Jacob Lesniewski
@jplesniewski.bsky.social
Area Director, Mennonite Central Committee, South America, Mexico and Cuba
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
The problem to be solved is the system. How do we make the system want to be as generous as our hearts are? How do we make the system stop denying that there is enough to go around? How do we make them stop lying? No, not the people asking for accommodation — the liars are the systems _denying_ it.
December 4, 2025 at 2:20 AM
The problem to be solved is the system. How do we make the system want to be as generous as our hearts are? How do we make the system stop denying that there is enough to go around? How do we make them stop lying? No, not the people asking for accommodation — the liars are the systems _denying_ it.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
The first person we meet on Past Lives is Nanaya'ila'i, an Elamite woman from southwestern Iran who was enslaved around 645 BC by the Assyrians in one of their last campaigns of conquest. What can we know about her life? How did she experience the sharp end of empire? www.patreon.com/posts/nanaya...
Nanaya-ila’i and Her Daughter (Assyria, 7th Century BC) | Past Lives
Get more from Past Lives on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:25 PM
The first person we meet on Past Lives is Nanaya'ila'i, an Elamite woman from southwestern Iran who was enslaved around 645 BC by the Assyrians in one of their last campaigns of conquest. What can we know about her life? How did she experience the sharp end of empire? www.patreon.com/posts/nanaya...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Today is the 45th anniversary of the rape, torture and murder of four American missionaries in El Salvador by members of the El Salvador National Guard, as well as the subsequent attempts by the government to cover up the story.
Watch the documentary Roses in December…the insanity continues
Watch the documentary Roses in December…the insanity continues
December 3, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Today is the 45th anniversary of the rape, torture and murder of four American missionaries in El Salvador by members of the El Salvador National Guard, as well as the subsequent attempts by the government to cover up the story.
Watch the documentary Roses in December…the insanity continues
Watch the documentary Roses in December…the insanity continues
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
If a man personally implicated in war crimes can remain atop the Pentagon, why would he stand by and risk his freedom should Vance (or Trump again) lose the 2028 election?
And unless Bradley sees the inside of a brig, the message to USSOCOM's chain of command is that no action is impermissible.
And unless Bradley sees the inside of a brig, the message to USSOCOM's chain of command is that no action is impermissible.
Pete Hegseth And Adm. Mitch Bradley Belong In Prison
The South American boat strikes are plainly murders. Now we have the names of the murderers. Do we have the political will to lock them up?
www.forever-wars.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:08 PM
If a man personally implicated in war crimes can remain atop the Pentagon, why would he stand by and risk his freedom should Vance (or Trump again) lose the 2028 election?
And unless Bradley sees the inside of a brig, the message to USSOCOM's chain of command is that no action is impermissible.
And unless Bradley sees the inside of a brig, the message to USSOCOM's chain of command is that no action is impermissible.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
1. It's not a war, so no "fog" of war.
2. There's no defensible rationale for shooting at a burning boat with no survivors believed aboard. An indefensible rationale might be "hide bodies from investigators."
3. People in the northeast US don't use air conditioning in November.
2. There's no defensible rationale for shooting at a burning boat with no survivors believed aboard. An indefensible rationale might be "hide bodies from investigators."
3. People in the northeast US don't use air conditioning in November.
Q: So you didn't see any survivors after that first strike?
HEGSETH: I did not personally see survivors. The thing was on fire. This is called the fog of war. This is what you in the press don't understand. You sit in your air conditioned offices and plant fake stories in the Washington Post
HEGSETH: I did not personally see survivors. The thing was on fire. This is called the fog of war. This is what you in the press don't understand. You sit in your air conditioned offices and plant fake stories in the Washington Post
December 2, 2025 at 11:19 PM
1. It's not a war, so no "fog" of war.
2. There's no defensible rationale for shooting at a burning boat with no survivors believed aboard. An indefensible rationale might be "hide bodies from investigators."
3. People in the northeast US don't use air conditioning in November.
2. There's no defensible rationale for shooting at a burning boat with no survivors believed aboard. An indefensible rationale might be "hide bodies from investigators."
3. People in the northeast US don't use air conditioning in November.
This episode was sooo good, in part because it contains the clearest discussion of good dependency theory I've heard in a minute.
I’m on @thedigradio.bsky.social. We talk about the intertwined histories of capitalism and extraction; the origins of OPEC & new geopolitics of supply chains; what I think about degrowth; green development in the Global South; green economic populism in US; Chinese industrial policy & much more
December 2, 2025 at 11:16 PM
This episode was sooo good, in part because it contains the clearest discussion of good dependency theory I've heard in a minute.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
The Reactionary Centrist instinct—“things were bad, now are less bad, so why are ppl still trying to make them better?”—is generally obnoxious in the best of times, but also true that activists can over-reach, deny gains, etc.
But when the govt is DESPERATELY trying to MAKE THINGS BAD AGAIN? C’mon.
But when the govt is DESPERATELY trying to MAKE THINGS BAD AGAIN? C’mon.
December 2, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The Reactionary Centrist instinct—“things were bad, now are less bad, so why are ppl still trying to make them better?”—is generally obnoxious in the best of times, but also true that activists can over-reach, deny gains, etc.
But when the govt is DESPERATELY trying to MAKE THINGS BAD AGAIN? C’mon.
But when the govt is DESPERATELY trying to MAKE THINGS BAD AGAIN? C’mon.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
The Trump admin has paused all immigration and naturalization processes for people from one of the 19 travel ban countries; including Cuba and Venezuela.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Scoop: The Trump administration has paused all immigration applications filed by people from 19 countries banned from travel to the United States earlier this year, halting green card and U.S. citizenship processing for broad swaths of people.
More coming soon.
More coming soon.
December 2, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The Trump admin has paused all immigration and naturalization processes for people from one of the 19 travel ban countries; including Cuba and Venezuela.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Let's put these 2 headlines from this afternoon together.
They “finish off” suspected cocaine traffickers hanging helplessly off boats in the open ocean.
But an _actual_ cocaine trafficker who just happens to be a conservative political elite gets a pardon.
They “finish off” suspected cocaine traffickers hanging helplessly off boats in the open ocean.
But an _actual_ cocaine trafficker who just happens to be a conservative political elite gets a pardon.
November 28, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Let's put these 2 headlines from this afternoon together.
They “finish off” suspected cocaine traffickers hanging helplessly off boats in the open ocean.
But an _actual_ cocaine trafficker who just happens to be a conservative political elite gets a pardon.
They “finish off” suspected cocaine traffickers hanging helplessly off boats in the open ocean.
But an _actual_ cocaine trafficker who just happens to be a conservative political elite gets a pardon.
This suuuuuckkkkssss so much
Trump, who is bombing boats said to carry drug runners, pardons the former president of Honduras who was convicted of supporting one of the largest, most violent drug trafficking conspiracies in the world. @shawnmccreesh.bsky.social Annie Correal Jeff Ernst www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Trump Announces Pardon for Honduran Ex-President Convicted in Drug Case
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:10 AM
This suuuuuckkkkssss so much
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Trump, who is bombing boats said to carry drug runners, pardons the former president of Honduras who was convicted of supporting one of the largest, most violent drug trafficking conspiracies in the world. @shawnmccreesh.bsky.social Annie Correal Jeff Ernst www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Trump Announces Pardon for Honduran Ex-President Convicted in Drug Case
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Trump, who is bombing boats said to carry drug runners, pardons the former president of Honduras who was convicted of supporting one of the largest, most violent drug trafficking conspiracies in the world. @shawnmccreesh.bsky.social Annie Correal Jeff Ernst www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/w...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
November 27, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
“Whether you vote for me or you don’t vote for me, I really want to be your greatest champion, and I will be your champion” — Trump to crowd in Little Haiti, 9/16/16
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:37 PM
“Whether you vote for me or you don’t vote for me, I really want to be your greatest champion, and I will be your champion” — Trump to crowd in Little Haiti, 9/16/16
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
“When three ICE agents took Ms. Cordero into custody for overstaying her visa, she began to weep, as did the Citizenship and Immigration Services officer who had been interviewing her, according to Mr. Cordero.”
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
“When three ICE agents took Ms. Cordero into custody for overstaying her visa, she began to weep, as did the Citizenship and Immigration Services officer who had been interviewing her, according to Mr. Cordero.”
Reading it seemed like a similar experience to Voldemort getting one of his horcrux destroyed
People are calling my lede here "appalling," "nightmare fuel," "actively evil," and "a desecration of the human spirit"
The Olivia Nuzzi and RFK Jr. Affair Is Messier Than We Ever Could Have Imagined
Inside the most important, and also least important, story of our time
www.theringer.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Reading it seemed like a similar experience to Voldemort getting one of his horcrux destroyed
"The common thread that runs through all of the elements of this particular Dallas lifestyle is the implicit belief that the world is here for us, and no one else." Maybe the best summary of Christian nationalism?
Dallas is the future of America-- physically, spiritually, and politically. I went to the fastest-growing city in America to see what is in store for us all.
Today, the final part of my story: Sprawling to Freedom.
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/america-is...
Today, the final part of my story: Sprawling to Freedom.
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/america-is...
America Is Becoming Dallas
Part Two: Sprawling to Freedom
www.hamiltonnolan.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The common thread that runs through all of the elements of this particular Dallas lifestyle is the implicit belief that the world is here for us, and no one else." Maybe the best summary of Christian nationalism?
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country failing to care for its girls. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/by-invita...
Nine Minutes in the Fire, Eight Years For the First Light
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country…
beta.elfaro.net
November 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country failing to care for its girls. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/by-invita...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Months later, another nursing home magnate who stole public funds gets a pardon. This guy pled guilty to using $38 MILLION in payroll taxes for personal gain and corporate expenses.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
November 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Months later, another nursing home magnate who stole public funds gets a pardon. This guy pled guilty to using $38 MILLION in payroll taxes for personal gain and corporate expenses.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
One woman had no family left in Guatemala. Some men were snatched from their jobs. Every deportee was distraught, confused, or angry. When Guatemalans flip the coin of abandonment, they often find brutality on the other side. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/letter-fr...
Irrefutable Images
From the time Donald Trump took office in January until mid-October, when El Faro visited the Center for the Reception of Returnees in Guatemala City, the Department of Homeland Security had sent 398…
beta.elfaro.net
November 22, 2025 at 11:30 PM
One woman had no family left in Guatemala. Some men were snatched from their jobs. Every deportee was distraught, confused, or angry. When Guatemalans flip the coin of abandonment, they often find brutality on the other side. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/letter-fr...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
When I talk to students about public speaking or teaching, I always bring this up: Just tell people when you don't know something! It's remarkably powerful b/c it signals to your audience that you know the boundaries of your expertise and they can trust what you DO talk about.
completely outside of politics, this is so charming
November 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
When I talk to students about public speaking or teaching, I always bring this up: Just tell people when you don't know something! It's remarkably powerful b/c it signals to your audience that you know the boundaries of your expertise and they can trust what you DO talk about.
He should bring quarters for the visiting room vending machines. Pizza's really good tbh
Trump says he spoke to Bolsonaro last night and plans to meet with him soon
November 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
He should bring quarters for the visiting room vending machines. Pizza's really good tbh
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
“If every time that ICE strikes, they leave each community more mobilized, interconnected, and radicalized than before, we can use their efforts to eventually become capable of defeating them.”
For months, protesters have sought to tie down ICE agents at a holding facility outside Chicago.
Here, participants reflect on this strategy, evaluating it alongside other strategies such as rapid response networks and showing how Democratic politicians have been instrumental in supporting ICE.
Here, participants reflect on this strategy, evaluating it alongside other strategies such as rapid response networks and showing how Democratic politicians have been instrumental in supporting ICE.
Reflections on Resisting ICE in Chicago
Participants in the ongoing protests at the ICE holding facility in Broadview reflect on what has worked and explore the complicity of Democratic politicians with the violence of ICE.
crimethinc.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:01 AM
“If every time that ICE strikes, they leave each community more mobilized, interconnected, and radicalized than before, we can use their efforts to eventually become capable of defeating them.”
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Detention Management
www.ice.gov
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...