbulwark.bsky.social) reposted
There’s no longer any pretense this has anything to do with crime (there are cities or parts of cities in SC and Ohio that have higher crime rates than DC — send the troops there!). This is about establishing a precedent for Trump seizing control of the nation’s capital when he wants to.
Clara Jeffery (@clarajeffery.bsky.social) reposted
The reason they don’t want to show their faces is that they are engaged in illegal and amoral acts
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Is TACO in Russian still TACO?
Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan.bsky.social) reposted
If you’re under any illusions about what an authoritarian personality cult the GOP has become, they’re not hiding it:
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Either a) Putin never said it but Trump loves the lie and Putin won't deny b/c it serves his purpose or b) Putin said it to manipulate Trump so he'd repeat Putin's talking points on TV. Either way it reduces American faith in elections and democracy which is a Putin goal. Trump is a Putin tool.
Alt National Park Service (@altnps.bsky.social) reposted
Cartoon by Guy Richards Smit.
Roman Sheremeta (@rshereme.bsky.social) reposted
Spot the difference…
Jim Acosta (@jimacosta.bsky.social) reposted
That wasn’t a summit. That was a debacle.
Adam Schwarz (@adamjschwarz.bsky.social) reposted
“Putin would eat you for lunch.” Today, exactly that happened.
Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla.bsky.social) reposted
Boston releases “Don’t Look Back”, their 2nd studio album, 47 years ago today. It sells a million copies in ten days — not bad for band founder Tom Scholz, an M.I.T. grad who’d worked as a design engineer at Polaroid during the day and recorded demos in his basement at night. 🎸
George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social) reposted
The party of small government is now the party of big brother.
Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer.com) reposted
It is insane to me that the government can find money to pay ICE agents increasingly larger sums of money, yet teachers have to buy their own pencils.
Dennis Goris (@dennisgoris.bsky.social) reposted
One of these things is not like the other #washingtondc
Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla.bsky.social) reposted
Imagine if they’d had sandwiches. 🥪
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
I mean one guy can only consume so much Kentucky bourbon to take up the slack, no matter how much existential dread this administration causes me.
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog) reply parent
Speak for yourself. A lot of us are absolutely still talking about it.
John Pfaff (@johnpfaff.bsky.social) reposted
EDITORIAL BOARDS ARE NOT EXPERTS ON CRIME. Would we accept a piece from the editorial board of the Times or the WSJ on the risks of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic surgery? No, that'd be crazy! What do generalists know about surgery? But crime? Everyone's an expert on that!
Steve Banfield (@stevebanfield.blog)
Los Angeles was the "alpha" test. Not feature complete and full of problems. DC is a "beta" test. Going to look better and seem less buggy to the average (Fox News) viewer. The full scale "1.0" release is military checkpoints outside polling places in Democratic cities *only* for "security".
Anthony Michael Kreis (@anthonymkreis.bsky.social) reposted
THIS IS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL. They cannot commandeer state and local law enforcement because they want to. THIS IS NOT LAWFUL. They cannot use federalized guard or military personnel for civilian law enforcement absent rebellion and insurrection.