James Sims
@simsjames.bsky.social
2.6K followers 1.9K following 1.4K posts
Associate Vice President for Communications, Wesleyan University | Prior: Center Theatre Group, Lincoln Center, AMNH | Columbia Journalism Alum | Air Force Veteran 🇺🇸✈️ | Arts & Theatre Geek 🎭 Film/TV, Media, HigherEd & Democracy ✡️
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simsjames.bsky.social
This is what Donald Trump and MAGA have gleefully brought upon our nation. Inhumane cruelty to mothers, children, and decent human beings working hard for a better life.
thebulwark.com
"She said to me after that - Samantha, 21 years old - all my life I've prepared for this moment. All my life, my mom, 53 years old, who was just going to get meat for a stew, has told me one day this could come."

@jacobsoboroff.bsky.social talks ICE with @timmiller.bsky.social on The Bulwark Pod
simsjames.bsky.social
“The then twenty-two-year-old Diane Keaton, in addition to having a little solo in ‘Black Boys,’ was one of the few [‘Hair’] cast members who didn’t shed her clothes in the end. She didn’t see the point.” @newyorker.com
“Hair” Turns Fifty
To commemorate the milestone, La MaMa is hosting a one-night-only celebration on Jan. 21, featuring actors including André De Shields and Keith Carradine.
www.newyorker.com
simsjames.bsky.social
Not only one of the legends of film, Diane Keaton also had a turn in the original run of “Hair” on Broadway. And that nudity gave her agita.
simsjames.bsky.social
Diane Keaton. Simply the best. What a loss… may her memory be a blessing.
Reposted by James Sims
acarv.in
"Hedge fund Alden Global Capital gobbles up newspapers across America and guts them. No one knows why, until journalist Julie Reynolds investigates. Her findings trigger journalist rebellions at Alden-owned newspapers nationwide."

Full documentary streaming at @pbs.org.
Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink
A handful of journalists rebel against a hedge fund that is gutting newspapers nationwide.
www.pbs.org
simsjames.bsky.social
“The Declaration of Independence opened the world to democratic possibility…yet also marked the narrowing of political possibilities within the nascent US. The very document that proclaimed a new kind of liberty also stifled other forms of governance, particularly those practiced by Native nations.”
How Native Nations Shaped the Revolution
The Founders were inspired—and threatened—by the independence and self-governance of nations like the Iroquois Confederacy.
www.theatlantic.com
simsjames.bsky.social
As an Angeleno turned east coaster myself, I’m excited to have Dudamel plant his own roots in NYC after a glorious tenure at the LA Phil. And his start sounds promising and timely. “The orchestra is embracing pluralism and diversity in the face of a right-wing Kulturkampf.” @newyorker.com #music
A Season of Rage at the Philharmonic and the Met
Gustavo Dudamel conducts John Corigliano’s blistering First Symphony, and Chuck Schumer faces a hostile crowd at the opening night of “Kavalier & Clay,” Alex Ross writes.
www.newyorker.com
simsjames.bsky.social
A Wesleyan University evening with “The Bill of Rights: Ten Amendments in Eight Motets“ set to music by John Spencer Camp Professor of Music Neely Bruce.
Reposted by James Sims
newseye.bsky.social
BREAKING: ICE agents just abducted a press camera operator in Chicago.

WGN-TV’s Debbie Brockman was dragged to the ground, cuffed and bundled into a van - which then rammed her vehicle to escape.

What the hell is happening in America?

(🎥 Original footage via Josh Thomas/FB)
simsjames.bsky.social
Ha! The White House has branded its latest attempt at extortion of universities as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
M.I.T. Rejects a White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by James Sims
patricefitzgerald.bsky.social
Celebrate the Constitution! We're singing Prof. Neely Bruce's powerful "Bill of Rights"--a musical setting of the first 10 Amendments.

Tonight, Friday, 10/10 @ 5 @ Wesleyan Univ., Middletown, CT. Jill Lepore reads the First Amendment!

Free, open to the public... a chance peaceably to assemble. 🇺🇸
simsjames.bsky.social
U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, a Wesleyan University alum, will preside over the case of James Comey. "His reputation for quiet observation and exacting legal knowledge will be thrust into the public spotlight during the most high-profile assignment of his career." @washingtonpost.com
Judge in Comey case is known for sparing but powerful remarks in court
U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, known for his stone-faced demeanor on the bench, will preside over the case against former FBI director James B. Comey.
www.washingtonpost.com
Reposted by James Sims
lollardfish.bsky.social
I really believe that huge majorities of Americans don’t want masked soldiers shooting priests in the street. They don’t want naked children ripped out out of their apartments in the middle of the night and handcuffed. We win by making sure these stories get told.
kevinmkruse.bsky.social
The same people who insisted devout Catholic Joe Biden was leading a “war on Christianity” are now cheering Trump on as his armed goons assault clergymen.
thetnholler.bsky.social
WATCH: Trump’s lawless Ice goons shoot an unarmed priest in the head with a pepper ball. Completely out of control.
simsjames.bsky.social
“Evening Standard dismissed it as a ‘glum opera’ more suited to Victorian times…Daily Mail lamented that Caird and Nunn had transformed the ‘tidal wave of emotions’ in Victor Hugo’s novel ‘into ripples of cheap sentiment’ … Today, Les Misérables…has run for over 15,500 performances in London.”
How ‘Les Mis’ Became So Successful
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by James Sims
mollyjongfast.bsky.social
I’m sorry but the fact that this is not everywhere is kind of malpractice
acyn.bsky.social
Trump on pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell: Haven't heard the name in so long. I’ll take a look at it. I’ll speak to the DOJ. A lot of people have asked me for pardons.

Reporter: But she’s convicted of sex trafficking

Trump: I’ll have to take a look at it.
Reposted by James Sims
murray.senate.gov
The President of the United States just opened the door to pardoning one of the most notorious child sex traffickers in history.

This should NOT even be under consideration.

What is he hiding? Release the Epstein files.
acyn.bsky.social
Trump on pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell: Haven't heard the name in so long. I’ll take a look at it. I’ll speak to the DOJ. A lot of people have asked me for pardons.

Reporter: But she’s convicted of sex trafficking

Trump: I’ll have to take a look at it.
Reposted by James Sims
alanrichardson.bsky.social
People voting in ways wholly unrelated to how they want government to act isn’t sustainable
simsjames.bsky.social
You voted for all of this, because Trump and his cronies said the quiet parts out loud long before he was re-elected…
rollingstone.com
“I voted for none of this."

Prominent influencers, including Theo Von, Joe Rogan, and Andrew Schulz, are starting to distance themselves from the president they helped propel to the White House.

Story: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by James Sims
brendannyhan.bsky.social
My new op-ed with @lkfazio.bsky.social:

Trump sent a 'compact' to our universities. They should reject this devil's bargain.
Any institution that yields to these broad and intrusive demands would forever be subservient to the whims of the government.
www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnb...
Reposted by James Sims
micahloewinger.bsky.social
I think Jamelle was a bit shocked when I started reading aloud his mean posts but he made his case for name-calling pretty well.

In this interview we also talk about Trump’s mental acuity, Hegseth’s authoritarian fantasies, learning from history, and regulating fear in politics and life.
simsjames.bsky.social
“All the scientific marvels on which modern society depends are the fruit of extreme dedication…fringe #science appearing in young men’s online social media feeds, however, requires none of that…it stands on proclamations based on profound ignorance and a disinterest.” @adamfrank4.bsky.social