Jeff Spencer
@revjss.bsky.social
Pastor and Teacher of Niles Discovery Church (a DOC/UCC congregation), punster, and climate activist. CO2 level at birth: 319.5ppm. he/him http://linktr.ee/revjss
According to Bill McKibben (and I agree with him, so according to me, too), here’s what we need to be doing:
Don’t give up.
Support independent media.
Speak the truth and only the truth.
Why the nitty-gritty of why our honesty (including honestly calling out the lies others tell) is so important:
Don’t give up.
Support independent media.
Speak the truth and only the truth.
Why the nitty-gritty of why our honesty (including honestly calling out the lies others tell) is so important:
Thinking about lying
Climate denial taught our leaders shamelessness
billmckibben.substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:25 PM
According to Bill McKibben (and I agree with him, so according to me, too), here’s what we need to be doing:
Don’t give up.
Support independent media.
Speak the truth and only the truth.
Why the nitty-gritty of why our honesty (including honestly calling out the lies others tell) is so important:
Don’t give up.
Support independent media.
Speak the truth and only the truth.
Why the nitty-gritty of why our honesty (including honestly calling out the lies others tell) is so important:
The build-up of ICE (and CBP) has not been about immigration, as Trump and the Republican party have claimed. It’s been about power and intimidation. As Dr. Heather Cox Richardson noted on February 4, “Trump ally Steve Bannon said yesterday on his podcast: ‘You’re damn right, ->
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February 15, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The build-up of ICE (and CBP) has not been about immigration, as Trump and the Republican party have claimed. It’s been about power and intimidation. As Dr. Heather Cox Richardson noted on February 4, “Trump ally Steve Bannon said yesterday on his podcast: ‘You’re damn right, ->
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Reposted by Jeff Spencer
Day by day,
week by week,
our government
attacks terrorizes traumatizes
multitudes of civilians—
helpless children among them.
Together, help
end this nightmare.
week by week,
our government
attacks terrorizes traumatizes
multitudes of civilians—
helpless children among them.
Together, help
end this nightmare.
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 15, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Day by day,
week by week,
our government
attacks terrorizes traumatizes
multitudes of civilians—
helpless children among them.
Together, help
end this nightmare.
week by week,
our government
attacks terrorizes traumatizes
multitudes of civilians—
helpless children among them.
Together, help
end this nightmare.
I appreciate that Dr. Heather Cox Richardson isn’t prone to overstatement. This quote from her February 13, 2026, “Letter from an American” seems to me to be understatement, especially given how important it is.
Read the whole “Letter” at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-1...
Read the whole “Letter” at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-1...
February 15, 2026 at 6:23 AM
I appreciate that Dr. Heather Cox Richardson isn’t prone to overstatement. This quote from her February 13, 2026, “Letter from an American” seems to me to be understatement, especially given how important it is.
Read the whole “Letter” at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-1...
Read the whole “Letter” at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-1...
I’m behind reading many “Letters from an American,” by Dr. Heather Cox Richardson. I finally read her January 10 letter, which includes this vitally important insights:
“The thread that runs through both [the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and Renee Good] is the assumption that an American ->
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“The thread that runs through both [the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and Renee Good] is the assumption that an American ->
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February 14, 2026 at 12:30 AM
I’m behind reading many “Letters from an American,” by Dr. Heather Cox Richardson. I finally read her January 10 letter, which includes this vitally important insights:
“The thread that runs through both [the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and Renee Good] is the assumption that an American ->
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“The thread that runs through both [the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and Renee Good] is the assumption that an American ->
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This is a lawsuit to watch. The residents of affordable housing complex are suing the Trump administration, making a novel legal accusation. The U.S. government is knowingly releasing poisonous gas into the homes of its own citizens, they allege in their lawsuit.
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For Months, Tear Gas Has Entered Their Homes. Now They’re Suing ICE.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:41 PM
This is a lawsuit to watch. The residents of affordable housing complex are suing the Trump administration, making a novel legal accusation. The U.S. government is knowingly releasing poisonous gas into the homes of its own citizens, they allege in their lawsuit.
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When faith calls us to act boldly, which it almost certainly will, these words from Rosa Parks may be of comfort.
"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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February 9, 2026 at 11:31 PM
When faith calls us to act boldly, which it almost certainly will, these words from Rosa Parks may be of comfort.
"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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"I finally realized that for fear of that county jail, I had ended up putting myself in prison. That morning, as I realized what I had done, I decided to set myself free. ->
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In her February 7, 2026, “Letter from an American,” Dr. Heather Cox Richardson offers a comprehensive roundup of DHS’s plans regarding the creation of more immigrant concentration camps. It’s appalling.
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
February 7, 2026
Yesterday two right-wing circuit judges signed off on the Trump administration’s new mass detention policy: the extraordinary assertion that vast numbers of noncitizens throughout the country can be a...
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:06 AM
In her February 7, 2026, “Letter from an American,” Dr. Heather Cox Richardson offers a comprehensive roundup of DHS’s plans regarding the creation of more immigrant concentration camps. It’s appalling.
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
I found the final three paragraphs of the “Letter” to be especially powerful (in thread).
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one." Bill McKibben
February 9, 2026 at 12:13 AM
"The last colder-than-average month on planet earth was in February of 1985, which means that no one under the age of forty has ever known one." Bill McKibben
The manuscript for today’s #sermon, “There Are Altars Everywhere,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/t...
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There Are Altars Everywhere
A sermon preached at Niles Discovery Church, Fremont, California,on Sunday, February 8, 2026, by the Rev. Jeffrey Spencer.Scriptures: Psalm 84 and Exodus 3:1-5Copyright © 2026 by Jeffrey S. Spence…
jeffsjottings.wordpress.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:50 PM
The manuscript for today’s #sermon, “There Are Altars Everywhere,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/08/t...
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At least there are people tracking it.
The Birther-in-Chief's disgusting history of racism has its own page on Wikipedia.
See for yourself, here: shorturl.at/UQaXQ
See for yourself, here: shorturl.at/UQaXQ
February 7, 2026 at 11:50 PM
At least there are people tracking it.
Reposted by Jeff Spencer
To say “I don’t do politics” is to say “I don’t do power.” Politics is another word for power. To say “I don’t do power” is to say “dominate me.” Meaning, to say “I don’t do politics” is to consent to being dominated. Precisely what these authoritarian regimes want.
February 7, 2026 at 8:28 PM
To say “I don’t do politics” is to say “I don’t do power.” Politics is another word for power. To say “I don’t do power” is to say “dominate me.” Meaning, to say “I don’t do politics” is to consent to being dominated. Precisely what these authoritarian regimes want.
I think the most important two paragraphs from yesterday's "Letter from an American" are these:
The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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February 6, 2026
Late last night, President Donald J.
heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 11:47 PM
I think the most important two paragraphs from yesterday's "Letter from an American" are these:
The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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The Republicans are also trying to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require a document proving citizenship in order to register to vote and ->
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In an editorial published today (Friday, February 6), the Editorial Board of The New York Times says that the United States continues its slide toward “autocracy.” I say the USA is continuing to slide into a dictatorship.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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Opinion | ICE and Minnesota Have Pushed the U.S. Closer to Autocracy (Gift Article)
Measuring America’s slide toward democratic erosion.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:15 AM
In an editorial published today (Friday, February 6), the Editorial Board of The New York Times says that the United States continues its slide toward “autocracy.” I say the USA is continuing to slide into a dictatorship.
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
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In 1969, James Baldwin appeared on the Dick Cavett Show and talked about racism. Most of what he had to say still holds true today.
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James Baldwin Discusses Racism on The Dick Cavett Show (1969)
This is the full 30-minute segment including Baldwin's heated argument with Yale philosophy professor Paul Weiss. originally aired on May 16, 1969.
vimeo.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:49 PM
In 1969, James Baldwin appeared on the Dick Cavett Show and talked about racism. Most of what he had to say still holds true today.
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While my country heads in the wrong energy direction, it’s nice to read about the plan of ten European nations to build a giant “clean energy reservoir” in the North Sea, with enough wind to power 143 million homes (which is about two-thirds of all the homes in Europe).
UK joins European offshore windfarm plan to create world’s largest ‘clean energy reservoir’
Britain among 10 countries to build 100GW grid in North Sea linking countries through subsea cables
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:02 AM
While my country heads in the wrong energy direction, it’s nice to read about the plan of ten European nations to build a giant “clean energy reservoir” in the North Sea, with enough wind to power 143 million homes (which is about two-thirds of all the homes in Europe).
I think this song goes well with this past Sunday's sermon. youtu.be/awzNHuGqoMc
Tim McGraw - Humble And Kind (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by TimMcGrawVEVO
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 6:24 AM
I think this song goes well with this past Sunday's sermon. youtu.be/awzNHuGqoMc
Congratulations to the Fremont (California) Unified School District on receiving a one million dollar grant for electric school buses and electric infrastructure. tricityvoice.com/fremont-scho...
Fremont School Board receives grant for electric school buses | Tri City Voice
Fremont School Board receives grant for electric school buses: Grant covers costs of vehicle to grid chargers
tricityvoice.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Congratulations to the Fremont (California) Unified School District on receiving a one million dollar grant for electric school buses and electric infrastructure. tricityvoice.com/fremont-scho...
Without getting into the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (since that’s not her area of expertise), Dr. Katharine Hayhoe offers a great overview of how AI intersects with climate change, and what the science tells us there. www.talkingclimate.ca/p/when-ai-hu...
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When AI hurts the climate—and when it helps
Can AI be used wisely in a warming world?
www.talkingclimate.ca
February 3, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Without getting into the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (since that’s not her area of expertise), Dr. Katharine Hayhoe offers a great overview of how AI intersects with climate change, and what the science tells us there. www.talkingclimate.ca/p/when-ai-hu...
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Scrolling through Facebook memories and I suddenly realize: four years ago, one year into the Biden presidency, the fight was about getting our democracy to adopt intelligent policies ... and now, one year into the Trump presidency, the fight is about keeping our democracy.
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February 2, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Scrolling through Facebook memories and I suddenly realize: four years ago, one year into the Biden presidency, the fight was about getting our democracy to adopt intelligent policies ... and now, one year into the Trump presidency, the fight is about keeping our democracy.
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Andy Borowitz reports, "Trump is threatening to sue Trevor Noah over a joke he made at the Grammys last night. So it's incumbent on all of us to share that joke as far and wide as possible. Here it is:
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February 2, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Andy Borowitz reports, "Trump is threatening to sue Trevor Noah over a joke he made at the Grammys last night. So it's incumbent on all of us to share that joke as far and wide as possible. Here it is:
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The manuscript for yesterday’s #sermon, “Serving Serves,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/s...
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Serving Serves
A sermon preached at Niles Discovery Church, Fremont, California,on Sunday, February 1, 2026, by the Rev. Jeffrey Spencer.Scriptures: Matthew 5:1-12 and Micah 6:1-8Copyright © 2026 by Jeffrey S. S…
jeffsjottings.wordpress.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:14 PM
The manuscript for yesterday’s #sermon, “Serving Serves,” is on my blog. jeffsjottings.wordpress.com/2026/02/02/s...
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Green energy makes financial sense!
Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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Time for some courage in the climate fight too
Big business, and its political enablers, have turned tail. They need to take a page from the resistance
billmckibben.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Green energy makes financial sense!
Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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Not only does green electricity cost less to generate than fossil fueled electricity, investing in green energy makes money.
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We've been warned.
Getting the impression that ICE is gearing up for a pogrom in Springfield, Ohio, which was ground zero of Vance’s lies about Haitians during the campaign. Haitians lose temporary protected status on February 3rd. Reporters, lawyers, neighbors — please get ready.
January 31, 2026 at 8:11 PM
We've been warned.
Reposted by Jeff Spencer
INBOX: Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, responds to this report:
January 31, 2026 at 8:04 PM
INBOX: Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, responds to this report: