Ben Kyber
@bpkybe.bsky.social
Trial and Appellate Lawyer in Richmond, VA. Girl dad. Teacher's husband. Music obsessive and vinyl collector. HMFC, Chargers, Padres, and Richmond Spiders fan. Beer, wine, and whiskey enjoyer. State of global democracy worrier.
IG: for.the.record_rva
IG: for.the.record_rva
Reposted by Ben Kyber
With the exception of Tankie types, no one on the left is mourning the downfall of Maduro.
They’re angry about the recklessness, the risk taking, the legal issues, the occupation, and the inevitable corruption.
They’re angry about the recklessness, the risk taking, the legal issues, the occupation, and the inevitable corruption.
January 3, 2026 at 8:26 PM
With the exception of Tankie types, no one on the left is mourning the downfall of Maduro.
They’re angry about the recklessness, the risk taking, the legal issues, the occupation, and the inevitable corruption.
They’re angry about the recklessness, the risk taking, the legal issues, the occupation, and the inevitable corruption.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
The story was always already about an impoverished unmarried couple facing a pitiless bureaucracy, having a baby in a barn, and then having to hide from a tyrant. The baby grew up to say that the poor were blessed and the neighbor is he who shows mercy. You can’t hide from the politics of all that.
This year, statues of tall men clad in all black with masks drawn up to hide their faces are disrupting the serenity of a Charlotte church's Nativity scene.
The figures are depicted approaching the Holy Family and the Wise Men with handcuffs as if preparing to make an arrest.
The figures are depicted approaching the Holy Family and the Wise Men with handcuffs as if preparing to make an arrest.
As anti-ICE Nativity scenes spark outrage, faith leaders grapple with politics at the pulpit | CNN
As Nativity scenes depicting ICE draw attention and outrage, faith leaders are grappling with politics in religion and urging a closer reading of the Christmas story.
www.cnn.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
The story was always already about an impoverished unmarried couple facing a pitiless bureaucracy, having a baby in a barn, and then having to hide from a tyrant. The baby grew up to say that the poor were blessed and the neighbor is he who shows mercy. You can’t hide from the politics of all that.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Nothing will happen to any of the prominent people who continued to fraternize with Jeffrey Epstein after he was convicted of sex trafficking. Here’s why cancel culture has gone too far.
November 15, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Nothing will happen to any of the prominent people who continued to fraternize with Jeffrey Epstein after he was convicted of sex trafficking. Here’s why cancel culture has gone too far.
Both politically inexplicable and morally vacuous. How could he misread the moment so badly? It's mind boggling.
My statement on the funding deal to reopen government, protect federal employees, and vote to protect health care:
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Both politically inexplicable and morally vacuous. How could he misread the moment so badly? It's mind boggling.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
AOC: We have a future to fight for, and we're either going to do that together or you're going to be left behind. It's not about Progressive. It's not moderate, it's not liberal. This is about do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now? And the assignment is you come together…
November 5, 2025 at 3:24 AM
AOC: We have a future to fight for, and we're either going to do that together or you're going to be left behind. It's not about Progressive. It's not moderate, it's not liberal. This is about do you understand the assignment of fighting fascism right now? And the assignment is you come together…
Growing up in Chesterfield County, Virginia in the 90s and early 00s and seeing a Democratic candidate for ANYTHING winning there by 17+% is truly surreal. It's hard not to feel vindicated.
November 5, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Growing up in Chesterfield County, Virginia in the 90s and early 00s and seeing a Democratic candidate for ANYTHING winning there by 17+% is truly surreal. It's hard not to feel vindicated.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
idk i read in the free press that the real risk to free speech is three oberlin undergraduates who say geometry is ableist. this is pretty confusing to me.
September 18, 2025 at 3:18 AM
idk i read in the free press that the real risk to free speech is three oberlin undergraduates who say geometry is ableist. this is pretty confusing to me.
It takes a lot to shock me these days. This did it though. My God...
Brian Kilmeade endorses euthanizing homeless people: "Involuntary lethal injection, or something. Just kill them."
September 13, 2025 at 3:27 PM
It takes a lot to shock me these days. This did it though. My God...
Reposted by Ben Kyber
This guy couldn’t be bothered to say a single word when one of his political allies assassinated the Speaker of the Minnesota House.
"My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials, and everyone else who brings order to our country."
September 11, 2025 at 1:37 AM
This guy couldn’t be bothered to say a single word when one of his political allies assassinated the Speaker of the Minnesota House.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
I don't remember seeing any calls for violent retribution after a Minnesota state senator was assassinated, and it would have been nice not to see any today.
September 10, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I don't remember seeing any calls for violent retribution after a Minnesota state senator was assassinated, and it would have been nice not to see any today.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Acts of political violence aren’t acceptable. Non-political school shootings aren’t acceptable. Sacking the legislature isn’t acceptable. Military occupation of peaceful American cities isn’t acceptable. Abductions conducted in courthouse hallways by masked agents of the state aren’t acceptable.
September 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Acts of political violence aren’t acceptable. Non-political school shootings aren’t acceptable. Sacking the legislature isn’t acceptable. Military occupation of peaceful American cities isn’t acceptable. Abductions conducted in courthouse hallways by masked agents of the state aren’t acceptable.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
This is really important to understand. Some of the people “bending the knee to Trump” are in fact doing what they feel they must to protect people and institutions they love from the vast (and increasingly unreviewable) power of the President of the United States.
Ryan’s statement makes clear that the fed government had threatened to withhold unrelated university funding & student visas in order to coerce his resignation
All individual university leaders now have targets on their backs
All individual university leaders now have targets on their backs
June 28, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This is really important to understand. Some of the people “bending the knee to Trump” are in fact doing what they feel they must to protect people and institutions they love from the vast (and increasingly unreviewable) power of the President of the United States.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Seeing some more centrist folks imply that it was solely the focus on affordability that won the race for Mamdani. Absolutely bread and butter issues are key. But it was also his moral clarity.
Economics and ethics. Prices and principles. Freeze the rent AND free Palestine.
Economics and ethics. Prices and principles. Freeze the rent AND free Palestine.
June 25, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Seeing some more centrist folks imply that it was solely the focus on affordability that won the race for Mamdani. Absolutely bread and butter issues are key. But it was also his moral clarity.
Economics and ethics. Prices and principles. Freeze the rent AND free Palestine.
Economics and ethics. Prices and principles. Freeze the rent AND free Palestine.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Dear Dems: this is what we want. This is who we want. Listen to us.
Breaking news: Former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo has conceded to progressive rival Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary for New York City’s next mayor www.ft.com/content/e4b8...
June 25, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Dear Dems: this is what we want. This is who we want. Listen to us.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Mamdani: Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, it almost seems impossible until it is done. My friends, we have done it. I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.
June 25, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Mamdani: Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, it almost seems impossible until it is done. My friends, we have done it. I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.
This is correct.
re: NYC mayor race and this larger moment for Democrats nationally — the throughline division isn’t about ideology. It’s rooted in the party establishment discrediting itself with its base, and voters yearning for something fresh/different. From April:
The new dividing line in the Democratic Party isn’t liberal vs moderate, or old vs young. It’s active vs passive. Dem politicians who are doing something to break through in this moment are rising; Dems seen as punching in & out and content to do the bare minimum are vulnerable.
June 25, 2025 at 3:19 AM
This is correct.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Underrated in politics:
1. Saying stuff you actually believe whether or not it is the stuff that polls best
2. Not counting on billionaires to buy you a victory with TV ads
3. Spending time campaigning
1. Saying stuff you actually believe whether or not it is the stuff that polls best
2. Not counting on billionaires to buy you a victory with TV ads
3. Spending time campaigning
June 25, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Underrated in politics:
1. Saying stuff you actually believe whether or not it is the stuff that polls best
2. Not counting on billionaires to buy you a victory with TV ads
3. Spending time campaigning
1. Saying stuff you actually believe whether or not it is the stuff that polls best
2. Not counting on billionaires to buy you a victory with TV ads
3. Spending time campaigning
Reposted by Ben Kyber
My hot take about Zohran is that people want authentic candidates who seem like they give a shit about improving their lives. Ideology aside, people are willing to take risks—they just want somebody they think is going to fight for them in a world where very few are. That's why he's winning.
June 25, 2025 at 2:03 AM
My hot take about Zohran is that people want authentic candidates who seem like they give a shit about improving their lives. Ideology aside, people are willing to take risks—they just want somebody they think is going to fight for them in a world where very few are. That's why he's winning.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
what’s funny is that if pro-cuomo centrist democrats were less myopic they might see that mamdani was running the kind of campaign that could help rebuild the party brand — accessible with an outsider persona and a focus on “kitchen table” issues.
June 25, 2025 at 1:34 AM
what’s funny is that if pro-cuomo centrist democrats were less myopic they might see that mamdani was running the kind of campaign that could help rebuild the party brand — accessible with an outsider persona and a focus on “kitchen table” issues.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Reposted by Ben Kyber
They’re going to try to make you feel insane for opposing this war. They’ll ignore protests and downplay any opposition. They’ll try to strongarm you into submission.
They did it with Iraq and they’ll do it again.
And then a few years later they’ll pretend they were with you all along.
They did it with Iraq and they’ll do it again.
And then a few years later they’ll pretend they were with you all along.
June 22, 2025 at 4:28 AM
They’re going to try to make you feel insane for opposing this war. They’ll ignore protests and downplay any opposition. They’ll try to strongarm you into submission.
They did it with Iraq and they’ll do it again.
And then a few years later they’ll pretend they were with you all along.
They did it with Iraq and they’ll do it again.
And then a few years later they’ll pretend they were with you all along.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Netanyahu has spent the better part of two decades trying to strong arm the United States into an unprovoked war against Iran and finally found a president stupid enough to do it for him. Unbelievable.
June 22, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Netanyahu has spent the better part of two decades trying to strong arm the United States into an unprovoked war against Iran and finally found a president stupid enough to do it for him. Unbelievable.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
at least he didn't do something truly reckless like try to forgive student loans
June 22, 2025 at 12:19 AM
at least he didn't do something truly reckless like try to forgive student loans
Reposted by Ben Kyber
Thousands sing "This Land is Your Land" during a 'No Kings' protest in Napa, CA.
June 14, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Thousands sing "This Land is Your Land" during a 'No Kings' protest in Napa, CA.
Reposted by Ben Kyber
It is 100% carrying water for the opposition to participate in this collective delusion that Dems for some reason need to answer for every teen who throws a rock rather than hold the Trump admin accountable for intentionally creating chaos and breaking the law to stoke violence.
They are in charge.
They are in charge.
June 11, 2025 at 12:44 AM
It is 100% carrying water for the opposition to participate in this collective delusion that Dems for some reason need to answer for every teen who throws a rock rather than hold the Trump admin accountable for intentionally creating chaos and breaking the law to stoke violence.
They are in charge.
They are in charge.