May-lee Chai (she/her)
@mayleechai.bsky.social
Writer. Prof at SFSU. Tomorrow in Shanghai & Other Stories; Useful Phrases for Immigrants; The Girl from Purple Mountain, etc. Board member of NBCC @bookcritics. Web: https://may-leechai.com/
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Columbia University fessed up Wednesday to its dental school's involvement in an admissions scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend.
Ivy League university admits to admissions scandal involving Epstein's girlfriend
Columbia University fessed up Wednesday to its dental school's involvement in an admissions scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend.Documents recently released by President Donald Trump's Department of Justice revealed that a student linked to the disgraced financier was admitted throu...
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Columbia University fessed up Wednesday to its dental school's involvement in an admissions scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Last year, people in the U.S. made an estimated $4.7 billion selling their plasma. Donation centers are popping up in middle-class neighborhoods, including suburban strip malls and college towns.
Middle-class Americans are selling their plasma to make ends meet
Last year, people in the U.S. made an estimated $4.7 billion selling their plasma. Donation centers are popping up in middle-class neighborhoods, including suburban strip malls and college towns.
nbcnews.to
February 12, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Last year, people in the U.S. made an estimated $4.7 billion selling their plasma. Donation centers are popping up in middle-class neighborhoods, including suburban strip malls and college towns.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
oh so just dumb luck these idiots didn’t shoot down a passenger aircraft
According to multiple NYT sources, it wasn’t even military personnel at Fort Bliss that fired an anti-drone laser at alleged cartel drones. It was CBP who used the weapon on loan from DoD against a child’s party balloon they mistook for a drone. The Pentagon gave CBP an anti-aircraft weapon.
February 12, 2026 at 11:36 AM
oh so just dumb luck these idiots didn’t shoot down a passenger aircraft
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
oh god please get these children out of Dilley.
Some children in Dilley were so distraught they cut themselves or talked about suicide, parents told ProPublica.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
oh god please get these children out of Dilley.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
NEW: “CBS Evening News” producer Alicia Hastey sends a bombshell farewell note:
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
February 12, 2026 at 3:22 AM
NEW: “CBS Evening News” producer Alicia Hastey sends a bombshell farewell note:
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
Stories are “evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations.”
I guess —air quotes— “Wuthering Heights” is what Hollywood calls whitewashing now
February 12, 2026 at 5:06 AM
I guess —air quotes— “Wuthering Heights” is what Hollywood calls whitewashing now
Quite the understatement. // www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Weapons Used to Fight Drones Don’t Mix Well With Civilian Airspace
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Quite the understatement. // www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/u...
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Some children in Dilley were so distraught they cut themselves or talked about suicide, parents told ProPublica.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Some children in Dilley were so distraught they cut themselves or talked about suicide, parents told ProPublica.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
They said kids lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping, and were constantly sick.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
WATCH: “In any remotely sane political climate she would be impeached, fired, or just have the good sense to resign in disgrace,” says Chris Hayes on Attorney General Pam Bondi.
‘Astounding’: Chris Hayes stunned Bondi still has DOJ job
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:43 AM
WATCH: “In any remotely sane political climate she would be impeached, fired, or just have the good sense to resign in disgrace,” says Chris Hayes on Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
“…this is something to keep in mind if you’re using a Google camera. Even if you aren’t paying for storage, every event recorded by the camera is going to Google’s servers, and it’s probably recoverable long past the deletion timeline stipulated in the company’s policy.”
Google recovers "deleted" Nest video in high-profile abduction case
Users only get three hours of free Nest video storage, but Google can retrieve videos much later.
arstechnica.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:53 PM
“…this is something to keep in mind if you’re using a Google camera. Even if you aren’t paying for storage, every event recorded by the camera is going to Google’s servers, and it’s probably recoverable long past the deletion timeline stipulated in the company’s policy.”
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
We need to be louder about pushing back on these lies, not least because they've managed to make so many people who are in THE MAJORITY feel like they're on the outs. We can be militantly accepting and kind, but we have to do it LOUDLY.
...& f*ck these hateful, raging, insecure right-wing losers.
...& f*ck these hateful, raging, insecure right-wing losers.
I wrote about the right-wing Super Bowl halftime show as part of a larger project to create and maintain an unreality in which the American right is culturally and politically dominant.
The worst part: It works.
badfaithtimes.com/nothing-real...
The worst part: It works.
badfaithtimes.com/nothing-real...
Nothing Real Can Emerge From The American Right's Unreality
The idea that the US is split exactly down the middle politically and culturally infiltrates everything
badfaithtimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:28 AM
We need to be louder about pushing back on these lies, not least because they've managed to make so many people who are in THE MAJORITY feel like they're on the outs. We can be militantly accepting and kind, but we have to do it LOUDLY.
...& f*ck these hateful, raging, insecure right-wing losers.
...& f*ck these hateful, raging, insecure right-wing losers.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
A majority of cases will never be reported, either.
Hundreds of immigrants have reported sexual abuse at ICE facilities. Most cases aren't investigated
www.pbs.org/newshour/amp...
Hundreds of immigrants have reported sexual abuse at ICE facilities. Most cases aren't investigated
www.pbs.org/newshour/amp...
February 12, 2026 at 4:03 AM
A majority of cases will never be reported, either.
Hundreds of immigrants have reported sexual abuse at ICE facilities. Most cases aren't investigated
www.pbs.org/newshour/amp...
Hundreds of immigrants have reported sexual abuse at ICE facilities. Most cases aren't investigated
www.pbs.org/newshour/amp...
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Seems like a big deal. Also, staggeringly stupid of Bondi to put it on paper.
A Reuters photographer captured this image of a page from Pam Bondi's "burn book," which she used to counter any questions from Democratic lawmakers during an unhinged hearing today.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
It looks like the DOJ monitored members of Congress’s searches of the unredacted Epstein files.
Just wow.
February 12, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Seems like a big deal. Also, staggeringly stupid of Bondi to put it on paper.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged former staffer claimed ‘Madam G’ ordered bodies buried at Zorro Ranch, and NM state just sought federal probe
share.newsbreak.com/h8ej1jsy?s=i16
share.newsbreak.com/h8ej1jsy?s=i16
Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged former staffer claimed ‘Madam G’ ordered bodies buried at Zorro Ranch, and NM state just sought federal probe - NewsBreak
The depths of depravity.
share.newsbreak.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged former staffer claimed ‘Madam G’ ordered bodies buried at Zorro Ranch, and NM state just sought federal probe
share.newsbreak.com/h8ej1jsy?s=i16
share.newsbreak.com/h8ej1jsy?s=i16
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Thinking of Surya Bonaly this week while watching the backflip return to Olympic ice. She was the first to land it on one blade in Olympic competition in Nagano in 1998. I will never forget how I jumped up and screamed seeing her do it live.
February 12, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Thinking of Surya Bonaly this week while watching the backflip return to Olympic ice. She was the first to land it on one blade in Olympic competition in Nagano in 1998. I will never forget how I jumped up and screamed seeing her do it live.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
A thread on Eileen Gu’s nationality status. It’s often reported that China “bans” dual nationality. That’s not quite true. But the rules are confusing and the actual implementation is constantly changing. 🧵
US-born Two-time Olympic gold medalist skier Eileen Gu defended her decision to once again represent China at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.
US-Born Eileen Gu Defends Decision To Represent China At 2026 Olympics | FOX Sports Radio
foxsportsradio.iheart.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:19 PM
A thread on Eileen Gu’s nationality status. It’s often reported that China “bans” dual nationality. That’s not quite true. But the rules are confusing and the actual implementation is constantly changing. 🧵
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
OMG. I just found out from the social media feed of my local bookstore that this now exists in the English translation!!! Like other Soviet children, I grew up on the Russian translation of these stories about garden vegetables and class consciousness! Get this for your American preteen children!!!
February 12, 2026 at 2:51 AM
OMG. I just found out from the social media feed of my local bookstore that this now exists in the English translation!!! Like other Soviet children, I grew up on the Russian translation of these stories about garden vegetables and class consciousness! Get this for your American preteen children!!!
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
I don’t think we should allow the secret police to round people up and sort them by race
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 2:32 AM
I don’t think we should allow the secret police to round people up and sort them by race
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
This is a pogrom
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 2:19 AM
This is a pogrom
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
Novelistic in scope and a structural marvel, THE SECRET AGENT (Kleber Mendoça Filho, 2025) is by far the best film I’ve seen from last year. It’s especially clever in how it doles out both the traditional movie pleausres and the bleakest truths of life under dictatorship. A masterpiece.
February 2, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Novelistic in scope and a structural marvel, THE SECRET AGENT (Kleber Mendoça Filho, 2025) is by far the best film I’ve seen from last year. It’s especially clever in how it doles out both the traditional movie pleausres and the bleakest truths of life under dictatorship. A masterpiece.
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Opinion | Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:26 AM
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
After a college student finally found a treatment that worked for his ulcerative colitis, UnitedHealthcare decided it wouldn’t pay for the costly drugs.
His fight to get coverage exposed the insurer’s hidden procedures for rejecting claims.
(Published Feb. 2023)
His fight to get coverage exposed the insurer’s hidden procedures for rejecting claims.
(Published Feb. 2023)
UnitedHealthcare Tried to Deny Coverage to a Chronically Ill Patient. He Fought Back, Exposing the Insurer’s Inner Workings.
After a college student finally found a treatment that worked, the insurance giant decided it wouldn’t pay for the costly drugs. His fight to get coverage exposed the insurer’s hidden procedures for r...
www.propublica.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:30 AM
After a college student finally found a treatment that worked for his ulcerative colitis, UnitedHealthcare decided it wouldn’t pay for the costly drugs.
His fight to get coverage exposed the insurer’s hidden procedures for rejecting claims.
(Published Feb. 2023)
His fight to get coverage exposed the insurer’s hidden procedures for rejecting claims.
(Published Feb. 2023)
Reposted by May-lee Chai (she/her)
We've made "The Declarations of Havana" by Fidel Castro free to download.
"Cuba rejects as well the attempt to perpetuate the Monroe Doctrine, until now utilized 'to extend the domination in America' of greedy imperialists."
"Cuba rejects as well the attempt to perpetuate the Monroe Doctrine, until now utilized 'to extend the domination in America' of greedy imperialists."
The Declarations of Havana
In response to the American administration’s attempt to isolate Cuba, Fidel Castro delivered a series of speeches designed to radicalize Latin American society. As Latin America experiences more revol...
www.versobooks.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:54 PM
We've made "The Declarations of Havana" by Fidel Castro free to download.
"Cuba rejects as well the attempt to perpetuate the Monroe Doctrine, until now utilized 'to extend the domination in America' of greedy imperialists."
"Cuba rejects as well the attempt to perpetuate the Monroe Doctrine, until now utilized 'to extend the domination in America' of greedy imperialists."