Writer. Lawyer. Humanist. Not in that order. Fuelled by stovetop coffee. @martypike.bsky.social
Inner Melbourne
Joined October 2008
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After the 'not at all wrong' salutes, and the ascent of the broligopoly, I'm teetering on deleting. The choice of alternatives seems a lot clearer after Zuck's volte-face/farce, so please consider blue sky, you can find me at: @martypike.bsky.social
Take care people.
Marty retweeted
This morning, the federal government turned the full force of the Department of Homeland Security against a sitting member of Congress for the offense of disagreeing with the White House.
The path to citizenship should not be weaponized against anyone, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, a naturalized American who swore an oath to this country — the same one that I took.
The promise of citizenship should not be contingent on someone agreeing with the federal government.
Marty retweeted
are any reasons even given? (does anyone read books in those censorious Texas school districts?) it is hard to comprehend how any book, by any author, could fail to be banned in some parts of the US; it is books themselves that are the enemy, & literacy that is feared.
Marty retweeted
It's a spectator sport in that this administration is only good at producing spectacles. You are a natural fit because you're not a real athlete, just an influencer who's also good at producing theatre. The administration is using you to distract from a foreign war that has made life more expensive in the United States. You are happy to participate because you have no real beliefs outside of self-promotion and making money.
Marty retweeted
you gotta feel for hughesy, he's living from his tenants' paycheck to tenants' paycheck
Marty retweeted
Reading about Nazis in postwar Berlin and America who denied they were Nazis or who say, concerning the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Jews and homosexuals, "I cannot possibly remember every paper I signed."
Marty retweeted
If I were ever abducted by Aliens, the first thing I’d ask is whether they came from a planet where people also deny science.
Marty retweeted
Today, Elon Musk, a trillionaire, pays the same amount into Social Security as someone making $184,500.
If we end that absurdity and lift the cap on taxable income, we can make Social Security solvent for 75 years and expand benefits by $2,400. My Social Security bill does that.
Marty retweeted
Reason #1,000,000,000,000 why we should tax the rich.
SpaceX's 11% share price boost has made Elon Musk the world's first trillionaire, controlling two of the world's largest companies. ft.trib.al/wHPQ9gw
Marty retweeted
‘Ninety per cent of young Australians will be better off under the Albanese government’s tax proposals, the Treasury claims, as Labor moves to pass its reforms into law’
“The cumulative impact of the reforms is assessed as benefiting around 90% of young people, before impacts in the housing market are taken into account”
“Had the changes been made decades ago, those under 30 today would be in a better financial position”.
“Around 90% of Australians would have been better off by age 30 had the proposed changes been in place from 2000, with the benefits of the Wato and instant deduction outweighing the impact of the savings tax changes,” Wilkinson said”
Hands up who knows who was in government in 2000 🙄
theguardian.com/australia-ne…
Marty retweeted
Winston Churchill once cautioned against using operation names that were “boastful and overconfident”. They can sound bombastic. They can set you up for a big fall. That is the case with “Operation Epic Fury”, which history might judge an epic fail.
After America’s forever wars comes Trump’s futile war. My latest at History Never Ended, with no paywalls.
open.substack.com/pub/histor…
" Rather than ask about how ... those with Down syndrome will be among the most affected by cuts to NDIS services, the opposition has instead tried to suggest the biggest issue for people with Down syndrome is testamentary discretionary trusts."
#budget
theguardian.com/business/gro…
Marty retweeted
Google founder Sergey Brin's wealth has DOUBLED to $311 billion since Trump's election.
Now he’s spending $57M to oppose a 5% billionaires' wealth tax in California.
He’d rather millions lose healthcare than pay his fair share in taxes. This kind of arrogance is unacceptable.
Marty retweeted
The FCC is now threatening ABC's broadcast licenses, days after Donald Trump and Melania Trump demanded they fire Jimmy Kimmel.
This is straight out of the authoritarian playbook.
Mr. President: Read the Constitution. Freedom of speech is the First Amendment for good reason.
Marty retweeted
every time T***p speaks of a Black woman he calls her a "low IQ person."
T***p knows that of all demographics it has been Black women who have most consistently recognized him for the empty shell that he is, not only low-IQ but low in morals, competence, humanity. plenty of other women have seen through T***p, & plenty of men, but over all, it has been Black women who have most consistently seen through him & fearlessly opposed him.
Marty retweeted
Tim Cook donated $1M to Trump’s inauguration.
He fawned over Trump and gifted him a 24-karat gold plaque (as Apple lobbied for tariff exemptions).
Apple donated to Trump’s ballroom.
And it removed ICE tracking apps from its stores after a demand from the DOJ.
Remember this.
Marty retweeted
The guy who just flew to Hungary to get involved in their politics tells the Pope, who is from Chicago, Illinois to stay out of US politics.
Marty retweeted
It's an absolute disgrace that the US would endorse any candidate in any free European election - but to endorse the pro-Putin candidate shows just how far from democratic norms The US has is willing to go.
I guarantee he'll be here campaigning for Farage before too long.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv1…
