David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
@davidaconrad.bsky.social
Author of AKIRA KUROSAWA AND MODERN JAPAN (2022)
Essayist for RAN 40th anniversary Blu-ray (2025)
New book on postwar Asia in progress
Part-time stay-at-home dad, adjunct, historian, old movie fan
Essayist for RAN 40th anniversary Blu-ray (2025)
New book on postwar Asia in progress
Part-time stay-at-home dad, adjunct, historian, old movie fan
It will be important to have an American museum of the detained, once we abolish these prisons and prohibit these incarcerations.
It is. The Jewish Musuem in Prague has a collection of children's drawings from the Terezin ghetto. It was the worst thing I've seen in my life.
“Collection of Handwritten Letters from Children in Detention Center” sounds like an exhibit in the Holocaust Museum.
February 10, 2026 at 12:45 AM
It will be important to have an American museum of the detained, once we abolish these prisons and prohibit these incarcerations.
Practically cackling at the reveal at the end of Part One of this book. Brilliant stuff. I'm nearing the end of a big Clarke binge and this is a peak moment.
February 8, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Practically cackling at the reveal at the end of Part One of this book. Brilliant stuff. I'm nearing the end of a big Clarke binge and this is a peak moment.
Two hundred... and eighty days... of this.
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Exclusive: Detention Center Captives Are Throwing Lotion Bottles Wrapped With Notes to Organizers Outside Otay Mesa Facility ~ L.A. TACO
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh," an Otay Mesa captive communicated through handwritten note. "We are all in one big room with no doors...
lataco.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Two hundred... and eighty days... of this.
I know it's nothing new - it's old as the humanity - for one segment of the population to disregard the suffering of another part of humanity, including that part's children. But I can't not keep sharing these stories.
Maria is one of hundreds of children, who — like Liam Ramos — have been held at a Texas detention facility where parents say children languish as they’re served contaminated food, receive little education and struggle to obtain basic medical care.
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Children trapped in Texas immigration facility recount nightmares, inedible food, no school
A photo of Liam Conejo Ramos, a scared 5-year-old, drew attention to a detention center in Dilley, Texas. Advocates say his experience reflects what hundreds of children have endured out of public vie...
www.nbcnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:04 PM
I know it's nothing new - it's old as the humanity - for one segment of the population to disregard the suffering of another part of humanity, including that part's children. But I can't not keep sharing these stories.
For the Talarico crowd... There was a really nasty, ill-judged TV ad just now, during the Olympics broadcast, that tacitly supported him (without using his name) by alleging that Republicans want Crockett to win because "if she wins, they win." Nasty and wrong. Did Talarico approve that ad?
February 7, 2026 at 3:47 AM
For the Talarico crowd... There was a really nasty, ill-judged TV ad just now, during the Olympics broadcast, that tacitly supported him (without using his name) by alleging that Republicans want Crockett to win because "if she wins, they win." Nasty and wrong. Did Talarico approve that ad?
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
“Every single woman had been in the facility about three weeks and had been living in the same articles of clothing for three weeks…Their clothes had not been washed. They had not been offered fresh underwear or fresh clothing. Some of them were literally still in their snow boots from Minnesota."
"Things are not getting better. They are getting worse"
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, made another oversight visit at Camp East Montana last week. During her visit she met with women detained in Minnesota, detailing how many were still in their snow boots.
My story for the El Paso Times
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, made another oversight visit at Camp East Montana last week. During her visit she met with women detained in Minnesota, detailing how many were still in their snow boots.
My story for the El Paso Times
'Things are not getting better': US Rep. Escobar raises red flags over ICE center
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar raised new concerns over conditions in Camp East Montana after a visit, citing detainees not given time to speak with lawyers.
www.elpasotimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:45 PM
“Every single woman had been in the facility about three weeks and had been living in the same articles of clothing for three weeks…Their clothes had not been washed. They had not been offered fresh underwear or fresh clothing. Some of them were literally still in their snow boots from Minnesota."
Me coded characters.
February 6, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Me coded characters.
Wouldn't it be better for you if voters DIDN'T know that you were the Shamwow Guy? To not remember what the Shamwow Guy was arrested for, for example?
February 5, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Wouldn't it be better for you if voters DIDN'T know that you were the Shamwow Guy? To not remember what the Shamwow Guy was arrested for, for example?
I'm a habitual-relapse Trekkie. Every decade-ish I do TOS, TNG, DS9. Last night I watched "Where No Man Has Gone Before" for the first time in life ages, and it's so good. Kirk and Spock down pat from the jump, Sulu slays as a mathematician, it's got TMP and TWOK's thematic concerns... insta classic
February 5, 2026 at 3:24 AM
I'm a habitual-relapse Trekkie. Every decade-ish I do TOS, TNG, DS9. Last night I watched "Where No Man Has Gone Before" for the first time in life ages, and it's so good. Kirk and Spock down pat from the jump, Sulu slays as a mathematician, it's got TMP and TWOK's thematic concerns... insta classic
I think there's a lot of validity to this theory. But also, they're not great critical thinkers - that's not a skill they developed. So they're not simply learning, they're going down blind alleys and following dead-end theories essentially at random, or with a bias toward the dark and regressive.
one of my strongest beliefs is that we're in our situation right now bc some of the most prominent talking heads (e.g. joe rogan, andrew schulz) are learning about politics in their 40s and 50s, instead of their teens and early 20s, and we have to go along for the ride as they learn basic things
February 5, 2026 at 1:39 AM
I think there's a lot of validity to this theory. But also, they're not great critical thinkers - that's not a skill they developed. So they're not simply learning, they're going down blind alleys and following dead-end theories essentially at random, or with a bias toward the dark and regressive.
The Big Sky (1952)
Giant (1956; I'm counting it)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Devil's Doorway (1950)
The Great Silence (1968)
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948; counting it)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976)
Hud (1963; counting it)
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
and, of course, High Noon (1952)
Giant (1956; I'm counting it)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Devil's Doorway (1950)
The Great Silence (1968)
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948; counting it)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976)
Hud (1963; counting it)
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
and, of course, High Noon (1952)
The Wild Bunch
The Culpepper Cattle Company
The Outlaw Josey Wales
The Cowboys
The Searchers
Man of the West
The Baron of Arizona
Way Out West
A Man Called Host
Red Sun
The Culpepper Cattle Company
The Outlaw Josey Wales
The Cowboys
The Searchers
Man of the West
The Baron of Arizona
Way Out West
A Man Called Host
Red Sun
Unforgiven
Tombstone
Open Range
Rio Bravo
True Grit -Coens
Outlaw Josey Wales
Dances with Wolves
Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Hell or High Water
High Plains Drifter
Tombstone
Open Range
Rio Bravo
True Grit -Coens
Outlaw Josey Wales
Dances with Wolves
Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Hell or High Water
High Plains Drifter
February 4, 2026 at 9:59 PM
The Big Sky (1952)
Giant (1956; I'm counting it)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Devil's Doorway (1950)
The Great Silence (1968)
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948; counting it)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976)
Hud (1963; counting it)
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
and, of course, High Noon (1952)
Giant (1956; I'm counting it)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Devil's Doorway (1950)
The Great Silence (1968)
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948; counting it)
Buffalo Bill and the Indians (1976)
Hud (1963; counting it)
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
and, of course, High Noon (1952)
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
The longest ICE trip I tracked last year made nine stops and lasted more than 50 hours. Migrant passengers were shackled that whole time.
It left Mesa, AZ, at about 8pm local on Sept. 2. Flew to Baltimore for fuel/crew swap, then crossed the Atlantic to Romania for another fuel stop…
It left Mesa, AZ, at about 8pm local on Sept. 2. Flew to Baltimore for fuel/crew swap, then crossed the Atlantic to Romania for another fuel stop…
February 1, 2026 at 11:12 AM
The longest ICE trip I tracked last year made nine stops and lasted more than 50 hours. Migrant passengers were shackled that whole time.
It left Mesa, AZ, at about 8pm local on Sept. 2. Flew to Baltimore for fuel/crew swap, then crossed the Atlantic to Romania for another fuel stop…
It left Mesa, AZ, at about 8pm local on Sept. 2. Flew to Baltimore for fuel/crew swap, then crossed the Atlantic to Romania for another fuel stop…
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
Thank you to everyone who demanded freedom for Liam. We won’t stop until all children and families are home.
February 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Thank you to everyone who demanded freedom for Liam. We won’t stop until all children and families are home.
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
Liam Conejo Ramos is not alone. (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/o...
Opinion | Liam Ramos Is Just One of Hundreds of Children at This Detention Center. Release Them All.
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Liam Conejo Ramos is not alone. (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/o...
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
As promised, here is more on Omni's ICE flights, including: how to help Melissa Tran and the other recently deported people in my Mother Jones story, and which blue state public funds are invested with Omni's private equity owner, Stonepeak.
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/more-on-omni...
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/more-on-omni...
January 30, 2026 at 9:53 PM
As promised, here is more on Omni's ICE flights, including: how to help Melissa Tran and the other recently deported people in my Mother Jones story, and which blue state public funds are invested with Omni's private equity owner, Stonepeak.
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/more-on-omni...
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/more-on-omni...
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
For years, Omni Air International has been ICE's only large-jet charter for Africa and Asia deportations -- usually a handful of trips a year.
Last April, Omni's parent company was purchase by Stonepeak, and since then, ICE trips have skyrocketed.
Last April, Omni's parent company was purchase by Stonepeak, and since then, ICE trips have skyrocketed.
January 30, 2026 at 12:52 PM
For years, Omni Air International has been ICE's only large-jet charter for Africa and Asia deportations -- usually a handful of trips a year.
Last April, Omni's parent company was purchase by Stonepeak, and since then, ICE trips have skyrocketed.
Last April, Omni's parent company was purchase by Stonepeak, and since then, ICE trips have skyrocketed.
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
“Unfortunately, Liam’s health is not doing great right now,” Zena Stenvik, the superintendent for Ramos’ Columbia Heights public school district, said today.
“He’s been ill. I’ve been told he has a fever. So I’m very, very concerned about his well-being in that facility.”
“He’s been ill. I’ve been told he has a fever. So I’m very, very concerned about his well-being in that facility.”
January 28, 2026 at 10:15 PM
“Unfortunately, Liam’s health is not doing great right now,” Zena Stenvik, the superintendent for Ramos’ Columbia Heights public school district, said today.
“He’s been ill. I’ve been told he has a fever. So I’m very, very concerned about his well-being in that facility.”
“He’s been ill. I’ve been told he has a fever. So I’m very, very concerned about his well-being in that facility.”
Share this until the Democrats change "reform" to "abolish."
“Liam is getting sick because the food they receive is not of good quality ... He has stomach pain, he’s vomiting, he has a fever and he no longer wants to eat.”
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
5-Year-Old in ICE Detention Is Sick, Says Top School Official
The 5-year-old who was taken by federal agents in Minneapolis is being held behind bars with his father in Texas.
www.huffpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Share this until the Democrats change "reform" to "abolish."
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
“Liam is getting sick because the food they receive is not of good quality ... He has stomach pain, he’s vomiting, he has a fever and he no longer wants to eat.”
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
5-Year-Old in ICE Detention Is Sick, Says Top School Official
The 5-year-old who was taken by federal agents in Minneapolis is being held behind bars with his father in Texas.
www.huffpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:55 PM
“Liam is getting sick because the food they receive is not of good quality ... He has stomach pain, he’s vomiting, he has a fever and he no longer wants to eat.”
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
Body cameras on ICE/CBP agents are not going to fix this.
I'm one of those people, critics sometimes call us unscientific, who believes than nuclear power is fundamentally unsafe and that meltdowns and leaks and waste mismanagement are matters of inevitability. Now reactors are even more unsafe. www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
January 28, 2026 at 1:34 PM
I'm one of those people, critics sometimes call us unscientific, who believes than nuclear power is fundamentally unsafe and that meltdowns and leaks and waste mismanagement are matters of inevitability. Now reactors are even more unsafe. www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...
Do not forget about Liam Conejo Ramos. When Frey and Walz talk to Trump, are they saying his name?
January 27, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Do not forget about Liam Conejo Ramos. When Frey and Walz talk to Trump, are they saying his name?
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
More posts than I have followers? A profile pic AND a banner image? Someone is BANKROLLING this Bsky account!
January 26, 2026 at 2:16 AM
More posts than I have followers? A profile pic AND a banner image? Someone is BANKROLLING this Bsky account!
Reposted by David A. Conrad, Ph.D.
I look forward to the establishment of a Wiesenthal Center-like organization dedicated to identifying and hunting former DHS agents so that they may be held accountable.
January 24, 2026 at 3:54 AM
I look forward to the establishment of a Wiesenthal Center-like organization dedicated to identifying and hunting former DHS agents so that they may be held accountable.
One of the most annoying AI tells in student answers is that AI "humanizers" convert "desire" to "want." Since those words are the same when they're verbs, but different when they're nouns which is how desire is almost always used, this "humanized" change makes the writing weird and stilted.
January 23, 2026 at 9:46 PM
One of the most annoying AI tells in student answers is that AI "humanizers" convert "desire" to "want." Since those words are the same when they're verbs, but different when they're nouns which is how desire is almost always used, this "humanized" change makes the writing weird and stilted.