For all the damage he causes, it amazes me how little a man Donald Trump is, using AI to cosplay himself as a Sith Lord or the pope, with his followers cheering him as a mastermind trolling. That that is a virtue that some value in the President of the United States is sad.

Elon had a busy weekend functioning as ReichChancellor, seizing funds and organizations he has no right to.

Okay, posting again this as a message to myself (but for anyone who also needs to hear it): 1. When the news makes you feel paralyzed, close the window. Take a break. You can't help if you're overwhelmed. 2. Focus on the things in your control and take ONE action. Just start w/ a small one.

Of course a general who refused to use the military against civilians is being targeted by Trump 2.0 (gift link). Trump is also removing security details from his enemies. Eventually one will be assasinated - that ia the intent wapo.st/4hcBzuN

I heard someone say this man, pardoned by Trump for January 6 and just slain by police, has a seat in the Ashli Babbitt FAFO seating section. I’d like to think they’re looking up at us. And in all seriousness, to remind these were - and are - violent and dangerous people. Whom Trump freed.

One of the most chilling things I reflect on on Holocaust Remembrance Day is it was all “legal”. When Anne Frank was found she was arrested. Miep Gies broke the law to help hide her and others.

Join for the ultimate shopping experience on Jan. 29th at Boston City Hall Plaza, 5:30–8:30 PM! Bring a friend, your favorite boots, and your loudest voice. Remember to shop PEACEFULLY and stay hydrated. Let’s make justice the trend of the season! #WinterBoots #HumanRights #PeacefulProtest #Freedom

Been seeing this make the rounds. While Weimar Germany was a fragile immature democracy, it cannot be understated how weakened our democratic norms have become. (Free gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

While studying fascist Italy and Germany are useful for understanding the path America is on, so is studying our own history of authoritarian apartheid rule, wars of conquest and genocide, the scrapping of civil liberties when they proved inconvenient , etc.

In the past 72 hours, Donald Trump rolled back equal opportunity employment protections, pardoned individuals who assaulted law enforcement, and withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization. He is a danger to our future and must be held accountable.

After you’ve read On Tyranny I recommend William Sheridan Allen’s The Nazi Seizure of Power which documents the seizure of power in a single German town, showcasing fascism at the local level. I read it for the first time as a college text way back in 1989. It’s been revised and is very readable.

Pamela Hemphill is refusing a pardon for January 6, acknowledging her guilt and indicating she was in the wrong. Showing she has more integrity than the president and the capacity for self-reflection, accountability, and growth. Which probably makes her more deserving of a pardon than the others.

Declaring today as “International Stay Home and Watch Star Trek Day”. I made it up, but I’m still following it! 😂 🖖

I’m no longer Christian (or part of any faith) but I’m pretty sure Trump isn’t either. He certainly didn’t like being reminded about what that Jesus guy taught.

American history is full of groups that fought for rights they never got but their children, grandchildren, or beyond did. And those fights were essential.

Hey remember the Mirror Universe in Star Trek? They borrowed a “Roman salute” to show the Terran Empire was evil. No reason to bring back that up today. Does Elon Musk like Star Trek?

I think we on the left are ignoring just how much norms have broken down. The power of the #supremecourt is based on tradition and the assistance of other branches of government. #trump could easily ignore them - I’m sure he’d give some pretense but it’s something to prepare for.

What’s the prognosis for Trump ending birthright citizenship? Constitutionally, very poor. Which doesn’t mean he won’t pull it off.

Some looks at the Gilded Age and the effects of tariffs - and what brought about the end of the Gilded Age.

The J6 criminals went in wearing orange jumpers and come out wearing brown shirts. Trump gets exactly what he wanted.

Trump’s proposal to strip birthright citizenship from those born in this nation is unconstitutional. In Illinois, we follow the law. This is only the start of attempts to undermine the rule of law, and Illinoisans can count on me to stand against unconstitutional actions.

Or we could trust our eyes

I got my first community guidelines violation in ages.

History rhymes.

Just some random thoughts on failed coups leading to a legitimate authoritarian regime on this #inaugurationday. The fight is going to be long and many of us may not see the end. #politics #history

January 19, 1925 has the Boston Globe relaying the good news more cigarettes are being consumed in the USA thanks to the ladies lighting up. Um… progress? #1920s #history #innsmouthradio youtube.com/shorts/93q4y...

President Coolidge praised the nonpartisan American press in January 18, 1925 Boston Globe. France and Germany in a tariff war. The Italian ambassador extolls the virtues of fascism. Maybe America will want to give it a try at some point. #1920s #history #innsmouthradio youtube.com/shorts/haHdH...

I like the examples of masculine energy one finds on Star Trek over what one finds in Zuck and Elon. youtube.com/shorts/JSDTw...

So what was going on on January 17, #1925 in the #bostonglobe? Among other things, religious leaders at a conference indicated their opposition to teaching religion in public schools. There’s some folks in 2025 I’d like to have them chat with. #1920s #history #prohibition #innsmouthradio

I backed the kickstarter for the English translation. Definitely worth checking out.

For those who enjoy my news recaps from a century ago on TikTok I’ve made my final TikTok post unless the ban goes away. I’ll post them here if Bluesky allows slightly longer videos (they are often a little over a minute) but for now they can be found on YouTube. youtube.com/shorts/V0uuD...

I may have accidentally made a perfect final post on TikTok should the ban go through on the eve of Trump’s return . At least perfect for me, combining my geekiness and politics, showing a John Lewis quote backed by Obi-Wan warning of the fall of the Republic and rise of the Empire.

As someone whose discovery of Sandman in the early 1990s was transformative - and who considered Gaiman a favorite author - the continuing revelations of Neil Gaiman’s abusive treatment of women is heartbreaking. I feel betrayed but that’s nothing compared to what he did to so many women.

Meeting with Italian citizenship consulting firm has confirmed I’ve two paths for claiming dual-citizenship, one a little more complicated 1948 case the other a straightforward claim. Not making any plans of leaving US but would like my young adult daughters to have an EU citizenship available.

David Bowie January 8, 1947 - January 10, 2016. Easily my favorite artist. A man who reinvented himself countless times and was never afraid to try something new. Who looked at his approaching death as an artist. Who taught me to embrace being a #kook #davidbowie

For all you RPGers out there, I contribute to a gaming blog @rollingboxcars.com - here’s my latest review on Cthulhu By Gaslight Investigators’ Guide. rollingboxcars.com/2025/01/08/d...

So #hr7 wants to make certain #womenshealth includes that important consideration… men.

To be clear #meta is welcoming targeted #misogyny and #lgbtq hate on their platforms, a despicable example of obeying in advance and providing fertile soil for an authoritarian regime.

If #donaldtrump wants to expand the US so much, why doesn’t he fight for the right of self-determination- independence or statehood for the #usterritories of #puertorico #guam #americansomoa #usvirginislands #northernmarianaislands ?

@nytimes.com wrote that “It was not clear how serious the president-elect was about some of his comments during the news conference. At one point, he suggested that his administration will rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.” Yup we’re for a return to the insane celebrity president.

Four years of this. Invading Greenland. Renaming bodies of water. And of course, no fact-checking allowed.

How might Trump dodge the Constitution to end birthright citizenship? Direct social security admin to issue future cards with a citizen or non-citizen label and the state department to not issue passports to those who would only qualify via birthright. Ignore any court rulings against him. Chaos.

I had forgotten how exhausting #trump can be with his mix of the bizarre and fascist. In the span of a few days - hours for some - he’s mocked Canada, threatened to jail his enemies, and declared the environment is up for sale. And he’s not even in office yet #politics

My thoughts on how #trump might try to end #birthrightcitizenship via executive order, #14thamendment be damned. Hint. It involves a lot of chaos.

The Libertarian party of NH would like you to kindly die. This is a party I’d not mess with. They know how to get shjt done. They once governed a town in NH. It would have worked too if they hadn’t been unable to do things like manage garbage and prevent bears from overrunning the community.

The killing of Brian Thompson, United Healthcare CEO, has some shocked at the glorification of a crime. It got me to thinking how America has lionized criminals in the past - like bank robbers in the 1930s. I think the choice of target was notable. Failing banks took away American fortunes. 1/

Had occasion to remember the original Superman was a working-class hero. In his first appearance he burst into a Governor’s mansion to save a death-row inmate. He forced mine owners to dig in their own dangerous mines.

The only acceptable dead naming is calling Twitter Twitter.

Commander Adama: “There’s a reason why you separate military and the police. One fights the enemy of the state the other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people.”