Criminal defense, civil rights, and occasionally civil, trial atty. Former Emptywheel legal writer, husband, father and generally cranky observateur. F1 fan.
Joined June 2010
- Tweets 260,281
- Following 825
- Followers 6,469
- Likes 32
7,273 Photos and videos
What a disastrous season so far for Alonso and Aston. The guy can still drive the hell out of a F1 car, that he isn't given a better one is disgraceful.
51
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
A lot of lefties and righties strongly believe our justice system is racist.
But I think it tries pretty hard to be fair.
2
15
1,030
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
Look, I’ll save you the headache.
Kiriakou was known for two things *before* he unmasked an undercover CIA officer, went to prison for doing so, got out, and then went to work for the Russians.
When he was stationed in Greece, he illegally parked his car at the port in Piraeus next to the ferry boarding area. The police told him to move it. Kiriakou locked himself inside and refused to get out of his car and said he didn’t have to, he was from the U.S. Embassy. Caused an unnecessary diplomatic stink over a fucking parking violation, which became notorious in the building — although not nearly as notorious as what else happened to him in Greece.
His wife had an affair. When Kiriakou found out about it, he behaved in a manner unbefitting of any officer of any clandestine service, except maybe Russia’s, which is why he’s a good fit for them now. As he’ll be the first to tell you, he’s got bills to pay.
Big on the IRGC-aligned podcast bro circuit but knows nothing, is aggressive in his ignorance, and generally held to be a laughingstock at his former organization. I believe the kiddos call this being a “whistleblower,” which is even more hilarious.
Thank you for attending my TED Talk.
Jun 12
John Kiriakou is the perfect hire for Russian state media (or any nation with a vested interest in demoralizing the United States through targeted internal propaganda).
Here’s why:
1. He has the credential of “former CIA officer” under his belt. That means something to American viewers. Military or government service, in general, goes a long way toward establishing legitimacy and trust.
2. He clearly has a long-standing grudge against the United States. He was charged with leaking the identity of a covert operative and was imprisoned for several years. He also lost his standing within the American political establishment as a result. The story he tells about the case is one in which he is, of course, the Snowden-adjacent hero. Again, this strikes at the heart of disgruntled Americans who have firsthand experience with government corruption.
3. He lacks principle. He’s willing to accuse the U.S. government of corruption (hey, fair enough) while, ironically, happily accepting paychecks from the Russian government, one of the most corrupt governments in modern history and a sworn adversary of the United States. He rails against the U.S. and its alleged covert torture program (and he may be right about that, for argument’s sake), yet aligns himself with a regime that has openly and brutally tortured innocent people for generations.
His excuse? They let him “say whatever he wants.”
Either John is an idiot (he’s not), or he’s in on the operation.
There’s only one reason the Russian government would hire him: to convince Americans to hate America. And what better salesman for that cause than a disgruntled former government agent with no sense of honor?
This is precisely why Russian state media has also cozied up to figures like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson. Whether these influencers are selling out for clicks, money, ideology, or something in between, the end result is the same: convincing millions of Americans that the only solution left is to abandon America and burn it to the ground.
Who, I wonder, might benefit from such an outcome?
19
88
358
27,903
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
Aged like milk.
Jun 1
Spurs about to dunk on Knicks like Texas has been dunking on New York.
Go Spurs Go 🔥👽
948
6,740
81,474
1,868,404
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
First ever NBA finals trip
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL. Age 23. Swept 0-4 in 1995. Today he has four championships.
LEBRON JAMES. Age 22. Swept 0-4 in 2007. Today he has four championships.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA. Age 22. Lost 1-4 in 2026. (❓❓❓)
4
7
70
15,454
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
Jun 13
Intermezzo: strong and extensive light pollution is not an ineavitable result of progress. It is a product of greed and carelessness. We can have safety, comfort and dark skies.
3
21
74
2,725
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
Jun 13
NEW: I spoke with the Iranian Ambassador to Mexico Abolfazl Pasandideh:
- His message to Trump: “If the U.S. closes its eyes to Israel’s interests, Iran and the U.S. can be very good friends.”
- Says Iran's presence in the U.S. for the World Cup should be read as a gesture of goodwill
- Visa denials impacting some coaching staff may have a negative impact on the team’s performance
- But expects his team to advance out of group stage
- Team will begin travel to U.S. two days before the match so the head catch can attend press conference the day before, per FIFA regulations
politico.com/news/2026/06/13…
7
20
38
23,707
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
Jun 13
Who needs arrests, prosecutions and trials when we can just execute someone at will?
Jun 13
“At my direction, the United States Southern Command delivered a swift and lethal kinetic strike to successfully execute Niño Guerrero, the infamous leader of Tren De Aragua, one of the most bloodthirsty Terrorist Organizations on Planet Earth.” - President DONALD J. TRUMP 🇺🇸
4
4
17
968
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
Jun 13
I want to give you guys some facts about General Chappie James. He wasn’t a “DEI” hire—he was a complete badass that had to overcome MORE than any white pilot. Did 178 combat missions—that’s like 7 bomber tours on a B-17 in WWII.
His medal count? Impeccable. 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Air Medals, Two Legions of Merit, and a Defense Distinguished Service Medal. One of the original Tuskegee Airmen, the first four-star African American General.
Hegseth couldn’t sniff the level of soldiering and warrior that was in Chappie’s DNA. God bless him. And Hegseth took down his picture from a hallway like a racist little child, which is what he is.
839
10,622
29,062
635,869
bmaz (also same at bsky) retweeted
Jun 13
The GOAT on gravity.
1
1
1
358
Seriously lock them up
Jun 13
Clock strikes midnight at the Kennedy Center. Still no letters removed.
1
221
Lock the fuckers up
Jun 13
There's a huge crowd off camera and the workers are just taunting the crowd by almost-but-not-quite taking down Trump's name.
3
212
Bullshit
Jun 13
Matt Floca, the COO of the Kennedy Center, has attested to this being the reason for the delay in a declaration.
1
215
Moar lol
Jun 13
JUST IN: Trump lawyers defend settlement that included "Anti-Weaponization Fund," argue there was no collusion in suit Trump filed v. IRS. They also warn judge if she revives suit they're likely to try to get appeals court to shut it down. w/@kyledcheney politico.com/news/2026/06/12…
2
263
lol to the max
Jun 13
NEW: President Trump's personal lawyers denied any collusion with DOJ in the settlement that led to the creation of the anti-weaponization fund. And they urged a judge asking questions about it to stand down.
w/ @joshgerstein
politico.com/news/2026/06/12…
2
260