Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brendan Davey

@brendandavey.bsky.social

610 followers 290 following 3.8K posts

Recovering Alcohipster | CUNY-CCNY employee | @psc-cuny.org delegate | History (MA) | Militant Cyclist Public History Blog: https://halfbakedhistory.substack.com/

halfbakedhistory.substack.com

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · Aug 19

No One Ever Tells Nazi Punks to **** Off.

An obvious problem today, it was also a problem in the self-proclaimed "anti-Nazi" German Democratic Republic. Unsurprisingly, we keep committing the same mistakes today that they did.

So I decided to begin highlighting this connection:

🗃️

No One Ever Tells Nazi Punks to Fuck Off: Part I

East Germany's Crusade on Inclusive Punks & Nazism’s Global Resurgence

open.substack.com

2 6 31

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 7h

Many historical actors did terrible things due to their being a "product of their time." Even then, we should only celebrate their achievements while acknowledging those nuances.

But Columbus was just an all-around POS. Those people don't deserve any special recognition.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 7h

It's worth pointing out that Christopher Columbus left from Spain, at a time when the Spanish were conducting a systematic forced conversion (but more of an extermination) of Sephardic Jews, and yet he was seen as uniquely sadistic.

1 1

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 9h

Nah, FUCK Woody Allen. I've hated this POS since I was old enough to talk. 👇

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 22d

Always remember that sick, twisted people find camaraderie in their shared love for hurting others.

Woody Allen's actions, in particular, deeply disgust me.

Story time 🧵/

I grew up in New Milford, Connecticut. Mia Farrow, Woody Allen, and their children were seen around a lot when I was young.

Woody Allen has endorsed @andrewcuomo

Quote from Woody Allen in documentary: "Yes, I'm going to vote. I'm going to vote for Cuomo."

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 9h

As such, having witnessed this get worse and worse, I cannot imagine how depressing this situation is at schools across the country with less of a support network. The future of higher ed now looks bleak, and many cowardly people allowed this to happen.

Hopefully, we can build it back.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 9h

Currently, CUNY is only using the dubious excuse of "we can't reappoint you as an adjunct next semester because of... well we can't."

But we know why. It seems like it is only a matter of time before they start on the tenured faculty, and this is at university with some of the strongest protections

1 1 10

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 9h

An incredible, tenured professor I had, and now work with, but who is also uniquely vulnerable amidst current issues, has expressed how stressful that fear is, on top of everything else they have to deal with. But they also can't go to anyone to even have them acknowledge it.

1 2 11

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 9h

Point being that almost no one is safe, and at the specific college I work at, there are students who have enrolled in classes with what seems like the sole goal of capturing professors saying something controversial, like you pointed out.

1 4 21

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 9h

Thank you for writing all of this out. I work at a university that, luckily, has a lot of protections for professors because they are in an enormous union. However, even they are vulnerable to this BS now. Especially the Lecturers, and adjuncts who don't receive all of the protections.

Example:

Resisting Retaliatory Firings and Discipline at Brooklyn College - PSC CUNY

psc-cuny.org

1 4 19

Reposted by Brendan Davey

Lauren MacIvor Thompson @lmacthompson1.bsky.social · 10h

I am writing this because it has swiftly become crystal clear to me that many people have no idea what is happening or how this works. Here is a thread for non-academics to put into context what just happened to Dr. Mark Bray, a fellow historian.

13 520 1.1K

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 10h

Oh of course. Faster, better trains, especially in the neighborhoods that only have inconsistent buses is the future I actually want.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 10h

Man, wait until Cuomo finds out how many insanely rich pieces of shit take advantage of free parking.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 11h

I think there are much better, pragmatic solutions to our transit woes than free buses, but I think making them free will actually make them faster, and even though I only take one occasionally it does always seem like the people who need accessible transit the most are the ones using it.

1 4

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 11h

Amazing. Keep the pressure on. I’m so disappointed in her flippancy about this.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 15h

I love this. It makes sense that it’s so effective too, given one of the core tenets of Fascists is that everything they say is super serious and totally real even when it sounds make believe - they literally cannot take a joke.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 15h

Yeah, but without the remake you wouldn’t have had the most nonsensical Kingdom Hearts 2 level (which is saying a lot) about helping Tron find his heart to destroy MCP.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 16h

The dude sang songs about running cocaine and shooting multiple people live IN one of the most notorious prisons in the country while hundreds of prisoners hooted and hollered at his audacity.

Dylan could never.

Educate yourself Jon Fasman.

The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 1d

Compared to Dylan and Springsteen, country-music legend Johnny Cash can seem deeply uncool. It took time for me to appreciate his profound, plainspoken strength, writes Jon Fasman.

Essay | Can We Finally Give Johnny Cash His Due?

Compared to Dylan and Springsteen, the country-music legend can seem deeply uncool. It took time for me to appreciate his profound, plainspoken strength.

on.wsj.com

1 1 6

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 16h

Right?! The dude sang a song about running cocaine and shooting sheriffs IN one of the most notorious prisons while hundreds of prisoners hooted and hollered at his audacity.

Dylan could never.

And yes, 80% of his catalogue is also “it paid the bills” terrible cheese. But it doesn’t matter.

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

I used to distance myself from some of the local DSA stuff too. I am still not a member, but they've worked their asses of so much to try and make things better in my city that I don't find it useful to "well actually" them much at all anymore.

1 1

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

*Clarification - This location was not unionized.

But, it is still one of 34 locations where New York baristas lost their jobs just over a week ago. So, we can say with some certainty that Cuomo, and/or his campaign, was oblivious to that.

Here are all 34 Starbucks locations that are closing in NYC—is your coffee shop on the list?

Check out the full list of locations set to close

www.timeout.com

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

Or, maybe he'll lose a city council race next, since that seems to be the preordained path for disgraced NYC Democratic sex offenders who couldn't redeem their political careers by becoming mayor. But, dunking on him as he falls even further down the political hierarchy might feel even sweeter.

/🧵

Harvey Epstein wins NYC Council primary, defeating Anthony Weiner's comeback bid

State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein has won the Democratic primary for a New York City Council seat in lower Manhattan. Epstein’s victory Tuesday spoiled former U.S.

apnews.com

1 3

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

However, we can almost let it go. Because, in 26 days, there is a very real chance that the guy who pickets WITH us will be mayor, and the disgraced former governor who has never given a damn about anyone except himself will finally be gone from NYC politics forever.

4/

Starbucks Workers United @sbworkersunited.org · 9d

Starbucks workers shouldn't be living paycheck to paycheck when CEO Brian Niccol has the highest CEO-to-worker pay gap in the country. It would take only A SINGLE DAY’S sales to finalize fair union contracts. JUST ONE DAY.

Thank you for rallying with us today, @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social ! ✊🔥

1 1 12

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

Hint, it's probably the guy who spoke on behalf of the baristas just looking to get by last week, instead of the one who claimed he would be "visible" at the one that closed, likely because of said unionization, almost two weeks ago, and whose campaign didn't decide to check.

3/

Starbucks Is Closing Two Stores in Harlem by the End of This Week

The two locations only have hours posted through this Saturday.

www.thecuriousuptowner.com

2 2 6

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

NYC's Democrat voters already showed that we know who will better represent the unions, the working-class, and all struggling New Yorkers, but this consistent estrangement from Cuomo and his campaign still surprises me even after he's consistently proven he has no idea how the rest of us live. 2/

1 1 11

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

Last week, @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social joined Starbucks workers that had unionized and are fighting hard for a fair contract.

Meanwhile, Cuomo, claiming that he is finally becoming more "visible," didn't even show up today to the boarded up Starbucks in Harlem his campaign said he would be at 1/

"Wednesday Visibility in Harlem" Announcement claiming Cuomo's campaign would be present "outside the Starbucks at 284 St. Nicholas Avenue."

1 7 34

Brendan Davey @brendandavey.bsky.social · 2d

I think the most annoying problem in NYC is that the actual dangers of "E-bikes," which are hardly bikes at all, are mostly enforced by fucking up Citi bikes more to the point that they're less desirable. Although, as a veteran NYC cyclist, it is hard to ever go 15+mph and not be risking your life.