By revising a bill that would restrict how the events of January 6 are taught, the Virginia legislature has put the freedom to learn above politics, writes @ajconn.bsky.social for PEN America: pen.org/virginia-fre...

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social pen.org/first-they-c...

Last week, a gentleman returned this rather dilapidated copy of this famous book to us after 50 years. He had found it in his attic! Presumably this means there is a pristine copy somewhere in our libraries....

Jim Jordan is commenting on Eric Swalwell's sexual misconduct allegations. Jordan was assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State while team doctor Richard Strauss sexually abused at least 177 athletes. Multiple wrestlers testified under oath they told Jordan. He did nothing. He was never charged.

The National Association of Black Bookstores (NABB) has declared April 7 to be #NationalBlackBookstoreDay — a day to recognize the "cultural, economic, and community impact of Black-owned bookstores across the United States.” pen.org/black-owned-...

I'm not sure about you, but I think the collapse of US hegemony, a global price spike and recession, and a new ground war in the Middle East are far worse than drag queens reading books at the library.

I love all the spring flowers, but there's something about forsythia that makes my heart sing! #SpringBloom26

My first daffs! #SpringBloom26

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social pen.org/nora-neus-in...

Afroman, rapper and singer, won an important civil liberties case in Ohio last week. Seven police officers sued him for defamation after he made an album with music videos using surveillance footage from their raid of his house.

Small ball for the lead! #LGM

The heather is hanging around a little longer than usual this year. #SpringBloom26

Happy Spring! Still pretty cold out there but the flowers don't care. Some snowdrops to celebrate the new season. #SpringBloom26

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social is near and dear to my heart -- even worked in a mention for my fav Virgin Islands National Park (St. John). Don't mess with my National Parks! pen.org/purging-hist...

Obama: "We are living in a time where it can be hard to hope. Each day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions. Another setback to the idea of the rule of law ... but this man - Rev. Jesse Jackson - inspires us to take a harder path ... bc if we don't step up, nobody else will"

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social pen.org/darcie-littl...

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social pen.org/harsh-penalt...

Breast cancer risk is one of the myths the "pro-life" crowd likes to cite. Thankfully, science showed it's just that, a myth.

Hilarious apnews.com/video/canine...

Journalism isn't a crime (also Indy journo Georgia should be included in this, her arrest is outrageous as well.) pen.org/press-releas...

Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!

A shoutout to Woody & Pete ❤️, who are no doubt horrified as they look down.

A terrific interview pen.org/ben-folds-in...

Plato is too woke? I thought they wanted us to teach "Western civilization?" pen.org/press-releas...

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social pen.org/dont-mention...

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social pen.org/head-start-p...

Sentiment hogwash! (Watching IAWL)

I met Bella a few times late in her life. As hard a fighter as she was, she was also gracious and encouraging to younger women who sought her out. An icon.

Censorship is un-American bookriot.com/book-censors...

Can’t believe @johngreensbluesky.bsky.social beat me out….🫤 (kidding. This is the award no one wants to win.)

F U Stupid Asshole #Trump and your Cronies at ICE 8647 Words Do Matter #Resist 24/7/365 Turn up the Volume #NoKings #DozingDon #BlueCrew #VoteBlue

Ahmed al Ahmed, the man who tackled one of the Bondi killers, became an Australian citizen 3 years ago. His deed was "his way of conveying his gratitude for staying in Australia, for being granted citizenship." He took 5 bullets, and fears he'll lose his left arm. www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...

Let us not forget who we are

Here are the Top 5 Dogs of the week!

Trump had two mortgages he claimed were primary dwellings, records show

ICE has arrested nearly 75,000 people with no criminal records, data shows

Book banning may seem like the new normal. But at PEN America, we're fighting back—partnering with students, parents, teachers, librarians and like-minded organizations to protect the freedom to read. This #GivingTuesday, help us keep books where they belong: in the hands of students: pen.org/GT25BS

Need an idea for little ones for the holidays? My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social might inspire your gift list! pen.org/book-judged-...

Jamal Khashoggi. Say his name.

Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) has been sworn in!

1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️

This really hasn’t gotten enough attention this week. @wired.com #ICE www.wired.com/story/fbi-wa...

PEN America: New White House press restriction "severs one more line of accountability between the government and the American people, part of a pattern that is straining the nation’s foundational principle of a free press.” pen.org/press-releas...

I love how Rep. Joe Neguse reframed this question.

My latest for @penamerica.bsky.social pen.org/halloween-ba...

Happy 50th to the GOAT of #tabloidheds

Reading a picture book about a woman’s bicycle journey doesn’t seem controversial. But when her story time event was canceled, @boonewrites.bsky.social realized “the Commander-in-Chief... had effectively declared a woman on a bike too threatening for children.” www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-a...

PEN America: "Canceling Wole Soyinka’s multiple entry visa to the United States is... an abrupt and arbitrary change in the normal visa process... (with) negative implications for free expression and cultural exchange with writers... around the world." pen.org/press-releas...