excoriating Observer editorial on the BBC departures observer.co.uk/opinion-and-...

If you read this thread (and do) you will want to read @drlindseyfitz.bsky.social's "The Facemaker", about the visionary surgeon who rebuilt the faces of WWI's injured heroes, and in the process ushered in the modern era of plastic surgery. Buy/order at your local independent bookstore.

I think a lot of the anger this morning stems from a feeling that we did our part, but they did not do theirs. This is an oversimplification, but my dudes, no wonder people are like, “OK, let’s try the democratic socialist, then.”

I voted no tonight. But the next phase of Democrats’ health care affordability fight is starting. While I personally don’t believe Republicans will keep their promise to work with us on lowering health care costs, I would be thrilled to be wrong.

I am a no on the CR agreement. I respect my colleagues on both sides, but the American people don’t deserve a preventable increase in health care costs.

The UN says October saw the highest number of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in nearly 20 years of tracking that violence. More than half the attacks targeted olive harvesters. n.pr/3LT0ecL

Now we’ll see the Epstein Files, right?

Sanders: That is a totally meaningless gesture. You can get 100 votes here and it won't mean anything because the House is not going to take it up.

A fascinating thread on Watson, from an expert historian - though I wonder if farce would be a more effective motif than tragedy

Now available in paperback. Just short of A$57, US$40; EU38; and GBP30.

Bastard.

New post on A is for Abortion! It's about a 15th c French woman who provided reproductive health care (including abortion care) to her community.

Exactly a year ago, Ellen Wohl, @parriblue.bsky.social and I spent two days in Providence thinking about #rivers and how we conceptualize them & live with them. Here’s the result of history and fluvial geomorphology teaming up. #envhist doi.org/10.1371/jour...

incredible photo that's definitely worth at least 1,000 words from Andrew Harnik of Getty

#OTD 1867, Marie Curie was born. During WWI, Curie created a vehicle that contained a hospital bed, a generator, an X-ray machine and photographic darkroom equipment. These “petite Curies" (below) could be driven right up to the Front. Curie also helped train 150 women as radiology technicians.

Now that 47 has humiliated himself, can we release the Epstein Files? Blondi has them on her desk.

BREAKING: Democrats just broke the GOP supermajority in the Mississippi Senate! In a stunning victory, Democrats gained seats in court-ordered special elections and will now head to Jackson to represent and fight on behalf of their constituents.

Big things are happening…

Yes we can.

This is huge — and in general it was a blue wave here. Also kicked our ICE-loving sheriff to the curb!

omg

Auntie just woke up from a dream where Ivana Trump arose from her grave behind the first tee at Bedminster, cackling gleefully and screaming ‘Revenge is Mine!’ Back to the fainting couch with another Dubonnet darlings.

A fascinating look at the things Vermeer owned, and very close to my own research on Italian artists (now just wishing I knew Dutch)

You know it’s an emergency when Fox News breaks out the bowtie guys

This is big fucking shit

Oh yeah.

we did it, Zo

🚨BREAKING: Maine voters rejected a Republican-backed ballot initiative Tuesday that would have imposed new photo ID rules and severely limited mail-in voting — a decisive win for voting rights advocates who said the measure threatened to upend the state’s tradition of accessible elections.

Really looking forward to the Speaker of the House claiming to be unaware of the election results.

Texas still sucks though

The people are speaking. At last.

I'm a few days late, but I've finally gotten my historical map article for Oct. done! This month, paying subscribers to my patreon page get to learn about the 13th C. Psalter Map: a small map that punches above its weight with dragons, cannibalism, and so much more! www.patreon.com/posts/psalte...

"exododus" The New York Post: Come for the shameless propaganda, stay for the embarrassing illiteracy.

Auntie is impressed.

He’s too busy reading about John the Baptist and stuff silly. There just isn’t enough time.

Yeah.

🇰🇪 Camels replace cows as Kenya battles drought In northern Kenya, where drought has decimated the cattle herds of the Samburu pastoral communities, camel farming is becoming increasingly common.

Tell me again, Mr VP, about how the USA is a Christian nation. Or did you mean just for White Europeans? Oh and say hi to the (current) missus.

Available March 2026 from @berghahnbooks.bsky.social, but pre-order possible. The real editing has been done by Charlotte Greenhalgh and @clarecorbould.bsky.social #histsci #histstm #STS @austhistassoc.bsky.social

This is just so important. A history of the love affair between the GOP and the American Nazi Party. The passion continues and grows. Don’t let it.

Anybody check the pilasters for handwriting? MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN?

The natural grace of an oak seedling called Noble Shadow A literal translation of the Old English Æðelsceadu, or Addleshade if the word still existed

Side note: Threats of military action notwithstanding, worth noting that any Christians fleeing religious persecution in Nigeria could not, at present, enter the U.S. as refugees, as the U.S. refugee program has been almost entirely frozen by Trump for months — save for Afrikaners from South Africa.

Blue Jays!

Dutch anti-Muslim populist Geert Wilders goes full Trump, claiming on X after he lost the election that there are reports of vote fraud. Also claimed the election authority was not neutral. Tearing down the pillars of Dutch democracy. nos.nl/l/2588722

This bathroom looks like the set for an unpleasant scene in a Ingmar Bergman film where the storyboard just says GRETEL CONFRONTS ALIENATION

Release the Epstein Files

Nancy Mace is one of those people who is deeply miserable yet not as miserable as she deserves.