Author | Lightnews

James Wagner

@jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social

1.3K followers 1.1K following 6K posts

cranky radical, fussy aesthete, humanist, generalist, partner of @bhoggard

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James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · Sep 9

I love this image, of a plucky caterer, maybe family, working on some celebratory bunting

tall vertical ladder resting on clothesline, clear Midwest September sky, the comfort of stars and stripes in a time and in a place (1936/WI) we imagine more innocent, white apron, rolled slacks, shirt sleeves

Reposted by James Wagner

Jon Bois @jonbois.bsky.social · 7h

this is worth seven minutes of your time. i've never been prouder to give somebody my vote

Zohran Kwame Mamdani @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social · 9h

The dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as any other New Yorker.

And yet, for too long, we have been told to ask for less than that, and endure hatred and bigotry in the shadows.

No more.

My Message to Muslim New Yorkers — and Everyone Who Calls This City Home.

YouTube video by Zohran Mamdani for NYC

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by James Wagner

Dan Fox @foxdaniel.bsky.social · 9h

Americans need to reconcile that this is pretty much what the Obama-era drone strikes were. Any time a prior administration abused its power and it was greeted by a shrug because “we’re the good guys” - this is why you shouldn’t do that.

Forbes @forbes.com · 22h

At least 46 people have been killed in the attacks.

Six Dead After U.S. Military Conducts 10th Strike On Suspected Drug Cartels

At least 46 people have been killed in the attacks.

www.forbes.com

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Reposted by James Wagner

Marko Bajlovic @marko.tech · 11d

How Prescient youtube.com/watch?v=k0Cz...

The Dictator’s Speech (Clip) | The Great Dictator (1940) | TCM

YouTube video by Turner Classic Movies

youtube.com

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James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 9h

butter-roasted farmed Hudson Valley steelhead, pink French celery, Baden season salt, Faro salt, pepper; wild arugula, Canaan oil, CA white balsamic; kabocha squash roasted w/olive oil/heirloom Italian red onion/chopped fresh habanada, tossed w/garlic and garden rosemary heated in olive oil, parsley

James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 11h

“I think we're just gonna kill people... Okay? We're gonna kill them. They're gonna be, like, dead." - DT

James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 13h

I hate the successive throwaway planned-obsolescent modern refrigerators I’ve had to police with in a NY apartment,
in so many ways

Reposted by James Wagner

Theodore Grunewald @tedgrunewald.bsky.social · 19h

The pergola designed by renowned Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei (1917-2019) is another casualty of Trump's destruction of the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden.

Trump's project is sweeping-away not just representations of women, but of Asian-Americans too.

The pergola designed by renowned Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei (1917-2019) that once stood at the western end of the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden. The view shows the pergola in October 1964, with the now-demolished 1803 East Terrace Colonnade designed by Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1902 and 1942 demolished East Wing in the background.
Photo by: Robert S. Oakes, White House Historical Society
Source: https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/fotoware?id=1198DAA1A0D04727%20B16DF6B9F21253CA

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Reposted by James Wagner

Saikat for Congress @saikatforcongress.bsky.social · 13h

We're not going to let Trump militarize our city and we sure as hell aren't going to let him arrest our neighbors. Shoutout to Bay Resistance for organizing a massive protest yesterday within a day. We proved that SF is ready to show up and oppose any attempt to invade our city.

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James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 15h

couldn’t locate an image obviously suitable, found this on a Reddit r/chomsky (Noan Chomsky?) post introducing an article on defense tech

got my attention, seemed immediately inexplicable, confounding, and perverse, perhaps vaguely related to the subject

had to use it www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...

Laleh Khalili · Collective Property, Private Control: Defence Tech

The United States was born in war and has waged a war of some sort in every year of its existence. Silicon Valley knows...

www.lrb.co.uk

James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 16h

the ideal is that no one should have weapons,

but that includes no private ownership of property, a weapon in itself

James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 16h

there are so many images

but clearly not enough images

this one is from PBS, published in June, 2024, a photo by Photo by Mohammed Salem/ Reuters www.pbs.org/newshour/wor...

Israel orders mass evacuation of Palestinians from Khan Younis

Monday’s order is a sign that Israeli troops could soon return to the southern city, the second-largest in Gaza.

www.pbs.org

James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 16h

the media screams of disarming Hamas

not of Israel disarming its genocide - of a people it drove from their homes into lands it now occupies

genocide is only the climax of monstrous policy

International Law of occupation requires the basic needs of a population be met

genocide is novel

Reposted by James Wagner

Claas Gefroi @claasgefroi.bsky.social · 1d

Worüber ihr kein Wort von Merz, Spahn, Söder hören werdet: Ein Gutachten zum Weihnachtsmarkt-Anschlag in Magdeburg stuft diesen als rechtsextrem motiviert ein. Der Täter plante ihn jahrelang, kündigte ihn an und verortete sich selbst in einem rechtsextremen Netzwerk. #Stadtbild

Anschlag in Magdeburg: Gutachten stellt Ermittlungsergebnisse zu Amokfahrer infrage - WELT

Ein 40-seitiges Gutachten, das WELT exklusiv vorliegt, analysiert die Tat von Taleb al-Abdulmohsen und widerlegt die These vom wirren Einzelgänger. Der Psychiater plante seinen Anschlag jahrelang, kün...

www.welt.de

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James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 1d

one can hope

one must do more than hope

Reposted by James Wagner

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 1d

People across the country are fighting for their lives and also to protect their neighbors. They are doing so in the 100s of thousands every single day. You can choose to join the fight or you can pretend that "no one is doing anything."

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gregorg @greg.org · 1d

they not only didn't stop it, they were "able to support swift completion of this important work thanks to the generous philanthropy of our donors."

John Garrison Marks @johngmarks.com · 1d

I see that @whitehousehistory.bsky.social put out a statement yesterday stating that they were able to complete a “comprehensive digital scanning project” to document the East Wing, and that the historic artifacts have been preserved and stored.

Oct 22, 2025 Washington, D.C. —
Since 1961, the mission of the White House Historical Association has been to document and share the history of the White House while providing private, non-taxpayer funding to preserve and enhance the White House Collection of furnishings, fine art, and decorative objects, maintaining the museum standard set by our founder, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. While the Association has never had a role in reviewing or approving changes to the physical structure of the White House building, we remain dedicated to advancing the public’s understanding of The White House and its history — from when the cornerstone was set in 1792, to present — ensuring that all of its stories are preserved and shared for generations to come.

Upon announcement of the Ballroom construction project by the White House, the White House Historical Association supported the preservation of East Wing history through a comprehensive digital scanning project and photography to create an historic record. The East Wing and gardens have been captured in detail for the benefit of our nation and historic artifacts from the East Wing have been preserved and stored. The White House Historical Association was able to support swift completion of this important work thanks to the generous philanthropy of our donors.
November 1 marks 225 years since John and Abigail Adams moved into a White House that has undergone scores of changes and many additions over 47 presidencies. Our important role will continue with the support of thousands of Americans who cherish the historic White House and the history of those who have lived and worked there for 225 years.

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Meredith Plays Horn @meredithmoo25.bsky.social · 1d

Happy about this agreement but let’s be clear: the “challenged industry” is Broadway shows making record profits while the people who make eight shows a week happen are struggling to keep up with the cost of living in NYC

But glad an agreement was reached and strike averted!

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 1d

Broadway has averted a strike that could have done serious damage to an already challenged industry. The tentative agreement, which still requires ratification by union members, comes five days after a similar agreement with actors and stage managers.

Broadway Averts Strike as Musicians Reach Deal With Producers

The tentative agreement, which still requires ratification by union members, comes five days after a similar agreement with actors and stage managers.

nyti.ms

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Reposted by James Wagner

Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 1d

Because President Botstein understands the job of a university president. Protective your students.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 1d

A Bard College student was kidnapped by ICE and Bard’s administration is advocating for his release and has created a website to assist the rest of the community in joining them.

That’s what academic leaders should be doing for their students right now. www.instagram.com/p/DQKSTDJkeF...

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

www.instagram.com

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Second Ave. Sagas @2avesag.as · 1d

He did not “seem to agree.” He fully agreed. And it wasn’t “apparent” Islamophobia. It was full-on Islamophobia.

Becky with the good scare 🎃👻💀🕸️ @rebeccaclewis.bsky.social · 1d

Andrew Cuomo had a good debate night. Then he went on Sid Rosenberg's radio show and seemed to agree that Zohran Mamdani would cheer another 9/11 www.cityandstateny.com/politics/202...

Cuomo under fire after apparent Islamophic comment

The former governor appeared to agree that Zohran Mamdani would cheer “another 9/11,” but insisted that wasn’t what he meant

www.cityandstateny.com

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Reposted by James Wagner

Emissary Of Night | ليلى @diplomatofnight.com · 1d

I have more or less accepted that Islamophobia will just become more, not less common among liberals and left wingers as more Muslims get elected lol

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Morgan J Freeman @mjfree.bsky.social · 1d

🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: The ENTIRE White House East Wing has been demolished (despite Trump PROMISING it would not be touched) as the 34x convicted felon moves forward with $300M+ personal ballroom

White House East Wing demolished as Trump moves forward with ballroom construction, AP photos show

Associated Press photos show the entire White House East Wing has been demolished as President Donald Trump moves forward with a ballroom construction.

apnews.com

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Reposted by James Wagner

Morgan J Freeman @mjfree.bsky.social · May 21

🚨🚨🚨 I'm going to post this video every day so we never forget what the 34x convicted felon & adjudicated rapist Trump did. 🚨🚨🚨

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James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 1d

“The residence was designed by the Irish-born architect James Hoban in the Neoclassical style. … Constructed between 1792 and 1800, its exterior walls are Aquia Creek sandstone painted white.”
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_H...

not

James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 1d

I know from Canada

if Trump thinks he can cajole our friendly neighbor to the north with imbecilic rants and threats, he’s mistaken

the noble nation is far smarter than any given Ivy League university or almost every Democratic politician

James Wagner @jamesarthurwagner.bsky.social · 1d

awaiting the inventiveness of the New York Times’ inevitable “both sides” take on Trump’s newest foreign policy statement

tgage @tgagemurphy.bsky.social · 1d

Trump talking about killing people: