cross-posted from: https://libretechni.ca/post/419452

https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.11532

New study preprint quantifies what we've suspected: Trump's Truth Social posting becomes measurably more erratic after Epstein coverage spiking on Fox News.

I was struck by the Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO) moniker, as in addition Shumer and many of the Dems deserve a similar tag line. Few seem to be standing up during this upheaval nor being the leaders we need. They also seem to be chickens. Newsom, AOC, Sanders, Buttigieg, etc seems to at least be speaking out if not acting with an appropriate response.

Possibly ones that come to mind:

• Chuck Shumer: CLUCK (Chuck Lacks Urgency, Caves, Kowtows), or CHILL (Chuck Hides In Low-stakes Limbo)
• Hakeem Jefferies: JELLO (Jefferies Evades Leadership, Lacks Oomph, HAKEEM (Hesitate, Avoids,Keeps Evading Effective Moves)

Anyone else have some examples, recommendations, or discussions points?

Politicians love tellings us what they'll do, but what are the things that you wish they'd get off their a$$ and do something about?

BRUSSELS — The European Commission is considering allowing Euroclear to tap frozen Russian assets to help shield the G7’s €45 billion loan to Ukraine against potential retaliation by Moscow.

EU officials are weighing the move as a last-resort solution to compensate Euroclear, the Belgium-based bank holding these assets, for losses incurred in Russia due to its compliance with Western sanctions, according to three officials familiar with the matter who spoke to POLITICO.

Proponents argue the measure would fortify* *a multilateral scheme, finalized last week, that allocates windfall profits generated from around €200 billion in frozen Russian assets to repay the G7’s long-negotiated loan to Ukraine.

Euroclear is currently embroiled in litigation with multiple sanctioned parties who are using Russia’s highly politicized courts to contest their assets being withheld, and seeking compensation.

While Russian courts have little power to force the handover of euro or dollar assets held in Belgium to those with successful claims, they do have the power to take retaliatory action against Euroclear balances held in Russian financial institutions. These belong mainly to Western financial institutions and businesses, who would then be eligible to raise their own compensatory claims against Euroclear.

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The evidence is clear: When abortion is legal, democracy thrives. And when reproductive rights are restricted, democracy withers. That same story is unfolding in the U.S. right now, state by state.

Following a successful 2022 abortion ballot initiative, California guaranteed reproductive freedom in its state Constitution. As in Argentina, this move was spearheaded by a strong women’s movement in the state Legislature.

By contrast, Texas has echoed Poland’s path. After shutting down access to abortion, the state restricted its citizens’ right to travel, further curbing civil liberties.

Mobilizing for reproductive rights expands democracy because it gives women voice and control over basic freedoms. The struggle for abortion rights shows society that the personal is indeed political – and that women’s lives matter.